Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—A team of volunteers from Voices of Faith Church partnered with Pink Bootz on the Ground to provide food and other essentials to residents who were impacted by the EF2 tornado that hit Conyers on April 3. The church, under the leadership of Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., held the free, three-hour giveaway event on Saturday, April 13, at the church’s Conyers campus, located at 1240 Sigman Road. Families had a chance to pick up canned and dry goods, snacks, as well as bottled water, beverages, household products, toiletry items and clothing. The community event was held to assist residents who were…

STONECREST, GA – The Stonecrest community is invited to join the city for its Monthly Press Briefing. The next briefing is on April 12  at City Hall. In addition to the city’s  regular meetings, this briefing will offer attendees the opportunity to stay informed about the latest happenings in the city of Stonecrest. Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, City Manager Gia Scruggs, and Major Y.C. Baron from the DeKalb County Police Department- East Precinct will be present to provide updates and answer questions. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., with the briefing scheduled to begin promptly at noon. For those who are unable to attend in…

CONYERS, GA—The city of Conyers is launching a Storm Assistance Program (SAP) for city residents without the means to pay for removal of downed trees and debris as a result of the EF2 tornado on April 3. A map of areas affected by the storm in the city limits has been generated and includes Woodland Road, Springwood Drive, College Avenue, Green Valley Drive, South Hicks Circle, Hope Lane, and the Forest Villas and Pinedale subdivisions. Residents along these roads and in these neighborhoods will be targeted first for storm cleanup assistance. The city has allocated $50,000 in funds toward the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY- Two suspects are behind bars on trafficking charges after an ongoing investigation led to a  drug bust, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office announced today, April 10. Quinterrious Moore and Emmanuel Russell were arrested in connection with the case. Both subjects were charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Cocaine, Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Ecstasy (MDMA), Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession Firearm During the Commission of Felony, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession Drug Related Objects. The Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) executed a search warrant on April…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Royce Stewart, 42, was sentenced today, April 10, to life in prison plus 35 years for the double stabbing murders of his sister’s fiancé and Stewart’s 14-year-ol niece. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the  conviction by guilty plea in the case against Stewart. Stewart pleaded guilty to two counts of Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, three counts of Aggravated Assault, Theft by Taking and Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony. He was convicted for the March 25, 2018 murders of his sister’s fiancé, Manuel Santos, 35, and Stewart’s 14-year-old niece, Shykia Ward-Reese, who was…

DEKALB COUNTY,GA— A Conyers man  was sentenced to 15 years without the possibility for parole for robbing an 88-year-old woman at gunpoint inside her Brookhaven home in DeKalb County.     DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by guilty plea on April 9.   Antavious Bailey, 38, pleaded guilty on Monday, April 8, to charges of Home Invasion, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Abuse of an Elder Person, False Imprisonment, Identity Fraud, Financial Transaction Card Fraud, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon stemming from the robbery that occurred…

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,…