Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Unlike I-20 and I-285 on a typical morning or afternnoon, ,DeKalb Public Health is out to make sure  your fall and winter routine is flu-free and full speed ahead…within legal limits, of course. On Sat., Sept. 27, DeKalb Public Health will host a drive-thru vaccination event at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Rd. in Lithonia, 9 a.m. until 1p.m. Pre-registration is not required. Three variations of flu shot will be available – Fluarix, for children 6 months and older; Flublok for individuals 9 years and older, immunocompromised individuals, or those who would like a vaccine that may give…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Officials began mailing tax bills for City of Atlanta properties in DeKalb County on Sept. 15 for the 2025 tax year.  Nearly 15,000 bills were mailed by the tax commissioner’s office to property owners with a due date of Nov. 17. Bills also can be accessed online at publicaccess.dekalbcountyga.gov. In addition to City of Atlanta, nearly 250,000 DeKalb County property tax bills were mailed in August. Owners paying the full amount at once can do so by Sept. 30 to avoid late fees; owners paying in two installments have until the Sept. 30 and Nov. 17 deadlines. “Tax bills are…

DECATUR, GA–The Greater Lithonia Chamber is launching a Coffee Connections Networking segment on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The Chamber’s first Coffee Connections Networking event, “Brewing Stronger Connections: Sip Share & Succeed,” is being presented by Peach State Federal Credit Union. Attendees are encouraged to bring their r business cards, brochures and other r marketing materials to share. Let’s make the first meeting impactful. Event details are in the flyer below. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pkkb44x?source_id=6240e472-0d41-4ee1-aaa0-60b56b02bc93&source_type=em&c=ASFRh5Nf_ZBQUbdPhSIvTy7wM97yxGaXDiaqDgF3Gh0ij_U5PXAQmA==

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—As the nation remembered the 2,977 lives lost and first responders in the terrorist suicide attacks carried out against the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, DeKalb County also honored its local first responders who have died in the line of duty. County leaders, firefighters, and police officers gathered at Fire Rescue and Police Headquarters for a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to remember the risks that first responders face every day, paying tribute to fallen Firefighter Preston Fant, who died trying to save a colleague while battling a commercial warehouse fire on Sept. 8, 2025.  Fant, a 21-year veteranDeKalb  firefighter,…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston  announced on Sept. 11 the sentencing of two men accused of trafficking a young teen in exchange for rent money.  A jury found Algie Christian, 79, guilty on Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Child Molestation. The jury also convicted Terrill Sanford, 42, of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial,  sentenced Christian to Life in Prison, and Sanford to 50 years to serve 30 in custody and the remainder on probation.  According to the investigation, officers with…

DECATUR,GA– The Decide DeKalb Development Authority board today (Sept. 11)approved two transformative projects totaling over $6 million in Tax Allocation District (TAD) investments. The two projects include a $3.8M award in Candler Crossing, a grocery-anchored development improving food access in Southwest DeKalb, and a $2.3M award for Cottages at Midway, an 18-unit mixed-income homeownership cottage community in Decatur. “These approvals represent exactly the kind of strategic investment that transform communities,” said Dorian DeBarr, president of Decide DeKalb. “Together, these projects will address critical needs, from access to fresh groceries to attainable housing, while creating jobs, improving infrastructure and demonstrating how public investment can unlock private…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Monday, Oct. 13, with the launch of the Cliff Valley Sewer Improvement Project. In total, crews will replace approximately 4,684 linear feet of ductile iron sewer pipe in the vicinity of Cliff Valley Way. This project will be separated into Phase IA, Phase IB and Phase II. To learn more about the Cliff Valley Sewer Improvement Project, join the virtual community meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., via Zoom at: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/85057178581. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic…