Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit today arrested 27-year-old College Park resident Shauntae Laquana Taylor on a charge of felony murder. According to a warrant issued on Sept. 16, Taylor pistol whipped, then shot Miguel Angel Munoz at a hotel on Executive Park Drive in Brookhaven, causing his death. DeKalb sheriff’s investigators located Taylor at a hotel in College Park, where she was taken into custody without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

County water supply safe for consumption   DeKalb County’s boil water advisory for the city of Dunwoody has been lifted. Authorities have confirmed that the water supply in all areas of the county is safe for consumption without boiling. “DeKalb County would like to thank our residents, business owners and visitors for their patience and cooperation during the boil water advisory,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Thanks to the hard work of DeKalb County employees and efforts of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the county’s water system has returned to normal.” The countywide boil water advisory, which began Saturday…

A young man named “Rico” speaks out about the shooting of two of the suspects, who were his friends. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan Three teens, including a ninth grader, were killed early this morning after attempting to rob three residents at a home on White Oak Court in Rockdale County. According to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, the three male teens were wearing masks when the shooting occurred on the lawn round 4 a.m. today (Sept. 16). Neighbors said two of the suspects were half brothers and the third suspect was their friend.  The juveniles’ identities  were being withheld.…

Grammy-award winning rapper Kanye West hosted his recent “Sunday Service” at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the city of Stonecrest on Sunday. The ‘Stronger’ and ‘Jesus Walks’ artist led a 600-person choir, 150 of those traveling from California to join New Birth’s choir and other local singers, for the pop-up praise and worship event. “At a time where unfortunately, the church is becoming less and less relevant to this generation of young people, we are committed to doing all we can to shift that mentality and show that the church is not only relevant but necessary,” said…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred this morning after a homeowner opened fire on three masked males. The home invasion took place at a residence on White Oak Court around 4 a.m. When authorities arrived on the scene, RCSO deputies found three males with gunshot wounds and began administering first aid, said RCSO spokesman Deputy Lee Thomas. One of the men was pronounced dead upon arrival. The other two other men were taken to the hospital where they later died of their injuries, Thomas said. The investigation is still in the preliminary stages and the…

Rockdale County plans to conduct its own business census to determine the type of businesses that serve Rockdale and the number of vacancies and empty storefronts present. The county’s Department of Planning and Development will kick off the doo-to-door Business Audit Campaign on Oct. 1,visiting all businesses operating in unincorporated Rockdale. Officials say they plan to conduct the physical inventory through the end of October. Businesses must be compliant by Nov. 1. Business owners can expect a personal visit by staff from the Code Enforcement Division Team as they conduct field inspections. The team will be leaving notices and literature…

Community leaders rallied in the sweltering heat outside the DeKalb County School District Headquarters on Monday, Sept. 9, ahead of a public hearing where residents weighed in on the district’s proposed General Obligation (GO) bond referendum, estimated at $265 million. District officials are considering imposing a new tax to cover  construction and other projects planned for DeKalb County Schools exceeding the E-SPLOST budget. Restore DeKalb, Operation LEAD, and The Covenant Church have formed a coalition to oppose the GO Bond and say they plan to request a forensic audit and demand the immediate removal of Superintendent R. Stephen Green.  The…

Pictured left to right: Lecester “Bill” Allen, Board Chairman Antonio Render, and Mayor Jason Lary Lecester “Bill” Allen poised to become single-largest commercial landowner in the city of Stonecrest By Valerie J. Morgan The City of Stonecrest has taken a quantum leap toward economic development, led by Mayor Jason Lary. The six-member Stonecrest Development Authority unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sept. 12 for a proposed $700 million revenue bond, paving the way to jumpstart development in the city. The Development Authority inked the MOU with Allen Family Investments, LLC to bring development to a 300-acre tract…

Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has been named the “Top State for Business” by Area Development, a leading publication covering corporate site selection and relocation, for the sixth year in a row. The results are determined by the publication’s poll of site consultants. “I am exceptionally proud that Georgia has once again been named the Top State for Business by Area Development,” said Kemp. “This announcement serves as a powerful testament to what we all know to be true: Georgia is the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Our efforts to cut red tape and…

Justice For Veterans will hold a rally to bring awareness to veterans who have been killed by the police or have committed suicide because of mental illness. The rally will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, at noon, outside of the DeKalb County Courthouse, 556 McDonough St., Decatur. “Veterans are still suffering from mental illness and the lack of support from our community and the Veterans Administration.  We cannot forget  Sgt. Anthony Hill, who was murdered in 2015 by former DeKalb Police Office Robert Olsen. Anthony Hill was suffering from PTSD  and bipolar disorder when he was killed. He was…