Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA— New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the 55th birthday of Dr. Jamal Bryant during a special “Tailor Made Sunday” worship experience on Sunday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m.  The celebratory service will honor Dr. Bryant’s leadership, visionary ministry, and unwavering commitment to faith and community. Members and visitors from across the region are expected to gather for a dynamic morning of worship, celebration, inspiration, and fellowship. Designed to blend faith, fashion, fun, and gratitude, “Tailor Made Sunday” encourages attendees to show up with joy and appreciation for God’s grace. Worshippers are invited to wear their favorite suits,…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered the Georgia General Assembly to convene for a special session on June 17 to begin creating new maps for Georgia’s Congressional, State Representatives and State Senate districts.  Kemp issued the call on Wednesday, May 13, in a proclamation. The new redistricting maps would become effective for the 2028 election cycle, he said. Kemp’s orders follow the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that struck down a majority-Black district in Louisiana, altering established interpretations of the1965 Voting Rights Act. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat who represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District, said the Republican Gov. Kemp’s…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a man who shot his pregnant girlfriend and abandoned her in a park. During a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, May 13, Donald Wooten, 27, was sentenced to 60 years to serve in custody. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie presided over the trial Wooten was found guiltyof Criminal Attempt to Commit a Murder, Criminal Attempt to Commit a Feticide, and Possession of a Firearm in connection with the shooting of his pregnant girlfriend, who was 25 at the time, on March 4,…

CONYERS, GA—The public is invited to a listening session regarding short-term rentals. The meeting will be held  on Thursday, May 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly Street. Hosted by Mayor Connie Alsobrook and City Council Member Sherri Washington, this listening session’s topic on short-term rentals includes bed and breakfasts, Airbnb, and VRBO-style accommodations. Citizens are invited to share their views on how short-term rentals affect neighborhoods, housing availability, traffic, noise, property values, and overall quality of life. Conyers Mayor and City Council launched Conyers Conversations Listening Sessions earlier this year as a means of engagement and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County has extended its moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of applications related to the establishment or expansion of data centers and battery energy storage systems through Sept. 8, 2026. The extension, approved through Resolution No. 2026-12, amends Resolution No. 2026-01 and allows the County additional time to continue reviewing policies, land use/zoning considerations, infrastructure needs, and potential community impacts associated with these types of developments. Rockdale County is also continuing its broader efforts to gather public input through the County’s Unified Development Ordinance Update, also known as the UDO process. The UDO update is…

CONYERS, GA — The Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Kysa Anderson Daniels as its Executive Director. A seasoned communications professional and dedicated community advocate, Daniels succeeds Michael Hutcheson, who is transitioning to full-time ministry after nearly 17 years of leadership at the Coalition. Since 1995, the Rockdale Coalition has been a cornerstone of the county, uniting community partners to improve the well-being of local families and expand healthcare access for the underserved.  Officials said Daniels brings a wealth of local expertise and a passion for service that aligns with this mission.…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– A Lawrenceville man will spend life in prison after confessing to fatally shooting two people in a Lilburn attack sparked by perceived disrespect. Javier Aragon Ruiz, 55, pled guilty pled guilty to two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and one count of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony for the December 2025 shooting deaths of Javier Martinez, 28, and 17-year-old Jesua Valesca Garcia Perez.  Ruiz also stabbed Jace Austin Corley and shot at…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— State Rep. Rhonda Taylor (District 92) is inviting citizens to join her and State Representatives Angela Moore and Viola Davis for breakfast and an overview of the 2026 Legislative Session.    The meeting will be held on May 23, at 10 a.m., at the Conyers-Rockdale Library, 864 Green St. S.W., Conyers, and kicks off Taylor’s “2026 District 92 Constituents Speak” series.    Constituents will have an opportunity to hear updates on key legislation that passed as well as bills that did not pass. Residents also will have an opportunity to share their concerns with the state lawmakers.…