Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA.—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond today (March 14) announced the promotion of Andrew Cauthen to chief communications officer. Cauthen, who will serve as the county chief communications officer, has been with the county since 2016, most recently serving as communications manager. An award-winning journalist with extensive experience covering local and state government in South Carolina and Georgia, Cauthen has more than 20 years of journalism and communications experience. Prior to joining the county, Cauthen, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Clemson University, served as the managing editor of The Champion, DeKalb’s legal organ. Sloan Turner, previously DeKalb’s…

Rockdale County, GA—Janice Morris, the Rockdale County Clerk of Superior and State Courts, and The Conyers-Rockdale Library are launching a new edition of the Law Library Speaker Series.  The Law Library Speaker Series is a free event that provides the community with information from attorneys, government agencies, and licensed professionals.  The first topic for 2024 will be “An Overview of Your Tax Assessment,” presented by guest speaker Will Barkley, Executive Director / Chief Appraiser for Rockdale County Board of Assessors.    Barkley will educate taxpayers on the factors determining their property assessment.  The event is set for March 19, 4:30 to…

NORCROSS, GA– An 18-year-old suspect was arrested after leading officers and the Gwinnett Police Department’s Aviation Unit on a chase in a stolen vehicle with two passengers inside the vehicle. Police said that Shiheen Junnelle Russell, of Duluth, is facing numerous charges in connection with the March 8 incident. The incident unfolded after officers assigned to the West Precinct responded to a stolen vehicle report. With the help of Flock cameras, they located the stolen vehicle near Peachtree Parkway and Spalding Drive in Peachtree Corners. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated and fled the scene. The Police…

CONYERS GA–The energy of Nashville is a little closer to the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival this year with an exciting, free guitar giveaway! “Swing (and String!) into Spring” from now until the end of the festival weekend, March 23-24, by scanning the QR code in the attached graphic, and simply LIKE and FOLLOW singer-songwriter, Carl Wayne Meekins on his official Facebook page for your chance to win a genuine Nashville Guitar Works acoustic guitar, valued at $400! You must do both to qualify. Can’t download the page with the QR code? You can still enter by going directly to the…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers’ St. Patrick’s Day celebration will step off at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15, at the World’s Fastest Growing St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Olde Town Conyers. The parade, a Conyers tradition since 1980, will be led by Grand Marshal Mayor Vince Evans and accompanied by bagpiper Rusty Smith playing classic Irish tunes. Local businesses, organizations and school groups will also participate in this year’s parade. Dancers from the Drake Irish School of Dance in Norcross will perform during the parade and at the Olde Town Pavilion in Randal S. Mills City Center Park following the parade. Anyone…

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Science Festival (ASF) presented by Delta Air Lines, the city’s ultimate celebration of all things science and one of the largest of its kind in the country, runs now through March 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The interactive grand finale, the Exploration Expo, will be held March 23 in Piedmont Park. Thousands of curious kids and adults will descend upon Piedmont Park to experience the wonder of science with more than 100 hands-on interactive science booths from local organizations, universities, and companies showing off Atlanta science at this year’s Exploration Expo. “Every year we bring the festival to a close…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond was recognized onMarch 11 as the 2023 Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year. “I am honored and humbled to be recognized as a champion for Georgia libraries,” CEO Thurmond said. “These important institutions are among the principal building blocks of our American democracy.” “CEO Thurmond’s multifaceted support for the library, from recognizing the unique, hard work of staff; securing vital funding and resources; and advocating for employee well-being, truly sets him apart as a Georgia Public Library Champion of the Year,” said Alison Weissinger, director of DeKalb County Public Library, who nominated…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department will host the 2024 Youth Academy on April 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Police Headquarters, 1960 W. Exchange Place, Tucker.  The academy is an opportunity for DeKalb County youths ages 13-17 to learn how the police department works. During the free, one-day, in-person program, students will be given an overview of the department’s various units, including K9, SWAT, Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene, and more. Participants also learn what to do when they encounter the police. The 2024 Youth Academy is a free event, and participants also will receive lunch and a goodie…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 11–15 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education. “The Rockdale County Board of Education continues to be among the best in the state,” said Rockdale Superintendent Terry Oatts. “This award-winning Board has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s Exemplary Board designation for each eligible year, a total of eight times, and has won the Leading Edge Award…

ATLANTA— On Wednesday, March 13, Sen. Sonya Halpern, (D–Atlanta) will host a press conference in honor of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Heritage Day in partnership with Governor Brian P. Kemp. EVENT DETAILS:     Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Georgia State Capitol, North Steps, 206 Washington St., Atlanta This Event is Open to the Public. ABOUT THE PROGRAM: This event is free and open to the public and will feature a short program celebrating the impact and importance of Georgia’s 10 HBCUs. Students, presidents of Georgia HBCUs, and Senators Derek Mallow (D–Savannah) and Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) will join Sen. Halpern,…