Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Gwinnett County jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday, April 25, against a Lilburn man who had more than 50,000 images and 200 videos of children being sexually abused and tortured. Following the verdict, Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Deborah Fluker followed the State’s recommendation and sentenced 76-year-old Roger Sheman Wright to 100 years in prison plus 20 years of probation. Wright also must register as a sex offender for life. Jurors returned the guilty verdict against Wright on all 10 counts of sexual exploitation of children. “Each one of these children in these images are victims…

 DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Human Services Office of Youth Services will host a Youth Health Fair on Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Clarkson Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. The event is part of the county’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public health and ensuring all community members have access to critical health services. The health fair will offer free services to attendees, including sports physicals, hearing and vision screenings, car seats to families (while supplies last) ,and free hygiene kits. To promote continued vigilance against COVID-19, the event also will provide a $100 gift card…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—Head to Stone Mountain Village’s business district to enjoy free concerts every Friday evening during the months of May and June.  The 2024 Spring Tunes by the Tracks  series takes place from 7 to 9 p.m., rain or shine(unless severe weather) and features local indie artists, performing on a stage in the municipal parking lot on Main Street. The series kicks off with Diane Durrett & Soul Suga’ on May 3.  Bring a lawn chair. There will be beer, wine, and sodas available for purchase. Here’s the lineup for the Spring 2024 dates and artists for Tunes by the Tracks:  May 3 Diane…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial on today, April 25,  in the case against a Decatur man accused of shooting and killing the man who lived in the apartment above him. On Monday, jurors found Alphonso Watts, 53, guilty of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from the attack on Darryl Halden, 35, on August 16, 2020. Immediately following the guilty verdicts, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Shondeana Morris, who presided…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – This Saturday, April 27, the annual DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Spring job fair will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at Miller Grove High School, 2645 DeKalb Medical Pkwy in Lithonia. Exciting certified and classified opportunities are currently available. Click HERE for real-time listings of open positions. DCSD employees are eligible for retention and attendance incentives. Additionally, sign-on bonuses and incentives are available to many new hires. Here are just a few of the benefits of joining the DCSD Team now: New Hire Incentives(Teachers, Bus Drivers,School Resource Officers) Up to $4,000 Exemplary Teacher Transfer Incentives-Up to$4,000…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The 10th annual Gwinnett Multicultural Festival and County Government Open House will be held on Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. The Multicultural Festival andOpen House brings the community together every year to celebrate the vibrant cultures and customs of the people who call Gwinnett home.The open house is an opportunity for residents to meet local government employees and discover what each County department does to serve the community. Festival highlights: live music, dance, and other performing arts celebrating the county’s rich heritage. Admission is free. There will be activities for all ages.…

ATLANTA, GA–Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said on Thursday (April 25) that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent in March, up just one-tenth from a revised 3.0 percent in February. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the labor force increased in Atlanta by 25,295 and ended the month with 3,292,796, an all-time high. This number increased by 51,560 when compared to March 2023, according to recent stats released. “Georgia’s job market is red hot with opportunity,” said Thompson. “This continuous growth is a strong indicator that our economic momentum is not slowing down any time soon. Once again, Georgia continues…

Become a poll official at a hiring event this Friday, April 26, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Five Forks branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. During the event, attendees must complete an I-9 form and bring the required original identification documents for verification. If you are unable to attend the hiring event, you can learn more about becoming a poll official in Gwinnett.

STONECREST, GA—Tom Perez, senior advisor to President Biden, on Wednesday (April 24) praised the work at Emory Hillandale Hospital, where an $11 million investment from Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is transforming health care. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners appropriated the critical ARPA funding in October 2022 to expand and renovate parts of the hospital after Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center closed its operation, leaving Southeast DeKalb County without a primary hospital provider. Perez got a first-hand look at Emory’s emergency room expansion, intensive care unit renovation, and the replacement of the hospital’s computed tomography…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) is hosting its fourth and final Senior Safety Summit on May 1, 10 a.m., at Peace Baptist Church, 4000 Covington Hwy in Decatur. A free breakfast will be served at 10:15 a.m. DKPD will be joined by the Clerk of Superior Court as well as the DeKalb County Board of Health. Topics of presentation include: “How to Avoid Being Scammed “How to Protect Your Property” “Tips on Nutrition and wellness” Photo: National Council on Aging