Author: On Common Ground News

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– Georgia’s PSC candidates will attend an in-person/virtual  forum  on Monday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. This meeting concerns candidates who are running for election to serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission, which oversees the costs for utilities. You can watch the meeting online at the following link, which also will be archived for those who miss the important forum: The meeting will be archived at the link for future viewing. https://youtube.com/live/TdUPf_HdcfA?feature=share

This story has been updated to reflect correction from  Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.   LAWRENCEVILLE, GA –A would-be armed robber was sentenced to life in prison, plus five years of parole for the part he played in an attempted  drug heist that ended with the death of a fellow robber, the Gwinnett County District Attorney said today, May 19.  A Gwinnett County jury found Geno Gerard Hall, Jr., 22, guilty of felony murder, home invasion, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the April 2023, shooting death of 25-year-old Leon Van Summers, Jr.,…

ATLANTA – Today, State Representatives Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Sandra Scott (D-Rex) issued a condemnation of the state’s abortion law in response to the case of Adriana Smith – a young Black woman declared brain dead and being kept on life support because of her pregnancy: “This is not healthcare. This is sanctioned cruelty,” said Rep. Schofield. “Adriana’s family is being forced to endure months of emotional torture. Our state has turned a woman into an incubator against her will and stripped her family of the right to say goodbye. This is barbaric, and it must…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp has signed House Bill 208 into law, legislation creating several specialty license plates, including a license plate honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. This specialty license plate seeks to honor the historically African-American  sorority and support community-based programs and initiatives throughout the state of Georgia. “This achievement is a celebration of our shared legacy of service,” said State Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain). “It took teamwork, advocacy and the power of Delta sisterhood to bring this legislation to the finish line. I’m proud to stand with my Sorors in the House and fellow colleagues who helped…

Summer camps and other exciting immersion programs are just around the corner, kicking off in June! Some of the programs are free or offer free registration or free meals. If you haven’t registered your child yet, now’s the time.   Don’t miss out on a summer full of learning, fun, and new experiences. Here’s a look at some community camps in DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties that may still have openings available:

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Biolab, Inc. announced that it will continue operating its Conyers Distribution Center in Rockdale but will no longer manufacture pool and spa chemicals at the site, On Common Ground News has learned. BioLab stated it plans to use the Conyers Distribution Center for “finished products” that are manufactured at other facilities, which were not identified. The update also does not address how the finished products would eliminate the possibility for another massive toxic fire such as the one that occurred on Sept. 29, 2024 in Conyers.  Debris from the explosion fell on properties in proximity to BioLab including the plaza where On…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson says there is no mass disconnection of water service happening across DeKalb. However, she said, there are over 600 customers who have not paid their water bills, some dating back to 2010. Those delinquent accounts now total over $104 million, the CEO said.   Cochran-Johnson said during  a press conference on May 14, 2025 that it’s time for those customers to pay up.  “As of May 14, 2025, over $104 million in unpaid water bills are owed to the County. This level of delinquency affects our ability to maintain reliable service, invest in infrastructure,…

LAWRENCEVILLE – An Auburn man was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a woman after forcing his way into her home, beating her, and holding her against her will, the Gwinnett County District Attorney announced on today, May 15. Christopher Raymond Clamp, 53, was found guilty of aggravated sodomy, kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, first-degree burglary, aggravated stalking, felony battery-family violence, misdemeanor terroristic threats, and misdemeanor hindering an emergency telephone call. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 90 years to serve consecutively, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office said. “We hope this verdict and sentence helps this…