Author: On Common Ground News

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…

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…

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…

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…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Animal Services and the LifeLine Animal Project are inviting those seeking to o become pet moms or dads to check out animals available for adoption.  You can meet Clyde, the Adoptable Pet of the Month, and others available for adoption.  We can’t hide our love for Clyde. He’s a good boy, about 50 pounds, over a year old and as cute as can be with his short little nose. He’s just plain adorable and a total sweetheart. He may be young but he acts like an old soul. He’s calm, loving and friendly, seems housetrained and…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Gwinnett County Schools special needs bus driver was convicted of child molestation for indecent behavior on a bus carrying elementary school students. The former bus driver was caught with his pants down while students were on the bus, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced on today, July 22. Steven Edward Wilkins, 67, was found guilty of six counts of child molestation and four counts of public indecency for masturbating on a school bus with special needs students on board in January and February 2023. A judge sentenced Wilkins to 20 years with five years…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—All students in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch for free during the 2026-2027 school year. The meals will be provided again this year under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), officials announced July 22.  Families no longer need to submit a Free/Reduced Meals application. CEP is a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal service option that allows schools and districts in high poverty areas to offer meals at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications.  Rockdale will not collect free/reduced meal applications. Students will…