Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Snellville man accused of beating a man so severely it ultimately ended his life.  On Monday, jurors found Jaheim Sims, 22, guilty on three counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Battery, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from the attack on Mario Vasquez Lopez, 56, on Sept.r 10, 2020.   As part of a plea deal, Sims’ co-defendant pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a…

STONECREST,GA–DeKalb County voters are urged to attend an upcoming DeKalb Chief Executive Officer debate on Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest. The “DeKalb Matters” debate will feature all qualified candidates vying to be the next CEO of DeKalb County. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WSB-TV (Channel 2), and V-103 will serve as official media partners and panel representatives for the debate. “DeKalb County is a thriving force in Metro Atlanta. The next CEO will be tasked with building on the momentum of the last decade by ensuring that we make continued progress in…

DECATUR,GA – This summer, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are hosting the 2024 DeKalb Virtual Career Academy (DVCA), the county’s eighth annual summer jobs training program, run by WorkSource DeKalb. DVCA will provide 700 internships to DeKalb residents ages 14 to 24, who will be paid $10 per hour. Prospective participants are invited to apply for the program at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/careeracademy. Participants will be selected through a lottery system. “The summer youth training program addresses economic hurdles, including surging inflation and escalating food costs, by empowering young individuals to earn income while acquiring pivotal job skills…

CONYERS, GA–  The graduation rate for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students involved in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs increased to an all-time high of 99.36% for 2023, continuing above the state-wide rate, which rose to 97.75%. This rate applies to students who complete a Career Pathway. The state also released the district’s graduation rates for pathway completers in the areas of Advanced Academics, World Language, and Fine Arts. RCPS graduation rates in these areas are 100%, 99.27%, and 98.05%, respectively.     “Our pathway graduation rates, which were already extremely high, recently rose to new heights,” said Superintendent…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– The groundbreaking for the new Rockdale County Judicial and Administrative Complex will be held on Friday, April 19,  10 a.m., 981 Milstead Ave.,Conyers. The long-awaited project is the largest capital investment in the County’s history and will include a new courthouse and administration building as well as a renovation of the Historic Courthouse and Courthouse Annex building.  The Rockdale County Commission, Conyers Mayor Vince Evans, and  other government officials and community leaders are expected to attend the event.   In addition to improving security and access to the County courts and other government offices, the new complex will be a destination with…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says that an inmate has died while in custody of the DeKalb County Jail. According to reports, officers were alerted to a medical emergency inside an inmate housing unit on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Upon responding, officers found  Van Lebron Johnson, 57, in his cell but unresponsive. Emergency medical services were performed on site by jail and health services staff, and. Johnson was pronounced deceased. Johnson, who did not provide a home address, was taken into custody on DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office property on Jan. 22,  after being released on an Unsecured Judicial Release…

STONECREST, GA—The Stonecrest Chamber of Commerce will officially unveil its Government Affairs Committee this week in conjunction with its “Building Bridges” panel discussion and networking event. The Stonecrest Chamber of Commerce, New Black Wall Street Market, Skyhub, the Adoma Agency, and RICE will host the Building Bridges event on Wednesday, April 17, 6 to 8 p.m., at New Black Wall St., 8109 Mall Parkway. The event is open to businesses, startups, community leaders, government officials, tech companies, and young entrepreneurs interested  in helping to shape the future of Stonecrest. A news release states that the community partners will work toward the…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) has earned the Best Communities for Music Education designation. Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students. “We are extremely proud of this prestigious national award which recognizes the hard work of our music educators who cultivate a love for music through their classes and extracurricular opportunities,” said Rockdale Schools Superintendent Terry Oatts. “Our teachers are passionate about developing the musical skills and talents of our…