Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA –DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox praised the response by a deputy from its Reserves Unit who was working off duty on Monday (June 14) at the Big Bear grocery store at 2849 Candler Road in Decatur around 1 p.m. when a shooting erupted and a cashier was killed. Another cashier  suffered non-life threatening injuries. Reserves Deputy Danny Jordan, 54, remains hospitalized today(June 15) in “stable condition” at Atlanta Medical Center after sustaining gunshot injuries when he intervened as a lone gunman fired several times inside the supermarket. Laquitta Willis, a 41-year-old  cashier, was taken to…

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2021 is held on June 15th. The United Nations General Assembly officially recognized this day as an annual initiative in its 66/127 resolution, following a request by the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). World Elder Abuse Awareness Day or WEAAD is a designated day in which the entire world voices its opposition to any form of abuse of the older generation. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has experienced elder abuse and believed…

This morning a Cobb County Magistrate judge issued misdemeanor warrants for Cobb County School District bus driver, Richard Tebbens, for simple assault and simple battery against a 10-year-old student. The incident occurred on November 14, 2019. According to the sworn testimony during the warrant issuance hearing on May 10, 2020, Richard Tebbens, a bus driver employed by the Cobb County School District stopped the bus he was driving. He then went to the back of the bus, grabbed a 10 year old child by the collar of his shirt and then forcefully gripped the child’s face and head with his…

DECATUR, Ga.—After becoming the victim of an international cyberattack in March 2020, DeKalb County announced today that it will reopen the application process for its Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition next week. “This cyberattack will not deter us from fulfilling our mission of providing rental assistance to the tenants and landlords who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. Originally launched in February, the program is designed to provide financial relief to DeKalb renters threatened by eviction and landlords facing revenue losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition program will reopen Monday,…

The City of Stonecrest will  offer a full week of virtual opportunities for residents to celebrate Juneteenth.  Be sure to tune into the Stonecrest Parks and Recreation Facebook page to view all virtual events such as  the Lunch and Learn and Juneteenth online party on June 18. All attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a free virtual presentation from Manga African Dance Group on June 18 at 12:00 pm where they will learn about Juneteenth through storytelling and dance, so bring your lunch and tune in. Later that evening, get ready to share your dance moves wherever you’re celebrating as we…

L-R: Lithonia City Council member Darold P. Honore, Yandy Smith and Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds   ATLANTA—City of Lithonia officials Darold P. Honore and Mayor Shameka Reynolds congratulated Yandy Smith of “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” on her grand opening of Yelle skincare products at Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. on June 10, 2021.   Reynold, said the city plans to honor Smith  for her accomplishments, dedication, inspiration, and commitment. Honore, former mayor who now sits on the Lithonia City Council, thanked Smith for allowing the D. Honore Agency to insure her dream. Lithonia is celebrating Juneteenth this month…

Several AME churches in metro Atlanta’s East District are taking the lead this week in hosting Juneteenth celebrations in collaboration with Black Voters Matter. The churches in DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties are among 26 houses of worship that comprise the Sixth Episcopal District, which is under the leadership of Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson,  presiding prelate. The churches, which include Antioch AME in Stone Mountain; First St. Paul AME in the city of Lithonia; St. Paul AME in unincorporated Lithonia; and New Bethel AME in unincorporated Lithonia, will be celebrating with music, guest speakers, fun activities for families and will…

United Airlines is offering its loyalty program members the chance to win free flights for a year’s worth of travel, in support of President Biden administration’s national effort to encourage more people to get their COVID-19 vaccination. The deadline to apply for the “Your Shot to Fly” sweepstakes is June 22. The sweepstakes is open to any new or existing MileagePlus® member who uploads their vaccination records to the airline’s mobile app or website between by the deadline to be entered to win a roundtrip flight for two, in any class of service, to anywhere in the world United flies,…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, pressed FBI Director Christopher Wray for answers around gun violence, the murders in March 2021 of eight people – six of whom were Asian-American women in Atlanta – and on how the Bureau is combatting the rise of domestic terrorism, including white supremacists. Below is a transcript and video link of the exchange. VIDEO: Rep. Johnson Questions FBI Director Wray in Judiciary Hearing: HERE Mr. Johnson: Director Wray, I want to thank you for appearing before us today and for your service to the nation.…

BROOKHAVEN, GA—After taking a year off due to the pandemic, Brookhaven Food Truck Roundup returns to Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, on June 16, 6-9 p.m., and continues every Wednesday through Oct. 27. For the second year, the food trucks will be in their new location at the north end of the park near the Blackburn Pavilion, bordering the playground. “We welcome the return of one of our most popular events,” said Parks and Recreation Director Brian Borden. “This Wednesday night tradition is a great way to enjoy what Blackburn Park has to offer.” The weekly event will feature…