Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett qualified for re-election on Tuesday, March 5. So far, Levett is facing two challengers: Corey Hambrick, who also filed on Tuesday, and Ronald Muckle, who filed on Monday, March 4. In 2020, when the qualifying period ended, Levett faced four opponents, with the race for sheriff drawing the largest number of candidates in Rockdale’s local races.  Levett was sworn into office as sheriff on Jan. 1, 2013. Here is a look at the Rockdale candidates who have qualified as of March 5:

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on Monday, March 11, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Chamblee Library, 4115 Clairmont Road, Chamble,. The meeting will also be live-streamed. To receive a link to the livestream, contact weissingera@dekalblibrary.org no later than Monday, March 11 at noon. For more details and the agenda, click here.

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – The Gwinnett County Police Department and the E911 Communications Division will conduct a joint hiring event with police officer positions on Saturday, March 23, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will take place the Gwinnett County Police Training Center, 854 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. The hiring event will complete Phase I of the recruitment process for 911 Center positions. Phase I of the hiring event involves an orientation, CritiCall simulation typing test, preliminary background investigation, and an oral interview. Those applying for Communications Officer positions are encouraged to register and schedule an appointment in advance. The…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Twelve candidates who are seeking offices  in Rockdale County officially put their names on record run on March 4, the first day of the qualifying period.  Candidates seeking office for the 2024 elections have unti  noon on Friday, March 8, to file their paperwork. The General primary and nonpartisan elections will be held on May 21. In a surprise move, former Rockdale County Commissioner JaNice F. Van Ness qualified to run for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. Van Ness is running as a Democrat and is expected to face Oz Nesbitt, Sr., in his bid for re-election…

Decatur, GA– On Monday, March 4, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) made it official by qualifying to run for his tenth term in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. “I am proud of my strong record in Congress,” Johnson said. “I look forward to meeting new voters, constituents and continuing to work for the people of Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District.” Johnson was among several local candidates who officially made their bid for office on Monday, the first day of the qualifying period. The qualifying period ends on Friday, March 8, at noon. Since 2007, Johnson has helped bring billions of dollars in federal investments…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department is hosting a one-stop shop hiring event on March 9, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1950 W. Exchange Place, Tucker. Candidates will have the opportunity to complete the hiring process and potentially walk away with a conditional offer. Maximum starting salary for certified officers is $62,164 and $57,750 for non-certified individuals. Hiring incentives include $5,000 for certified officers with 2+ years of experience and $3,000 for those with no experience. While not required, interested parties can visit. www.dekalbpolice.com to get a head start on their application. For more information, call the Police…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A 57-year-old man is being held without bond after assaulting an 18-year-old male driver following a road rage incident. Duane Andrew Sudderth of Flowery Branch was arrested on Sunday, March 3, and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail. He was charged with Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault (two counts), Terroristic Threats, Cruelty to Children 1st Degree, Cruelty to Children 3rd Degree, Entering Auto, and Aggressive Driving. Gwinnett County Police said the incident occurred on Feb. 28 in Buford. The teen said the incident began on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. and R.H. Smith Blvd. after he and the driver of a blue…

CONYERS, GA—Join the St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans in Olde Town Conyers on Friday, March 15. At 5 p.m., there will be a two-block walking parade. Get dressed in your best costume or outfit and participate in the parade. Stay for the awarding of best dressed prizes for king and queen of the parade, pet and leprechaun lookalike and performances by Irish dancers in the Olde Town Pavilion on Main Street. Support the Rotary Club in the World’s Shortest Endurance (0.1 mile) Run at 6 p.m. and refuel afterward at the food trucks and Olde Town restaurants. Children’s activities and live…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan https://youtu.be/nG-zYO5b5oI?si=RvLiBXRlMkEXzpDn ATLANTA—Talking about race and the inequalities Black and other marginalized people have faced over the centuries never gets easy, but it is important and art hubs like the Center for Puppetry Arts makes it a little easier. For Black History Month, I took my 8-year-old daughter, Luna, to see the puppet show adaptation of the children’s book, Ruth and the Green Book at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown Atlanta. Ruth and the Green Book is the story of a young black girl and her family’s trip from Chicago to Alabama in the early…