Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—A search is underway for an inmate of the DeKalb County Jail who escaped on March 24 while being treated at Grady Hospital. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office stated that Jamal Sanchez, 47, was arrested on March 17, after being apprehended on a secured construction site on Peachtree Boulevard in Chamblee, Georgia.   Sanchez is charged with V.G.C.S.A. Possession of Cocaine (felony), Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers and Loitering or Prowling (misdemeanors). At the time of his escape, Sanchez had been hospitalized since March 21, 2024 for a medical emergency.

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced today, March 27, the indictments of two brothers linked to multiple rape cases around metro Atlanta from 1986 to 1987.  On Tuesday, March 26,  a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Jeffrey Briney, 59, on 4 counts of Rape, 7 counts of Kidnapping, one 1 count of Aggravated Sodomy, 2 counts of Armed Robbery, 5 counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery, 7 counts of Aggravated Assault, 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—High school students in Gwinnett County are invited to apply to the Gwinnett Youth Commission(GYC), a year-long leadership development program. GYC focuses on personal and professional development, civic engagement, and public service. Youth Commissioners are representative voices of the County’s youth and serve as representatives to elected officials. The application deadline is Friday, April 5. Learn more and apply at GwinnettYouthCommission.com.

ATLANTA–The MARTA  ARTBOUND program is seeking artists to create designs for metal panels to be installed on the north and south pedestrian bridges at East Lake Station. All Atlanta artists are encouraged to apply.   The project will provides an artist fee of $90,000 for the creation of the artwork, as well as consultation time with MARTA and project stakeholders on structural and safety aspects of realizing the work. A shortlist of 3 to 5 artists will be compensated to provide design proposals after facilitated community engagement. The selected artist will create a design that will then be fabricated, produced, and…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers-Covington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  will host as Political Forum Night on Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the  JP Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor Street, Conyers. Event organizers say that citizens will be able to ask questions to gain a better understanding of the candidates’ platforms and critical issues impacting Rockdale County. Invited guest panelists include candidates running for: Rockdale Sheriff Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman County Commissioner, Post 1 Superior Court Judge Board of Education A complete list of confirmed candidates will be updated in the next few weeks, organizers…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Aaron Vaughn, 30, of Lawrenceville, has been charged with Murder in the Second Degree in a collision that killed three people, including his 5-year-old daughter, in Peachtree Corners. Vaughn also is facing three counts of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, two counts of Transporting a Child in a Vehicle without proper restraint, Driver Required to Wear a Seatbelt, two counts of Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, and Speeding. Vaughn was arrested and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on Friday, March 22, at 3:06 p.m. Gwinnett County…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– To accommodate walk-in customers applying for homestead exemptions, the DeKalb County Central Tax Commissioner’s Office, located at 4380 Memorial Drive, will have extended hours now through April 1 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be scheduled online atDeKalbTax.org or by calling 404-298-4000. To avoid delays, homeowners can apply and check their exemption status online before the April 1 deadline. While you do not have to reapply once an exemption has been granted, if you have moved to a new primary residence or have become eligible for a special exemption, applications must…

ATLANTA –MARTA is collaborating with the Autism Transit Project to feature rail station announcements made by children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The announcements can be heard on the platforms at MARTA’s 38 rail stations throughout the month of April to mark Autism Acceptance Month. “Research has shown that those with ASD are drawn to trains because of the sensory feedback they feel from the trains on the track and the repetitive nature of their arrivals and departures,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “We at MARTA are delighted to be partnering with the Autism Transit Project to amplify the voices of…

CONYERS, GA– This year, five students from Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) have been selected to attend the 2024 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) hosted at Georgia Southern University this summer. The students selected are pictured left to right from top row then bottom row: Ariana Boyd, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Biology/Environmental Science Christian Bridges, Heritage High School, World Languages – Spanish Gabrielle Christie, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology,Communicative Arts Alton Ellis, Rockdale County High School, Music –Tuba Sydney Hammett, Rockdale County High School, Theatre Performance. RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts applauded the finalists. “I congratulate our…