Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is reminding customers that if they have a gold star or a black star in the upper right corner of their Georgia driver’s license or ID card, they have a REAL ID. Both stars indicate compliance with federal REAL ID requirements, and there is no need to visit a DDS center to obtain a new license or ID if your credential already displays either star. “As the implementation date of May 7, 2025 nears, DDS is seeing customers who are already Real ID compliant visiting our centers.  Either a gold or black star…

DECATUR, GA—A DeKalb County man and his girlfriend have been sentenced to decades in prison for the 2021 brutal beating death of the man’s young daughter. Investigators reported that the couple took turns beating the child until she lost consciousness after she did not do chores. The father then took her to a hospital, claiming she had been in a car accident.  The case reached its conclusion on Wednesday, March 19, when DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Nora Polk sentenced Unchinna Myrick, 28, to 50 years, with 30 years to be served in custody and the balance on probation, for…

NEWTON COUNTY, GA—An outpouring of prayers and condolences have been extended to the family of Justin Etienne, 18, a Rockdale County student who was identified as the victim fatally shot during Senior Skip Day at a Newton community park on Wednesday, March 19.  One mother said her son told her that his entire class was crying after learning about the tragedy. Etienne, the mother said, was a popular, well-liked soccer player at Salem High School.  The shooting took place at Denny Dobbs Park during a large gathering of high school students from Newton and Rockdale County as part of Senior Skip Day. …

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) will host a Kindergarten Registration Carnival event on March 27, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, in Snellville. This special event is for families with children who will turn age 5 on or before Sept.  1, 2025. The event will feature engaging activities for children, giveaways, and is open to all Gwinnett families, regardless of their school zone.     Kim Holland, GCPS executive director of Early Learning and School Readiness, says the event will be fun for children and helpful to parents.  “We are thrilled to host the…

NEWTON COUNTY, GA— A fatal shooting at Denny Dobbs Park has shaken the community at large—in Newton and Rockdale counties—as law enforcement authorities work the case. Many students from area high schools were at the Newton County park to celebrate Senior Skip Day when the shooting occurred this evening. Newton County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the shooting just before 5 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.  An 18-year-old student reportedly was killed during the shooting.   According to a Nextdoor post, students from multiple high schools were attending the “Senior Skip Day” celebration when the shooting erupted and at least…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against a Lithonia man charged with using his cell phone to take photos and videos of women without their knowledge.  On Wednesday, March 12, Jesse William Kirk, 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of Using/Installing a Device to Observe or Record Underneath or Through an Individual’s Clothing and one count of Peeping Tom in connection with incidents in Brookhaven in 2019 and 2023.  According to the investigation, officers with the Brookhaven Police Department responded to a call about suspicious activity at the Costco…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) issued another plea to the public on Wednesday, March 19, for information concerning a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a pedestrian, 24-year-old Mecha Woodard of Sandy Springs.  In the early morning hours of Sept. 27, 2024, as Hurricane Helene impacted Georgia, Woodard tragically lost her life after being struck by a motor vehicle while walking along the eastbound shoulder of State Route 316 near Breckinridge Boulevard.  Investigators with Gwinnett’s Accident Investigation Unit were able to collect vehicle parts from the scene. They believe the suspect vehicle is a 2019–2022 Lexus…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is striving to be more transparent while engaging residents and stakeholders. Rockdale residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for upcoming public meetings and save other key links from the Rockdale Board of Commissioners. Links are provided for meeting agendas, live streams for public meetings, applications for citizens volunteer committees, and for Open Records requests in the information below: