Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has issued a Call for Special Election on March 11 to fill the House District 94 seat vacated by Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain. Qualifying will be held Jan. 26-28.  Bennett, 70, pleaded guilty today, Jan. 21, to making false statements to fraudulently obtain $13,940 of emergency pandemic unemployment assistance payments, reversing her Jan. 5 plea of not guilty, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta. Bennett resigned her seat effective Jan. 1, 2026, just days before she was charged with federal fraud on Jan. 5.  “Bennett was elected to represent her fellow…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Sandra G. Scott (D-Rex) will host a virtual Homeowners Association (HOA) advocacy training meeting on Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., via Zoom.  The training is designed for both first-time and experienced advocates and will focus on how constituents can communicate with lawmakers and staff, understand the advocacy process and present their concerns regarding HOAs, Condominium Owners Associations (COAs) and Property Owners Associations (POAs). The training precedes HOA, COA and POA Advocacy Day at the Capitol, hosted by Reps. Davis, Schofield and Scott, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m., in room 216 of…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Due to predicted inclement winter weather expected this weekend, Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful announces that the county-wide shredding event scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 21. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Wheeler Park, 1400 Parker Road SE, Conyers, weather conditions permitting. The rescheduling allows for continued coordination with partners and ensures the event can be held safely and efficiently for all participants. Residents are encouraged to hold on to their documents and attend the rescheduled event for secure, on-site shredding of sensitive materials.  Updated Event Details: New…

What was the winning word that he cinched? Anyigba’s winning word described her performance at this year’s Bee: “valiant.” Ashley Green, a fourth grader at M.G. Barksdale Elementary School (BES), was named the runner-up.  Fifteen contestants, ranging from fourth to eighth grades who represented an elementary or middle school,  faced off in the RCPS Spelling Bee, which was held on Friday, Jan.16, at G.L. Edwards Middle School. In the final round, Green, who had also competed at the district level last year as a third grader, incorrectly spelled “pinnacle.”  Anyigba then correctly spelled “tectonic” and “valiant” to win the title as…

CONYERS, GA—Candace Chandler, a nearly 10-year employee and assistant to the Chief of Police in the Conyers Police Department, was named the recipient of the city’s 2025 Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Year Award is named for Dee Buggay, the city’s former human resources director, who exemplified every trait and attribute desired in a city employee and was the first recipient of the award. The award has been presented annually for 28 years. Chandler was surprised by the announcement at an employee appreciation breakfast, which was held at Cherokee Run Golf Club on Jan. 21. Chandler’s sons, Coby…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service in Alabama, arrested a fugitive Thursday, January  15, after he stopped appearing for his murder trial. Authorities said Jeremy Collins , 29, initially appeared in court to face charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the August 2021 death of Keng Wilson. Collins failed to return to court during the trial and fled to Birmingham, Alabama, where he was later taken into custody following an altercation with law enforcement…

DEKALB COUNTY GA– The Embry Hills – Presidential Parkway and Surrounding Communities Placemaking Strategy project is hosting its Design Workshop on Feb. 12, at the Mountain West Church – Chamblee Campus (3147 Chamblee Tucker Road) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Residents, business owners, and community stakeholders are invited to take part in a Design Workshop, an interactive community event focused on shaping the future vision for the Embry Hills–Presidential Parkway & Surrounding Communities area. Hosted by DeKalb County and the Project Team, the Design Workshop will provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to review existing conditions, explore design concepts, and share ideas for…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Devon Horton’s attorney, Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell, has issued a statement to media outlets disputing claims that led to Horton’s arrest on child cruelty in the third degree and aggravated assault-strangulation charges. Campbell said the incident, which occurred on Saturday, Jan. 17, is a “personal matter between husband and wife.” He said the dispute “had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with their children and no child was involved in the argument,” except for their being home during the dispute. “Dr. Horton and his wife got into an argument at their home yesterday, and he was…

 UPDATE: Devon Horton’s attorney, Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell, has issued a statement to media outlets disputing claims that led to Horton’s arrest on child cruelty in the third degree and aggravated assault-strangulation. Campbell said the incident is a “personal matter between husband and wife.” For more on the story: https://ocgnews.com/update-former-dekalb-schools-superintendent-devon-hudsons-arrest-stemmed-from-physical-argument-with-wife/ DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Devon Q. Horton was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 17, on cruelty to children and strangulation charges, according to DeKalb County Jail records. Horton’s arrest comes amidst a separate federal corruption case in an alleged kickbackand embezzlement scheme tied to…