Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA – In a historic step toward expanding housing opportunities across DeKalb County, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on July 14 approved a $155 million Housing Investment Bond Program, launching the County’s most ambitious housing investment initiative to date. The program is expected to leverage more than $1.2 billion in total public and private housing investment, supporting the creation and preservation of more than 10,000 housing units while advancing DeKalb County’s long-term goal of 15,000 housing units by 2032. The initiative will expand affordable housing, preserve existing housing, increase homeownership, revitalize neighborhoods, and strengthen services for residents experiencing homelessness through a coordinated portfolio of innovative…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging Georgians to take extra precautions when purchasing, preparing, and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables to help prevent cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal disease.  At this time, DPH is not aware of any Georgia-specific outbreaks, clusters, or potential links to the outbreak that has sickened more than a thousand people across multiple states. Investigation into common sources nationally is ongoing.  Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite – Cyclospora. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite. Treated water in the U.S. does not contain Cyclospora. Although domestically acquired cases occur in…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Community organizations, nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations and community leaders across Gwinnett are invited to submit their community service project proposals for the 2026 Great Days of Service. The weekend event is set for Oct. 16-18. Hosted each October, the annual initiative mobilizes thousands of volunteers of all ages in a single weekend of hands-on community service. The County is building a lineup of volunteer projects and is calling on local groups to identify needs that volunteer teams can help meet. “We’re stronger as a community when we act with intention. Gwinnett Great Days of Service allows organizations…

CONYERS, GA—Springfield Baptist Church will host its annual Back 2 School Bash on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m, at the church campus located at 1877 Iris Drive SW, Conyers. The free community event is designed to help students start the new school year by providing school supplies, access to community resources, and opportunities for families to connect with local organizations. Attendees will enjoy family-friendly activities, giveaways, food, and entertainment throughout the morning. The event is open to the public while supplies last. The Back 2 School Bash brings together local businesses, nonprofits, educators, and community partners to…

NOTICE OF CID MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, as provided in the City of Stonecrest Charter, Section 1.06, 2016 Ga. Law p. 3538 (2015-2106 Regular Session, S.B. 208, eff. April 21, 2016), as amended by 2021 Ga. Laws (2021-2022 Regular Session, S.B. 21, eff. April 1, 2021) (“Charter”), that a general meeting of the District Board of the Stonecrest/Lithonia Industrial Park Community Improvement District (“CID”) is scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at American Structural Concrete, 2385 Lithonia Industrial Boulevard, Stonecrest, Georgia 30058. All CID electors and members of the public are invited…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— A coordinated investigation by the DeKalb County Police Department has resulted in the arrests of four individuals and the recovery of multiple illegal firearms and narcotics. As part of an ongoing armed robbery and gang-related investigation, DeKalb County Police officers, working in partnership with the Georgia State Patrol, conducted a traffic stop in the 2300 block of Glenwood Avenue on July 9. Four occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody. Two suspects were found to be carrying firearms, and investigators recovered several additional firearms from inside the vehicle. Investigators later executed a search warrant at a residence…

NORCROSS, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jesus Efren Guerrero Ramirez, 25. Ramirez is wanted in connection with a domestic-related homicide that occurred on July 6 at the Sterling Glenn Apartments in Norcross. Officers responded to the apartment complex after Guadalupe Salazar, 32, was found deceased inside her apartment. The investigation determined that Salazar and Guerrero Ramirez were involved in a relationship. Detectives have obtained arrest warrants for the arrest of Guerrero Ramirez charging him with Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. Anyone who knows…

NORCROSS, GA—The Gwinnett County Police Department(GCPD) is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man who assaulted a woman while she was on her morning walk in Norcross. On July 1, officers responded to an assault near the intersection of Old Norcross Tucker Road and Glenbrook Drive. The victim reported she was walking in the area around 7:05 a.m. when an unknown Hispanic male approached her from behind, assaulted her, and fled on foot toward Britt Road. The suspect is described as a light-skinned Hispanic male in his late teens to early 20s. He is about 5 feet 7…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Monday, July 27,with the launch of the Dunwoody Knoll Water Main Replacement Project Phase 2. Crews will replace approximately 2,600 linear feet of ductile iron water pipe between Coronation Drive and Redfield Road on Spalding Drive and Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Construction is expected to last approximately 7 months (July 2026 to February 2027), barring any weather delays.  The project is part of DeKalb County’s $4.27 billion capital improvement program to improve capacity and service of the watershed systems serving the community.  Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m.…