Author: On Common Ground News

Story updated:The female who was arrested  for harboring Kean Wiggins has been identified as 40-year-old Whitney White. GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Fugitive Kean Wiggins, 35, wanted for Murder out of the state of New York was captured on Thursday, Sept. 24, after gunfire involving multiple law enforcement agencies assisted on the case. Wiggins had been on the run for nearly 5 months wanted in connection with the May 6 killing of Shardonay Tyce in Albany, New York. Authorities from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and Gwinnett County Police Department assisted the U.S. Marshals in Wiggins’ arrest.  Wiggins was captured after a standoff at a…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Gwinnett County will host a series of community update and input events for the upcoming restoration of the Maguire-Livsey Family Big House — a landmark that reflects significant cultural heritage and historical contributions in the South Gwinnett community. The events will give residents an opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and share perspectives that will help guide the site’s future. During each session, the project team will provide an overview of emerging themes and ideas for the restoration, and attendees will be invited to reflect on project priorities and goals. In-person session Date: Saturday, Sept.…

ATLANTA –The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Law Enforcement Division Sgt. Ben Cunningham, a 27-year veteran of the Department.  Sgt. Cunningham passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24, following a possible medical episode while training in Cunningham’s career with DNR began with the Wildlife Resources Division in August 1999. He transferred to DNR Law Enforcement in December 2006 and promoted to Corporal in 2017 and Sergeant in March 2021.  Officials said that Cunningham was an outstanding Game Warden and supervisor in the DNR Law Enforcement Division, most recently serving as Sergeant…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) will resume its regular 7 a.m. start time for residential collection operations effective Monday,  Sept. 28, 2026. In July, DSWM temporarily shifted residential collection operations from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. in response to extreme summer temperatures and heat-related considerations for employees working outdoors. The early start was implemented to help reduce employees’ exposure to extreme heat while maintaining consistent collection services throughout the department’s service area. With fall underway and temperatures beginning to cool, the temporary early start schedule will end. “Our employees are at the heart…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Police have arrested a suspect two days after the weekend murders of two young boys. Investigators arrested 18-year-old Julian Ellis on Tuesday night (Sept. 22) in connection with the shooting deaths of  the two brothers, Jamarion Rolle, 11, and Jakhi Clark, 12. Two women, ages 19 and 37, were also shot at the scene. The women survived and received treatment for their injuries.  Ellis is facing two counts of Felony Murder and six counts of Aggravated Assault stemming from the shooting on Sunday night (Sept. 20) on North Hairston Road in unincorporated  Stone Mountain.  Police have…

A record-setting 31 Gwinnett County Public Schools alumni are currently on NFL rosters or practice squads, the highest number in district history. Representing schools across the district, these athletes showcase the strength of GCPS athletics and the opportunities available for scholar-athletes to succeed at the highest levels of competition. Their success reflects years of hard work and dedication, along with the support of coaches, teachers, families, and school communities that helped them along the way.  “Seeing 31 former GCPS student-athletes on NFL rosters is something our entire community can take pride in,” said GCPS Director of Athletics Jason Holcomb. “It speaks…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the renaming of the DeKalb County Police Department’s East Precinct at 2484 Bruce Street in the City of Lithonia as the Chief Eddie Moody Precinct. The item was presented to the Board by District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson.  Eddie Moody, the first African American Chief of Police in DeKalb County, dedicated some three decades of his professional career to the DeKalb County Police Department. Moody, now 72, began his service with the Department in 1973 as a clerk typist and rose through the ranks…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A 59-year-old Norcross man was convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, the District Attorney’s Office said on Tuesday (Sept. 22).  A Gwinnett County jury found Alejandro Rangel guilty of aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, and five counts of child molestation for sexually abusing the teen over the course of two months in 2024. He was sentenced to life in prison plus one year of probation. “We are thankful for the outcome of this trial and grateful for the team of prosecutors and investigators who put this case together,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. In May…

DECATUR, GA —The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved a combined $879,000 in investments on Tuesday (Sept. 22) for the Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Center and the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center.  The investments, brought forward by District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah, will improvefacilities that provide arts, recreation, and gathering spaces for residents across the community. “These are investments in places where people come together,” Massiah said. “Whether it’s enjoying a performance at Porter Sanford or spending an evening on the tenniscourts at Sugar Creek, our residents deserve quality facilities right here in their community. I’m grateful we can continue improving these spaces and creating more opportunities for families throughout District 3.” At Porter Sanford, $79,000 will fund equipment and technology improvements, including upgrades to the Flex Theater, a new digital marquee, wireless lighting equipment, risers, and other equipment. The 17½-year-old center…