Author: On Common Ground News

SNELLVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 13, on Rockbridge Road near Stone Drive after the officers’ patrol vehicle was rammed from behind.  Two officers were traveling northbound on Rockbridge Road in a marked patrol vehicle when the driver of an older-model beige Kia Sorento struck their vehicle from behind. The driver continued to ram and push the patrol vehicle until it came to rest along the curb. During the incident, one of the officers managed to exit the patrol vehicle while it was still being struck. The Kia Sorento nearly struck the…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed measles in an unvaccinated Macon County resident, bringing Georgia’s 2026 total to 22 cases, compared to 10 cases in all of 2025. The individual is isolating at home, and unvaccinated close contacts are quarantining. Although the individual has no known travel history, they had contact with a confirmed measles case from Pennsylvania, where an ongoing measles outbreak has surpassed 1,100 cases. DPH is working to identify others who may have been exposed. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 71-year-old Charles Hugh Cochran, who goes by the nickname “Chuck.” On Oct. 11, Cochran was reported missing by his longtime caregiver after leaving his residence on Sydney Michelle Lane in Lawrenceville. He was last seen around 11 a.m. and was discovered missing approximately an hour later. Cochran is white, approximately 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has long brown hair, is balding on top and has a light-colored beard. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating 19-year-old Alexander “Alex” Bentine Torres, considered “Critical Missing.”  Due to health concerns, detectives have issued an alert to locate Torres as soon as possible. Torres was last known to be at his residence in the 800 block of Clarion Way in Lawrenceville. Investigators believe he left the residence sometime between approximately 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 12. His whereabouts are unknown. Torre may be carrying a red and white L.L. Bean backpack and is believed to have taken money and identification with him. His clothing description…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is celebrating positive results on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2025–2026 school year (SY26), with increases in both student participation and exam performance districtwide. According to the district’s latest results, the overall number of AP exams taken by DCSD students increased by nearly five percent (4.9%) compared to the 2024–2025 school year. Additionally, the total number of AP exam scores earning a 3 or higher—a benchmark commonly recognized as a passing score—increased by 12%, while the total percentage of exams taken scoring a 3 or higher increased by…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold important Open House nights during October and November 2026 for the 2027-2028 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night.  The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 13 through Dec. 11, 2026. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice.  Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (Grades 9-12), Rockdale Magnet School for Science and…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs is partnering with Major League Baseball player Jordan Walker to host a youth baseball clinic on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Shoals Creek Park I, 3642 Glenwood Road, Decatur. The free clinic will provide boys and girls ages 5 to 12 with an unforgettable opportunity to sharpen their baseball skills, learn from a Major League player and be inspired by an athlete who began his baseball journey in their own community. The clinic is designed to create a fun and encouraging environment where young players can build…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Department is hosting a “Visioning Series” across DeKalb County to seek community input for the 2055 Unified Plan Update. Residents are invited to take part in one of the meetings and share their vision for DeKalb County over the next 30 years.  Each Visioning Series meeting will take place from 6– 8 p.m. and include a structured community-building activity and small-group discussions designed to encourage meaningful community input. Attendees are encouraged to plan to participate in the full meeting, as activities and discussions will take place throughout the scheduled time. Light refreshments will…

ATLANTA–The City of Atlanta convened a citywide emergency coordination meeting to assess readiness for severe weather expected Friday night through Saturday, Oct. 10.  City departments, public safety agencies, emergency management officials and utility partners confirmed operational readiness, enhanced staffing and coordinated response plans. The primary concerns are damaging overnight winds, widespread power outages, fallen trees, heavy rainfall, localized flooding and an elevated tornado threat Saturday afternoon and evening. The City’s Joint Operations Center (JOC) was activated at on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. Departments will maintain emergency staffing and coordinate through the weekend. Emergency shelters: The City is activating…