Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County School District (DCSD) said it will close Oak View Elementary for 10 days due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases at the school.   The school has had 18 students test positive for COVID-19. That number, however, has impacted over 90 students and 13 staff members who have had to quarantine and isolate, the school district said in a statement.  The grades impacted include pre-K, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and5..   No cases have been reported thus far in grades 3 and 4t. The school district said that it is closing Oak View “out of abundance…

General election ballot includes municipal elections and E-SPLOST DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections announced eight advance voting locations for the upcoming November general municipal and special election. The advance voting locations align with newly established state mandates as a result of SB202. Advance voting for the Nov. 2 election will take place Oct. 12-29, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Weekend advance voting days are Oct. 16 and Oct. 23 with available 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. “We are pleased to announce our advance voting locations as we continue to work to ensure elections are…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The victim in Wednesday’s  fatal hit-and-run  has been identified as 15-year-old Quartez Mender. The person responsible has yet to be identified, the DeKalb Police Department said in a statement today(Sept. 2) Mender was killed on Sept. 1 around 2 a.m. on Flat Shoals Parkway near Wellington Court. His family members said he snuck out of the house. Investigators say they believe he was struck while walking  near the entrance of Orchard Walk Apartments. The driver of the vehicle did not remain on the scene, police said. Family and friends held a candlelight vigil…

Jurors return guilty verdict against Lamour Lowe, 22     DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Stone Mountain man accused of shooting and killing an acquaintance from middle school.    Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Aug. 26 against Lamour Lowe, 22, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting death of Larnell Thompson, 19.   The fatal incident occurred on June 1, 2019 at the 1500 Oak Apartments…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a hit-and- run accident, which killed a 15-year-old male today(Sept. 1) on Flat Shoals Pkwy near Wellington Court. Investigators believe the victim was walking near the entrance of Orchard Walk Apartments when he was struck by an unknown vehicle at approximately 2 a.m. The driver of the vehicle did not remain on the scene. The vehicle involved should have damage to the front passenger side. If anyone has any information, please contact the DeKalb County Traffic Specialist Unit at 770-724-7610 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.

Photo cutline: Hikers enjoying the scenery as part of the Daisy Days Triple Hike Challenge.   STONECREST, GA– Daisy Days, the celebration of metro-Atlanta’s autumn flowers, begins today (Sept. 1) and runs throughout the month of September. Participants can complete the Daisy Days Triple Hike Challenge by hiking three of four possible mountains to earn the prize: Arabia Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Panola Mountain, and Stone Mountain. The event is free (although parking may require a small fee). Get started here:arabiaalliance.org/activities/daisy-days/. This event is presented by the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Panola Mountain State Park and…

Photo via Facebook DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Southern Christian  Leadership Conference (SCLC) will host a rally today(Sept. 1) to demand that DeKalb Police Chief Ramos and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond terminate Sgt. Devon Perry for the murder of Matthew Zadok Williams. The rally will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the DeKalb County Police South Precinct, 2842 H F Shepherd Drive, Decatur, Georgia. According to the DeKalb SCLC’s press release: The family of Matthew Zadok Williams has been made aware that Sgt. Devon Perry is still on duty at the DeKalb County Police Department.  Perry is the officer who unlawfully fired…

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…