Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County and officers from around the state are mourning the loss of DeKalb Police Sgt. Daniel Mobley, 44, who was fatally struck while assisting with a wreck involving another DeKalb Police officer on Saturday, Jan. 2.  The accident occurred around 9 a.m. at I-75-85 southbound near Williams Street in downtown Atlanta.  Sgt. Mobley was transported to  Grady Memorial Hospital where he succumbed of his injuries. Authorities said the driver of a Ford Focus lost control of the vehicle while making a left-hand turn. The vehicle went onto the right shoulder of the downtown connector, crashing into a barrier wall and striking St.…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, working with the Atlanta Police Department, has arrested a suspect in the murder of a man in Decatur last year. Sheriff’s investigators today(Jan. 5)  arrested Denard Juantez Conyers, 29,  of Atlanta, at an Atlanta residence on charges of Aggravated Assault and Murder in the shooting death of Russell Filmore. According to the arrest warrant, both men had been arguing at a funeral on Dec. 20, 2020 in Decatur when the shooting occurred. Conyers was arrested without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where he is being held without bond.  

Due to increased demand to quickly provide vaccines to healthcare workers during the current COVID-19 vaccination phase, the DeKalb County Board of Health is cancelling all scheduled 
COVID-19 testing appointments through Saturday, as it shifts its immediate focus to vaccination of healthcare workers, first responders and long-term care facility residents. First responders and essential workers will begin receiving vaccinations on Wednesday (Jan. 6) at the former Sam’s Club site in the city of Stonecrest, city officials said. Those who will be vaccinated on tomorrow already have appointments, city officials said. Individuals who had COVID-19 testing appointments scheduled have been notified and…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that the Georgia Attorney General’s office has entered into a Consent Judgment with Voyageurs International Ltd. (“Voyageurs”) and its owner, Gilford Mahaffy, to resolve allegations that the company unlawfully retained a $1,900 cancelation fee from numerous high school music students and their families who had prepaid for a trip to Europe that was subsequently unilaterally canceled by the company due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consent Judgment, which was filed with the Court on December 29, 2020, requires Voyageurs to pay $231,560.00 in restitution to the Attorney General’s Office to be…

Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) and the Conyers Home Depot will join together to host the “Bring One for the Chipper” program on Saturday Jan. 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Home Depot, located at 1330 Dogwood Drive, Conyers. The Chipper program offers citizens the opportunity to dispose of their cut Christmas trees at a central location in the community, while recycling the trees for reuse for a good cause. Across the state, thousands of volunteers in hundreds of Georgia communities come together for the Chipper event. Since its inception 30 years ago, in 1991, the program…

DECATUR—A 9-year-old DeKalb County resident has become the  first participant to complete the Junior Ranger Program, created by the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs. The program encourages youths ages 5 to 12 to explore and protect natural resources. Joshiro Lee became the first to earn a badge for the completion of the DeKalb’s Junior Ranger Program. He is a huge fan of nature and has enrolled in several virtual Junior Rangers programs throughout the country. “I spent a great deal of time during this past spring and summer walking the trails of Mason Mill looking for snapping turtles and owls,” said Joshiro Lee,…

In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 21-2-412, DeKalb County Clerk Debra DeBerry and eFile staff will be available until 10 p.m. or until polls close on Jan. 5, Election Day. Pleadings should be filed at www.efilega.com. Division 10 Judge Tangela Barrie will be presiding. “Even in the midst of a pandemic, it is important to ensure a free, fair and secure compliance with election laws,” DeBerrry said. Please contact Debra DeBerry, Clerk at 404.557.1243 or via email at ddeberry@dekalbcountyga.gov for questions or concerns regarding filing petition challenges.

DECATUR.—DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is ready for what is slated to be a historic runoff on Jan. 5, when voters will decide two U.S. Senate seats from Georgia and the Georgia Public Service commissioner. “It’s been a successful few months of elections for DeKalb County and we are prepared for the Jan. 5 runoff,” said DeKalb VRE Director Erica Hamilton. “Our team continues to work tirelessly to ensure every voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot and we will apply that same dedication as we safely and accurately count each and every vote.” The…

DECATUR—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports that today (Jan. 4) it  terminated an employee who violated the agency’s Use of Force policy. Sheriff Melody Maddox said the detention officer was placed on immediate administrative leave on Dec. 30, 2020, following an incident on Dec. 28, 2020 involving excessive uses of force with an inmate. An investigation by the agency’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS) upheld charges that the officer’s actions were “unjustified, inappropriate and not consistent with the agency’s training to achieve the objectives of compliance and restraint.” “We will not tolerate any violation of policy regarding the use of excessive force with…

Everyone invited to show community spirit ahead of historic Election Day LITHONIA– Kazemde Ajamu, owner of The Black Dot Cultural Center, is welcoming the Get Out the Vote Float today, Jan. 2, noon to 2 p.m., 6984 Main Street, Lithonia. Music and festivities are planned as community partners make a final push to get voters to the polls on Election Day, Jan. 5. “We need to not only vote, but to advocate so we can have actual change. We want to invite everyone to stop through and show their support,” said Ajamu. Community partners along with elected officials including…