Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Floodplain Management Office offers residents general floodplain management information on flood hazards, planning, prevention, and mitigation free of charge. This is part of activities under the Community Rating System Program (CRS) of the county. The service provides useful information on the following: Flood zone determination and flood risk assessment Information on the Flood Insurance Rate Map and the Flood Insurance Study Access to previous Flood Insurance Rate Maps Information on Special Flood Hazard Areas and other High hazard flood areas such as the floodways and high velocity zones Flood depths around…

CONYERS, GA—Excel Church, 1151 Flat Shoals, will be giving away hundreds of boxes of groceries to the community on Saturday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Those in need should drive up to the front of the church and a volunteer will bring the food to your vehicle. Fresh meat, produce, personal and household products will be distributed while supplies last. For more information: info@excelchurch.tv.

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Fleet Management Deputy Director Robert Gordon is one of three to be inducted into the Public Fleet Hall of Fame, supported by Government Fleet and the American Public Works Association. Gordon was chosen from a select group of administrators because of his outstanding leadership and contribution to the industry. Sought after nationally for his expertise, Gordon frequently volunteers his knowledge to other municipalities looking to better their fleet initiatives. “I’m so very proud of this well-deserved accolade for Robert Gordon,” said Rick Lemke, director of the DeKalb County Department of Public Works. “He is…

ATLANTA, GA —Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that the office’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has indicted four individuals on human trafficking charges.  A DeKalb County Grand Jury returned the indictment on August 24. “We thank the DeKalb County Grand Jury for their careful consideration of the evidence in this case,” said Attorney General Chris Carr.  “Our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit looks forward to presenting our case in court. We hope to send a strong message that buyers and traffickers’ actions are equally as despicable, and we will aggressively prosecute both.” A summary of the charges against these individuals…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Week 3 of DeKalb County School District’s(DCSD)  high school football has games on tap in DeKalb stadiums including four all-DeKalb meetings. A pair of former Region 5-5A rivals Arabia Mountain (2-0) and Columbia (0-1) meet for the ninth time in a non-region clash at Avondale Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm. Columbia, now in Region 6-2A, leads the all-time series 5-3 following a 12-8 victory in 2019 to break a string of three consecutive wins by the Rams which now reside in Region 6-4A. Arabia won the 2018…

DECATUR, GA–A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted a Lithonia man in connection with the stabbing attack of a pregnant woman walking with her 3-year-old son along a Brookhaven trail this summer. Christopher Jones, 30, was indicted Monday on charges of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Criminal Attempt to Commit Feticide, Aggravated Assault, and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree for the June 5 attack of Valerie Kasper. According to the investigation, the victim and her young son were walking along the Peachtree Creek Greenway Trailhead, when a stranger approached and attempted to speak with the woman. After…

DECATUR, GA– Due to the Labor Day holiday, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s offices and regional health centers will be closed on Friday and Monday, however, COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccine will be available throughout the weekend for community members. COVID-19 testing in the parking lot of the North DeKalb Health Center is available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., and will be unaffected by the holiday. COVID-19 vaccine will be available at the Doraville MARTA station, in addition to planned mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Mobile clinics can be found be visiting dekalbhealth.net/mobile-covid-19-vaccination-clinic/#calendar.…

STONECREST, GA—Annie’s Crab Kingdom closed its doors on Sunday (Aug. 29) after opening in August 2020 during the pandemic and sustaining a yearlong run in the city. DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, speaking on behalf of her aunt, Annie Page, for whom the restaurant was named, and other family members involved in the business, said the shutdown was due to staffing shortages. Cochran-Johnson said that finding and retaining employees was very challenging Cochran-Johnson held a farewell celebration on Sunday with supporters at the restaurant, located at 6768 Browns Mill Road. She said new owners plan to open a…