Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA–   Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) congratulates the Valedictorians and Salutatorians of the Class of 2026. The Valedictorians and Salutatorians were notified in surprise announcements during school on Feb. 25. Administrators, counselors, family members, and classmates celebrated the accomplishments of these top scholars. The valedictorians and salutatorians will lead their senior class in their school’s graduation ceremony, which is scheduled for Friday, May 29. For more information, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/graduation HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL  HHS VALEDICTORIAN Name:  Andrea Acosta Family members:  Mother: Joy Kimble-Acosta, Father: Thomas Acosta, Brother: Thomas Acosta Jr., Sister: Arianna Acosta. Intended College/University: University of Georgia Intended Major:  Interior Design with a Minor in…

ROCKDALE, DEKALB COUNTIES—The five-day qualifying period for the upcoming May 19 General Primary elections ended at noon on Friday, March 6. Three candidates are officially running for a seat on the three-member Rockdale Board of Commissioners to fill the Post 2 seat: Democratic Commissioner Doreen Williams will face challengers Michelle Bernard and Melissa Mims. There are no Republicans running for the seat, according the Rockdale Board of Elections and Voter Registration. Hot-button issues for the Rockdale Board of Commissioners include the construction of data centers and property taxes. Rockdale Superior Court Judge Nancy Bills will face challenger Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. …

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Lawrenceville man will spend life in prison for fatally choking his ex-girlfriend then burning her body in a car. Jahir Sagahon, 32, pled guilty to malice murder for the March 2023 strangling death of 28-year-old Rubi Maldonado-Nava. “This defendant took a mother away from her child,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We are pleased with this outcome and hope that the victim’s child, her family and her loved ones are able to find closure and a sense of justice from this outcome.” On March 23, 2023, police were called to Maldonado-Nava’s home for a wellness check.…

DECATUR, GA—A coalition of South and East DeKalb community organizations will host a community-led forum on the DeKalb County School District’s Student Assignment Project (SAP) and the potential impact of proposed school closures across the county. The meeting will take place on Thursday, March 12, 6 p.m., at Peace Baptist Church, 4000 Covington Highway in Decatur. The forum is being organized by The Rockbridge Coalition, SDIAE (South DeKalb Improvement Association for Education), the South DeKalb Coalition, East DeKalb Community Coalition, The People’s Agenda, and other civic partners. School district officials are expected to attend. The DeKalb County School District is…

DECATUR, GA–– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from Field Operations deputies, has arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 21 in Lithonia. Sheriff’s deputies took Dominique Lovett, 35, into custody on Thursday morning (March 5) at a business on South Indian Creek Drive in Stone Mountain without incident. According to arrest warrants, Lovett is charged with Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Weapon in the shooting death of Demetrice Chandler. Deputies say Chandler was shot in the chest and then chased by the suspect following the shooting. The victim later died…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County joins organizations across the nation in celebrating Employee Appreciation Day, recognizing the dedicated public servants whose commitment, professionalism, and tireless efforts help deliver essential services to residents every day. DeKalb County’s workforce represents a wide range of professions and expertise, united by a shared mission of public service. From public safety personnel and sanitation crews to administrative professionals, engineers, planners, and frontline staff, DeKalb County employees go above and beyond to keep the community safe, strong, and thriving. Their contributions ensure that neighborhoods remain vibrant, infrastructure continues to improve, and vital programs reach the residents…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—The City of Stone Mountain Police Department has issued a Mattie’s Call alert with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in an effort to locate 67-year-old Michele Adele Croce.  Croce’s car was captured on FLOCK Safety cameras in the City of Decatur on March 4, the Stone Mountain Police Department said.  Croce was last seen at 901 4th St., Stone Mountain on Monday, March 2, the Police Department said.  Anyone who has seen Croce or her silver 2013 Chevy(GA Tag: CFJ1266) Sonic is asked to contact Det. M.J. Swisher at 470-275-3034 or mswisher@stonemountaincity.org.   

STONECREST, GA— The National Council of Negro Women(NCNW) is inviting the community to come out for an inspiring day of hands-on learning and discovery in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics on Saturday, April 18. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Black Wall Street, 8109 Mall Parkway, Stonecrest, GA. Entry is free for attendees. There will be cash prizes for science project winners. Organizers say this event is designed to spark creativity, encourage innovation, and expose local youths to rewarding S.T.E.A.M. career opportunities. The fair is open to students who are entering science…

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) re-introduced his commonsense Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2026 that would place restrictions and transparency measures on the Department of Defense (DOD) Program that transfers excess military equipment to federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies. “When you see law enforcement in our communities across the country that look more like an occupying force armed to the teeth, masked and carrying weapons of war, something has gone terribly wrong,” said Johnson. “When law enforcement officers, particularly unaccountable federal agents dressed like commandos are dragging American citizens from their homes, their cars and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County government has released its March 2026 monthly meetings calendar. All meetings and public hearings are open to the community and constituents are encouraged to attend.  The  dates, times, meeting locations, and links to the meeting agendas are provided in the calendar below: