Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is celebrating the extraordinary school-level 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year – the women and men who go above and beyond for their students, peers and community. This year’s Teachers of the Year are: Barksdale Elementary School – Jennifer WalkerC.J. Hicks Elementary School – Kim JacksonFlat Shoals Elementary School – Dr. Christi Davis-Langston Hightower Trail Elementary School – Kwai HillHoney Creek Elementary School – Teshay WinfieldJ.H. House Elementary School – Ashley MichalenkoLorraine Elementary School – Michelle MoonPeek’s Chapel Elementary School – Veronica BurkePine Street Elementary School – Celeste Lopez MendezShoal Creek Elementary School –…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will be honored on Sunday, Aug. 13, at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel during the annual 100 Black Men of DeKalb (BMOD) 2023 Scholarship Gala Weekend. The annual Women of DeKalb Jazz Brunch recognizes the contributions of DeKalb women who have made tremendous contributions to the community, their professions and beyond. The theme for this year’s event is Bridging the Gap While Lighting the Path. During the event, Cochran-Johnson’s leadership and commitment will be highlighted, along with Brenda G. Reid, media and community relations manager for Publix Supermarkets, and Portia Bruner of FOX…

(GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County received $181 million from the American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) and commissioners allocated $6 million of the funds to help small business owners. The County is launching a Gwinnett Small Business Grant program to provide financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Applications for the grant officially open Tuesday, Sept. 5. A business is eligible if it experienced income loss or increased costs while continuing business during the pandemic. Estimated funds ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 will be awarded based on factors such as the number of employees, gross revenue, total applicant COVID impact, available…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has been selected as the 2023 Georgia Elected Official of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). The distinguished award represents the first time a DeKalb County elected official has been selected for the esteemed honor. The American Public Works Associations’ Georgia Chapter Awards Program was established to recognize outstanding public works employees, individuals, groups, and projects, representing the best achievements in the public works profession in Georgia. Competition for the award are received statewide. Commissioner Cochran-Johnson has served as the Chair of Public Works and Infrastructure (PWI)…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance by DeKalb Police K9 and S.W.A.T. Units, arrested a suspect accused of shooting at customers and an employee while they were inside a Tucker, Georgia pharmacy. Stone Mountain, Georgia resident Malcolm Emmanel Nicholas, 30, was located and taken into custody on Aug. 3, following the July 28 incident.  He was arrested without incident at an Arbor Circle residence in Tucker. Arrest warrants charge Nicholas with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault Weapon, a felony, against three customers and one employee at a LaVista Road pharmacy in Tucker on July…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The National Council of Negro Women, Gwinnett Section will present its inaugural Gwinnett Black Family Reunion Jordan Park on Saturday, Aug. 12, noon to 5 p.m., at Rhodes Jordan Park, 100 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. The event will feature   business sponsors, community partners, and affiliate organizations within the area. Berean Christian Church – Gwinnett, Northside Hospital, and the Gwinnett County Community Outreach division have partnered with NCNW Gwinnett to bring this family fellowship event to residents of Gwinnett County. The Black Family Reunion is Gwinnett NCNW’s first signature event. This event will have multiple activities for family…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host the biannual “Rockin Women in Rockdale” event on Sunday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m., at Costley Mill Event Center, 2040 Costley Mill Road, N.E., Conyers. The event will celebrate remarkable women who have made significant contributions to the Rockdale community, county officials said in a news release. If you would like to nominate someone as a candidate for Rockin’ Woman in Rockdale, visit the county website at www.rockdalecountyga.gov/public-relations-department/ to fill out a nomination form. The criteria are as follows: The woman must be a Rockdale County resident, work in Rockdale County, or…

CONYERS, GA—The family of Imani Roberson is holding a candle lighting ceremony in honor of the slain mother of four children, on tonight, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m., in front of Roberson’s home, 1080 Plantation Blvd., Conyers. The family is asking for people to bring candles and and purple and white balloons, Roberson’s favorite colored balloons. Roberson’s husband, Donell Anderson, 22, was arrested and charged with her murder, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett announced on Saturday, Aug. 5, at a news conference. The investigation in the case is still ongoing. Authorities are now looking for a second suspect in connection…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–A Gwinnett County Police Officer has been arrested on sexual battery charges involving a minor, following an investigation began by his patrol supervisor. Officer Patrick Ventura, 28, has been charged with two counts of Child Molestation, one count of Sexual Battery Against a Child Under the Age of 16, and one count of Violation of Oath of Office. Ventura, who worked in the North Precinct, is being held at the Gwinnett County Jail with no bond. Ventura has been served with a Letter of Intent to Terminate, authorities stated. In late July, a supervisor began investigating inconsistencies in…