Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett Police Department needs the public’s help finding Selena Garcia, a 25-year-old Hispanic female who has been missing since October 2022  Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to her safe return. Garcia is approximately 5’4 inches tall and 160 pounds. Garcia has brown eyes and straight brown hair with multiple tattoos (Dark green marijuana plant on top of her hand, “503” across her fingers on her right hand, and “Maria” on the outside of her wrist). On the morning of Oct. 23, 2022, Garcia was reported missing from the residence of…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 13-17has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education. “The Rockdale County Board of Education continues to be among the best in the state,” said Superintendent Terry Oatts. “This award-winning Board has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s Exemplary Board designation for each eligible year, a total of seven times, and has won the Leading Edge Award for the past…

CONYERS, GA –The Rockdale Senate and House Delegations will meet on Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m., to discuss proposed legislation in the 2023 legislative session that will affect the county governance. The proposed legislation includes expanding the Board of Commissioners(BOC) from 3 to 5 members, increasing the salary of the Superior Court judges and removal of Board of Commissioners from the judicial train. The legislators will present the proposals in detail during a virtual meeting. Registration is required and overflow option is Facebook live. “We want to make the citizens of Rockdale aware of the proposed changes before there is…

DECATUR, GA – On Monday, March 13, one lane on Kensington Road will be closed, requiring traffic to share a single lane as crews work to connect local manholes. The partial closure will be in effect for up to three days, barring any weather issues. Traffic control will be in place 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to assist motorists in moving safely through the lane closure. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to businesses and motorists. The Kensington Road Lift Station & Pipeline Project is part of DeKalb County’s $2.4 billion capital improvement program, the Department…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that he has hired Marcus Garza as his new chief of staff. Garza replaces Scott Goldstein, who accepted a position within the Biden Administration. ” src=”cid:clip_image001.jpg” alt=”” width=”16″ align=”left” hspace=”12″ u2:shapes=”Picture_x0020_5″ class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” apple-inline=”yes” v:shapes=”_x003c_image003.jpg_x0040_01D95359.830D9340_x003e_” style=”opacity: 1;”>“I’m very pleased Marcus is joining my team as my chief of staff,” said Johnson. “As a former staffer, legislative director and chief of staff on Capitol Hill previously, Marcus brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. I look forward to working with him to continue my mission of offering thoughtful, serious…

ATLANTA –Appointing authorities for the DeKalb County Ethics Board are seeking nominations to replace five board members who recently resigned, leaving the board without a legal quorum. The board is supposed to have seven members and two alternates, but has been plagued with turmoil to the point that it could not function. Chairwoman Alex Joseph announced her resignation on Feb. 9, citing concerns over a culture of bullying and lack of transparency and accountability—the same reasons others say they have resigned. Joseph said that several meetings have been called into executive session, out of the public’s view. State Rep. Karla…

ATLANTA – Today, Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) announces that the Georgia House of Representatives has passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget. The budget provides raises for all state employees and teachers and makes strategic investments in healthcare, education and public safety. “I want to thank our House, particularly our Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett and his committee, for their work on this balanced budget that invests wisely for the needs of a growing, thriving state,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “I also want to thank Governor Kemp for providing a strong budget recommendation from which to build our…