Author: On Common Ground News

“I am appalled that the BOC would pen a letter to the Governor asking him to veto SB238 without any communication with the citizens and without a public vote that could be witnessed and recorded.”  –State Rep. Rhonda Taylor  ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County leaders and constituents are at war over a bill that is now awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature.  JaNice VanNess, the newly-elected chair of the Rockdale Board of Commissioners, veteran Commissioner Doreen Williams and newly-elected Commissioner Tuwanya Smith are under fire for sending a letter requesting that the governor veto SB238. The bill paves the way for voters to…

DECATUR, GA—A DeKalb County grand jury has indicted a doctor who ran a Doraville acupuncture practice on multiple sexual assault charges on seven women.     Dr. Meu Keon Kim, 70, of Norcrossis facing four counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery (felony) and seven counts of Sexual Battery (misdemeanor and nine counts of Sexual Battery.  The indictments filed on April 29  are connected to seven victims.  According to the preliminary investigation, two female patients reported that Dr. Kim touched them inappropriately during their treatment sessions.   Doraville Police arrested Dr. Kim on Feb. 11, and filed additional charges against Kim in March after more alleged…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- As part of a countywide crack down on crime and reckless driving, the DeKalb County Police Department’s (DKPD) Special Operations Division conducted its second Spring Operation Safety Checkpoint at Glenwood and Shoal Creek Park II.  The ongoing initiative is a cornerstone of CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson’s public safety strategy, which combines proactive policing, multi-agency collaboration, and targeted enforcement to reduce crime and save lives. The April 25 checkpoint focused on ensuring motorists were driving lawfully and safely. Officers screened for valid licenses, registration, insurance, impaired driving, and equipment violations, while distributing educational materials on traffic safety. The checkpoint…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will hold an Ethics Forum on Friday, May 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  The Ethics Forum will be held at 178 Sam’s Street, Decatur, GA 30030.  Agenda 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration, Meet, and Greet  12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.  Introductions, Panel Discussion  12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Networking

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—JaNice VanNess, chair of the Rockdale Board of Commissioners (BOC), has issued a statement confirming that the three-member BOC has asked Gov. Brian Kemp to veto a bill that would allow citizens to vote expand the BOC from 3 to 5 members and change the form of government in Rockdale.  The statement comes in the wake of public outcry that VanNess, veteran Commissioner Doreen Williams, and newly-elected Commissioner Tuwanya Smith acted without informing the community in requesting the governor to veto the expansion known as Senate Bill 238.   VanNess defended the board’s action, saying her administration wanted to…

ATLANTA – State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) joined Gov. Brian Kemp in Savannah , as House Bill 303, the Original 33 Memorial Act, and House Bill 762, the Savannah Music Commission Act, were signed into law on May 1.  “Today is a powerful day with the signing of the Original 33 Memorial Act,” said Rep. Gilliard. “These heroic Americans can now be celebrated both at the State Capitol and through a marker program across the state of Georgia. It is only right that we memorialize them in the place that they were expelled from and memorialize them across the state…

ATLANTA– Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Guild will host its 29th Annual Jazz Under the Stars (JUTS) event on Saturday, May 3, at university’s campus. With gates opening at 5 p.m., this beloved tradition will kick off at 6 p.m. with a pre-show featuring the talented CAU JazzTet and an evening of exceptional performances designed to support the university’s arts students. The main show will officially begin at 7 p.m., with a lineup that celebrates jazz’s rich heritage while supporting current students pursuing their passions in the arts. This year’s event will provide a memorable musical experience and raise vital funds…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named four Gwinnett County Public Schools seniors as recipients of its 2025 corporate-sponsored scholarships. These students are among a group of winners in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship program. This year, approximately 830 distinguished high school seniors nationwide won National Merit Scholarships financed by 124 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations.  Recipients were selected from a group of students who advanced to the finalist level. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for children of their employees, residents of communities the company serves, or students who plan to pursue college majors or careers…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Efforts to improve water service capacity throughout DeKalb County continue on Monday, May 12, with the launch of the Harrington Drive Water Main Replacement Project. Crews will install 9,500 linear feet of water lines with new 8-inch ductile iron pipe.   This 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.  This project is expected to last 12 months (May 2025 to April 2026), barring any weather delays. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A viral video fight between a group of students and a teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. High School is not as “cut and dry” as it appears, DeKalb Schools Superintendent Devon Horton said during a press conference on Tuesday at the school.  Although three students have been charged in connection with the April 22 incident and the teacher has been placed on administrative leave, Horton said the students should not be criminalized. He said the ongoing investigation involves ninth grade students and the student who threw the first punch had only been at the school for less…