Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue Monday, Nov. 30, with the launch of the Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer Relief Projects Section 3A.  Crews will replace aging pipelines in three separate locations (Melanie Court, Miriam Lane, and Thrasher Circle) expected to be completed by December 2027. The approximate construction dates are:  ·     Melanie Court – December 2026 to October 2027  ·     Miriam Lane – April 2027 to December 2027  ·     Thrasher Circle – May 2027 to December 2027, barring any weather or unexpected delays. Construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.  An increase…

CONYERS, GA–Springfield Baptist Church, Conyers will host two October Drive-Thru Food Pantries, providing free groceries to individuals and families in need throughout the community. This outreach is open to all. No registration is required. Event Details: Springfield Baptist Church, Conyers. Drive-Thru Food Pantry Saturday, Oct.10 & Oct. 24 9 a.m. – 12 noon 1877 Iris Drive SE, Conyers, GA

SNELLVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 13, on Rockbridge Road near Stone Drive after the officers’ patrol vehicle was rammed from behind.  Two officers were traveling northbound on Rockbridge Road in a marked patrol vehicle when the driver of an older-model beige Kia Sorento struck their vehicle from behind. The driver continued to ram and push the patrol vehicle until it came to rest along the curb. During the incident, one of the officers managed to exit the patrol vehicle while it was still being struck. The Kia Sorento nearly struck the…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed measles in an unvaccinated Macon County resident, bringing Georgia’s 2026 total to 22 cases, compared to 10 cases in all of 2025. The individual is isolating at home, and unvaccinated close contacts are quarantining. Although the individual has no known travel history, they had contact with a confirmed measles case from Pennsylvania, where an ongoing measles outbreak has surpassed 1,100 cases. DPH is working to identify others who may have been exposed. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 71-year-old Charles Hugh Cochran, who goes by the nickname “Chuck.” On Oct. 11, Cochran was reported missing by his longtime caregiver after leaving his residence on Sydney Michelle Lane in Lawrenceville. He was last seen around 11 a.m. and was discovered missing approximately an hour later. Cochran is white, approximately 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has long brown hair, is balding on top and has a light-colored beard. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating 19-year-old Alexander “Alex” Bentine Torres, considered “Critical Missing.”  Due to health concerns, detectives have issued an alert to locate Torres as soon as possible. Torres was last known to be at his residence in the 800 block of Clarion Way in Lawrenceville. Investigators believe he left the residence sometime between approximately 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 12. His whereabouts are unknown. Torre may be carrying a red and white L.L. Bean backpack and is believed to have taken money and identification with him. His clothing description…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is celebrating positive results on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2025–2026 school year (SY26), with increases in both student participation and exam performance districtwide. According to the district’s latest results, the overall number of AP exams taken by DCSD students increased by nearly five percent (4.9%) compared to the 2024–2025 school year. Additionally, the total number of AP exam scores earning a 3 or higher—a benchmark commonly recognized as a passing score—increased by 12%, while the total percentage of exams taken scoring a 3 or higher increased by…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold important Open House nights during October and November 2026 for the 2027-2028 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night.  The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 13 through Dec. 11, 2026. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice.  Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (Grades 9-12), Rockdale Magnet School for Science and…