Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Gwinnett County Schools special needs bus driver was convicted of child molestation for indecent behavior on a bus carrying elementary school students. The former bus driver was caught with his pants down while students were on the bus, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced on today, July 22. Steven Edward Wilkins, 67, was found guilty of six counts of child molestation and four counts of public indecency for masturbating on a school bus with special needs students on board in January and February 2023. A judge sentenced Wilkins to 20 years with five years…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—All students in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch for free during the 2026-2027 school year. The meals will be provided again this year under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), officials announced July 22.  Families no longer need to submit a Free/Reduced Meals application. CEP is a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal service option that allows schools and districts in high poverty areas to offer meals at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications.  Rockdale will not collect free/reduced meal applications. Students will…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department has issued a Mattie’s Call for an elderly man who suffers from dementia.  Steve Chang, 77, was last seen on July 22 at 6 p.m., leaving the hospital near 2700 block of N. Decatur Road. Chang is  5’5″, 150 lbs, and was wearing an orange shirt and khaki pants. He may have possibly boarded MARTA, police said. Anyone who sees Chang is urged to call the DeKalb County  Police Department’s Special Victims Unit at   770-724-7710.  For more local news, visit and subscribe for free at ocgnews.com.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— A dead bat has tested positive for rabies in south DeKalb, near Columbia Drive and York Place, DeKalb County government officials are reporting. The bat was tested on July 21, officials said. Residents in the area are urged to make sure pets are up to date for preventative vaccination and should eliminate outdoor feeding stations and access to garbage cans. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical attention immediately.  Additionally, residents are advised to watch pets and contact DeKalb County Animal Control if unusual behavior occurs. Wild animal trapping will only…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) reminds eligible voters that the U.S. Congressional District 13 Special Election will be held on Tuesday, July 28. “We encourage every eligible voter in Congressional District 13 to make a plan and prepare to participate in this important special election,” said DeKalb VRE Executive Director Keisha L. Smith. “Before voting, residents should verify their registration information, review their sample ballot and confirm when and where they plan to cast their ballot.” Important Election Dates Early Voting: Through Friday, July 24 Special Election Day: Tuesday, July 28 Runoff Election, if needed: Tuesday,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports the death of an inmate in custody at the DeKalb County Jail. DeKalb County Jail officials say John Parazzo, 73, was found unresponsive in his housing unit on July 17. Jail officials released the  information concerning the death on Sunday, July 19.  Officials said although medical services were administered immediately by on-site jail medical personnel and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Parazzo waspronounced deceased. In a news release, officials stated that the incident appears to have been a sudden and unanticipated medical emergency and officials do not suspect foul play. No cause of death…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) ion Monday, July 20, introduced The Justice is BLIND Act, which would prevent judicial conflicts of interest by requiring federal judges and Supreme Court justices to place their financial assets into blind trusts.  The bill would prevent judges and justices from trading stocks.  Under this bill, all federal judges, Supreme Court justices, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges, as well as their spouses and dependent children, must place covered financial interests into a qualified blind trust within 90 days of enactment or being sworn into office. Judges must provide a written compliance attestation within 15 days…

DECATUR, GA –Beulah Community Family Life Center and the nonprofit, Maximum Impact Love are preparing to welcome approximately 2,000 attendees—their biggest-ever crowd—to a day filled with excitement at their 14th Annual Balanced Life Expo & Back-to-School Bash.  This free, community-wide celebration will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church campus, 2340 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur. This year’s event represents a significant expansion, merging the health and wellness focus of the Balanced Life Expo with the high-energy evangelism and family entertainment provided by Maximum Impact Love. Organizers say together, these two initiatives will transform…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– A DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputy has fired and arrested after an internal investigation revealed he was misusing Flock Safety technology. Sgt. Kabiru Salawu was charged with felony Violation of Oath of Office and misdemeanor Misuse of License Plate Data on July 17.  His employment with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated. “The public expects and deserves integrity from every member of this agency,” said Sheriff Melody M. Maddox. “The misuse of law enforcement technology or confidential information for any unauthorized purpose is a serious breach of the public’s trust and will not be tolerated. When…