Author: On Common Ground News

Conyers, GA—Celebration Park, the newly renovated park and gathering space in Olde Town Conyers will open with a ribbon cutting and fun for the family on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Mayor Connie Alsobrook, members of the Conyers City Council, and park contractors S.H. Creel Construction,  will be on hand for the official ribbon cutting and for  the festivities designed to showcase the new SPLOST-funded park. Formerly the Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden, the designated park space has been a fixture in Olde Town Conyers since it was built and dedicated in 1994. The original garden was a result of…

ATLANTA—The Board of Directors, members, and staff of the Atlanta Business League(ABL) extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and countless admirers of Peabo Bryson. A two-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most celebrated voices in American music, the legendary R&B singer and two-time Grammy Award winner passed away on Tuesday, June 2, a hospital in Marietta, due to complications from a stroke he suffered several days prior. Mr. Bryson was surrounded by family when he passed away. He was 75. Mr. Bryson leaves behind a remarkable legacy of artistry, excellence, and inspiration. His timeless music touched generations, transcended boundaries, and brought joy…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A DeKalb County man has been found guilty of drug trafficking out of his Ellenwood home, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced.   Vincent Denard Simon, 41, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison and an additional 40 years on probation during a sentencing hearing on Thursday, June 4. DeKalb County Magistrate Judge Matthew McCoyd, who presided over the trial, also ordered Simon to pay a $1.1 million fine.  Simon was found guilty on Trafficking Methamphetamine, Trafficking Marijuana, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from a sting operation that…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) on Thursday, June 4, wrote to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, calling on the bank to immediately remove its recently added forced arbitration agreement, hamstringing consumers’ legal rights and denying them the ability to hold corporations accountable.  “The new forced arbitration provision will force Bank of America’s customers into a private and secretive system, rigged against their interests. During the arbitration process, corporations can write the rules and have no obligation to make proceedings public. Without access to the public court system,…

CONYERS, GA—Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) continues the annual “Be Bright, Eat Right Rockdale” Summer Meals Program, June 8 – July 16, Monday – Thursday, to ensure Rockdale County’s children receive healthy, balanced and delicious meals throughout the summer. RCPS will deliver bagged lunches via school buses to dozens of locations in neighborhoods across Rockdale County, Monday – Thursday, June 8 – July 16, 2026 (paused June 18 and June 29 – July 3, 2026). Meal route locations and times are listed at www.rockdaleschools.org/summermeals. Children (up to age 18) who live in one of the neighborhoods served can receive a meal…

 DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Nicole M. Golden is pleased to announce the addition of two new senior center locations for the office’s mobile tax program. The program now serves seven senior centers across the county.  Launched as a pilot program at the Lou Walker Senior Center in January 2023, the initiative has grown to improve access to essential motor vehicle and property tax services for residents, particularly seniors who rely on in-person assistance. “Our mobile tax office program allows us to meet taxpayers where they are and provide essential services in a convenient, community-based setting,” said Golden.…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Joy filled the air as seniors from Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) three high schools crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and begin a new chapter of their lives. Families, friends and educators gathered to celebrate the Class of 2026 on Friday, May 29, at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.  Family members of several of the graduates wore custom-made shirts bearing their graduate’s pictures. Others held up posters honoring their students. Some brought flowers for their students. The momentous event —filled with smiles, hugs, happy tears and plenty of applause —was captured by family members and others…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston filed a lawsuit on today, June 3, in Fulton County Superior Court against the State of Georgia challenging the constitutionality of House Bill 369, which Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law last month. The new law changes the elections of several county-level offices, including District Attorney, from partisan to non-partisan races beginning  Jan. 1, 2028.  The statute, however, only applies to five big metro-Atlanta counties—Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett.   DA Boston is represented by renowned Atlanta litigation firm Caplan Cobb.  She said she believes the new law is a calculated…

Story Updated Wed., June 3 DECATUR, GA – The City of Decatur invites community members, neighbors, partners and visitors to celebrate the completion of the downtown Decatur Square improvements with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m. The event marks the completion of Phase I in the Town Center 2.0 Plan, an effort to enhance Decatur’s downtown core while preserving the character, connectivity and vibrancy that makes the Square a gathering place for the community. Top Picture: The Decatur Square is the heart of downtown Decatur and has consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 Best…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A former Gwinnett Veterans Association quartermaster has been arrested on felony charges of stealing funds from the organization.  The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Jail Intelligence Unit arrested William Schultz on May 29 after an investigation, officials announced on June 2 in a press release.   Investigators received information regarding potential misuse of funds belonging to the Central Gwinnett Veterans Association. At the time of the alleged offenses, Schultz served as the organization’s quartermaster, a position responsible for managing finances, paying bills, and making purchases on behalf of the association. During the probe, investigators determined that Schultz allegedly wrote…