Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA— Congressman Hank Johnson’s Office is hosting a popup Passport Day for constituents of the Fourth Congressional District on Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Stonecrest City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. If you’ve been meaning to apply for a passport but haven’t gotten around to it, this is a great opportunity to get it done with help every step of the way. “Our office is making the process as easy and convenient as possible, thanks to the Atlanta Passport Agency, but appointments are filling up quickly, so be sure to register in advance…And by the way, you…

ATLANTA–The widow of Rockdale County official Kenny Johnson has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, as BioLab says it expects to face “dozens, and soon hundreds,” of related cases. Georgia Public Broadcasting’s (GBP) Pamela Kirkland reports. The first wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the 2024 BioLab fire has been filed against BioLab and its parent company, KIK Consumer Products. Shamita Johnson filed the lawsuit, alleging that exposure to toxic chemicals released from the company’s Conyers facility caused respiratory injuries that led to the death of her husband, Kenny Johnson.  Johnson collapsed after testifying during a meeting held by state lawmakers on…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A Dacula man has been convicted of sharing sexual videos and photographs of toddlers through social media, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced on July 24.  Patrick Joseph Abedamowo, 29, pled guilty to 10 counts of sexual exploitation of children for distributing the child pornography online from his home. A judge sentenced the defendant to 30 years with 10 to serve in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender. “The defendant’s actions are unconscionable,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We are steadfast in our determination to protect the most vulnerable of our population.”…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office will have a delayed opening at all office locations, including the call center, on Thursday, Aug. 6, until noon for staff training. Online and kiosk services are available daily, including weekends and holidays when the office is closed.  For walk-in service, appointments can be scheduled ahead of time or customers may join the virtual waitlist for same-day service. Self-service tag renewal kiosks are 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.  To locate a kiosk near…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County has a new tool for confronting severely blighted properties: a Blight Tax Ordinance paired with a dedicated Blight Task Force, aimed at holding negligent owners accountable and returning neglected buildings to productive use. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced the rollout on Tuesday, July 21, at the Manuel J. Maloof Center. She was joined by Code Compliance Director Tonza Clark, Interim County Attorney Terry Phillips, and Tara Smith, chief of staff for Commissioner Robert Patrick, whose office sponsored the legislation. “Every resident deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe, healthy, and thriving,” CEO Cochran-Johnson…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Weather permitting, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) construction partners will temporarily close interstate lanes at several  locations for the I-285/I-20 East Interchange Project. Work crews will reconstruct the interstate system-to-system ramps at the I-285/I-20 East Interchange and add a combination of collector-distributor (CD), or connecting lanes, and auxiliary lanes along I-20 east of the interchange and I-285 north of the interchange. Motorists can expect traffic impacts on the I-285/I-20 Interchange from Friday, July 24, through Friday, July 31: DAYTIME CLOSURES:  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I-20 Eastbound: Single, right- or left- lane and shoulder closure from Columbia Drive (MM…

ATLANTA — City officials announced that Atlanta will host the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® (AKA) 73rd International Convention in 2028.  Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet was joined at the July 22 announcement by fellow AKA member, District 10 City Councilmember Andrea L. Boone, both of whom were named Honorary Chairs of the 73rd International Convention. The prestigious gathering is expected to draw thousands of AKA members from across the United States and abroad.  The International Convention is the sorority’s premier international business meeting, where members convene to conduct organizational business, strengthen leadership, celebrate achievements, and advance initiatives that create lasting impact…

UPDATED: JULY 24, 2026

CONYERS, GA—The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested Paige Forte, a supervisor at the Conyers Police Department, for misusing the police license plate reader system for personal use, authorities said on today, July 23.  Investigators said Fort accessed the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader system multiple times to determine the location of the vehicle driven by her domestic partner.  Police Chief Scott Freeman said the department acted immediately after uncovering evidence of the alleged misconduct.  “The integrity of our department depends on the public’s confidence that we use technology responsibly and within the law,” said Freeman. “When we…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Presiding Officer Commissioner Chakira Johnson, who represents District 4, is hosting her quarterly breakfast on Saturday, July 25, 9 to 11 a.m. at the Clarkston Library, 951 N. Indian Creek Drive.  The meeting will focus on Johnson’s mid-year progress report and offer a chance for constituents to enjoy breakfast, meet other D-4 neighbors, and hear updates from County department leaders including  code enforcement, law enforcement, and sanitation and roads and drainage. Residents also will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns and issues.  Johnson announced in her July 23 online newsletter that she is seeking D-4…