Author: On Common Ground News

The City of Stonecrest is hosting a New Year’s Even Drive-In on Thursday, Dec. 31 at the former Sam’s Club building, 2994 Turner Hill Road, Stonecrest.

Decatur, GA.— The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County Branch recognizes Jan. 1 as Jubilee Day and will host a virtual program on New Year’s Day at 10 a.m. Jan. 1, 1863 was the official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the freeing of enslaved Africans in America. On this day, President Abraham Lincoln signed freedom (on paper) for all Blacks held captive in Southern states, opening the door to greater opportunities and a chance at the “American Dream”. “This is not just a time for celebration, but it is also a time for remembrance and…

LITHONIA, GA–Two City of Lithonia police officers  last night arrested Jamal James Nicholl, identified as one of Atlanta’s “Operation Phoenix” most violent offenders after responding to a shots fired call. The incident took place around 6:45 p.m. at a resident located at the intersection of Kelly Street and Dean Court, authorities said. When Canine Officer Corporal J. Patterson and Patrol Officer G. Law arrived at the scene, Nicholl fled into a residence and barricaded himself inside. Following a brief standoff, Nicholl surrendered  without further incident and was transported to the DeKalb County Jail. Newly-appointed Chief of Police Nathan Pollard commended…

The DeKalb County Democratic Committee praised the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections for upholding the principles of democracy by rejecting the partisan attacks on the eligibility of DeKalb voters. The committee stated in a news release today (Dec. 24): “On Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Republican Party and a Texas-based group called “True the Vote” wasted DeKalb taxpayers’ time and resources by challenging the eligibility of over 50,000 DeKalb citizens to vote in next month’s U.S. Senate runoffs. This is another blatant attack on our democracy by Republicans who do not reside in our state and Republican leaders who…

The Always Keep Hope Foundation(AKHF), in partnership with the Lithonia-Stonecrest Kiwanis Club International and Rockdale County School Board member-elect Akita Parmer, recently donated over 125 coats to needy students in the Rockdale and Stonecrest-Lithonia area. “This has been an especially tough year for families. This coat drive was very critical. It was about turning real problems into real solutions with the good works of giving to those struggling in the light of a global pandemic, said the foundation’s CEO and founder  Dwight Jessie. Jessie credited the foundation’s success to having a strong board of directors. “The foundation has worked…

As Rockdale County’s COVID-19 cases surge, county officials are reminding residents to be diligent in wearing facemasks, practicing social distancing, washing their hands and sanitizing surfaces during the holidays. Dan Morgan, who heads the county’s Emergency Management Agency, said Rockdale remains in the “High” category of active COVID-19 cases, with 18-to 22-year-olds presenting the highest rate of transmissions. Morgan said that roughly 30 percent of Georgia’s confirmed COVID-19 cases are young people 18 to 22 years old, a subset of those 18-29 years old, according to information released on Tuesday, Dec. 22, by Georgia’s Department of Public Health. “They (young…

The City of Atlanta announced the opening of an emergency warming center in anticipation of frigid temperatures expected over the Christmas holiday. The center will open Thursday, Dec. 24, 6 p.m. and will remain open through Saturday, Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. The warming center is located at the former Ramada Hotel, 450 Capitol Avenue S.E., downtown Atlanta. The operation schedule is subject to change in accordance with local weather. Those in need of additional assistance can contact the City by dialing 311 (inside Atlanta City limits) or 404-546-0311.  

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested two murder suspects today. DeKalb sheriff’s investigators, with the U.S. Marshals Office, arrested 41 year-old Stone Mountain, Georgia resident Gerald Jerome Clark in Decatur on a charge of murder in the death of an unidentified woman on Sept. 26, 2020 at a Fieldgreen Drive residence in Stone Mountain. The arrest warrant alleges that Clark shot the victim several times and locked her in the trunk of a vehicle which he set on fire. In a separate operation, DeKalb sheriff’s investigators worked with the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office to arrest 23-year-old Courtney Evette Terrell…

Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Janice Morris took the oath of office on Dec. 18.  Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert Jr., performed the swearing-in ceremony at the Rockdale Superior Courthouse. Originally, the swearing-in for all of the county’s elected officials was scheduled for Dec. 29 at the Rockdale auditorium. However, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, swearing-in ceremonies were restricted and held separately on different dates. Morris was joined by her husband, Tolbert, for her swearing-in ceremony. She said she is excited about her new role as Clerk of Courts and looks forward to bringing a…