Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating 19-year-old Alexander “Alex” Bentine Torres, considered “Critical Missing.”  Due to health concerns, detectives have issued an alert to locate Torres as soon as possible. Torres was last known to be at his residence in the 800 block of Clarion Way in Lawrenceville. Investigators believe he left the residence sometime between approximately 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 12. His whereabouts are unknown. Torre may be carrying a red and white L.L. Bean backpack and is believed to have taken money and identification with him. His clothing description…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is celebrating positive results on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2025–2026 school year (SY26), with increases in both student participation and exam performance districtwide. According to the district’s latest results, the overall number of AP exams taken by DCSD students increased by nearly five percent (4.9%) compared to the 2024–2025 school year. Additionally, the total number of AP exam scores earning a 3 or higher—a benchmark commonly recognized as a passing score—increased by 12%, while the total percentage of exams taken scoring a 3 or higher increased by…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold important Open House nights during October and November 2026 for the 2027-2028 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night.  The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 13 through Dec. 11, 2026. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice.  Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (Grades 9-12), Rockdale Magnet School for Science and…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs is partnering with Major League Baseball player Jordan Walker to host a youth baseball clinic on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Shoals Creek Park I, 3642 Glenwood Road, Decatur. The free clinic will provide boys and girls ages 5 to 12 with an unforgettable opportunity to sharpen their baseball skills, learn from a Major League player and be inspired by an athlete who began his baseball journey in their own community. The clinic is designed to create a fun and encouraging environment where young players can build…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department is hosting a “Visioning Series” across DeKalb County to seek community input for the 2055 Unified Plan Update. Residents are invited to take part in one of the meetings and share their vision for DeKalb County over the next 30 years.  Each Visioning Series meeting will take place from 6– 8 p.m. and include a structured community-building activity and small-group discussions designed to encourage meaningful community input. Attendees are encouraged to plan to participate in the full meeting, as activities and discussions will take place throughout the scheduled time. Light refreshments will…

ATLANTA–The City of Atlanta convened a citywide emergency coordination meeting to assess readiness for severe weather expected Friday night through Saturday, Oct. 10.  City departments, public safety agencies, emergency management officials and utility partners confirmed operational readiness, enhanced staffing and coordinated response plans. The primary concerns are damaging overnight winds, widespread power outages, fallen trees, heavy rainfall, localized flooding and an elevated tornado threat Saturday afternoon and evening. The City’s Joint Operations Center (JOC) was activated at on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. Departments will maintain emergency staffing and coordinate through the weekend. Emergency shelters: The City is activating…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has declared a local State of Emergency as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast and threatens north and central Georgia with severe weather. The local declaration supplements Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of Emergency and authorizes DeKalb County to deploy the resources necessary to prepare for, respond to and recover from the storm. The DeKalb County State of Emergency took effect upon signature on today, Oct. 9, and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, unless extended. County Closures and Cancellation All DeKalb County offices and facilities, including…

DECATUR, GA— The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged five inmates in connection with the death of inmate David Addo-Wright, 24, of Covington, GA. Authorities say deputies at the DeKalb County Jail found Addo-Wright in a cell with multiple wounds on Sept. 24. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The case was turned over to the GBI as is standard protocol for in-custody death investigations concerning the DeKalb County Jail.  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday (Oct.8) announced the following inmates who have been charged in the death of Addo-Wright: Amir Andrews, 19…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp today (OCT. 8) issued an updated State of Emergency for all 159 counties in preparation for Hurricane Isaias. The new Executive Order enables emergency management teams to make necessary arrangements and position needed resources ahead of the storm’s impact. He has also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) beginning early Friday afternoon. “As we always do with weather events, we’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” said Kemp. “I encourage all Georgians to take this storm seriously and prepare now by stocking up on food, batteries,…