Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA— “KUDZU,” a Southern Gothic short film created by Conyers-area filmmakers, will screen on Friday, Nov. 27, at the Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts (CRCA)Black Box Theatre, 910 Center Street, in Olde Town Conyers. Written and directed by Zachary Robert Chancey and featuring a central performance by Shaun Camp, KUDZU is a roughly 12-minute drama that uses the Georgia landscape to explore emotional isolation, depression, faith, and the decision to seek hope. In the story, a man awakens alone in a field of kudzu that seems to grow without end. As the vines overwhelm him, he wrestles with despair…

ATLANTA—Voters on Tuesday night elected several Georgia Democrats to top positions who have never held political offices. Voter also re-elected four incumbents who faced challengers in Congressional races. Among those celebrating victories: Forner Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, who overwhelmingly won the Secretary of State’s race with 55.68 percent of the vote.   Tanya Miller, who won the Attorney General’s race with 55.54 percent of the vote against challenger Brian Strickland, who received 44.46 percent of the vote.   Keisha Sean Waites, who received 54.29 percent of the vote, defeated incumbent John King in the Commissioner of Insurance race. King received 45.71 percent.   Lydia Powell, who…

DECATUR, GA — DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) announced that preliminary, unofficial and incomplete results for the General Election held Tuesday, Nov. 3, are available on the election results webpage. Election night results are preliminary and subject to change as elections staff continue processing and verifying eligible ballots, reconciling records and completing post-election review. Results remain unofficial until certified by the DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE). The DeKalb BRE will hold a pre-certification meeting Friday, Nov. 6, at noon. The board will then meet to vote on certification of the general election results Monday, Nov.…

ATLANTA — Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms made history on Tuesday night (Nov. 3), defeating Republican billionaire Rick Jackson to become the first Black female governor in the nation.  Bottoms’ victory also makes her Georgia’s first female governor and returns the state’s highest political office to Democratic control for the first time in more than two decades.  Bottoms had earned more than 54.32  percent of the vote when she was declared the winner on Tuesday. Jackson had 45.68 percent of the vote. At Bottoms’ election watch party, which was held at the downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the room erupted into thunderous…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is reminding voters that Election Day for the General and Special Elections is Tuesday, Nov. 3.  Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballots. As Election Day approaches, voters are encouraged to confirm their polling location, review their sample ballot and bring an acceptable form of photo identification.  Voters should note that two Dekalb precincts will vote at locations that differ from their permanent polling places. “Making a plan before Election Day…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The community meeting concerning the Claratel residential project was abruptly cancelled on Thursday, Oct. 29.  DeKalb County’s Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton, on behalf of the Board of Commissioners representing Districts, 3, 5 and 7, had announced the urgent community meeting to get answers for residents about the planned Wesley Chapel Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities residential program after residents expressed they never received any notification concerning the project build in their community. Residents also  expressed concerns about the community’s safety and its proximity to Southwest DeKalb High School.    Claratel Behavioral Health’s (formerly the DeKalb Community Service…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A Gwinnett County woman was found guilty of orchestrating a scam to cheat seniors across the country out of money with the promise of computer virus protection software. A jury found Fataoumata Keita, 48, of Buford, GA guilty of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act – for getting money from individuals who believed they were purchasing services that block computer malware. She will be sentenced in December. “Taking advantage of citizens using fake computer services is unconscionable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “But…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office is collecting food items to support the Atlanta Community Food Bank this holiday season. Customers visiting any tax office location now through Nov. 20 may participate in the food drive by donating canned or non-perishable food items during office hours. “Each year, this office hosts a holiday food drive to collect food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank and local pantries in DeKalb County. Donations are greatly needed to help support families in DeKalb County and surrounding areas,” said Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden. “Compassionate service that sustains our communities is an…

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the NAACP DeKalb County Branch, Unit 5192, will hold its regular election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee for the 2027–2028 term. Election Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Voting Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Voting Method: Electronic Voting via Election Buddy Election Administration: NAACP National Office Voter Eligibility In accordance with NAACP election procedures, members must be in good standing and have maintained active membership for at least thirty (30) calendar days before the election to be eligible to vote. Election Administration and Voting Procedures The election will be conducted and administered by…

CONYERS GA—Conyers City Council will hold a Work Session on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers at Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly Street.   Following the Work Session, the Conyers City Council will hold a council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly Street.   The meetings are open to the public. City council meetings stream live on the city website: Council Meeting Stream. Agendas Access Conyers City Council meeting agendas here: Council Agendas If you need immediate assistance with a specific meeting agenda, please contact the City at…