Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA — The Develop Fulton Board of Directors unanimously approved a $538,304,353 bond inducement for Project Nexus, a transformative mixed-use economic development initiative that would revitalize an area South of I-20. This landmark project would be a pivotal investment in an area in the southern part of Fulton County that has historically been underserved, ushering in a new era of economic opportunity and community sustainability.  Project Nexus would represent a groundbreaking, half-billion-dollar investment aimed at transforming a distressed property into a vibrant hub of economic and community development. Situated in Atlanta and East Point, the project would bring together affordable…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested a suspect on multiple charges of identity fraud and forgery related to property in Arizona. On Dec. 11, officers assigned to the North Precinct Community Response Team were contacted by the Lake Havasu City Police Department in Arizona. Investigators from Lake Havasu City reported that a victim’s identity had been stolen, and a property belonging to the victim in Arizona was being sold by an unknown suspect impersonating the victim. Officers were able to make contact with the suspect n Gwinnett County and arrange a location to meet and sign…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Today, Dec. 18, the Steering Committee for the 2025 CEO Inaugural Week announced Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will be sworn in during a weeklong celebration set Jan. 8-12. Cochran-Johnson will take the reigns as the 6th Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County, Georgia, making   history as the first African-American woman to hold the office in the state’s fourth-most populous county.   Cochran-Johnson will be sworn in on Friday, Jan. 10, 5 to 6 p.m., at Emory University, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, 1660 N. Decatur Road N.E., Decatur. The Honorable Judge Penny Brown-Reynolds will administer the oath of office. The Honorable Judge Mark…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Melissa Dowd, 58, of Monroe, GA has been arrested for stealing more than $400,000 from her former employer, Gwinnett County Police said. She was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on Dec. 17 after the Police Department’s Electronic and Financial Crimes Unit obtained several warrants for her arrest.  Dowd’s employer filed a police report in April concerning the fraud. According to the employer, Dowd would submit false invoices for various vendors.  Once the payments were authorized, Dowd would alter the checks meant for the vendors and list herself as the payee.  She did this over 190 times and…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church “The Village Church” is invited kids ages 6-16 to a New Year’s Eve. Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 3 to 6 p.m. The church is located at 5312 W. Mountain St., Stone Mountain. There will be free pizza, snacks, games, crafts and a movie.  Attendees must register by Dec. 27: https://www.stonemountainfirst.org/ For more information, call 770-469-9767. 

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open the following four warming centers for residents on Dec. 20-23s, starting at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta  North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International according to the following schedule:  Chamblee Library, 4115…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— A Rockdale County Jail detention deputy and a former employee have been arrested in connection with contraband being smuggled into the jail, according to a statement from the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. The arrests were announced in a press release issued on Dec. 17 at 8:26 p.m., though officials did not release the names of the individuals involved. The Sheriff’s Office also did not disclose what specific items were brought into the jail or the potential charges the suspects face.  The detention deputy was arrested on Dec. 13. Authorities say further inquiries uncovered additional involvement, leading to the arrest…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Michelle Marks has been arrested after kidnapping her 7-year-old son, Royal Marks, in a custody battle.  The Gwinnett County Police Department had put out an alert for Michelle Marks, who also was wanted in Oklahoma after fleeing to Georgia and then taking her son, who was in the custody of his father. Gwinnett County Police Department announced tonight that Michelle Marks and her son were located safely. Detectives learned that Michelle Marks had traveled earlier today, Dec. 17, from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport using an alias. Detectives promptly alerted the Los Angeles Police Department,…