Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County will host a Public Safety Career Fair on Friday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy (RCA). The event will showcase career opportunities in the field of public safety, bringing together job seekers and community members with local agencies committed to serving and protecting Rockdale County.  Event Details Date/Time: Friday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Rockdale Career Academy (RCA), 1064 Culpepper Dr. SW, Conyers, GA  Participating Departments/Divisions: Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office Rockdale Fire Rescue Rockdale Emergency Management (EMA) : 911 Communications & Animal Control Event Highlights On-the-spot interviews with hiring representatives. Live…

CONYERS, GA–School groups, businesses, churches, bands, organizations, dance ensembles, and more are encouraged to register for the annual Conyers Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m Those interested in participating in the parade can register at: https://bit.ly/48e4HQF. Registration is $25 per entry and the registration deadline is Nov. 10. Conyers Police will close Rowland Road, Pine Log Road and a portion of Milstead Avenue for the parade that steps off from Rockdale County High School. The parade concludes at the intersection of Milstead Avenue and Pine Street. Spectators are encouraged to gather early for a spot along the parade…

Conyers, GA –Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive, S.E., is inviting the community to its annual Harvest of Blessings event featuring its popular Trunk of Treats Festival. The celebration will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   The family-friendly festival promises an evening filled with fun, fellowship, and fall excitement. Guests can enjoy hayrides, bounce houses, a new petting zoo, food, refreshments, and plenty of candy.  The highlight of the night will be the Trunk of Treats, where participants decorate their car trunks and hand out candy to children. Attendees also will have the chance to…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — A community group, the Centerville Highway Corridor, LLC (CHC), is rallying residents across Gwinnett County to oppose a crematory and funeral home along Centerville Highway, citing health risks, heavy traffic and property value decline.   The group is urging residents to attend the Gwinnett Planning Commission’s public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m., where commissioners will consider proposed updates to the county’s special use permits for crematories. The in-person meeting will be held at the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center – Auditorium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. The meeting also will be available later online at GwinnettCounty.com (Search:…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Crystal Nasir, 43, of Lithonia, was convicted by jury trial of operating an unlicensed care home where disabled adults were living with dogs, rats, bedbugs, mold, the DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office said on Monday, Oct. 6. A jury found Nasir guilty of Deprivation of Essential Services to Disabled Adults and Exploitation of a Disabled Adult in connection with the January 2022 discovery of the “horrific” state of the care home she owned and operated, the D.A.’s office stated.  Immediately following the guilty verdicts on Oct. 3, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Nasir…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA —A Gwinnett County farm worker has been sentenced to 30 years for raping a 13-year-old girl at a party in 2023.  Sergio Palomares-Guzman, 36, pleaded guilty on Oct. 2 to multiple felony charges, including rape, aggravated child molestation, child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children in the first degree.  Under the plea agreement, Palomares-Guzman is required to serve the first 20 years in prison without parole before being deported, according to the Gwinnett District Attorney. “We pray that this plea and sentence bring recovery and closure to the victim and her family,” Gwinnett…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Political & Civic Action Committee of the Conyers-Covington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will host a town hall to introduce the candidates who are running for three offices in the City of Conyers’ upcoming municipal elections. The Kappa Coffeehouse’s “Meet the Candidates Night” will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the JP Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor Street, Conyers. Organizers say the event is designed to bring the community together to explore and discuss solutions to issues that can benefit all. Citizens will be able to ask the candidates…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold Open House nights during October and November for the 2026-2027 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night.  The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 7, 2025, through Dec. 12, 2025. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone.  Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus and Rockdale Virtual…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County and 17 of its cities have approved a new hazard mitigation plan designed to help communities better prepare for  future natural disasters.  The multi-jurisdictional plan was adopted by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and the cities of Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Mulberry, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and town of Braselton. The plan identifies potential hazards such as floods,  severe storms, and other natural threats, and  creates a framework to help local officials make decisions that protect lives and property. It also provides a strategy for implementing future projects including installing generators…

UPDATE: The Gwinnett County Police Department announced on Oct. 7 that Bijou Nzeza Nguza has been located.  GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing 48-year-old woman from Duluth. On October 4, the family of Bijou Nzeza Nguza contacted 911 to report her missing. The family last had contact with her on Sept. 28.  Nguza is described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and 185 pounds, with black hair and dark-colored eyes. She is known to drive a dark-colored 2021 Nissan Altima. Anyone who sees Nguza or has…