Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) formally announced the winners of the “I Voted” Sticker Design Challenge, a creative initiative to foster civic engagement among young artists in the community, during the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting on Thursday, October 10. The winners of the challenge are as follows: Grand Prize – Charlie Anderson, 11th grader at Druid Hills High School 1st Runner-up – Laylah Lewis, 12th grader at DeKalb Early College Academy 2nd Runner-up – Kamryn Pierce, 11th grader at DeKalb School of the Arts “These talented students have demonstrated exceptional creativity in designing…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Eric W. Lee, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, is refuting a blogger’s post that he was arrested on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, and that he had a previous arrest in 2018. Lee lives in Newton County. Springfield Baptist Church is located in neighboring Rockdale County.  The allegations were made by The Newton Exposer on Wednesday, Oct. 30.  On Common Ground News checked jail records, but did not find any arrests concerning Lee in the Newton County jail’s database. The post was removed late Wednesday. Lee spoke with On Common Ground News, saying he put put out on social media that…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking help locating two home invasion suspects. On July 29, officers responded to a local area hospital and met with the victim in this case. The victim stated that just hours before, a known associate of his, Jian Sun, 41, of Norcross, and an unknown male who was later identified as Stephen Carlos Valenzuela, 24, of Atlanta, assaulted him at his home in Duluth. The victim said that Jian Sun knocked on his door, and when he opened the door, he was beaten and zip-tied by the two suspects. The victim…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Habitat for Humanity Conyers-Rockdale recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Taloria Johnson’s new residence in the City of Conyers.  The ceremony took place on Sunday, Oct. 27. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home symbolizes a personal milestone for the homeowner and a commitment by Habitat for Humanity Conyers-Rockdale to foster community growth and development.  Local officials, community leaders, and neighbors gathered to mark the special event, highlighting homeownership’s importance in enriching lives and strengthening our community. 

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A street racing event that took over the intersection of Oakland Road and Cruse Road in Duluth resulted in a car chase with police and numerous people going to jail. On Oct. 26, officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department responded to the intersection after it was reported that numerous vehicles were blocking the roadway so that other cars could do burnouts and set items on fire.  As police units approached, they were able to block the escape routes of the cars that were blocking the roadway.  When officers arrived, people began to flee on foot and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Janice Morris, Rockdale County Clerk of Superior and State Courts, and  staff members, visited the new Piedmont Rockdale Hospital Infusion Center on Oct. 29, 2024. During the visit, Morris offered encouragement and gift bags to cancer patients at the center in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Morris is an avid supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and supports several community outreach initiatives focused on raising awareness in the fight against cancer.   https://youtu.be/acFxszOoutk

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Starting in November, Gwinnett County will open warming stations on nights when temperatures drop to 35 degrees or below. These stations provide temporary, overnight relief for residents exposed to long-term frigid temperatures. The warming stations will be available from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a warm place to rest and receive a meal for those in need. “Gwinnett County’s warming stations are a vital resource for those facing extremely cold nights without shelter. By opening these spaces, we’re offering a safe, warm environment for our residents who need it most,” said Community Services Deputy Director Regina Miller. “This…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department is hosting its 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31.  This free event will be held 6 to 8 p.m., in the Kroger parking lot, 2385 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. During the event, there will be music, games, free bags, and candy being handed out by our DeKalb County Police officers. “We want to create a safe environment for our citizens to participate in the Halloween tradition of trick or treating and are encouraging all residents to stop by for some safe family fun,” said Police Chief Mirtha V. Ramos.