Author: On Common Ground News

Victor Lee Tucker, Jr.  DECATUR, GA–Today, June 21, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office released the booking photo for Victor Lee Tucker, Jr., 30, the suspect in the June 14 Big Bear grocery store shooting that left one cashier dead and an off-duty sheriff’s deputy injured. According to authorities, Tucker had a dispute with a cashier about his face mask. Tucker was transported to Grady Hospital after the deputy returned fire and shot him. Tucker was initially listed in stable condition. He was released from the hospital on June 18, said DeKalb County Police  Department spokesperson Michaela Vincent. Tucker was booked…

ATLANTA– Georgia gas prices  dropped slightly at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are paying an average price of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is two cents less than a week ago, five cents less than last month and 97 cents more than this time last year. It costs Georgia motorists $43.35 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $6.45 more than what motorists paid in January of 2020 when pump prices hit their peak of $2.46 per gallon. “An increase in both supply and demand has helped to limit fluctuations in prices,” said Garrett Townsend, AAA-The Auto Club Group Public Affairs Director. “If production continues…

ATLANTA – Georgia Power crews are responding to scattered outages this morning as a result of heavy rain and gusty winds overnight associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Claudette. Approximately 5,000 customers are currently without power as the weather system continues to move East across central and north Georgia.  Crews are finding wires down and broken poles in some areas caused by fallen trees, limbs and debris, and will be working throughout the day to make repairs. Heavy rains and saturated soil means wind gusts are likely to bring down trees that could cause additional outages.   Customers are…

Pictured Top: First-place winner Desmoine Bennett,14 Bottom L-R: Second-place winner Marcus Harris, 9, and third-place winners Steve Sadiq, 9, and David “DJ” Dorsey, 14 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA- Desmoine Bennett,14, wiped out all of her competitors in a chess tournament hosted by Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, founder of the Be Someone mentoring program based in DeKalb County. The Be Someone program uses chess to train and teach life skills to students. Bennett, a Champion Middle School student, stood out in the online tournament as the only…

STONECREST – Emory Hillandale Hospital is requesting the public’s help to identify a patient who has been at the hospital for several weeks. The hospital is working with local authorities, but has been unable to identify the patient who cannot provide information about his name, address or family members. The patient is approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 173 pounds. He is believed to be in his mid-twenties. If you have any information that could help identify the patient in the attached photo, please call Emory Hillandale Police at (404) 501-5339.

ATLANTA—THE Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice(DJJ) will hold a Job Fair on Wednesday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1300 Constitution Rd. in Atlanta.. DJJ is currently recruiting for Juvenile Correctional Officers, Housekeepers, and Food Service Workers for the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center and the Atlanta Youth Development Campus. On-site interviews will be conducted, along with contingent hiring. Individuals interested in applying should bring their valid driver’s license or state-issued identification. For more information, call 404-294-3431.

Late Congressman John Lewis to be honored, event will be live-streamed on FB   MACON, GA—The city’s downtown will be filled with music as the Macon Make Music Day International Celebration beckons locals and visitors alike to Cherry Street on June 21. The daylong,, family-freindly festival, which features free pop-up performances on downtown city corners, in parks and restaurants, runs 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Those who can’t make it to the in person event can join the Macon Make Music festivities virtually via Facebook. Held annually on June 21 to…