Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Tuesday, Sept. 2, with the launch of the Bend Creek Sewer Improvement Project.  Crews will replace approximately 2,310 feet of gravity sewer main along Bend Creek Road. This sewer improvement project is expected to last approximately 12 months (September 2025 to September 2026), barring any weather delays.   Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.  To learn more about the Bend Creek Sewer Improvement Project, join the virtual community meeting…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Construction crews associated with the Clairmont Terrace Water Main Replacement Project will conduct night work on Clairmont Road between Tanglewood Circle and Buford Highway near the intersection of Clairmont Terrace. The work will take place from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the following nights: ·     Monday, Aug. 18 ·     Tuesday, Aug. 19 ·     Wednesday, Aug. 20 ·     Thursday, Aug. 21 ·     Friday, Aug. 22 (ends at 5 a.m) A lane closure and lane shift will take place on Clairmont Road during the night work; one lane will remain open to local traffic. Signs and flaggers will be in the area to advise motorists of…

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation has kicked off the design phase for the Memorial Drive Greenway, a planned linear park stretching from historic Oakland Cemetery to the edge of downtown.  Led by Pond & Company, the project will transform underused land into a vibrant public space connecting neighborhoods with input from residents and community stakeholders in shaping the final vision. The design team will draw upon the 2016 Memorial Drive Vision Plan as a foundational guide. The Memorial Drive Greenway will revitalize a half mile stretch of the corridor between Memorial Drive SE and Martin Luther King…

ATLANTA– DeKalb County is grieving the tragic loss of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who died in the line of duty on Friday, Aug. 8, while responding to a call involving a gunman who opened fire on the headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. Authorities have confirmed that the father of the 30-year-old gunman had alerted law enforcement before the shooting that his son blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. The CDC played a key role in promoting vaccinations during the COVID pandemic and has been heavily criticized by vaccine…

Cat tested positive in Stone Mountain area  DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A positive rabies case was reported in the Stone Mountain area involving a cat. The cat was captured, euthanized and tested positive for rabies. Georgia is a rabies endemic state, and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year. When rabid animals are reported in a community, it is essential for residents to take proactive safety measures to protect themselves, their families, and their pets.  Health officials advise that residents: Avoid contact with all unfamiliar animals Health officials…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Federal investigators are working to determine what caused a small plane belonging to  All2Fly Flight School, based at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), to crash over the weekend at the corner of Clairmont Road and 9th Street in Brookhaven.  The national Transportation Safety Board joined the FAA and PDK officials in examining the wreckage. PDK Airport said preliminary radar data shows the Piper PA-28( tail number N1080H) departed PDK at 10:51 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, for a trip to Rome, Georgia, before returning to perform multiple “touch-and-go” training landings. At 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, the plane reportedly struck several trees,…

ATLANTA–Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will spotlight local nonprofits in honor of National Nonprofit Day, during his 4th Annual “Week of H.O.P.E.”– Helping Other People Elevate initiative—Aug. 11-16.  During the initiative, nonprofit leaders will have a chance to learn about grant writing and funding, as well as celebrate outstanding nonprofits that are improving lives and helping to build stronger communities in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District.  Johnson plans to roll up his sleeves and volunteer at a food pantry to highlight those serving on the front lines to address food insecurity in communities.  Johnson said he hopes to inspire communities by emphasizing that, even…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –Community leaders, residents, and family members gathered on Thursday, Aug. 7, to celebrate a woman whose impact reached far beyond DeKalb County, her hometown. DeKalb County officially renamed Ellenwood Park as the Alice White Bussey Legacy Park, honoring the late trailblazer, who broke barriers in business, government, and community service. Dr. Bussey passed away on March 7, 2025. The Decatur resident was 77. The 46-acre park, located at 4100 River Road in Ellenwood, was renamed to recognize Bussey’s decades of advocacy that helped bring vital resources to the park itself and the Ellenwood Library to the County Line/Ellenwood area,…

CONYERS, GA—The City of Conyers Police Department is set to enhance its emergency response capabilities with $1.3 million in federal funding allocated by U.S. Congressman David Scott to purchase a Mobile Command Vehicle for the City of Conyers. The funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Federal Appropriations Bill, which awaits final passage by Congress. Lawmakers aim to approve the bill by Sept. 30, though enactment could occur later in the fiscal year. The state-of-the-art Mobile Command Vehicle will serve as an operational hub for strategic coordination between police, fire and other emergency workers during major incidents—enabling faster, more…