Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County is seeking the public’s help in identifying a crew of suspects involved in a mailroom burglary of an apartment complex. The subjects seen in the video are wanted for questioning in reference to a number of packages being stolen from an apartment complex in DeKalb County on June 8. Anyone who recognizes these subjects or sees them should call 911 or contact DeKalb County Police North Central Precinct at 770-724-7780.

Rockdale County, in partnership with the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council (CREDC), is hosting a virtual Job Fair on Friday, July 10, 10 a.m. via Zoom. The county and the CREDC have partnered with various companies and industries to offer resources and assist those in the community searching for jobs. While Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is still under a hiring freeze, the efforts are being coordinated to help match citizens in need of jobs with companies that currently have available positions. Those looking to participate can register at the following link https://bit.ly/2YJztwp, or view the live video stream…

The Emergency Management Agency Division of Rockdale County Fire Rescue  announced that Mike Kinlein is the new EMA Preparedness and Safety Manager.  Kinlein’s responsibilities will include community safety and long-term disaster planning. Kinlein, formerly with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, brings 35 years of experience in law enforcement and a proven track record of success in the area of community planning for large events, safety and disasters.

DeKalb County Police say the suspect named as the primary aggressor in a gun battle at the Haven Motel, 4893 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, has been identified as Arthur Brown, 29. Police responded to a shot call at the motel on July 1 at approximately 10:15 p.m., DeKalb County Police spokesperson Michaela N. Vincent said in a news release. The investigation revealed that two adult males engaged in a gun battle with multiple persons being struck by stray rounds, to include a 10-year old girl and two adults (a male and a female). The investigation also revealed that Brown…

Newton County Superior Court Judge Horace Johnson passed away on Wednesday(July 1) after testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday(June 29). He was the proud husband of his wife, Michelle, and father to two sons, H. James, III and Bryant. The judge was a faithful member of Columbia Drive United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir. Judge Johnson was appointed to the bench by Governor Roy Barnes in 2002 and served on the Superior Court for the Alcovy Circuit (serving Newton and Walton Counties in Georgia) for 17 years. In 2016, his judiciary peers elected Judge Johnson as President…

The Conyers City Council announced today its intention to increase the 2020 property taxes it will levy this year by 6.74   percentage over the rollback millage rate.   The Conyers City Council has determined a property tax increase is necessary to offset the reduction in revenues due to COVID-19.    When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed that will produce the same total revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.   The budget tentatively adopted…

DECATUR, GA– Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the county and state, DeKalb County’s Drive-In Movie and Fireworks night event is postponed. The event was to occur at the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall on Friday, July 3. DeKalb County continues to encourage residents to complete the 2020 Census at home by visiting the my2020census.gov website. Currently, 59.8 percent of DeKalb’s households have completed the 2020 Census. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond is pushing for 100 percent of county households to get counted. “If every household is counted, DeKalb County could receive $1.8 billion in federal funds annually…

STONECREST, GA. – Last night (July 1), city officials issued a stop-work order for the Metro Green Recycling Center under construction at 2450 Miller Road.  Christopher Wheeler, the city’s Planning and Zoning Director, said there appears to be a discrepancy regarding the facility’s failure to meet DeKalb County’s Solid Waste Plan. Wheeler said that he doesn’t know if or how long the recycling center developers will take to rectify the problem; however, until the issue is resolved, the company is being ordered to cease all activity on the site. Metro Green Recycling is the topic of discussion for several…

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for advancing me to the August 11 Run-off for Clerk of Courts. I am deeply grateful for your support. It would be my great honor to serve you as Rockdale Clerk of Superior and State Courts. From the Elect Fulcher Campaign, my family and myself personally, thank you. My recent endorsement by another candidate, Ms. Mallory Minor, sends a strong signal to voters. She is a Rockdale native who cares about our community and who also understands how the courts work and the importance of the Clerk’s Office to a well-functioning court…

Congressman preserves Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program(DBE) contracts   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today(July 1), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. The Act provides for more than $1.5 trillion plan to rebuild American infrastructure including roads, bridges, transit systems, schools, housing, broadband access, green energy, and modernizing the Postal Service..    To watch Rep. Johnson’s House floor speech, click HERE.   Rep. Johnson’s amendment to reauthorize and preserve the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program was incorporated into the final bill before it was considered on the…