Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA–The GBI has arrested and charged Conyers Police Department Lieutenant Jesus Cadena, 36, of Loganville, GA, with Theft by Deception.    Cadena turned himself in on Tuesday, Nov. 25, about 12:00 a.m. Cadena was booked into the Rockdale County Jail.  The investigation originated from an Oct.16, 2025 request from the Conyers Police Department (CPD) for the GBI Atlanta Regional Field Office to conduct an investigation into a possible theft incident involving a CPD officer.   Lieutenant Cadena used his position with the police department for the purpose of obtaining a charitable donation of property(a wood chipper) from The Home Depot in…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—State Rep. Rhonda Taylor, who represents Georgia House District 92, will host a virtual conversation on Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m., focusing on Georgia Power’s plans to meet the growing energy demands of data centers planned across Georgia. Taylor said that while opponents and many elected officials have weighed in on the pros and cons of data centers, Georgia Power has not yet publicly discussed its strategy for powering the facilities, some of which are proposed for Rockdale and DeKalb counties.   Data centers are the backbone of the internet, housing critical IT infrastructure, including servers, storage systems and…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A Norcross man was sentenced to life in prison for committing an execution-style murder of a 22-year-old man that he shot point-blank in his ear. A Gwinnett County jury on Nov. 20 found Brian Sanchez Duarte, 32, guilty of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the November 2022 shooting death of Alinton Joel Rivera-Zuniga. Duarte was sentenced to life in prison plus five years without the possibility of parole. “This was a senseless death,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “This verdict and sentencing send a message that deadly violence…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted freezing temperatures, DeKalb County will open four warming centers for residents who need shelter beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 26, 27 and 28.  The following shelters will be open:  Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta • St. Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee • Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur • Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur All transportation routes originate from Frontline Response Headquarters (2585 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta) and are scheduled for initial pickups to be completed by 7:30 p.m. Following the initial routes, final sweeps will continue from 7:30 p.m. until…

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon recently announced the receipt of a grant award of $130,382.40 to continue traffic data research. The funding is from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and includes h federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  This award is for the period of Oct.1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026 and will fund a Traffic Data Analyst position dedicated to analyzing and interpreting population-based statistics to identify problems, recommend solutions and prepare responses for program development and implementation. “I am grateful for GOHS’s continued grant support, which empowers DDS to analyze critical traffic data…

DECATUR, GA – Authorities are investigating a threat against the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority’s IT system, officials said in a press release.  The  Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority received information from the FBI regarding a credible and imminent threat against its IT systems.  Out of an abundance of caution, the Authority initiated its attack defense protocol and has taken its system down to protect the Authority’s data and the data of all users statewide, which includes the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk’s Office.  The Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Office stated in a pop-up announcements on its web site: “Due…

Georgia residents can now use their digital driver’s license as a valid proof of their age to buy alcohol and tobacco products. From retailers.  The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) said the Digital Driver’s Licenses, also known as mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) issued by the department is a major step forward in modernizing identification for Georgians.   “By embracing the Georgia Digital License and ID, we’re providing Georgians with a secure, convenient new option to prove their age, one that keeps pace with 21st-century technology while still prioritizing accuracy and safety,” said DDS Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon The Georgia Department of…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A Snellville man who went on a violent shooting spree attacking several former high-school classmates was convicted on multiple charges for the homicide attempts. Jet Horne, 20, was found guilty of criminal attempt to commit a felony, six counts of aggravated assault, eight counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, three counts of first-degree criminal damage to property, and one count of hijacking a motor vehicle for three different shooting attacks between December 2024 and May 2025. He was sentenced to 30 years with 25 to serve in prison. “We continue to…