Author: On Common Ground News

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…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. at 2000 Airport Rd., Room 227, Atlanta. The public also can attend the meeting virtually at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/84958022051 or via phone by calling 602-333-0032 and using the conference code 482992. The meeting agenda is as follows: Approval of September 2025 Minutes Information/Old Business Director’s Report – Hunter Hines Runway 3R/21L Keel Replacement Project Air Quality and Noise Study Noise Report – Korey Barnes September Operations and Noise Reports Other III. New Business Public Comments

STONECREST, GA– As the federal government shutdown stretches on, thousands of furloughed workers and families nationwide are facing immediate financial strain. In response, The King’s Table at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is intensifying its fight against food insecurity by providing essential groceries to 1,000 families this Saturday, Oct. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest, GA. The drive-thru distribution will include fresh produce, protein, and pantry staples to help provide critical relief at a time when missed paychecks, rising grocery costs, and national uncertainty are compounding the pressures households already face. “Federal workers and contractors, who represent…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is mobilizing resources to ensure Georgia’s more than 110,000 federal workers can quickly access benefits, services, and guidance during the ongoing federal government shutdown.   “The Georgia Department of Labor is committed to supporting every worker affected by the federal government shutdown,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Millions of workers across industries — from manufacturing to healthcare — depend on stable government funding to keep paychecks coming and operations running. A lapse in funding threatens not only livelihoods, but also the momentum of our economic recovery. Protecting jobs means protecting families, communities, and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department DKPD) helped take almost 23 pounds of methamphetamine off the streets and put two suspects behind bars on Oct. 2. The operation follows raids conducted in DeKalb on Oct. 1.   The Oct. 2 drug bust occurred around 3:30 p.m., DKPD and the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint operation in the 3400 block of Pleasant Brook Village Lane. Investigators arrested Jacob Smith,20 without incident.  A second suspect, Javier Magallanes, 22, sped away. After a brief pursuit, however, DeKalb County investigators disabled his vehicle and arrested him.  Investigators seized a large amount of…