Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA. – After serving the citizens of DeKalb County for nearly 26 years, the last 10 years as tax commissioner, Irvin J. Johnson will retire as of Dec. 31, 2025. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead one of DeKalb’s key governmental functions: motor vehicle titling and registration, and tax billing and revenue collections. We achieved the approval of 10 consecutive and timely tax digest submissions, which resulted in the collection of tax revenues for county and school operations. Through pandemic and hybrid workforce challenges, these accomplishments were delivered effectively by a committed and excellent tax office team.…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. – The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Otis Wright, 82, who was reported missing from his residence in the 1400 block of Silver Charm Lane SW. Mr. Wright was last seen inside the residence at approximately 9:00 a.m. He is described as a black male with gray hair and a clean-shaven face, standing approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 175 pounds. At the time he was last seen, Mr. Wright was wearing a white short-sleeve t-shirt, blue plaid pajama pants, red Gap hooded sweatshirt, and white or beige tennis…

Update: (Dec. 23, 2025) Both Abbott and Slavin have been located and taken into custody. SNELLVILLE, GA. – On September 17, 2025, Gwinnett County Animal Control requested assistance from the Gwinnett County Police Department 1914 Britt Drive, regarding allegations of animal cruelty. Due to the severity and circumstances of the case, detectives were also requested to respond and assist with the investigation. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained for the residence. During the execution of the warrant, a total of twenty-five dogs were seized. Many of the dogs were confined to small cages containing feces…

ATLANTA— AAA is once again offering its life-saving ‘Tow to Go’ program to help keep impaired drivers off the road this holiday season. The service will be active from 6:00 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 24 2025, through 6:00 a.m  Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, across select states. ‘Tow to Go’ provides a free, confidential ride and tow for impaired drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. Open to both AAA members and non-members, the program is designed as a last-resort safety net when other options, like a designated driver or rideshare, fall through. “The holidays are meant for joy, not tragedy caused by impaired driving,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA- The…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Three violent inmates who escaped from the DeKalb County Jail on Sunday, Dec. 21, have been captured after a female Lyft driver  was ordered to take them to Miami, Florida, 600 miles away, authorities said during a press conference on today, Dec. 23. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of  Stevenson Charles, 24,  Yusuf Minor, 31; and Naod Yohannes. The men were arrested on Monday night and booked into the Broward County, FL  jail, after nearly a 24-hour manhunt that included multiple law enforcement agencies. The suspects reportedly received help from two accomplices in their escape…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) will host its Christmas tree recycling initiative, “Bring One for the Chipper,” providing Rockdale residents with an environmentally responsible way to recycle live Christmas trees after the holiday season. The Rockdale Recycling Center  will be open from Saturday, Jan. 3-10, 2026,, 9: a.m. to 1 p.m.. Rockdale residents are encouraged to bring their live, undecorated Christmas trees to be recycled and diverted from landfills. To celebrate the kickoff event on Jan. 3, the first 50 Rockdale residents who pre-register and drop off a tree that day will receive a free tree seedling, generously provided by…

UPDATED: 12.23.2025