Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA — Melisa Mims, former director of Communications and Marketing for Rockdale County government, has officially announced her campaign for Rockdale County Commissioner, Post II in the 2026 election.  Mims, a Democrat, is seeking the seat currently held by Commissioner Doreen Williams, who has served on the Board of Commissioners since 2015.  Early voting for the primary runs April 27-May 15. Election day is scheduled May 19, 2026.  In her announcement, Mims said that she is driven by a commitment to place residents at the center of local decision-making.  “I am running for Rockdale County Commissioner because I believe in putting…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Police are releasing new pictures of the suspects responsible for the death of 21-year-old Kinaya Hightower, an innocent bystander who was killed while celebrating her birthday during a car meet-up. Authorities are seeking leads from the public concerning the case. Authorities said the incident occurred on Oct. 26 around 2:30 a.m. Officers were called to a reported shooting outside an Exxon gas station in the 3000 block of Moreland Avenue in DeKalb County.  According to the investigation, Kinaya Hightower was celebrating with friends at a car meet-up outside the gas station when two groups of people…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted freezing temperatures, DeKalb County will open the following warming centers for residents beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 2 and 3, 2025: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta • St. Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee • Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur • Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur All transportation routes originate from Frontline Response Headquarters (2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta) and are scheduled for initial pickups to be completed by 7:30 p.m. Following the initial routes, final sweeps will continue from 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m., ending promptly at 10 p.m. During…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Gwinnett County Police detectives are investigating a domestic homicide that left one man and one woman deceased.   On Dec. 2, around 11:11 a.m., officers from the Central Precinct responded to a welfare check call on the 400 block of Clearwater Place in Lawrenceville.  When officers arrived, they located a female and a male deceased inside the home.  A firearm was also located inside the home.  Homicide detectives are at the scene investigating.  Crime Scene Specialists are taking photographs and processing the scene for evidence.  The medical examiner is responding to the scene and will investigate the cause of death.  Preliminary investigation is…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale Board of Commissioners’ Chair JaNice Van Ness is hosting the first of two listening sessions on the county’s new hangtag system for the Rockdale County Recycling Center.  The public is invited to a Zoom meeting today, Dec. 2, at noon:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86064770223 The Board of Commissioners’ in-person meeting will follow at 1 p.m. at Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers. The second listening session will be held in person on Thursday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m.  at Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers.  Rockdale County announced changes to the recycling center’s fee structure, transitioning from a pay-per-item model to an annual…

DECATUR, GA — DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is reminding voters about the Tuesday, Dec. 2 runoff elections. Based on the certified election results, the following three contests are included in the runoff election in DeKalb County:  Atlanta Board of Education Member, District 8, At Large Atlanta City Council Member District 7 Stonecrest City Council Member, District Post “We are reminding voters to finish this election cycle strong in DeKalb County and take part in the runoff elections in three contests,” said VRE Director Keisha L. Smith. “We encourage voters who are eligible to cast a ballot in the runoff…

ATLANTA –MARTA officials on Monday, Dec. 1, announced that the Georgia World Congress Center/CNN Center Station has been officially renamed the Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station, or SEC District Station. The new name is designed to better reflect the station’s role as a gateway to some of Atlanta’s most visited destinations. With Atlanta preparing to host the upcoming FIFA in 2026 and other global sporting and entertainment events, the updated name will provide a clear guide point for local riders and those from around the nation and the world. The change is part of MARTA’s broader systemwide review of wayfinding…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority are hosting a free online notary training session on Thursday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  workshop is open to the public and recommended to anyone who is a notary public in the State of Georgia or would like to become one.  “It is important to remember that a notary public should perform their duties to the utmost extent of the law, failure to do so could result in costly lawsuits and penalties as a notary is liable for his or…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Police detectives are looking to identify a suspect who stole a tractor trailer from a Norcross business. On Nov. 24, someone entered the cab of a Freightliner truck in the parking lot of Mayer Electric Supply.  The suspect can be seen on video inside the cab of the truck trying to start the truck.  The truck eventually starts and the suspect leaves driving the truck off the lot. An officer on patrol finds the truck abandoned with the engine running a short distance from the business.    If anyone has any information to share in this case, please…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) will hold a Special Called Meeting on Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. for the purpose of conducting a pre-certification review of precinct results as required by State Election Board Rule 183-1-12-.12. The DeKalb BRE will hold its scheduled meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, at noon for the purpose of conducting normal business and certifying the runoff election results. Both meetings will be conducted in person at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, Ga. 30032. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or…