Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case of a Clayton County man who shot and killed a friend over an unpaid loan.  On Friday, Aug. 15, jurors found Shiva Vereen, 52, guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting death of Andrew Carpenter, 45. According to the investigation, officers from the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a call of a person shot around 3:15 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2023, at a sports bar…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Following approval by the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) during its Aug. 13 regular meeting, DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) announces early voting locations, drop box sites, and important voter deadlines for the Nov. 4, Municipal General/Special Election. The DeKalb BRE approved 10 early voting locations across the county, including six locations equipped with official absentee ballot drop boxes. Voters are encouraged to mark their calendars with the following key dates: Aug. 18 – First day to request an absentee ballot for the November election Oct. 6 – Voter registration deadline Oct.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised schedule as follows: Monday, Sept. 1 – Labor Day observed. No sanitation collection service.  Tuesday, Sept. 2 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Sept. 1, will be serviced on Tuesday, Sept. 2.  Wednesday, Sept. 3 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Sept. 2, will be serviced on Wednesday, Sept. 3.  Thursday, Sept. 4 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Sept. 3, will be serviced on Thursday, Sept. 4.  Friday,…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Government and the Urban League of Greater Atlanta (ULGA) have launched the Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP) to help eligible low-income households manage their water and sewer bills. The program begins on the same day a 10 percent water and sewer rate increase take effect across the county. The rate adjustment is part of a long-term plan that will include a 10 percent increase each January for the next 10 years to fund critical infrastructure upgrades to DeKalb’s aging water and sewer system. These investments will reduce water main breaks, prevent service disruptions, and ensure the delivery…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – The flowers on their graves have long since withered, but for Zona Inman, the pain of losing two children in one night has never faded.  The 56-year-old Rockdale resident said it’s been nearly four years since her daughter, Shakeema Brown, 28, who was a Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy, and her son, Levoy Brown, 30, were ambushed and gunned down. Shakeema’s husband, Jaquavia Jackson, 28, is serving a life sentence for the double murders that took place at their Covington, GA home on Oct. 27, 2021. Prosecutors said Jackson staged a home invasion at the house and then…

ATLANTA –The escalator at MARTA’s Vine City Station is back in service after state investigators and inspectors cleared it following the July 15 crowd-surge incident that resulted in several injuries. The incident happened just after midnight as thousands of fans were leaving the final Beyoncé Cowboy Carter performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Witnesses said a concert goer screamed after spotting a bug, prompting riders to stampede. The sudden surge caused the escalator to overload and speed before stopping, officials said. A state inspection confirmed the next morning the overspeed was the result of “high passenger volume” rather than a mechanical failure.  At…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) announced its extraordinary school-level 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year – the women and men who go above and beyond for their students, peers and community. This year’s Teachers of the Year are: C.J. Hicks Elementary School – Danyel Stancil D.L. Sims Elementary School – Kalisha Woods Flat Shoals Elementary School – Karen Jackson Hightower Trail Elementary School – LeDonna Denmark Honey Creek Elementary School – Catherine Grant J.H. House Elementary School – Dr. Orissa DePass Lorraine Elementary School – Gretchen Gault M.G. Barksdale Elementary School – Joy Kimble-Acosta Peek’s Chapel Elementary School – Tanya…