Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested Jerell Curtis, a 17-year-old suspect in the murder of Erasmus Pratt in Stone Mountain. On June 9, a warrant was issued for Jerell Curtis charging him with Aggravated Assault and alleging he shot Pratt in the face.  Pratt subsequently died as a result of the shooting and an additional warrant was issued on June 13,  Curtis’ arrest upgrading the charges to Murder. On June 19, members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit apprehended Curtis in an apartment off Fairington Parkway in Lithonia, where he was taken into custody without incident.

The DeKalb County School District’s new Early Learning Academy at Terry Mill Elementary School will host an open house on Thursday, June 21, 10 a.m.  The school is located at 797 Fayetteville Road SE in Atlanta. More than $3 million was invested to accommodate approximately 200 3-year-old students in pre-kindergarten at the new academy, which will open in August for the 2018-2019 school year. The academy will be offered free of charge. “The Early Learning Academy will awaken an early love of learning for our early childhood students,” said DeKalb Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “The Academy will also…

  The Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) was recently honored as a 2018 Exemplary Board, the highest status in the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Board Recognition Program. The Rockdale County BOE also earned Exemplary status in 2015 and 2016. The GSBA Board Recognition Program was paused and revised during 2017 to require an even higher level of commitment from school boards and individual members. “We are extremely proud that the Rockdale County Board of Education has again earned Exemplary status – the highest status conferred by the Georgia School Boards Association,” says RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts. “Not…

  City of Avondale among 19 governments In Georgia to receive grants, loans The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) has awarded approximately $18.1 million in funding for 19 transportation infrastructure projects across the state through the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB). Gov. Nathan Deal said the awards would enhance mobility for local communities as well as tourists. “The innovative transportation initiatives receiving these funds will benefit local communities for years to come and reinforce Georgia’s reputation as a top destination for businesses and job creators,” Deal said. SRTA Executive Director Chris Tomlinson said the awards would provide critical funding towards…

Ever wanted a pet, but not the long-term commitment? Already have a pet, but could make room for another for a few weeks? Considering a pet, but not sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? LifeLine Animal Project is seeking temporary foster homes for 50 animals. The agency wants people willing to take in an animal for two weeks to help relieve shelters. LifeLine is currently caring for more than 1,000 animals at the DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services shelters they manage. LifeLine will supply all of the pet’s supplies and support.  You simply provide the love!  Whether…

The Stonecrest City Council work session will be held June 18, 6 p.m., at City Hall. The work session agenda can be found here. The Stonecrest City Council will meet on Monday, June 18, 7 p.m., at City Hall. The meeting agenda follows the work session agenda.

The Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office has received numerous inquiries and requests regarding the March 12, 2018 death of Shali Tilson, 22, and the May 27, 2018 death of Jamie Henry, 40. Both died at the Rockdale County Jail. In the interest of keeping the Rockdale community informed, the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office is providing this update. On June 13, 2018, the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office received the results of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations’ (GBI) examination into Shali Tilson’s death. Rockdale County District Attorney Alisha Adams Johnson is in the process of thoroughly reviewing the…

  When Samuel Dixon faced the cold hard fact that both his sons were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he had a choice to make.  He could accept the illness and do the best he could as a parent or he could look Autism in the eye and say, “We’re bigger than you, and you are in for a fight.” Luckily, he chose the latter option. Dixon established Tomorrow’s Not Yesterday Foundation as a nonprofit for children and families who suffer from Autism. The young father of two boys explains his motivation began with his son, Malachi, who was first…

A crowd of about 200 protestors called for the resignation of Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett and other county leaders as they rallied for justice for Shali Tilson and Jamie Henry.  Tilson, a 22-year-old Conyers resident, died on March 12 from severe dehydration after a 9-day stay at the Rockdale County Jail on misdemeanor charges. Henry, a 40-year-old Douglasville mother who was being held for Fulton County on a warrant, died on May 26 after being locked up for about 12 hours. Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the families of the deceased, said the deaths are a result of “criminal neglect.” …

DeKalb County government’s mid-year finances are positive and its “rainy day” fund has grown to $89 million—enough to cover county operations for 1.75 months.  CEO Michael Thurmond said the county, which has a $1.2 billion annual operating budget, is close to meeting his year-end goal of having a full two months of funds in reserves to finance county operations.    Thurmond made the announcement on June 13 after presenting the FY2018 midyear budget amendments to the Board of Commissioners.  With the support of the Board of Commissioners, the county balanced the budget and projects a FY2018 midyear general fund balance…