Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—After a year without access to city pools due COVID-19, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the city is making pools accessible to all patrons at no cost. All 12 city pools will reopen beginning Saturday, May 29, in time for Memorial Day. “After such a challenging year for communities across Atlanta, we are grateful that we can now provide free access to the City’s pools,” said Mayor Bottoms. “We ask everyone to enjoy our recreation facilities in a safe and responsible manner.” In line with the most recent CDC COVID-19 Guidelines, capacity will be limited and masks are required…

DECATUR, GA—An investigation is underway following an emergency evacuation this morning(May 27) of the DeKalb County courthouse in downtown Decatur. Out of an abundance of caution, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office ordered all occupants to be evacuated and implemented an immediate security sweep of the judicial complex and some nearby businesses, including the MARTA station. The operation, which concluded after several hours with no device being found, involved some 60 law enforcement personnel from the Decatur Police Department, the DeKalb County Police Department and DeKalb Police K9 units, the Marshal’s Office, MARTA Police, and Homeland Security. “We are pleased with the…

Rockdale County Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a 22-year-old Covington man in connection with the double murders—a woman and man whose bodies were found in a vehicle on a remote road in Conyers. Both of the 22-year-old victims were shot multiple times, authorities said. Javon S. Price was charged with murder authorities and booked into the Rockdale County Jail on May 25. Authorities said the drug-related shooting is still under investigation. The victims were identified as Miykel Blackburn and Trevia Ways, both of Snellville. Their bodies were discovered in a gray Infinity near the 1400 block of Bruce Road in a…

Due to a scheduled HVAC system replacement project by DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Board of Health will temporarily close its North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Road N.E., Chamblee. The offices will be closed for Memorial Day, May 31, and June 1-3 and possible June 4 for the work to be completed. During the closure, clients scheduled for appointments will be rescheduled for care at other health centers or upon the center’s re-opening. For more information regarding the Board of Health’s programs and services, visit dekalbhealth.net or call 404-294-3700.

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD), in collaboration with the Atlanta Food Back, will distribute 4,000 meals boxes on Saturday, May 29,  8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at DCSD’s Administrative and Instructional Complex,1701 Mountain Industrial, Stone Mountain.   The district will distribute seven breakfast and lunch meals, and five snacks for households with students ages 0 to 18.     For more information, visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org. 

CONYERS, GA–Travis Ramon Hamilton, who was identified as the person responsible for operating a stolen vehicles  “chop shop” at his Conyers residence, has surrendered, the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said today (May 27). The Sheriff’s Office had put out a Wanted alert for Hamilton on May 17.  Hamilton, 33, turned himself in to the Rockdale County Jail on May 26 at 10:15 p.m., authorities said. He is being charged with operating a chop shop and several counts of theft by receiving stolen property.  Deputies discovered the chop shop on April 4 after responding to a GPS ping alert of a stolen…

With summer on the way, the City of Stonecrest has opened its permitting process for members of the public to host special events at the city’s parks and recreation facilities. Permit requests also are being accepted for special events on non-city-owned property under a separate plan, city officials said. The City Council unanimously approved the two, phased plans on Monday (May 24) after a lengthy discussion. The council gave the nod to begin accepting permit applications for special events as of Tuesday, May 25. For those seeking to use city facilities, permits initially will be given for outdoor events for…

Incumbent Judge Gary Washington faces two challengers: Kathy Harvey and Justin Kenney to fill the unexpired term of Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Washington became the judge in the Probate Court on March 1 after Cuthpert, Jr. was appointed to the State Court. Early voting, whic runs May 24 through June 11, is being held at the Rockdale County Annex at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. Election Day is June 15 and all voters must report to their assigned precincts on that day.

Photo provided by Gwinnett County Office of Courts The six-member Gwinnett State Court bench has appointed Norcross attorney Mihae Park to fill the unexpired term of Recorder’s Court Judge Michael Greene, who retired on April 30. Park is the first female Asian American to serve as a Recorder’s Court Judge and the second Korean American to serve in this role. She will be sworn in May 28. Soon after earning a law degree from the University of Florida in 1988, Park joined the Gwinnett Solicitor’s Office where she worked there for over 10 years. In the Solicitor’s…