Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA— Aqontise Glenn, 33, of Decatur will spend the rest of his life in prison for the fatal drive-by shooting of 36-year-old Christopher Copeland on Sept. 8, 2021. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by jury trial involving Glenn, who was found guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Felony fleeing. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams, who presided over the trial, sentenced Glenn to Life plus 10 years today, Jan. 23. According to the investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Division is seeking poll officials for the 2024 electoral process. Those who interested are invited to attend an upcoming poll hiring event. Poll workers  officials play a crucial role assisting voters while earning up to $440 per election. The following hiring events will be held: Friday, Jan. 26, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Norcross Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 5735 Buford Highway, Norcross Monday, Feb. 5, 4 to 7 p.m., Bogan Park Community Recreation Center, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford Monday, Feb. 12, 4 to 7 p.m., Lilburn Branch of the…

New info: Hodges may be using dating apps to meet, move in with men, women CHARLOTTE, NC – The U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is asking for the public’s assistance with locating a Conover man wanted by the U.S. Marshals and Conover Police Department for first-degree murder. Donald Ray Hodges, aka Tyrone Evans, aka Unique Hodges, 50, is alleged to have murdered his wife in May 2022. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Hodges’ arrest. On May 4, 2022, the Conover Police Department responded to a shooting in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson and Chief Probate Court Judge Bedelia C. Hargrove are joining forces to perform free weddings. They are opening two courtrooms staffed by Magistrate Court judges, who will be officiating the ceremonies. The weddings will begin at 9 a.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m. Couples are required to obtain their marriage licenses from Probate Court in advance: dekalbprobatega.com/services/marriage-license/. Additionally, couples should reserve a time for their nuptials by visiting the DeKalb County Probate Court website: dekalbprobatega.com/valentineswedding/. All ceremonies will be performed on the first floor of the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Registration to be entered in the lottery for Georgia Pre-K in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) for the 2024-2025 school year is open online Feb. 1-29. No paperwork is required to register for the RCPS Pre-K lottery. The link for Pre-K lottery registration and more information is available at www.rockdaleschools.org/prek. For Georgia Pre-K, children must be 4 years old by Sept. 1.  Pre-K lottery registration takes place online atwww.rockdaleschools.org/prek. Parents will be notified by March 4, 2024 if their child was selected and of the next steps after selection. Students will be selected for Pre-K programs via a random lottery…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA. –  Registration for Kindergarten is open now for the 2024-2025 school year.  All student registration for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is online only at www.rockdaleschools.org/registration. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Registration for all students takes place at the RCPS Student Registration webpage, www.rockdaleschools.org/registration. Photos or scans of required documents can be uploaded into the online registration form. Please make sure photos or scans are clear and readable. To register a child successfully, parents must provide their child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, parent’s photo ID and proof of custody or guardianship if the person enrolling the child is not the birth parent.…

STONECREST, GA— DeKalb County is hosting its second Medicaid re-enrollment event to help residents retain essential health insurance. The free event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 2994 Turner Hill Rd., Stonecrest (former Sam’s Club). “DeKalb County is partnering with the DeKalb County office of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services and other state and local agencies to help residents access critical healthcare coverage,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. DeKalb’s first Medicaid re-enrollment event was held in Nov. 2023, officials said. “To date, approximately 500,000 Georgia residents have lost Medicaid…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host Public Art on Candler: A Community Conversation, Monday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m., at the South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Road, Decatur. When one thinks of art, grand museums and prestigious galleries might come to mind. However, a new wave of artistic expression is set to redefine how we perceive and interact with art. Public Art, with its expansive canvas, transcends traditional boundaries, turning everyday spaces into vibrant, thought-provoking masterpieces. The Candler Road corridor between I-285 and Memorial Drive is poised to become a beacon of creativity and community engagement. Plans are…

ATLANTA – DeKalb County House Delegation Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Vice Chair Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), along with members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation will meet with representatives from MARTA on  Jan. 22, noon, in room 514 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building. Additionally, the state legislators will meet with DeKalb County Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 29, at 12 p.m. in room 502 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta. The state legislators will review issues concerning MARTA and DeKalb County for the 2024 legislative session. Inquiries can be sent to long.tran@house.ga.gov. WHO:        DeKalb County House Delegation Chair…

The Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its regular meeting scheduled Friday, Jan. 26, at 8:30 a.m. at the Rockdale County Extension Office located at 1127 West Avenue, Conyers. To join by Zoom, please use the link below. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87916074518?pwd=a25sLzJaeEk5WkJURjdPN2xQQ1RhZz09 Meeting ID: 879 1607 4518 Passcode: 906441 By Phone:  1-929-436-2866 For additional information, contact Robert Amos at 706-552-4470 or Michelle Conner 706-431-0477.