Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is introducing a new initiative to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and aspiring entrepreneurs ready to launch a new business. “I am excited to introduce my new initiative with Operation HOPE, Inc., The DeKalb County Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship Training Program, an 8-week course free to DeKalb County residents that will guide business owners through the necessary steps of operating a business through a pandemic,” said Cochran-Johnson said. “Current small businesses and entrepreneurs will receive assistance with the organizational and structural support they need to stabilize and/or restructure their business if it has been…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, working with the U.S. Marshals Office, today arrested a 15-year-old suspect in the murder of a Decatur man on Oct.16, 2020. According to the arrest warrant, the juvenile suspect allegedly shot and killed 22-year-old Trevion Jones-Tolbert at a Decatur residence during an attempted robbery. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody without incident on a charge of Malice Murder and transported to a regional youth detention center. On Oct. 17, 2020, police arrested two co-defendants on Malice Murder warrants related to the same incident. The adult co-defendant, Damarious Glass, was booked into…

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main St., Conyers and via virtually on the Rockdale County government’s Facebook page. This meeting is a voting session of the board. The meeting agenda can be found at: https://rockdalecountyga.gov/our-government/board-of-commissioners/board-of-commissioners-meeting-agendas/

DeKalb County Elections Director Erica Hamilton ‘Count on DeKalb’ efforts shift to runoff elections   DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) has completed the state-mandated recount within the deadline, wrapping up the recount on Dec. 2. Utilizing nine high-capacity scanners over the course of a week, DeKalb VRE coordinated with County departments and staff to prepare more than 373,000 ballots for the recount. “I continue to be amazed by the work of our staff members and County leaders who have taken time away from families and worked through the weekend and across holidays to get us over the finish line…

DeKalb County Police are investigating a fatal shooting involving a female juvenile. At approximately 3:30 p.m. today (Dec. 4), police responded to a shooting call in the 1800 block of Madras Court in Lithonia, where the child was found shot in the face. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she died. “At this time, the investigation is very active and ongoing,” said DeKalb County Police Department’s spokeswoman Michaela Vincent. “Our hearts go out to the family.” For updates on this story, check back at www.ocgnews.com. 

DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson supports $4.1 million allocation for construction, repairs for alternate routes  The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved $4.1 million for the Cedar Grove bridge construction and essential improvements needed along alternate routes.   The Cedar Grove Bridge has been closed since March 27, when the structure was deemed in critical condition by the Georgia Department of Transportation(GDOT), requiring it to close immediately.  The closure created a major emergency in South DeKalb, the heart of Atlanta’s major trucking hub, which connects essential goods such as medical supplies needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The emergency…

LITHONIA — Join State Rep. Doreen Carter, House District 92, for Small Business Saturday during a stroll on Main Street in the City of Lithonia from noon to 1 p.m. on Dec. 5. The stroll will convene at Green Love Kitchen, 6986 Main St., Lithonia. Senatorial candidates Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock will stroll Main Street with Rep. Carter to greet Lithonia businesses. “We invite constituents from House District 92, community leaders, and business advocates to join us,” said Carter. “This is a great opportunity to hear from the candidates and their vision to support small business.” All…