Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY– The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help locating a woman who is wanted for stealing a $3,200 necklace from a lretail store in unincorporated Lawrenceville. On March 4, the suspect walked inside the Jewelry Box located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in unincorporated Lawrenceville, to shop for jewelry. The clerk at the store allowed the suspect to try on a Rolex necklace. After the woman tried on the necklace, the clerk removed it and placed it on the counter. While conversing with the clerk and looking at other jewelry, the suspect slid the necklace underneath her wallet…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.  Agenda Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda III.            Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of April 18, 2024 Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Cases 2024-5: Michael Cooper v. Stephen Bradshaw 2024-6: Darren Petty v. Aaron Kimble Public Comments Comments from the Board of Ethics VII.         Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and Personnel Issues Motion to Convene an Executive Session Motion to Adjourn an Executive Session…

ATLANTA—When Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Mitchell sat down to write his second book for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, he set the story at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, where the First Couple welcomed a group of students on a field trip to the “People’s House.” Today, May 8, thanks to First Lady Marty Kemp, Mitchell, and Amy M. Jacobs, Commissioner of Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning(DECAL), this story became a reality for a group of Georgia’s Pre-K Program students from Fulton County. The new book, entitled “A Magnificent Field Trip to the Governor’s Mansion,” follows the author and a group of students…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Drew Brooks, 40, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Tuesday, May 7,  for the May 25, 2022 shooting death of his landlord, Ashley Wakins, 33.  DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that jurors found Brooks guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm in connection with Watkins death. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela M. Barrie, who presided over the trial, handed down the 25-year sentence to Brooks plus 10 years of probation. According to the investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to…

Updated: May 9, 2024

ATLANTA—Three state lawmakers have refiled House Bill 1032, the Property Owner Rights and Accountability Act,” which proposes to eliminate the option for property associations to foreclose on homes for unpaid assessments. The legislators who have refiled the bill are State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain); Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and Kim Scholfield 9D-Atlanta). “By removing the $2,000 minimum threshold for foreclosure, the bill aims to protect property owners from losing their homes over association fees. This move seeks to address concerns about the potential abuse of assessment fees, which have, at times, been used to unfairly target homeowners. “Over the years,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Austin Elementary School will hold a ceremony on Wednesday, May 8, to honor Sarv Dharavane, a fourth grader at the Dunwoody school who won the 63rd Annual Georgia Association of Educators State Spelling Bee in March. As the winner, Sary has earned an all-expenses-paid trip to National Harbor, Maryland, where he will compete in the nationally-televised Scripps National Spelling Bee, beginning with preliminaries on May 28 and concluding with the finals on May 30. Twenty students ranging from 10 to14 years old, from 3rd through 8th grades, competed in the state Spelling Bee. After over 400 words over 18…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The N.H. Scott Recreation Center will host cheerleading tryouts on Sunday, May 19, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, 2 to 4: pm. Registration is now open. DeKalb County youths ages 6 to 17 are invited to try out for the DeKalb Diamond Eagles competitive cheerleading team. Registration is free and patrons are encouraged to dress appropriately. To access online registration, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Now” button on the department’s homepage or register in person at a recreation center. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, and Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialists, at 404-710-6331.

Updated: May 8, 2024

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police are seeking help from the public to identify an armed robbery suspect. On March 31, at approximately 1:40 a.m., a victim reported that while using the drive-through ATM, he was robbed at knifepoint. This incident occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 2732 Meadow Church Road in unincorporated Duluth. The victim stated that while he was initiating a transaction at the ATM machine, the pictured suspect approached him and pulled out a knife. Ultimately, the suspect took the victim’s wallet and fled the area on foot. The suspect was described as a black…