Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County State Court, Division B, located at 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, will host the Traffic Violators Impact Program (“TVIP”) on Thursday, May 8, from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. in Courtroom B-8. The TVIP presentations are held every other month on the second Thursday. The remaining 2025 sessions will be held July, September, and November. The program is geared toward drivers who have been charged withoffenses including, but not limited to, high speeding tickets, texting while driving, or causing an accident by violating the rules of the road. Courts and prosecutors in many jurisdictions refer those drivers to TVIP. Georgia’s Department of Driver Services also refer attendees to the driver improvement courses. For more information, visit www.tvip.org. Participants may register online or in person at the event. There is a $50 fee for attendees who pre-register and need a certificate of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will deliver her inaugural State of the County Address, outlining her vision, priorities, and accomplishments from her first 100 days in office. The event takes place on Thursday, May 8, at 11:30 a.m.   This year’s theme, “Mission Possible: DeKalb Reimagined,” reflects Cochran-Johnson’s approach to transforming county government.  The event will feature key policy updates and a blueprint for reimagining public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life across DeKalb County. The evening will begin with a cinematic opening video, followed by remarks from the CEO and recognition of county leadership. Local, regional, and state…

DECATUR, GA— Quavion Hale, 20, and Stantavis Reese, 18, were sentenced to life in prison after their convictions for the murder and armed robbery of 20-year-old Akhir Muhammad a gas station in unincorporated Decatur in 2023. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams, who presided over the trial, sentenced Hale to Life Without the Possibility of Parole, plus 25 years. Reese was sentence to Life With the Possibility of Parole, plus 25 years. A jury on April 23 found both Hale and Reese guilty on charges of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The DeKalb County Fallen Officers’ Memorial will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at 10 a.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.  Presented by the DeKalb County Police Department, this ceremony honors the courage and sacrifice of officers who gave their lives in the line of duty as the department pays tribute, reflects and show support to the families who carry their legacies forward.  

ATLANTA – State Rep/ Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville) issues the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement to rename Veterans Day:  “Recently, on social media, President Trump announced plans to rename Veterans Day. Later back tracked, the White House claimed that there are no plans to rename Veterans Day. As a veteran, a public servant and proud American, I am astonished that President Trump would suggest renaming Veterans Day as ‘Victory Day for World War I.’ Veterans Day is a solemn occasion in which we honor all men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces across all generations…

DECATUR, GA— Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Monday, May 19, with the launch of the Katherine Valley Water Main Replacement Project. Crews will replace 5,400 linear feet of aging pipelines.  The line repair project is expected to last approximately 7 months (May to December 2025), barring any weather delays.   This project is part of DeKalb County’s $4.27 billion capital improvement program to improve capacity and service of the watershed systems serving the community.  Normal construction hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.  An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb Human Services Department announces the beginning of its 2025-2026 Human Services Grant cycle. A virtual public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, May 22, at 10 a.m., to provide details regarding the Human Services Grant Application process.  The Human Services Grant Program aims to provide opportunities for community partnership with local organizations that can successfully address identified service needs for the citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia. Eligible non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to be awarded a grant utilizing the County General Fund and Victim Assistance Funds. Agencies that receive Victim Assistance Grant…