Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA–As the April 15 federal tax filing deadline nears, the Internal Revenue Service today announced it will open its Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in Atlanta again this Saturday, April 13, for face-to-face help. The office is located at 401 W. Peachtree St. NW. This special help is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  and no appointment is necessary. At TACs, people meet face-to-face with IRS employees to get help with tax account issues, such as authenticating someone’s identity, asking about account adjustments and making payments by check or money order. However, the IRS cannot accept cash payments during the special Saturday…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County Police, through a multi-jurisdictional effort, are closing in on a ring of East Point, GA men suspected of hundreds of auto burglaries around metro Atlanta that started in 2023. Police announced on today (April 9) that two more suspects—Kylijah Devon Yates, 23, and Randy Daniel Martinez, 24—have been arrested, bringing the number to three captured so far. Javaris Gamble, 22, identified by authorities as the ring leader, was arrested on Aug. 31, 2023, in Forest Park by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Task Force, along with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, Forest Park PD,…

DECATUR, GA—As homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in DeKalb County, Commissioner Patrick Robert is hosting a town hall conversation dedicated to addressing this critical concern. The event, entitled “It Takes A Village,” will take place on Friday, April 12, at Mercer University, starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at 12 noon. “We believe that tackling homelessness requires a collective effort,” said Patrick, who represents County Commission District 1. “By convening this town hall, we hope to unite our community in a shared commitment to compassion, empathy, and action.” Homelessness has become an increasingly prevalent issue in DeKalb County,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Twenty gang members were arrested on April 5, 2024, following a joint investigation by the DeKalb County Police Department(DKPD) Gang Unit, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and the Cedar Park Police Department (Texas). DKPD was contacted by the Cedar Park Police Department in reference to four unidentified armed robbery suspects that might have connections in DeKalb County. DKPD was able to identify those suspects and locate them in a DeKalb County residence. The DeKalb County Police Department, GBI, ATF and Cedar Park PD conducted a search/arrest warrant at 3111 Cleethropes Drive,…

CONYERS, GA–Rockdale Chief Probate Court Judge Gary Washington today(April 8) announced the launch of VitalDirector, an innovative platform that provides users the ability to request and pay for vital records online. The new system provides users with a fast, easy way to request and pay for copies of birth, death and marriage certificates from digital devices. “We are excited to partner with Permitium and introduce VitalDirector to the State of Georgia and the citizens of Rockdale County,” said Judge Washington. “…VitalDirector not only ensures compliance with statutory requirements but also expedites processing times, enhances security measures, and provides a seamless…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Four men and three women from DeKalb and Rockdale counties were elected on Saturday, April 6, as 4th Congressional District Presidential delegates to the Democratic National Convention.   The seven who were the top vote-getters will join delegates from across Georgia at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago Aug. 19-22. In total, there were 22 contenders vying for the opportunity to represent the Fourth Congressional District at the convention.     The delegates elected include:Dee Dawkins-Haigler; Erica A. Slaton; Samuel (Parker) Short; State Rep. Billy Mitchell; and John Storck, all from DeKalb County. The two…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting scheduled for today, April 8, at 6 p.m. has been cancelled due to a lack of a quorum to hold the meeting.

Get ready for a spectacular celestial show on tomorrow, April 8, 2024. That’s when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Locally, the DeKalb County School District is designating Monday as an independent learning day so that families may have the chance to watch the eclipse.  Nearly every other metro Atlanta district, however, including Atlanta Public Schools, City of Decatur, Clayton, Fulton, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties will be open and operate as usual on Monday. Millions of people are expected to witness the rare event as  the sun completely darkened by the…

ATLANTA, GA– Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced that PrizePicks, one of the largest daily fantasy sports operators in North America, will locate its new 33,000-square-foot headquarters in Atlanta. The company will invest $25 million in the new headquarters and expand its workforce by 1,000 new jobs over the next seven years. “Georgia continues to be a driver of tech growth and innovation, attracting innovative companies with its unique mix of talent and infrastructure,” said Kemp. PrizePicks is the fastest-growing sports company in North America, according to the Inc. 5000. rankings for 2023. The company was named a top 10 innovative company…