Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a critically missing adult. Hein The Vu, age 37, left his residence located in the area of Wilson Manner Circle in Lawrenceville on May 15 and has not returned or made contact with his family since then.  Vu is an Asian male, 140 pounds, 5’5” tall, with short brown hair, and wears glasses. He was last seen wearing blue jeans with a black shirt. He was also in possession of a blue or black backpack. He suffers from a medical condition and needs medication. Vu…

ATLANTA–Tomorrow, DeKalb County residents are invited to join CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, county leaders, and members of the executive leadership team for the 1st Quarter Town Hall Meeting. Residents will hear updates on major county initiatives, community investments, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and priorities shaping the future of DeKalb County. This is an opportunity to hear directly from county leadership, stay informed, ask questions, and learn more about the work moving DeKalb County forward. AT A GLANC DeKalb County Quarter 1 Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, May 27, | 6 PM – 7:30 PM Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community…

DEKALB, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department(DKPD) is holding a one-stop hiring event to find the next dedicated officers to protect DeKalb communities. The hiring event is this Saturday, May 30, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale, GA.  Applicants will start by running an agility course, so they will want to consider bringing a comfortable set of clothes for the course, and a change of clothes for the interviews afterward. New recruits can earn a starting salary up to $64,050 with a $3,000 signing bonus. Sworn officers can start up to $73,500.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Libraries on wheels will visit more than 100 community stops through July. Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) Library Media Services Department is expanding access to reading all summer long through its popular Book Mobile Program, delivering books directly to students in neighborhoods across Gwinnett County. Starting on Friday, May 29, GCPS Book Mobiles “Pow” and “Explore” will hit the road, followed by the “Quest” van on Tuesday, June 2. Together, these mobile libraries will travel to 103 community stops throughout the summer, helping students who may not have easy access to a public library continue reading while school is out. The book mobiles will serve neighborhoods in the Berkmar,…

DECATUR, GA– Kentavious Hardnett, a 28-year-old Decatur man, has been convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s 19-month-old son, according to DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. A jury found Hardnett guilty on Thursday, May 21, in connection with the toddler’s death on Jan. 24, 2021. Harnett was convicted of Felony Murder and Cruelty to Children in the First Degre after an investigation determined he severely beat the child, whom the mother had left in his care while she was at work.  According to the investigation, the victim’s mother had known Hardnett for two years and had been in a relationship with…

ATLANTA –City officials are reminding residents in the downtown corridor to boil tap water for at least one minute before use. The advisory is expected to be lifted by Saturday, May 23, at 1 p.m., pending confirmation of water quality results. The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) issued the advisory after experiencing a temporary loss of electrical service at the Hemphill Electric Pumping Station due to an internal power failure. This disruption resulted in low water pressure in portions of the system. While power has been restored and the facility is now fully operational, a precautionary boil water…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of Memorial Day, all DeKalb County Tax Commissioner office locations will be closed for the holiday on Monday, May 25 and will reopen Tuesday, May 26.  To avoid delays, taxpayers can go online to renew their vehicle registration, pay insurance fines, check their vehicle title and insurance status, change their vehicle registration address, and more at https://eservices.drives.ga.gov. Self-service tag renewal kiosks are also available at participating Kroger stores to renew eligible vehicle tags and pay insurance fines. Limited DDS transactions are also available, including renewing eligible driver’s license and identification cards. For kiosk locations, visit https://DeKalbtax.org/kiosks. A valid…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Assessors mailed approximately 311,000 annual Notices of Assessment to residential and commercial property owners on Thursday, May 21.   State law requires that annual notices be sent to property owners advising them of the appraised value of their property as of Jan. 1. The annual Notice of Assessment provides last year’s value and the 2026 value. The annual Notice of Assessment is not a tax bill but includes the value of the owner’s property and any exemptions, preferential assessments, or credits that will be applied when property taxes are calculated later in the year.  The Board of…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County officials will honor fallen military and public service heroes during its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, at 1 p.m. Due to forecasted inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium, located at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Two fallen public safety heroes will be inducted into the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial during the ceremony:  Gwinnett County Police Officer Pradeep Tamang died in the line of duty on Feb. 1, during a dispatch call. He joined the Police Department in July 2024 and graduated from the 121st Police…