Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County businesses and residents have recently been targeted in a nationwide scam that impersonates local planning and zoning departments to request payment for non-existent fees.    Requests targeting Gwinnett businesses and residents come via an official-looking email that copies a real employee’s name, title and email address. These emails are designed to look like an official Gwinnett County communication and may include invoices requesting fraudulent application approval fees or counterfeit approval letters.   Gwinnett County will never request payment via a money order, wire transfer or suspicious links. All communications, payments and fees will be sent and processed through GwinnettZIP.com.    Businesses and residents should not send a wire transfer, click on any links or provide payment or personal information.   To report a suspicious email requesting zoning application fee, contact Gwinnett Planning and Development at 678.518.6000 or email P&D-PlanningZoning@GwinnettCounty.com.  …

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Decon Tyrone Hopkinsbey (also referred to as Deacon Hopkinsbey), of Atlanta, is facing charges of raping a woman as she slept in her Stone Mountain home on May 26. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the assistance of Atlanta Police Department S.W.A.T., located Hopkinsbey, 50, on July 9 and took him into custody after a tense, hours-long standoff on Brownlee Road in southwest Atlanta. Authorities did not release details about what led to the standoff. No other information was released concerning the rape. Hopkinsbey was transported to the DeKalb County Jail where he is currently being…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-10) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 that builds a nationwide, federally coordinated “test-to-treat” elimination program for hepatitis C (HVC). The bill is supported by more than 100 public health and education organizations and is the House companion to the Cure Hepatitis C Act introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).  “I am asking that we work together to raise awareness about hepatitis C – a silent killer – so that others at risk can…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) recently attended the Future Summit 2026 in Washington, D.C., where she served as a panelist on the “She Builds” panel. Hosted by the Future Caucus, the 10thannual Future Summit took place July 8-11 and brought together millennial and Gen Z state lawmakers from across the nation to strengthen bipartisan coalitions and legislative solutions and gain insights from experts on issues that define the future. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to participate in the ‘She Builds’ panel to discuss the role and advancement of women in leadership in today’s political landscape,” said Rep.…

STONECREST, GA— The Stonecrest/Lithonia Industrial Park Community Improvement District (CID) has officially been established, marking a significant milestone in the City’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic development, improve infrastructure and position one of DeKalb County’s premier industrial corridors for long-term growth and investment. The Stonecrest City Council unanimously approved the creation of the CID on May 18. The newly formed seven-member board, which includes two residents appointed by the City Council, held its inaugural meeting on June 23, electing its leadership. The CID’s formation represents the culmination of more than five years of planning and advocacy by the nonprofit Stonecrest Industrial Council…

DECATUR, GA – In a historic step toward expanding housing opportunities across DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 14 approved a $155 million Housing Investment Bond Program, launching the County’s most ambitious housing investment initiative to date. The program is expected to leverage more than $1.2 billion in total public and private housing investment, supporting the creation and preservation of more than 10,000 housing units while advancing DeKalb County’s long-term goal of 15,000 housing units by 2032. The initiative will expand affordable housing, preserve existing housing, increase homeownership, revitalize neighborhoods, and strengthen services for residents experiencing homelessness through a coordinated portfolio of innovative…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to take extra precautions when purchasing, preparing, and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables to help prevent cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal disease.  At this time, DPH is not aware of any Georgia-specific outbreaks, clusters, or potential links to the outbreak that has sickened more than a thousand people across multiple states. Investigation into common sources nationally is ongoing.  Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite – Cyclospora. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Treated water in the U.S. does not contain Cyclospora. Although domestically acquired cases occur in…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Community organizations, nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations and community leaders across Gwinnett are invited to submit their community service project proposals for the 2026 Great Days of Service. The weekend event is set for Oct. 16-18. Hosted each October, the annual initiative mobilizes thousands of volunteers of all ages in a single weekend of hands-on community service. The County is building a lineup of volunteer projects and is calling on local groups to identify needs that volunteer teams can help meet. “We’re stronger as a community when we act with intention. Gwinnett Great Days of Service allows organizations…

CONYERS, GA—Springfield Baptist Church will host its annual Back 2 School Bash on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m, at the church campus located at 1877 Iris Drive SW, Conyers. The free community event is designed to help students start the new school year by providing school supplies, access to community resources, and opportunities for families to connect with local organizations. Attendees will enjoy family-friendly activities, giveaways, food, and entertainment throughout the morning. The event is open to the public while supplies last. The Back 2 School Bash brings together local businesses, nonprofits, educators, and community partners to…

NOTICE OF CID MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, as provided in the City of Stonecrest Charter, Section 1.06, 2016 Ga. Law p. 3538 (2015-2106 Regular Session, S.B. 208, eff. April 21, 2016), as amended by 2021 Ga. Laws (2021-2022 Regular Session, S.B. 21, eff. April 1, 2021) (“Charter”), that a general meeting of the District Board of the Stonecrest/Lithonia Industrial Park Community Improvement District (“CID”) is scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at American Structural Concrete, 2385 Lithonia Industrial Boulevard, Stonecrest, Georgia 30058. All CID electors and members of the public are invited…