Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA –  The Rockdale County Board of Education officially announced on Thursday, July 30, the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Johnson as  Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools. Following a comprehensive search process that included extensive stakeholder input, candidate screening, interviews, and deliberation, the Board voted at its meeting on Thursday, July 16,  to identify Johnson as the sole finalist. After the required 14-day waiting period, the Board voted unanimously to appoint  Johnson as the new Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools effective Monday, Aug. 3. “We are excited to have Dr. Johnson begin on our first day of school,” said…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Police Department will host mid-year town hall meetings in August to update neighbors on crimefighting efforts throughout the community. Police Chief Greg Padrick and other DKPD leaders will discuss strategies the department has used in the first half of 2026 to solve and prevent crime across DeKalb. They will also discuss key investigations that have made a major impact on public safety. Residents are invited to either town hall, but they are encouraged to attend the meeting specific to their local precinct.  The Town Hall for North Central and Tucker Precincts will be held Aug.…

CONYERS, GA—Mayor Connie Alsobrook is one of five grant recipients for the Mayors Advancing Economic Mobility coaching initiative focused on mentoring young people to build economic stability in communities across the country. Conyers will receive $25,000 in funds from The Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry inaugural grants that will work with ocal organizations focused on economic mobility coaching and strengthening family economic stability in communities across the country. “The intention is that with some coaching and mentorship through this grant funding, participants in our own Conyers community can work to create a better lifestyle for themselves and their families,…

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Marshals Service (USMS), along with state and local agencies in thirty-seven federal judicial districts and geographical locations across the United States, led a multi-week enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of more than 330 fugitives wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, sex assault, or other sex offenses. The Northern Georgia of Georgia was one of the participating districts. Local arrests include, Steven Creech, originally convicted of using a computer to lure children and obscene internet contact with children, Dehaan Graves, originally convicted of multiple counts of child molestation, Antonio Cervantes, originally convicted of child molestation,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) is strengthening its community-centered policing by partnering with apartment communities that are investing in technology to help create safer neighborhoods, officials announced this week.  Several apartment communities, including Highlands at East Atlanta, recently invested in security robots provided by Atlanta-based Undaunted Robotic Security to enhance safety for its residents. Working collaboratively with DKPD, these privately-owned security resources have been integrated into the department’s broader public safety strategy to improve situational awareness and support emergency response. When a qualifying call for service or critical incident occurs, authorized personnel in DKPD’s Real-Time Crime Center…

ATLANTA – State Representative Karen Lupton (D-Chamblee), in partnership with We Love Buford Highway (WLBH), today announces the launch of “Lupton Lifts Community,” a community initiative aimed at helping families across the Buford Highway corridor who are experiencing sudden financial hardship.  Lupton said the campaign seeks to support the We Love Buford Highway Emergency Community Stabilization Fund, which provides short-term assistance to families facing certain needs such as groceries, transportation, temporary rent assistance, utility payments, childcare and other expenses. “One of the greatest privileges of serving this community is seeing neighbors continually step forward to help neighbors,” said Lupton. “Lupton…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Springfield Baptist Church will host its twice monthly drive-thru food pantry in August, providing free groceries to individuals and families in need throughout the community.  This outreach is open to all. No registration is required.   Event Details: Springfield Baptist Church  1877 Iris Drive SE, Conyers, GA Drive-Thru Food Pantry Saturday, August 8 and 22 9 a.m. –12 p.m.