Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA– The King’s Table at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host a free food distribution this Saturday, March 21, beginning at 10 a.m., for needy metro Atlanta residents with a special welcome extended to TSA workers impacted by recent national financial disruptions. This Saturday’s distribution, taking place at the church’s campus, located at 6400 Woodrow Rd., will provide an array of fresh produce, quality meats, and shelf-stable items to families on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers anticipate serving more than 2,000 families. “For so many families, the weight of rising costs, global conflict, and economic uncertainty is not…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Rockdale County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m., in the Board Room at 960 Pine Street NE, Conyers.  The Georgia School Boards Association will provide an update on its superintendent search services. In February, Superintendent Shirley Chesser announced her plan to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.   The Rockdale County Board of Education enlisted the Georgia School Boards Association to conduct a national superintendent search to fill the vacancy.  Chesser was appointed acting superintendent in February 2025 after former Superintendent Terry Oatts announced his plans to retire…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– A Lithonia man found guilty of fatally shooting an acquaintance in broad daylight at a gas station has been sentenced to life in prison, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced this week.  Antjuan Harrison, 27, was found guilty in connection to  the 2023 murder of an acquaintance,Tori Dundas, 32. Harrison was convicted of two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Machine Gun, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and related charges. DeKalb County Judge Yolanda C. Parker-Smith, who presided over the trial,  sentenced Harrison to life in prison plus five years to serve consecutively during a March…

STONECREST, GA—Registration is under way for the  DeKalb NAAC’P’s housing workshop, which will be held on Saturday, April 4, from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA.   Several topics will be covered including affordable housing, homeownership barriers and how to prevent deed fraud.   Georgia Advancing Communities Together Inc. is sponsoring the  event. Attendees must register to attend the free even., Scan the QR code in the flier.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections has appointed Kelvin Williams as acting elections supervisor.   Current Elections Supervisor Zach Manifold, who has held the position since 2021, is leaving to pursue a new professional opportunity with Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions.  County officials say the appointment of Williams will ensure leadership continuity and oversight in the midterm election year. Williams joined Gwinnett County Voter Registrations and Elections in 2016 and has served as the deputy elections supervisor since 2021. “Gwinnett County is fortunate to have this depth of experience in its elections management team,” said Board of…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Beautification Unit will host two Scrap Tire Amnesty Day events: Saturday, March 21, and Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office parking lot, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA.  Participants will have an opportunity to dispose of up to 10 passenger vehicle tires in an environmentally responsible manner. Commercial vehicle tires and tires with rims will not be accepted. These events aim to reduce the illegal dumping of tires in streams, rivers, and other areas throughout DeKalb. In addition to being an eyesore and creating blight, illegally dumped tires can increase vector-borne illnesses, cause…

DECATUR, GA– Community members are invited to share their ideas on the area’s current and future identity through a public design workshop.  DeKalb County officials  and the ITP Training Academy will host the strategy workshop on Wednesday, March 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM on the second floor of the academy, located at 3110 Presidential Drive, Atlanta. What to Expect: Overview Presentation:Learn about planning effort progress via a short overview presentation by the project team. Art-based Visioning: Help co-create public art with a local artist! Community members will create tiles for a community mosaic, reflecting aspirations for the area. Design & Development Conversations:Learn about the latest transformative…

UPDATED: 3/20/2026

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has announced the appointment of Eugene McKinnie as Director of Sanitation, effective immediately. McKinnie brings more than three decades of public-sector leadership and operational experience in solid waste management and environmental services. His career reflects a deep understanding of sanitation operations, beginning on the back of a rear-loader and rising through the ranks to lead major municipal programs and departments across the country.  “Eugene McKinnie’s extensive experience and hands-on leadership style make him an exceptional addition to DeKalb County,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “His commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and employee development will help strengthen…