Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA— Gina Bernard has been appointed Circuit Public Defender for the Rockdale Judicial Circuit. She was sworn in today (Dec. 18). Bernard will be responsible for managing all indigent defense cases in Rockdale County’s Juvenile, State, and Superior courts. Prior to her appointment, Bernard served as managing attorney for the East Metro Regional Alternate Public Defender. Georgia Public Defender Council Executive Director Omotayo Alli expressed her gratitude to and confidence in Bernard. “I am so pleased that Ms. Bernard has accepted the challenge of this leadership role,” Alli said. “She is an experienced litigator and attorney manager with 25…

2023 election cycle ends and 2024 preparation begins  DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections (BRE) on Dec. 11 certified results of the Dec. 5 general municipal runoffs.   More than 9,200 people, amounting to 12 percent of the county’s active and eligible voters, participated in the year’s final election. The elections covered five races spanning from a position on the Atlanta Board of Education to the mayor of Brookhaven and city council posts in Brookhaven, Doraville, and Stonecrest.   “We anticipate high turnout throughout next year’s series of elections,” said Keisha Smith, executive director of DeKalb County…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case of a Decatur-area mother and son accused of pimping a woman for sex.  On Thursday, Dec. 15, a jury found Vanessa Woods, 53, and her son, Allan Sanchez Woods, 30, guilty on charges of Pimping.   Additionally, Allan Woods was found guilty of Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault stemming from an incident on April 25, 2022.   According to the investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a domestic assault call in the 2000 block of Candler Road in unincorporated Decatur and met…

ATLANTA, GA— Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) Commissioner Spencer R. Moore has announced the receipt of two grant awards totaling over $357K from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) to enhance highway safety efforts in Georgia. One grant will allow DDS to add a new Traffic Data Analyst position and the second grant helps to support and maintain the State of Georgia Electronic Conviction Processing System (GECPS). “We appreciate the support from GOHS that allows DDS to embrace innovation ensuring an increase in highway safety and a brighter journey for all,” Commissioner Moore said. “Utilizing a Traffic Data…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— Janice Foot, a former special education teacher at C.J. Hicks Elementary School in Conyers, was arrested this week for assaulting two 5-year-old students who were in her class. The Conyers Police Department said Foot, 58, of Lithonia, was arrested on a warrant and booked into the Rockdale County Jail on Dec. 12. Foot was charged with  two counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, Police Lt. Quantavis Garcia stated in a Dec. 15 news release. Conyers Police detectives reviewed audio and video recordings that showed Foot forcing the head of one of the children against his…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular meeting on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677. Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493.  Agenda Call to Order Adoption of Agenda III. Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of November 16, 2023 Approval of the Minutes for the Board of Ethics Retreat of December 1, 2023 2024 Board of Ethics Public Meeting Schedule and Logistics 2021-5: Atlanta Air Tours, LLC v. Mario Evans Preliminary Case 2023-10: B.…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) have sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly as it relates to pregnant women and babies. The letter emphasizes the lack of medical resources available for pregnant women to give birth and newborn babies to receive proper neonatal care. The letter, which has 17 cosigners, urges President Biden to take the following actions: Urge a ceasefire and immediate halt of offensive military attacks, including bombardments and other military operations. Press the Israeli government to allow sufficient fuel to sustain civilian…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders and community groups to distribute 5,000 boxes of chicken hindquarters, fruits and vegetables on tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 16. “The high cost of groceries will make it difficult for hard-working families to put food on their tables during this festive holiday season,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. Additionally, residents will receive snacks for children that include peppermint candy canes. On Saturday, Dec. 16., beginning at 9 a.m., food distributions will be held at the following locations: Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta GA 30345 New Birth Missionary…

ATLANTA, GA—What  better way to start off 2024 than getting outside in Georgia’s great outdoors after all the holiday treats. Get a jump on those resolutions by lacing up and heading out to one of Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites to celebrate “First Day Hikes” on New Year’s Day. “First Day Hikes” is a national initiative from America’s State Parks that encourages people to get out and explore nature. It began more than three decades ago, and all 50 states have participated. Hikers are invited to enjoy the beauty and inspiration found in nature that awaits right in Georgia’s backyard Rangers…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers police are urging small businesses to remove cash from their registers after burglars hit at least 12 businesses in the city. Police say they believe three men are involved in the rash of smash-and-grab burglaries. Police Lt. Quantavis  Garcia said the burglaries in Conyers began on Dec. 8 and some occurred as recently as Dec. 12. A security camera video  shows the men broke the glass door at a convenience store on Klondike Road early in the morning on Dec. 8. “One of the suspects had a handgun. They stole the cash register and tobacco products—blunt wrappers—and other items,” Garcia said.  All…