Author: On Common Ground News

DORAVILLE, GA – The City of Doraville is preparing to celebrate a historic milestone with the upcoming demolition of its City Hall and municipal buildings complex, located in the heart of Downtown Doraville. The demolition marks a significant step in redeveloping Doraville City Center into a vibrant, walkable, and connected gathering place for the community.  “This site has been the center of Doraville’s civic life for 150 years. As we take down these buildings, we are making way for a reinvigorated downtown that will remain the heart of our city for decades to come.” said Doraville Mayor Joseph Geierman.  To commemorate…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Government’s Communications Department has been recognized nationally with multiple Savvy Awards from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association or 3CMA, highlighting excellence in storytelling, education and community engagement. The Savvy Awards honor the most creative, effective and community-focused communications efforts from cities and counties across the United States. Gwinnett County stood out in several categories among large jurisdictions nationwide: Savvy Winner (First Place):Gwinnett County Glass Recycling – Go Green Communication Program Efforts Savvy Winner (First Place):Upfront Gwinnett: The Hidden Homeless – Interview/Talk Show/News Programming Silver Circle (Second Place):Transit Referendum Social Media Campaign – Best Use of Social Media …

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is announced on Monday, Sept. 22, that eight of its schools have been named 2025 Title I Reward Schools—the largest share recognized in Georgia this year.   Avondale Elementary School, Barack H. Obama Magnet School of Technology, Cedar Grove Elementary School, Chestnut Elementary School, Evansdale Elementary School, Margaret Harris Comprehensive School, McNair Middle School, and Robert Shaw Theme School were among 69 schools statewide to earn this distinction. DCSD also saw an increase in Title I Reward Schools from six last year to eight. Title I Reward Schools are identified as the…

ATLANTA – The next phase of MARTA’s Five Points Transformation project begins Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, with the closure of the Peachtree Street station entrance and the federal tunnel for employees. Beginning Oct. 13, 2025, MARTA customers must use Forsyth Streetto access Five Points Station. The Forsyth Street entrancewill be the only access point for Five Pointsdue to construction. Closing the Peachtree entrance and federal tunnel is a necessary next step for the demolition and safe removal of the existing concrete canopy. The following service impacts remain in effect at Five Points: Alabama Street and Broad Street Plaza entrances remain closed. Restrooms remain closed. Customer service offices have…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced the launch of the $28.9 million Candler Crossing development, a transformative project set to restore vitality to the Candler Road corridor, deliver essential services, and spark new opportunities for the community. The project will feature a full-service Publix grocery store, multi-tenant retail space, and public amenities designed to create a walkable, family-friendly destination. It was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners. The development will be in District 3 represented by Nicole Massiah, and Super District 7, represented by Dr. Ladena Bolton.  Venture South Investments was first engaged in 2019 by Cochran-Johnson, then…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against an Atlanta man accused of multiple sexual assaults nearly 40 years ago.  On Friday, Sept.19, jurors found Jeffrey Briney, now 61, guilty of two counts of Rape, five counts of Kidnapping, five counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery, five counts of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with an incident on March 28, 1986.  The jury also convicted Briney on two counts of Rape, two counts of Kidnapping,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – The Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s Office announces that beginning the week of Oct. 1, service fees will be applied to credit card transactions conducted at the county’s Driver Motor Vehicle offices. Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Denise R. Mitchell said the change brings Gwinnett in line with other counties across Georgia that have long charged similar fees. Historically, Gwinnett County has absorbed the service fees associated with credit card transactions as a benefit to its residents. However, due to the county’s rapidly growing population and the increasing cost of providing these services, continuing to cover these fees is no longer sustainable. “We’ve…

ATLANTA – The House Study Committee on Reinsurance for Essential Industries, co-chaired by State Rep. Noel Williams, Jr. (R-Cordele) and State Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), will hold its second meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m., Room 506 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta. Created by House Resolution 40, this study committee will study the cost of the property and casualty reinsurance market and conditions necessary for public-private partnerships in Georgia’s commercial property and casualty reinsurance market. For more information about the study committee meeting and to access the live stream, please click here. WHO: Members of the House Study Committee…

Metro Atlanta job seekers will have the chance to connect with employers, sharpen their skills, and explore career pathways in high-demand industries at a free career networking event on Friday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The event will be hosted at Impact Event Center, 2323 Sylvan Road, East Point, through a collaboration between MWI Workforce Institute and Microsoft. The event will offer resume coaching and interview strategies, career resources, and an opportunity to network with Microsoft hiring managers, including a Datacenter 101 workshop designed to introduce participants to one of the fastest-growing fields supporting the digital economy. “As conversations about…