Author: On Common Ground News

 The Georgia Department of Transportation is seeking review and feedback for the proposed Miller Road detour alternative technical concept to reconstruct the Miller Road bridge over Interstate I-20. We appreciate your participation in the process. The project is reconstructing the interstate system-to-system ramps at the I-285/I-20 East Interchange and will add a combination of collector-distributor, also known as connecting lanes, and auxiliary lanes along I-20 east of the interchange in DeKalb County, Georgia. The project is part of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) and includes reconstructing Miller Road over I-20. A full closure and detour of…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Voters chose to continue the 25-year tradition of collecting pennies for public education in Rockdale County by overwhelmingly approving the Education Special Purpose Local Sales Tax (E-SPLOST) ballot initiative on March 12. About 63 percent of voters approved E-SPLOST VI in Rockdale County. E-SPLOST is a one penny, five-year sales tax that allows for shared contribution to education, including visitors to the county who spend money on gas, food, hotels, and retail items. E-SPLOST can be used for capital expenditures or debt retirement; however, Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is a debt-free school system. “As a member of…

Lawrenceville, GA – Detectives are investigating a domestic-related incident that resulted in one adult female being shot. The incident happened today (March 14) around 2:30 p.m. Officers assigned to the Bay Creek precinct responded to a person-shot call in the 1300 block of Ivey Pointe Drive in unincorporated Lawrenceville. When police arrived, they discovered one adult female suffering from a gunshot wound to her rear shoulder. Paramedics attended to the female victim as officers secured the incident location. The female victim was transported to a local area hospital in critical condition. Detectives, alongside crime scene investigators, responded to the scene…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve service capacity throughout DeKalb County will continue with the launch of the Cobb Fowler South Trunk Sewer Upsizing Project. Crews will upsize approximately 3.3 miles of sewer lines. This project is expected to last approximately 36 months (spring 2025 to summer 2028), barring any weather delays. Normal construction hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected. To learn more about the Cobb Fowler South Trunk Sewer Upsizing Project, attend the public information open house on…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Board of Assessors’ office will be open on Saturday, March 30, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. April 1 is the last day to file for homestead exemption. The extended office hours will allow residents to ask questions and get help on a Saturday from the Board of Assessors with filing their Homestead Exemption. If eligible, a Homestead Exemption can reduce the property taxes on a homeowner’s legal residence. Residents are encouraged to determine their eligibility, collect the necessary documents, and file their exemption before the April 1 deadline. The Board of Assessors’ office is at 958 Milstead Ave,…

DECATUR, GA.— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business and certification of election results will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at noon. This meeting will be conducted in person at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, Ga. 30032. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font of 12 to: electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov, which must be received between 35 and 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of the email must include the citizen’s…

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…