Author: On Common Ground News

Jamon Coggins threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Lithonia Bulldogs to a 36-0 win over the Redan Raiders in rain-delayed high school football game at Cobb Stadium on Friday night, Aug. 22. The Bulldog defense was also key in helping Lithonia move to 2-0 on the season with seven tackles for a loss or no gain in the first half, while limiting the Raiders to minus three yards rushing and just 37 yards of offense. The defense added two interceptions, and special teams got a safety and a blocked punt in the 36-0 first half.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson announced on Monday, Aug. 25, the development of a new Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in the city of Lithonia.  The county is investing $17 million to transform the outdated center, which has served the community for more than 40 years.  “The citizens of District 5 and the City of Lithonia deserve this new facility, and that is why I am proud to have allocated over $2 million in District 5 funding toward the total $17 million investment,” said Commissioner Davis Johnson. Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton, who also supported…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced convictions by guilty pleas in the cases against a Decatur man accused of two separate assaults of women inside their own homes.  On Monday, August 25, Nathan Mullins, 36, pleaded guilty to charges of Aggravated Sodomy, Rape, Armed Robbery, Home Invasion in the First Degree, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in connection with an incident in Lithonia on June 4, 2019.  Mullins also pleaded guilty to charges of Aggravated Sodomy, Rape, Armed Robbery, Home Invasion…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural will hold a community meeting to discuss future plans for the Alice White Bussey Intergenerational Center on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6– 7:30 p.m., at the Ellenwood Library, 4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA The community is invited to attend and provide input regarding the center. The meeting will give an opportunity for the community to learn more about the proposed amenities and share ideas For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, public relations specialist,at 404-710-6331 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Updated made Aug. 27, 2025

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), and Sandra Scott (D-Rex) have formally submitted a letter to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association condemning its decision to seek attorney’s fees from Judge Glenda Hatchett. Hatchett filed a sexual battery civil lawsuit in 2022 against former Bleley County Sheriff Christopher Cudy for an incident in which he groped her at a Georgia Sheriffs’ Association conference. Hatchett later dropped the suit after Cudy pleaded guilty to a sexual battery charge against her and resigned.  However, After the sheriffs’ association was dismissed as a defendant, it filed a claim seeking attorney’s fees from…

ATLANTA–The Georgia Department of Labor announced on Thursday, Aug. 21, that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.5% in July, down one-tenth from a revised 3.6% in June. A year ago, the rate was 3.7%.  “Our greatest strength is our people and the businesses that call Georgia home,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “July’s unemployment numbers show progress across most metro areas, and even where there are slight upticks, year-over-year trends reflect our resilience. By investing in our workforce and supporting a strong environment for business, Georgia will continue to win and drive economic growth for…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners this week adopted the same general fund millage rate as last year, 6.95 mills. Before the Aug. 19 vote, the commissioners received public comments online and in-person at three public hearings. Property taxes are based on millage rates set by county government, school systems and cities. One mill equals a dollar tax per thousand dollars of assessed property value.  The Gwinnett County Tax Assessor calculates the total value of all taxable property in the county, which is called the tax digest, by conducting annual updates of residential and commercial property values.…

Elijah Malik Hyams and Kyla Aolani Milling, both 32, were found guilty last week of two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of terroristic threats, first-degree felony criminal damage to property, second-degree felony criminal damage to property, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for shooting out the windows of the victim’s car in September 2021. Both Milling and Hyams were sentenced to 15 years in prison. “The defendants could have killed or seriously injured someone,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “It is a blessing that the victims were unharmed. The use of guns is endangering the safety of our…