Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who attempted to commit a forgery at Piedmont Bank. The police department released a surveillance from the bank showing the suspect investigators are seeking. The suspect was wearing a tan baseball hat, glasses, and a gray sports coat. Police said the incident occurred on June 21. The man used a stolen identity and fraudulent passport in attempt to access the bank account of a Piedmont Bank customer at 5100 Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree Corners. Anyone who has any information to share in this…

CONYERS, GA– State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host an agriculture resource forum for constituents in House District 93, which includes DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. The forum will be held on Thursday, July 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the JP Carr Community Center in Conyers. Participants will learn about services provided by the federal Farm Service Agency, such as various safety net programs, commodity price support, disaster assistance and services to help farmers access capital. The guest speaker will be Arthur Tripp Jr., state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Georgia.…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to digitize records documenting the sale and purchase of enslaved persons in DeKalb County, Georgia. The goal of the project is to create an easily accessible online database, allowing users to search and explore these historical records. With the Clerk’s Office safeguarding property records dating back to 1838, Clerk DeBerry envisions that this undertaking will provide a valuable resource for individuals seeking to uncover their family heritage. Moreover, it will serve as a crucial tool for historians, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the ways in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson on Thursday, July 13, began ride-a-longs with Code Enforcement County to ensure compliance with the county’s new Video Surveillance Ordinance, requiring gas and convenience stores and high-risk businesses to own and operate a video surveillance system. Code Enforcement is checking 248 gas and service stations in unincorporated DeKalb County to make sure the businesses have installed the mandated cameras. The ordinance went into effect on June 30, 2023, and all gas and service stations must comply prior to the renewal of their business license. “With the ongoing violence and crime DeKalb County is…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced the appointment of four new leaders by the Board of Education earlier this week. Officials said the new staff members bring unique experience and expertise to their respective positions, further enhancing DCSD’s commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities for its students. The new leaders will fill previously vacant district positions, the district’s new superintendent said. The start dates are still to be determined. “These exceptionally talented leaders join an already outstanding District leadership team. I am confident that together, we will swiftly and strategically work to enhance academic achievement and…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta have unveiled their joint legislative agenda and vision for the 2024 legislative session. The three representatives have published an e-report that recaps their legislative work since January 2023 and details their vision moving forward. The report may be found online here. Driven by justice and equity-focused issues, the lawmakers say they will continue to pursue legislation aimed at impacting education, economic development, voting rights, criminal justice reform, gun safety reform, health care and housing. “Working with Reps. Schofield and Scott on challenging projects and legislation…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host a Constituents Day event for citizens in House District 95 on Thursday, Aug.17, 9 – 10:30 a.m., in room 216 of the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington St. S.W. To RSVP for this event, contact dar’shun.kendrick@house.ga.gov. Kendrick will give an update regarding the legislature’s recent work, discuss her upcoming legislative events and goals, as well as highlight how she can help constituents with certain state services. Following Rep. Kendrick’s event, constituents are encouraged to attend Lt. Governor Burt Jones’ Constituent Services Day for DeKalb and Fulton counties. This second event will…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police are investigating a fatality involving a mother who shot and killed her 47-year-old daughter during an argument. Detectives are still looking into what led to the altercation. The mother’s name was not released. During the altercation, Trevor Murray attacked her mother, which resulted in Murray getting shot, police said. No charges have been filed at this time and the case will remain active pending an autopsy, police said. The incident occurred on July 11. Police arrived on the scene at approximately 8:45 p.m. from the Bay Creek Precinct responding to a person shot call…