Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A Suwanee apartment maintenance worker was sentenced on Sept. 11 to 30 years in prison, after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a young girl. James Tyler Turner, 37, pled guilty to aggravated child molestation, child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes for molesting a child over the course of about two years. He was sentenced to 30 years with 20 to serve in prison uninterrupted. He also must register for life as a sex offender. “This is unconscionable,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “This guilty plea is the result of good investigation and prosecutorial work…

DECATUR, GA— Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Wednesday, Sept. 23, with the launch of the Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer Relief Projects Section 3B. Crews will replace 1,650 linear feet of aging pipelines in three separate locations:  Conway Road, South Columbia Drive and Green Street.  Barring any weather or unexpected delays, the approximate constructions dates are as follows:  §  Conway Road – Sept. 2026 to Dec. 2026 §  South Columbia Drive –Oct. 2026 to Jan. 2027  §  Green Street – April 2027 to July 2027 Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—On Sunday, Sept. 20 through Thursday, Oct. 1, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., construction crews with the Glendale Phase III Water Main Replacement Project will conduct night work on Columbia Drive between Memorial Drive and Glenwood Road. Columbia Drive will be open to local traffic only. Detours will be in place during this night work. Motorists traveling north on Columbia Drive should take Peachcrest Road to Midway Road to access Memorial Drive. Motorists traveling east on Memorial Drive should turn right on Midway Road and use Peachcrest Road to access Columbia Drive and Glenwood Road. An increase in construction-related…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed two additional measles cases associated with the outbreak at a metro Atlanta daycare.  The latest cases bring the daycare outbreak total to 10, officials said on Friday, Sept. 11. Authorities have not disclosed the name of the daycare. The children who have tested positive were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, officials said. DPH continues to work to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to measles.  So far, Georgia has 16 confirmed measles cases in 2026, which includes the daycare outbreak.  Measles is resurging across the nation, with more than…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA- Rockdale County Board of Elections is celebrating National Voter Registration Day with free donuts on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The board’s office, located at 1115 West Ave., will be from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.  All are invited to enjoy donuts while they last as elections workers assist residents in getting prepared for the upcoming November elections, Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Director Cynthia Willingham said. Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend, family member, or neighbor to the event. Assistance will be provided to those who want to: Register to vote Update voter registration Confirm voter registration Voter…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Lawrenceville man was sentenced to life in prison for shooting an acquaintance who refused to illegally sell him a gun, the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office said on Thursday Sept. 10.  Jay Dante Crump, 24, was found guilty of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the September 2023 shooting death of 28-year-old Dareese Amir Ellis. Crump was sentenced to life in prison plus five years. “It is unfortunate that a life was taken,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “And now, the sentence is a stark reminder that there…

LILBURN, GA – The City of Lilburn will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance & Memorial Dedication on Friday, Sept. 11, at Lilburn City Hall. The ceremony will begin promptly at 8:46 a.m., marking the time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center 25 years ago. As part of the remembrance, the City will dedicate a permanent memorial featuring a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center. The City obtained the steel in 2012 through the September 11th Families Association and Tribute WTC Visitor…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County is seeking volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children who have been removed from their primary caretakers. Gwinnett County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate program works to ensure every child in foster care has a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. Currently, more than 300 children in Gwinnett are living in foster care. While Gwinnett CASA volunteers work to amplify these children’s voices, the ongoing shortage of advocates means that many children have to navigate the court and foster care systems without a dedicated volunteer by their side. To support children served by the CASA…