Author: On Common Ground News

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—Voices of Faith Church is inviting high school girls who need a formal outfit for the prom to its Pampered Princess event. The church’s Women of Faith ministry has collected beautiful new and gently used dresses, shoes, handbags and accessories that will be given away through the Pampered Princess event. Girls are invited to select their outfits on March 22 at Voices of Faith, which is under the leadership of Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr. The Women of Faith ministry is headed by Bishop Hawkins’ wife, First Lady Pamela Hawkins. The event includes complimentary makeup, nail and hair services.…

STONECREST, GA –Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will convene a roundtable discussion on the critical role of Medicaid in Georgia on Tuesday, March 18, from 10 to 11 a.m., at his district office, 5240 Snapfinger Park Drive, Suite 140, Stonecrest.   The discussion, which will bring together several community experts and stakeholders, is part of the nationwide Medicaid Action Day, aimed at opposing proposed federal cuts that would impact seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities and their families.  Congressman Johnson will be joined by Nadine Johnson, Director, Care One Franchise, Inc. (COFI); residents and their family members; Leah Chan of the GA…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency, effective at noon today, March 15, in preparation for the severe and potentially damaging weather front moving into Georgia late this evening and early tomorrow morning. The State of Emergency executive order authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. Crews will also be on standby to respond to damage and power outages. The State of Emergency will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18. “This storm will hit at the worst…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A jailhouse Fentanyl dealer killed two Gwinnett County inmates and was sentenced to life in prison, Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson announced on Friday, March 14. Harry Fomby, 54, was found guilty of two counts of felony murder, violation of Georgia’s Controlled Substance Abuse Act, and two counts of possession of prohibited items by inmates in connection with the September 2021 deaths of 22-year-old Corey Leemarie Bryant, 22, and Ian Jabar Longshore,36 “Fentanyl is a deadly drug, and no matter who you are or where you are, this is not a substance to be toyed with,” District…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted severe weather including the potential for tornadoes, damaging winds, heavy rain and hail, DeKalb County will open four severe weather centers for residents who need shelter on tonight, March 15. The following centers will open starting at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.) Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur(See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.) Exchange Park Intergeneration Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.) During…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— On March 11, 2025, a dead raccoon that had been killed in the area of Redfield Drive, Dunwoody, was collected by DeKalb County Animal Services and tested positive for rabies.  Georgia is a rabies endemic state and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year.  Residents should make sure pets are up to date for preventative vaccination and should eliminate outdoor feeding stations and access to garbage cans. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical attention immediately.   Additionally,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County Board of Commissioners has approved a 180-day moratorium on residential development as it reviews and updates the County’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).   The board approved the moratorium on March 11 at its regular meeting with an effective date f March 14. The moratorium includes exceptions for permits, plan approvals, and rezonings for applications submitted to the County by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 14. Additionally, permits will continue to be issued for already approved plans and subdivisions.  Final plats will be considered for approval if the preliminary plat was submitted and/or approved before the moratorium’s effective date.…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering the father of his ex-wife’s first child more than a decade ago and destroying the man’s remains. Gwinnett County jurors on Tuesday found Jeffry Emerson Moulder of Cumming, GA  guilty of malice murder and two counts of felony murder for the January 2015 strangulation death of Samuel Waters, who was 21 at the time. A judge sentenced Moulder to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before reaching a guilty verdict on all charges. “Samuel Waters’ family is…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve water service capacity throughout DeKalb County  will continue on Monday, Mar.17, with the launch of the Salem Road Water Main Replacement Project. Crews will replace 1,350 linear feet of water lines with new 12-inch ductile iron pipe (DIP). This project is expected to last six weeks ending in April, barring weather delays. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.  To learn more about the Salem Road Water Main Replacement Project,  call the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108…