Author: On Common Ground News

The special election to fill the seat of  Rockdale County Probate Judge is off to a slow start.  Rockdale County Elections Director Cynthia Willingham reported that a total of 196 early voters had cast ballots(.31 percent of the county’s total active voters) by the close of business today(May 24). 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 , which runs May 24 through  June 11, …

Rockdale County Sheriff’s investigators have upgraded the charges against a suspect accused of brutally attacking a 58-year-old Conyers man with a hammer. Roy B. Dees, 32, who was originally charged with Aggravated Battery, is now facing Murder charges, the Sheriff’s Office said today (May 24). Dees’ charges were upgraded after Jimmy Vance died on May 21 following a series of complications from the head injuries. Dees is accused of striking Vance several times in the head with a hammer on May 16, investigators said. Vance, a handyman, had been doing some work at a home near Broad and River streets…

DeKalb County replacing three I-285 Eastside bridges   ATLANTA—Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT )in April awarded 15 construction contracts for statewide transportation projects totaling $65,061,289, officials announced today (May 24). A Design-Build project was awarded to Archer Western Construction, LLC  for the I-285 Eastside Bridges project in DeKalb County. Archer Western was selected from among four bidders and was ranked as having the best value score.  The project calls for replacing the existing bridges over Interstate-285 at State Route 12/US 278/Covington Highway, Redwing Circle and Glenwood Road. All new bridges will be constructed with spans long enough to accommodate the express lanes.  To…

A Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being struck by a vehicle while investigating a traffic accident early this morning (May 24) on Interstate 20. The deputy was hit  around 3:41 a.m. an I-20 Eastbound lane near exit 84, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The deputy’s name was not released. The deputy was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained and is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said. The other vehicle involved stayed on the scene. No injuries were reported by the other parties involved, the Sheriff’s Office stated.  Georgia State Patrol is…

Chamblee Police have released the identity of the suspect taken into custody after a fatal drug-related shooting at the Bedford Park Apartments in Chamblee. The suspect  has been identified as Christopher Leonard Martin, authorities said today (May 24). The female victim has been identified as Adrian Jimeax Garrison. Martin was charged with Armed Robbery, Murder, Possession of a Firearm or Knife and Possession of a Firearm-convicted Felon. The shooting took place  on May 22. Police responded to the scene around 5:38 a.m. and found the female victim who had been shot inside her apartment. She was transported to the hospital…

Christopher Leonard Martin Chamblee Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened around 5:38 a.m. today (May 22)at the Bedford  Park Apartments. Police responded to the shooting and found a female victim who was shot inside her apartment. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The cell phone of the victim and her husband were stolen, authorities said in a news release. Chamblee Police investigators were able to obtain a partial description of the suspect and vehicle. Using this information, coupled with location services on the stolen cell phones and information from the the City’s License…

Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputies on Friday(May 21) released the identities of  the man and woman who were found shot to death in a car on a rural road in Conyers. The victims were identified as  Miykel Blackburn and Trevia Ways, who were both 22 years old.  They were shot multiple times and discovered in a car on a remote driveway leading to a home on Bruce Road on Thursday(May 20) around 1:40 p.m., authorities said. Earl Moat, the homeowner where the car was found, told WSB-TV that he noticed a car in his driveway when he was on his way…

CONYERS—The Children’s Department of the Conyers-Rockdale (Nancy Guinn Memorial) Library will temporarily be unavailable to the public Monday, May 24, through Saturday, May 29, as it migrates to its new location. Library patrons can continue to place holds on items through the online catalog and pick them up in-house or use the curbside holds pickup service. Adults Services will remain open, and the library’s digital collection is still accessible. The library will be closed on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. Please save the date: Friday, June 11, 2-4 p.m. The library will kick off “Tails and Tales”…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host a free COVID-19 vaccination event on Monday, May 24, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the JenCare parking, 2124 Candler Road, Decatur. This event will be held in partnership with the DeKalb County Board of Health, the DeKalb Human Services Department and JenCare Senior Medical Center. “We are starting to experience a slower response rate with people getting the COVID-19 vaccine,” Commissioner Johnson said. “Therefore, we want to remove any obstacles and take the resources to the people for anyone that wants to be vaccinated–no appointment needed.” The DeKalb Mobile Wellness Clinic…

Photos provided by Ken Woodmansee. LITHONIA—This week, U.S. Navy leadership held a recruiting event at Lithonia High School in search of high-ability students who have what it takes to excel in high-demand fields, such as nuclear engineering, cryptology, and IT. The Navy shared information about its $180,000 ROTC Scholarship Program, which pays full college tuition for students with exceptional academic and leadership credentials. “In uncertain times, it is important for high school students to understand that a Navy career offers an exceptional way forward,” said Commander DJ Jackson, Deputy Director, Navy Outreach and Diversity The main attraction…