Author: On Common Ground News

NEWTON COUNTY, GA— A fatal shooting at Denny Dobbs Park has shaken the community at large—in Newton and Rockdale counties—as law enforcement authorities work the case. Many students from area high schools were at the Newton County park to celebrate Senior Skip Day when the shooting occurred this evening. Newton County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the shooting just before 5 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.  An 18-year-old student reportedly was killed during the shooting.   According to a Nextdoor post, students from multiple high schools were attending the “Senior Skip Day” celebration when the shooting erupted and at least…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against a Lithonia man charged with using his cell phone to take photos and videos of women without their knowledge.  On Wednesday, March 12, Jesse William Kirk, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of Using/Installing a Device to Observe or Record Underneath or Through an Individual’s Clothing and one count of Peeping Tom in connection with incidents in Brookhaven in 2019 and 2023.  According to the investigation, officers with the Brookhaven Police Department responded to a call about suspicious activity at the Costco…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) issued another plea to the public on Wednesday, March 19, for information concerning a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a pedestrian, 24-year-old Mecha Woodard of Sandy Springs.  In the early morning hours of Sept. 27, 2024, as Hurricane Helene impacted Georgia, Woodard tragically lost her life after being struck by a motor vehicle while walking along the eastbound shoulder of State Route 316 near Breckinridge Boulevard.  Investigators with Gwinnett’s Accident Investigation Unit were able to collect vehicle parts from the scene. They believe the suspect vehicle is a 2019–2022 Lexus…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is striving to be more transparent while engaging residents and stakeholders. Rockdale residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for upcoming public meetings and save other key links from the Rockdale Board of Commissioners. Links are provided for meeting agendas, live streams for public meetings, applications for citizens volunteer committees, and for Open Records requests in the information below:  

DEKALB COUNTY, GA.- A Loganville man convicted of raping a woman and killing her and her brother nearly 35 years ago learned he will spend the rest of his life in prison.  During a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 18, DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Shondeana C. Morris, who presided over the trial of Kenneth Perry, 56, sentenced Perry to serve three consecutive life sentences, plus 100 years in custody.   Jurors found Perry guilty on March 11 of  two counts of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Rape, four counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Aggravated Battery,…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp on Tuesday (March 14) announced that TriNet is planning to create 750 new jobs at a new corporate center in Dunwoody over the next five years, representing an estimated $15.4 million in investment in DeKalb County. “As the No. 1 state for business, one of the key drivers of our success is our metro Atlanta area that continues to attract a strong ecosystem of job creators like TriNet,” said Gov. Kemp. “TriNet’s services for small businesses will further that network while creating meaningful jobs and investment for the Dunwoody and DeKalb County community.” TriNet provides comprehensive HR solutions,…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) unanimously approved a series of proposed polling place changes during its regularly scheduled meeting on March 13.  These changes, which include multiple temporary relocations and one permanent adjustment, will take effect during the June 17  Special Primary.   Temporary Relocations  The following precincts will be relocated for the June 17 Special Primary but will return to their original locations for the Nov.4 Municipal/Special Election: Stone Mountain Elementary (SD) Precinct: Moving from Stone Mountain Elementary School to Georgia Military College, 5325 Manor Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Stone Mountain (SQ) & Stone…

STONECREST, GA – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted a roundtable discussion on the importance of Medicaid to Georgians with community experts and stakeholders. The meeting was part of a nationwide effort on Democrats’ Medicaid Day of Action to highlight the importance of the program and oppose cuts proposed to the critical program for seniors, children, people with disabilities and their families.  “Republicans in Congress want to take health care away from millions of Americans – including the elderly, people with disabilities, and our children – so they can give trillions of dollars in tax breaks to billionaires and the…