Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Partnership for Community Action, Inc. (PCA) is accepting appointments for residents seeking bill payment assistance provided by the Low-Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The PCA serves residents of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale, and Walton counties only. The agency began accepting appointments for eligible households  to apply for help on May 1. This round of funds is not exclusive to seniors but open to the general public who meet income requirements. The federally-funded program provides bill assistance to pay for heating and cooling costs for eligible households. The payments are sent directly to utility companies on behalf of those who meet income requirements set at…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will deliver the 2026 State of the County Address on Thursday, May 7, 11, a.m. at Assembly Studios. The event will provide providing residents, business leaders, and stakeholders with an update on the County’s progress, priorities, and vision for the future. The program will be available via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel at DCTVChannel23.tv. The annual address and luncheon will highlight key achievements, ongoing initiatives, and strategic investments that continue to position DeKalb County as a leader in public safety, economic development, infrastructure, and quality of life. CEO Cochran-Johnson will…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Weather permitting, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) construction partners will temporarily close interstate lanes for the I-285/I-20 East Interchange construction project May 1-8.  Construction crews will reconstruct the interstate system-to-system ramps at the I-285/I-20 East Interchange and add a combination of collector-distributor (CD), or connecting lanes, and auxiliary lanes along I-20 east of the interchange and I-285 north of the interchange.  Motorists are advised of closures and traffic shifts. Schedules follow below:   DAYTIME CLOSURES:   Friday, May 1, through Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I-20 Eastbound: Single, right- or left-lane and shoulder closure from…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— Cynthia Willingham, Director of Rockdale County’s Board of Elections and Registration, reported that the early voting turnout reached 2,952 by the close of business on Friday, May 1.   Although voter participation remains sluggish, the turnout has increased steadily this week. On Monday, April 27—the first day ballots were cast—Rockdale recorded 866 votes.  By Day 5, turnout represented 2.07% of Rockdale’s 64,446  active eligible voters who have yet to cast their ballots, Willingham  reported. Early voting for the Primary General Primary and Nonpartisan Election ends Friday, May 15. Election Day is Tuesday, May 19.  The only location for early voting…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The time is almost here for food and family-friendly fun at the DeKalb County Public Safety Fair. The fair, hosted by the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) will be held on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 5401 Fairington Road, Decatur.  The free event features fun activities, food, TV and bike raffles, safety information and health screenings. For more information, call 404-468-2490.

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale Water Resources (RWR) will host its first Water Fun Day on Saturday, May 9, noon to 4 p.m., at Wheeler Park, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The free celebration is being held in observance of National Drinking Water Week, held the first week of May.  Rockdale’s family-friendly community event highlights the importance of water in our daily lives while bringing residents together for a day of fun, education, and engagement. Water Fun Day will feature a Kid Zone with interactive games and activities, a Touch-A-Truck experience showcasing utility and public safety vehicles, and a variety of community vendors.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County approved a sweeping package of salary increases and benefit enhancements for sworn fire personnel, EMTs, and paramedics, with changes rolling out throughout 2026. The investment, totaling more than $10 million across the Fire Fund and General Fund, was designed to make the county more competitive in recruiting and retaining first responders. Salary adjustments totaling $4.83 million took effect March 28, with the first adjusted paychecks issued April 17. Fire personnel across ranks received pay increases ranging from 3.7% to 20%. Fire Recruits moved to a minimum of $55,000 and Firefighters to $57,750, while Fire Captains and…

DeKalb County’s Dunwoody High Wildcats built a 3-0 first half lead and held off the Glynn Academy Terrors’ second half rally, claiming a 3-2 win at the Class 5A Boys’ Soccer State Championships at Cobb Stadium.  Dunwoody (10-7) led 75 minutes of the match with Lucas Federico scoring in the first five minutes of the game on an assist by Yates Parker at Glynn Academy (15-5) to give the Wildcats the early 1-0 lead. The lead went to 2-0 as Federico had the assist on a corner by Xavier James to put the Wildcats in command in the first half.…

UPDATE: NORCROSS, GA May 1, 2026– Lavonne Cain has been located. NORCROSS, GA– Gwinnett County Police Department(GCPD) is seeking the public’s help in locating 65-year-old Lavonne Cain. Cain was reported missing by family members after he was last seen leaving his residence at the Canopy Glen Apartments, 1635 Pirkle Road in Norcross, on April 23, at approximately 9:20 a.m.  Family members said that Cain typically leaves his apartment daily and consistently returns home by the end of the day. Cain is also known to frequent the Shell gas station located at 5615 Singleton Road in Norcross. Detectives working the case have…