Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA– Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA) are speaking out about the federal law enforcement raids that occurred  in metro Atlanta this weekend, calling the arrests “inhumane.” Some of the arrests occurred in Congressman Johnson’s district. CRSA brings together 27 local refugee-and immigrant-serving organizations. The raids, part of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests nationwide this past weekend. A series of those arrests were made in Atlanta, Cartersville and Savannah. Federal officials say the arrests are being made to preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners has approved a moratorium on the establishment of certain businesses they say are saturating Rockdale.   During the 120-day moratorium, no permits, plans, approvals or occupation tax certificates shall be issued for any new Small Box Discount Retailers, mini warehouses, gas stations, and Vape shops. County officials say they are reviewing Rockdale’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which hasn’t been updated in over 10 years, to determine how to modify development uses in a way that restricts concentration of these types businesses.   The county has experienced a surge in vape shops, as well as…

ATLANTA – The Gwinnett County House Delegation Chair Jasmine Clark (D-Lilburn), Vice Chair Segun Adeyina (D-Grayson) and Secretary Arlene Beckles (D-Norcross), along with members of the Gwinnett County House Delegation, will hold their first meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m., Coverdell Legislative Office Building, in room 502.  WHO:             Members of the Gwinnett County Legislative Delegation  WHAT:          Delegation Meeting WHEN:          Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 1 p.m. WHERE:       Coverdell Legislative Office Building Room 502 18 Capitol Square SW Atlanta, GA 30334

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-93 will host the 10th Annual “Go Red for Women” luncheon on Friday, Feb. 7, 12 – 2 p.m., at the Georgia State Capitol, Room 230. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and raising awareness is critical to saving lives,” said Rep. Carter. “This luncheon is not just an event – it’s a movement to empower women with the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their heart health. This is more than a day of education—it’s a call to action for our families, communities…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– Gwinnett County Police detectives have made an arrest in two recent residential burglaries. Cory Brenner, 39, Stone Mountain, has been charged with two counts of Burglary in the First Degree.  He was arrested and taken to the Gwinnett County Jail. Burglary detectives were investigating two recent burglaries near Old Tucker Road in Stone Mountain.  Detectives located an e-commerce listing with property that had recently been stolen in one of the burglaries. On Jan. 24, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on Old Tucker Road. They were able to recover nearly $20,000 in electronics and jewelry stolen from…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Four more Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) eighth grade students embarked on a life-changing journey as the district’s newest cohort of REACH Georgia scholars. The students are: Tahii Lindsay of G.L. Edwards Middle School, Isaac Sneed of Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, Elisheba Sylvestre of Memorial Middle School, Emerson Uchechi of Gen. Ray Davis Middle School. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon completion of the REACH Georgia program and high school graduation. These REACH Georgia scholars and their families were recognized during the Rockdale County Board of Education meeting held January 16, 2025. In addition to RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts and school board members,…

ATLANTA – MARTA is offering more than 30 opportunities for the public to participate in virtual and in-person meetings in 2025 as part of its unveiling of the draft NextGen Bus Network plan.  This strategic redesign of more than 100 bus routes intends to deliver a smarter, faster, and better network to meet the evolving needs of the region. Comments and insights gathered during the public engagement period will help refine the draft network.  The 2025 public meetings kicked off with an open house at MARTA headquarters on Saturday, Jan. 25, and will conclude with a final open house at the…

Updated Jan. 28, 2025: