Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold Open House nights during October and November for the 2026-2027 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night.  The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 7, 2025, through Dec. 12, 2025. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone.  Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus and Rockdale Virtual…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County and 17 of its cities have approved a new hazard mitigation plan designed to help communities better prepare for  future natural disasters.  The multi-jurisdictional plan was adopted by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and the cities of Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Mulberry, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and town of Braselton. The plan identifies potential hazards such as floods,  severe storms, and other natural threats, and  creates a framework to help local officials make decisions that protect lives and property. It also provides a strategy for implementing future projects including installing generators…

UPDATE: The Gwinnett County Police Department announced on Oct. 7 that Bijou Nzeza Nguza has been located.  GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing 48-year-old woman from Duluth. On October 4, the family of Bijou Nzeza Nguza contacted 911 to report her missing. The family last had contact with her on Sept. 28.  Nguza is described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and 185 pounds, with black hair and dark-colored eyes. She is known to drive a dark-colored 2021 Nissan Altima. Anyone who sees Nguza or has…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. at 2000 Airport Rd., Room 227, Atlanta. The public also can attend the meeting virtually at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/84958022051 or via phone by calling 602-333-0032 and using the conference code 482992. The meeting agenda is as follows: Approval of September 2025 Minutes Information/Old Business Director’s Report – Hunter Hines Runway 3R/21L Keel Replacement Project Air Quality and Noise Study Noise Report – Korey Barnes September Operations and Noise Reports Other III. New Business Public Comments

STONECREST, GA– As the federal government shutdown stretches on, thousands of furloughed workers and families nationwide are facing immediate financial strain. In response, The King’s Table at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is intensifying its fight against food insecurity by providing essential groceries to 1,000 families this Saturday, Oct. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest, GA. The drive-thru distribution will include fresh produce, protein, and pantry staples to help provide critical relief at a time when missed paychecks, rising grocery costs, and national uncertainty are compounding the pressures households already face. “Federal workers and contractors, who represent…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is mobilizing resources to ensure Georgia’s more than 110,000 federal workers can quickly access benefits, services, and guidance during the ongoing federal government shutdown.   “The Georgia Department of Labor is committed to supporting every worker affected by the federal government shutdown,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Millions of workers across industries — from manufacturing to healthcare — depend on stable government funding to keep paychecks coming and operations running. A lapse in funding threatens not only livelihoods, but also the momentum of our economic recovery. Protecting jobs means protecting families, communities, and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department DKPD) helped take almost 23 pounds of methamphetamine off the streets and put two suspects behind bars on Oct. 2. The operation follows raids conducted in DeKalb on Oct. 1.   The Oct. 2 drug bust occurred around 3:30 p.m., DKPD and the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint operation in the 3400 block of Pleasant Brook Village Lane. Investigators arrested Jacob Smith,20 without incident.  A second suspect, Javier Magallanes, 22, sped away. After a brief pursuit, however, DeKalb County investigators disabled his vehicle and arrested him.  Investigators seized a large amount of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA-DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton  will host a Data Center town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.  This Town Hall will address key areas including energy and water use, infrastructure and power, costs and economics such as taxation and jobs, as well as scalability and the future of AI and computing demands. Those who attend will hear from industry experts and leading authorities who have experience with data center development and infrastructure. “Our goal is to educate…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb Regional Land Bank Authority Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m. at 178 Sams Street, Training Room A1201-A & A1201-B (first floor), Decatur. The public also can attend the meeting virtually at  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81020464767?pwd=viAQ85iuujAGmr64keBGzGgsEARddE.1 Meeting ID: 810 2046 4767 Passcode: 2Q5Ny0 Or Telephone:     USA 602 333 0032     USA 8882709936 (US Toll Free)     Conference code: 436320 The meeting agenda is as follows: Approval of January & February 2025 Meeting Minutes Treasurer’s Report III. Attorney’s Property Title Status Report Chairman’s Report  Executive Director’s Report – Tamika Churchill ▪       Staff Update ▪       Project Applications ▪       Community Outreach and Training ▪       Other VII. Adjournment