Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA–Gwinnett County has launched the It’s Your Ride Gwinnett educational hub to inform the community about transit plans and help residents get answers to their transit questions. The educational hub explores proposed transit modes, benefits for the community, and information about a potential transit referendum. It also features a monthly video series that highlights different components of the plan. “As our county grows, it’s important that we continue to enhance and expand our current transit system so our residents and community can move throughout Gwinnett and across the region with ease,” said Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The office of Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) is hosting a “Congress in Your Neighborhood” event on Friday, April 12, just ahead of the tax deadline.   The Congress in Your Community event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., take place at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.    Congresswoman Williams’ staff and a tax advocate from the IRS will provide constituent services related to tax filing, Social Security payments, and other services from the federal government. The Taxpayer Advocate also will provide assistance in solving issues with the IRS.…

ATLANTA–As the April 15 federal tax filing deadline nears, the Internal Revenue Service today announced it will open its Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in Atlanta again this Saturday, April 13, for face-to-face help. The office is located at 401 W. Peachtree St. NW. This special help is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  and no appointment is necessary. At TACs, people meet face-to-face with IRS employees to get help with tax account issues, such as authenticating someone’s identity, asking about account adjustments and making payments by check or money order. However, the IRS cannot accept cash payments during the special Saturday…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County Police, through a multi-jurisdictional effort, are closing in on a ring of East Point, GA men suspected of hundreds of auto burglaries around metro Atlanta that started in 2023. Police announced on today (April 9) that two more suspects—Kylijah Devon Yates, 23, and Randy Daniel Martinez, 24—have been arrested, bringing the number to three captured so far. Javaris Gamble, 22, identified by authorities as the ring leader, was arrested on Aug. 31, 2023, in Forest Park by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force, along with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, Forest Park PD,…

DECATUR, GA—As homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in DeKalb County, Commissioner Patrick Robert is hosting a town hall conversation dedicated to addressing this critical concern. The event, entitled “It Takes A Village,” will take place on Friday, April 12, at Mercer University, starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at 12 noon. “We believe that tackling homelessness requires a collective effort,” said Patrick, who represents County Commission District 1. “By convening this town hall, we hope to unite our community in a shared commitment to compassion, empathy, and action.” Homelessness has become an increasingly prevalent issue in DeKalb County,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Twenty gang members were arrested on April 5, 2024, following a joint investigation by the DeKalb County Police Department(DKPD) Gang Unit, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and the Cedar Park Police Department (Texas). DKPD was contacted by the Cedar Park Police Department in reference to four unidentified armed robbery suspects that might have connections in DeKalb County. DKPD was able to identify those suspects and locate them in a DeKalb County residence. The DeKalb County Police Department, GBI, ATF and Cedar Park PD conducted a search/arrest warrant at 3111 Cleethropes Drive,…

CONYERS, GA–Rockdale Chief Probate Court Judge Gary Washington today(April 8) announced the launch of VitalDirector, an innovative platform that provides users the ability to request and pay for vital records online. The new system provides users with a fast, easy way to request and pay for copies of birth, death and marriage certificates from digital devices. “We are excited to partner with Permitium and introduce VitalDirector to the State of Georgia and the citizens of Rockdale County,” said Judge Washington. “…VitalDirector not only ensures compliance with statutory requirements but also expedites processing times, enhances security measures, and provides a seamless…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Four men and three women from DeKalb and Rockdale counties were elected on Saturday, April 6, as 4th Congressional District Presidential delegates to the Democratic National Convention.   The seven who were the top vote-getters will join delegates from across Georgia at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago Aug. 19-22. In total, there were 22 contenders vying for the opportunity to represent the Fourth Congressional District at the convention.     The delegates elected include:Dee Dawkins-Haigler; Erica A. Slaton; Samuel (Parker) Short; State Rep. Billy Mitchell; and John Storck, all from DeKalb County. The two…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting scheduled for today, April 8, at 6 p.m. has been cancelled due to a lack of a quorum to hold the meeting.