Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—On Nov. 14, 2023, Georgia Sen. Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia), State Rep. Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) and Attorney Stewart Morelli from the General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Counsel held a  town hall meeting at the Rockdale Career Academy to discuss House Bill 741. House Bill 741 proposes significant changes to the governance structure of Rockdale County. The bill seeks to increase the number of county commissioners from three to five, reshape the responsibilities of the chairperson, establish residency-based commissioner districts, and introduce the position of a county manager. By a show of hands raised, the majority attending the meeting said they favored…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s team will host a “Constituent Services in Your Community” event on Thursday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the JP Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers.  Sen. Ossoff announced the statewide initiative last month as a new way that his office is working to assist constituents needing help navigating the often confusing and complex Federal system. Sen. Ossoff’s constituent services team will be available to help families cut through red tape to access benefits, from resolving issues with Social Security and Medicare, to helping families obtain passports, to ensuring service members,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Today, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced the official launch of its IGNITE DeKalb Teacher Residency Program, a signature initiative of Superintendent Devon Q. Horton to address the critical need for qualified educators in the district. District officials stated in ia news release: “The IGNITE (Inspiring Greatness and Normalizing Innovation in Teacher Education) DeKalb Teacher Residency Program is a transformational approach, providing an alternate and effective route to teacher certification. Aimed at preparing a new wave of high-quality, dedicated educators, IGNITE creates an achievable path to the classroom for passionate individuals seeking to shape the future of…

ATLANTA — District 1 Council member Jason Winston will be hosting a diaper distribution event on Saturday, November 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Villages at Carver Family YMCA, 1600 Pryor Road SW. More than 5,000 diapers and baby supplies will be given to the public while supplies last. For media inquiries or interviews to raise awareness prior to the event or for live coverage, please contact District1Communications@atlantaga.gov. No RSVP is required for members of the public attending the distribution. “As a parent, I know firsthand the financial strain that comes with buying household necessities like diapers. This is an issue facing…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office  is announcing its operating schedule for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. Customers are reminded that online service and kiosk options are available daily, including holidays and weekends. Holiday schedule: Nov. 22, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Nov. 23-24 Dec. 22, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Dec. 25 Dec. 29, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Jan. 1 “With the holiday season upon us, we are reminding customers that most property tax and motor vehicle services can be handled online or at a kiosk daily,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin…

ROCKDALE COUNTY– State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) is encouraging families to attend an upcoming financial literacy workshop. The free event will be hosted by Conyers Middle School and the Parent Teacher Student Association, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Conyers Middle School. The workshop is an opportunity for parents, teachers and students to learn more about investing in stocks, budgeting, business accounting and taxes, estate planning, investing in real estate, earning a debt-free degree, legacy and end of life planning, family law and legitimation and insurance coverage. Carter will serve as the opening session speaker at the workshop.…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson presented her proposed budget on Tuesday, Nov. 14, to guide County government spending for the 2024 fiscal year. The proposed budget for 2024 totals $2.5 billion. It consists of a $1.96 billion operating budget and a $542 million capital improvements budget, which includes funds from the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program. Chairwoman Hendrickson said the proposed budget addresses challenges facing the County, including hiring and retaining a qualified workforce, affordable housing and public safety. “Our 2024 proposed budget focuses on ensuring that we can maintain…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced today that an inmate has died while in custody of the DeKalb County Jail. According to reports, officers were alerted to a medical emergency inside an inmate housing unit on Nov.10, 2023. Upon responding, officers found Michael Breedlove, 33, in his cell but unresponsive. Emergency medical services were performed on site by jail and health services. Breedlove was transported to a local hospital but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has not been released by the medical examiner and the incident remains under investigation…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against an Avondale Estates man accused of sexually assaulting a woman behind a business. On Nov. 6, a jury found Timothy Kimble, 52, guilty on charges of Aggravated Sexual Battery, Attempted Rape, Aggravated Assault with Intent to Rape and False Imprisonment stemming from an incident on Nov. 26, 2022. According to the investigation, the victim, who is in her 50s, met Kimble when she went out with a friend to a local bar.   Kimble asked her to accompany him to another late-night spot…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Asa Seeley, 40, of Atlanta, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of James Morton, Jr., 50, whom he gunned down at a Stone Mountain hotel.   DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case on Nov. 14. Seeley was convicted on Nov. 9 on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Marijuana, stemming from an incident on Sept. 19, 2021.  Immediately following the conviction, DeKalb County Superior…