Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—A group of Georgia senators are condemning the Senate Committee on Education and Youth’s passage of House Bill 127. The proposed legislation that prohibits public schools, local education agencies and public postsecondary institutions from promoting or maintaining programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.  The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth on Thursday, March for diversity, equity and inclusion.  Senators Elena Parent (D–Atlanta), RaShaun Kemp (D–Atlanta), Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta) and Freddie Powell Sims (D–Dawson)spoke against the committee’s passage of the legislation in a joint statement, stating:  “Yesterday, Georgia Senate Republicans took yet another step backward by…

DECATUR, GA–A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted 17 alleged gang members on drug and weapons charges following a multi-agency investigation.   Acting on a warrant that was part of an investigation out of Texas, authorities discovered firearms, an illegal psychedelic mushroom growing operation and seized a significant amount of other drugs from a house in Lithonia.  The following suspects were indicted on March 25 in connection with the case:  Darin Katharail Harris, 20 Nashan Levonta Hutton, 25 Calvary Ray Jackson, 21 Jakai Tyere Lewis, 18 Amarion Jacoby Pitts, 21 Joshua Demarquis Thomas, 19 Naseem Umar Triplett, 21 Caleb Nehemiah Dudley,…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Career criminal prosecutor and nationally recognized legal author Michael Scott “Mike” Carlson joins the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office today as Executive Assistant District Attorney. Carlson will lead the agency’s Appellate, Complex Case, and Training divisions. Carlson has practiced law for 33 years and has been devoted to public service since 1997. He has also co-authored several annually updated books, including “Carlson on Evidence,” and has been an adjunct professor at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and Emory University Law School. Atlanta-based legal periodical the Daily Report in 2019 listed Carlson as a “Georgia Trailblazer” for his commitment to…

CONYERS, GA- Three Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) seniors were honored for their creative writing skills after entering this year’s “Conyers’ Celebration of Community” essay contest, a partnership between the city of Conyers and RCPS. Jasonica Morgan was the first-place winner, earning a prize of $500. Kenneth Jackson, Jr. was the second-place winner of $350 and Kevina Dallas was the recipient of $150 for third place. All three students attend Rockdale County High School and were recognized at the March 19 Conyers City Council meeting by essay judges Mayor Vince Evans and Council Member Valyncia Smith. “This year, students were tasked with writing about embracing where they…

ATLANTA — Make plans now for the 48th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, which will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. One of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, is an annual celebration of culture, community, and the art of jazz. This year’s festival is presented by Design Essentials. Returning to Piedmont Park, in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, the three-day festival, which will include an array of activities and vendors, will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.   To view a special video message from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, click HERE. “We have a fabulous lineup of…

Rockdale County High School (RCHS) invites the community to recognize outstanding individuals in RCHS athletics and beyond by nominating them for the RCHS Wall of Fame.  This prestigious honor is reserved for former RCHS student-athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on the school, community, or in their professional careers. Community members can submit their nomination by May 7 at https://forms.office.com/r/3KXJuTawBp?origin=lprLink Nominations do not carry over from previous years. If someone was nominated before but was not selected, they must be renominated each year to be considered. When submitting the nomination, please provide detailed information on the nominee’s…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Board of Commissioners’ meetings will be streamed on the links below.  Links also will be made available via the Rockdale County Government Facebook Page. Streaming sites:  https://www.youtube.com/@Rockdale23 |  https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/board-of-commissioners-meeting-videos   View Agendas: https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-board-of-commissioners-meeting-agenda/  Interested in volunteering? Check out this link to fill out a volunteer application:https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/citizen-commissions-committees/.  Open Records Act Requests: https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/what-is-an-open-record-request/ Streaming sites:  https://www.youtube.com/@Rockdale23 |  https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/board-of-commissioners-meeting-videos/

NEWTON COUNTY, GA–The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a second suspect in connection with the March 19 homicide during Senior Skip Day at Denny Dobbs Park. The suspect has been identified as Tashshawn Lyons, 17, of Conyers. He is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and reckless conduct.  Lyons, a student at Rockdale County High School, was hospitalized before his arrest due to injuries sustained while fleeing the scene. He is now in custody at the Newton…