Author: On Common Ground News

By Sheriff Eric J. Levett   Gangs are morphing, multiplying, migrating and entrenching themselves in our Rockdale County communities. They are selling drugs to our kids, shooting up our neighborhoods, invading our homes, robbing our banks and stores, stealing our identities, our money, and instilling fear and violence everywhere they go. Parents, I challenge you to get more involved with your children and be a positive role model and set the right example. Take a firm stand against illegal activity. Spend quality time with your child. Let him or her know that you care. Try to really listen to your…

By Viola Davis I recently forced my mother to seek medical help due to her allergic reaction to a source we could not identify.  My mother approached me with an ice pack on her face and lip claiming that she had either bit her lip and/or had an insect bite.  I noticed that she had massive swelling of her lip and knew that something was wrong.  However, within 24 hours, the swelling had spread to include her lower face.  By this time, I refused any further excuses and demanded we go to the doctor and I’m glad we did. The doctor took one look at…

  The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is convening a meeting of the Rockdale Coalition of Homeowners and Civic Association on Thursday, Aug. 2, 6 p.m. at J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. Officials from several county departments will discuss updates, new initiatives and other information . The next meeting of the series will be Nov. 8 at the Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main St., Conyers. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jeannettia Owens at 770-278-7058 or jeannettia.owens@rockdalecountyga.gov.

All DeKalb County School District (DCSD) schools will open their doors to students and parents for open house events on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. The events serve as an opportunity for students and parents to get to know their school campuses, teachers, and administrators. Wednesday, Aug. 1  2:00-4:00 PM   Elementary Schools  4:30-6:30 PM   Middle Schools Thursday, Aug. 2  2:00-4:00 PM     High Schools (9th Graders and New Students)  4:30-6:30 PM     High Schools (Returning Students) For information on a specific school within DCSD, please visit a school’s specific website…

A Lithonia man is awaiting extradition to the DeKalb County Jail following his arrest on July 27 in Tallahassee, Florida on a warrant for felony murder, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office said today. Rondriques Brundage, 32, is charged with the shooting death of Rodrell Matthews on July 9.  The warrant alleges that Brundage shot Matthews at the front door of 6676 Chupp Road in Lithonia, causing his death. Caroline Alicia Davis, 23, of Decatur also was arrested in connection with Matthews’ death. Davis was charged with concealing a death and tampering with evidence. The warrants alleged that on the day of…

State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) released the following statement regarding the potential closure of the South DeKalb campus of Georgia Piedmont Technical College: “After reading an editorial in the “On Common Ground” newspaper regarding the potential closing of the South DeKalb Georgia Piedmont Technical College Campus, I have serious concerns that require immediate attention. I am the State Senator who represents the residents and citizens of the South DeKalb community. Our emphasis is to promote economic development and academic excellence in the South DeKalb community. As such, the programmatic offering at this facility which includes: GED, Continuing…

Ezra Tyron Black, a detention deputy with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release this evening (July 31). Black was arrested on July 26 around 9 p.m. He was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; crossing of guard lines with drugs; violation of oath of office; and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, officials said. The Special Investigation Unit received information that inmates had items in their possession that were not permitted. SIU conducted an undercover…

The Aetna Foundation donated $15,000 worth of Narcan kits to the DeKalb County Department of Health at the second annual Opioid Summit, which was held on July 26 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.  The half-day summit featured 20 speakers—from social advocates and health officials to policy makers and nonprofits.  The Narcan kits, containing 408 doses, will be distributed by the DeKalb County Department of Health to first responders to combat the opioid epidemic across the county.  “Opioid abuse and overdose is one of the most urgent public health crises facing our community today,” said…

  By Valerie J. Morgan Two women were victorious in DeKalb County run-offs. DeKalb  voters overwhelmingly elected media executive Lorraine Cochran-Johnson to serve as the Super District 7 commissioner in the July 24 runoff. Cochran-Johnson defeated incumbent Gregory Adams with 67 percent (9,993 votes ), according to preliminary election results. Adams received 32.63 percent (4,840). The results must be certified by the DeKalb Board of Elections and Georgia Secretary of State. With Cochran-Johnson’s election, there will be three Johnsons serving on the DeKalb Board of Commissioners: Commissioners Larry Johnson,  District 3; Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, District 5; and Cochran-Johnson, Super…

Rockdale County Public Schools’ officials held a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on July 24 for the historic Pine Street Elementary School at its new location, 500 Sigman Road.  The two-story, 170,000-square-foot building replaces the former Pine Street Elementary, the oldest existing public school in Rockdale County. Rockdale Schools Superintendent, Dr. Terry Oatts, Principal Kim Vier, along with Board of Education members Jim McBrayer, chairman, and Wales Barksdale, vice chair, led the dedication celebration.  The 60-year-old elementary school, which opened in 1957 at 1300 Pine Log Road in Conyers, School is being repurposed for administrative offices.  The school, which will…