Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections has appointed Kelvin Williams as acting elections supervisor.   Current Elections Supervisor Zach Manifold, who has held the position since 2021, is leaving to pursue a new professional opportunity with Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions.  County officials say the appointment of Williams will ensure leadership continuity and oversight in the midterm election year. Williams joined Gwinnett County Voter Registrations and Elections in 2016 and has served as the deputy elections supervisor since 2021. “Gwinnett County is fortunate to have this depth of experience in its elections management team,” said Board of…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Beautification Unit will host two Scrap Tire Amnesty Day events: Saturday, March 21, and Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office parking lot, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA.  Participants will have an opportunity to dispose of up to 10 passenger vehicle tires in an environmentally responsible manner. Commercial vehicle tires and tires with rims will not be accepted. These events aim to reduce the illegal dumping of tires in streams, rivers, and other areas throughout DeKalb. In addition to being an eyesore and creating blight, illegally dumped tires can increase vector-borne illnesses, cause…

DECATUR, GA– Community members are invited to share their ideas on the area’s current and future identity through a public design workshop.  DeKalb County officials  and the ITP Training Academy will host the strategy workshop on Wednesday, March 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on the second floor of the academy, located at 3110 Presidential Drive, Atlanta. What to Expect: Overview Presentation:Learn about planning effort progress via a short overview presentation by the project team. Art-based Visioning: Help co-create public art with a local artist! Community members will create tiles for a community mosaic, reflecting aspirations for the area. Design & Development Conversations:Learn about the latest transformative…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has announced the appointment of Eugene McKinnie as Director of Sanitation, effective immediately. McKinnie brings more than three decades of public-sector leadership and operational experience in solid waste management and environmental services. His career reflects a deep understanding of sanitation operations, beginning on the back of a rear-loader and rising through the ranks to lead major municipal programs and departments across the country.  “Eugene McKinnie’s extensive experience and hands-on leadership style make him an exceptional addition to DeKalb County,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “His commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and employee development will help strengthen…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Jordan Anthony “Maniac” Moorman, 28, of Duluth has been sentenced to life for his part in the 2019 deadly armed robbery of a 62-year-old man. Moorman, 28, of Duluth, was sentenced to life plus 10 years in prison for the shooting death of Leslie Smith. Moorman, whose history of gang-related crime dates back to his youth, was found guilty on March 13 of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, armed robbery, and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.  “We have zero tolerance for gang violence in Gwinnett County,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy…

ATLANTA—State legislators and housing advocates will gather at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, March 18, to discuss ideas for expanding affordable housing including adaptive reuse of underutilized or vacant buildings.   Community Action NOW!, in partnership with the National Coalition for the Homeless and State Rep. Rhonda Taylor (House District 92), will host the “Georgia Adaptive Reuse Education Day.” Taylor is sponsoring the event to bring together housing advocates to share their thoughts and expertise in conversations around affordable housing, community revitalization, and economic development in Georgia. The program will include: A briefing on Georgia’s housing landscape • Discussion on affordable housing needs across the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Antioch AME Church in Stone Mountain will honor DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson  and all elected women in DeKalb during a special Women’s History Month celebration on Sunday, March 22, at 10 a.m.  The event, which will be held at Antioch AME, 765 S. Hairston St., will recognize Cochran-Johnson as the  church’s 2026 recipient of the “Elayne W. Hunter Woman on the Move” Award, while celebrating the contribution of women serving in elected leadership roles across DeKalb.   The program’s guest speaker will be Dr. Evelyn Bethune, granddaughter of the late civil  rights and human rights icon Mary McLeod Bethune.…

ROCKDALE, DEKALB, GWINNETT, COUNTIES: Due to forecasted severe winter weather, Rockdale County Public Schools will delay school openings by 2.5 hours on Monday, March 16.    The DeKalb County School District and Gwinnett County Public Schools announced they will be monitoring the weather, but had not announced delayed openings as of 10 p.m. Sunday, March 15. They’re urging parents to prepare and monitor the weather as they get ready for school in the morning.   The National Weather Service has alerted Central and North Georgia that a line of strong to severe storms, along with an associated cold front, are expected  to…