Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Police are investigating a shootout that took place late Sunday(Feb. 2) at 4317 Glenwood Road, Decatur. The shooting happened at around 11:50 p.m.  on Feb. 2. Investigators believe one of the victims, a black male in his mid-30s, was involved in a verbal disputes moments before the shots were fired, said Michaela Vincent, spokesperson for the DeKalb County Police Department. The victim was found in the parking lot with multiple shots and transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition but stable condition, Vincent said in a news release. A second victim, a black…

The Rockdale Board of Elections will have a special meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 12:30 p.m. at its new office located at 1261 Commercial Drive, Conyers. The board will discuss amending the Sunday alcohol sales hours in Rockdale. Currently, Conyers permits Sunday alcohol sales starting at 11 a.m. Rockdale’s Sunday alcohol sales start at 12:3 p.m. The board will decide whether to amend the hours to 11 a.m. on Sunday. The question would be put on the ballot for the May 19 election, said Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham. The board also will consider relocating the in-person early voting…

A proposed gas station/assisted living facility at 3320 Turner Hill Road is on hold for now, while another gas station at 3332 Turner Hill Road is slated for discussion at the city’s Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 4. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall. The projects have raised concerns among residents in the area who say they don’t want a preponderance of gas stations offering alcohol sales in their communities. The projects, submitted by different applicants, would require rezoning changes and special land use permits (SLUP). The tracts are currently zoned R-100 (residential). Stonecrest City…

Two DeKalb County police officers have been arrested and charged in connection with illegally selling accident reports to third parties. Additionally, one officer was charged with bribery. The criminal investigation was launched after a DeKalb County Police officer alerted the department’s Criminal Investigation Division about the alleged criminal conduct. The investigation revealed that Nikko McClinton and Ronald Anderson, both nine-year veterans of the DeKalb County Police Department, allegedly accessed and sold thousands of motor vehicle accident reports. The officers are accused of selling the reports to “illegal runners,” individuals who solicit clients who could profit from injury or property damage…

Kobe Bryant (left) and Coach Phil McCrary, Columbia High School in DeKalb County.   By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer Basketball fans in metro Atlanta are mourning the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in the early morning hours on Jan. 26. The 41-year-old retired shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers died along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, and seven others while on his way to coach his daughter’s basketball team in a local youth tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. The victims included…

By Adrion Bell City of Stonecrest Communications Director A recent news story has Stonecrest residents wondering about the city’s retail future. The Mall at Stonecrest is facing an imminent threat of foreclosure according to a recent Bisnow article. The article states that the mall has been delinquent and in special servicing since 2013 and has been in and out of delinquency in 2019.  The article also states that the mall could go into foreclosure in February. Stonecrest’s major shopping hub is not alone in facing financial hardships. According to a recent Wall Street Journalarticle, malls across the country have been…

  State Rep. Doreen Carter, District 92, is encouraging constituents to join her in a 21-Day Veggie Challenge in February during National Heart Month. Carter said she first initiated the challenge in 2018 as a way for her to share with the community her own new lifestyle change. She is urging constituents in her district, which includes parts of DeKalb and Rockdale  counties, to fall in love with veggies. However, she says everyone is welcome to participate in the 21-Day Veggie Challenge, which kicks off on Feb. 1. “I’m working to build stronger families, stronger communities. We want to keep…

Voters in Rockdale and DeKalb counties will be able to determine the wait times before they go to the polls this election season through the use of apps. While Rockdale is putting the finishing touches on its app, DeKalb officials say they have plans to launch one, too, for use on Election Day. More details on DeKalb’s initiatives will be forthcoming. Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham said Rockdale’s new app would be ready in about two weeks for voters to download. Voters will be able to use the app during the early voting period for the Presidential Preference…

Amanda Cooper/V10-WAOK radio DeKalb Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson Newton Sheriff Ezell Brown DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett. The Atlanta Black Chambers will host its monthly First Friday Forum in Conyers on Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor Street. The organization is hosting a special Black History Month event entitled Our Community, Our Businesses, Our Future. The focus of this event will be on the role of law enforcement in the Atlanta community. The conversation will be moderated by Amanda Cooperof V103 and WAOK radio. Panelists include DeKalb County Super…

The city of Stonecrest’s Parks and Recreation Department has earned a Georgia Bright From the Start license for the Browns Mill Recreation Center program. The team, led by Sean DePalma, will reinstate the Stonecrest Afterschool Program on Feb. 3, offering youth programs with higher standards and a more well-rounded curriculum that will include science, arts and crafts, and technology classes. The staff worked in conjunction with the South DeKalb YMCA staff and Sheila Lewis, a consultant with Creating Connections, in developing a new after-school program and obtaining the license.  In addition to the curriculum improvements, the staff had to upgrade…