Author: On Common Ground News

UPDATE: Mirtha Ramos is speaking out about the confusion over her sudden placement on “administrative leave.”  She says that she was forced out of the job that she has held for the last five years as DeKalb County Police chief.  In roughly a five-minute conversation, Ramos said that she was given an ultimatum by newly-elected DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson on Wednesday (Feb. 19) to resign in 21 days or be fired. Ramos spoke with multiple news agencies on Friday, sharing that she was surprised that she was forced to step down, given the progress that she said she has made during…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – On Thursday(Feb. 20), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) held a press conference at a senior care facility in South DeKalb to highlight the impact of House Republicans’ drastic pending cuts to Medicaid.  Congressman Johnson was joined by Nadine Johnson(no relation), Director of Care One Franchise, Inc. (COFI); residents and family members who receive care at COFI; and Protect Our Care Georgia State Director, Joe Binns in raising  the alarm about the pending cuts to the social safety net for the poor and elderly.  “President Trump and House Republicans promised they would lower costs for everyday Americans,” Rep.…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case of a Lithonia man charged with shooting a man to death and then trying to burn the evidence.  Jurors found Earnest Lee Johnson, 28, guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, Arson in the Second Degree and Concealing the Death of Another in connection with the death of Chanceler McCall, 23, on Dec. 28, 2020. Jurors reached their decision on last Friday, Feb. 14. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial, will schedule a sentencing hearing for Johnson…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office will host a “Constituent Services in Your Community” event on Thursday, Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at JP Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. This event is designed to assist residents who need help navigating federal agencies. Ossoff’s team will be available to provide support with a variety of issues, including: §  Accessing veterans’ benefits §  Expediting passport renewals §  Resolving Social Security or Medicare challenges §  Recover funds owed by the IRS Attendees will have the opportunity to meet directly with Sen. Ossoff’s team to seek assistance with these and other federal matters. For more information, residents are encouraged to attend the event…

ROCKDALE COUNTY – Lee Daffin, a person of interest wanted in connection with a missing person case in Rockdale County, has been arrested in Stephens County, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) said Thursday (Feb. 20). Rockdale investigators also have discovered a body in connection with the case.  Authorities apprehended Daffin following a brief vehicle pursuit in Stephens County, about 80 to 90 miles northeast of Rockdale.  The case began when deputies responded to a welfare check at a home in the 1100 block of Bethel Road on Feb. 18 at 5:20 p.m. Despite their efforts, they were unable to…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—A team of volunteers with Voices for Rockdale picked up litter in the community, officially kicking off its first Adopt-A-Mile project on Feb. 18. The group joined the City of Conyers’ Adopt-A-Mile program this year, agreeing to pick up litter in the Pine Log/Rowland Road area four times a year. Corliss Turner, founder of Voices for Rockdale, said the clean-up initiative is a good way for residents to get involved in the community and show support and pride.  The City of Conyers provides the garbage bags, pickup sticks, gloves, and vests for the event.  Nine volunteers participated with Voices for Rockdale’s…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced a $10.43 million initiative to enhance police recruitment and retention, positioning the department to become among the highest-paid law enforcement agencies in metro Atlanta. This investment, fully funded through a strategic reallocation of existing resources, strengthens DeKalb County’s law enforcement workforce without additional taxpayer costs. “Public safety is a priority, and our budget should reflect that,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “This plan allows us to invest in our officers in a fiscally responsible way by making better use of existing resources. We are not raising taxes—we are simply ensuring our budget aligns with the needs of our community.” Unincorporated…

DECATUR, GA – On Wednesday, Feb.19, at 4:30 p.m. ET, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding an IG Live with former Young Democrats of Georgia president, public policy analyst and social media influencer Parker Short in a conversation about the impact of the Trump-Musk administration’s first month on Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District.  In 2024, Short gained national attention when a clip of him rapping along to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us at a Kamala Harris campaign rally at Georgia State went viral. He leveraged his newfound visibility to advocate for Democratic policies and later made headlines again after debating Make America Great Again (MAGA)…