Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the National Take Back Initiative on Saturday, April 30, to provide a safe and convenient way to drop off unused and expired medications at various collection sites. Tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs can be dropped off at police headquarters and its six precincts from 10:00am to 2:00pm for proper disposal. Liquids, syringes, sharps, and other drugs will not be accepted. To find a collection site, visitGwinnettPolice.com.

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is accepting applications for General Administrative Transfers and Georgia Special Needs Scholarship transfers Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 25. Georgia’s Public School Choice law allows residents of the city of Atlanta to attend a public school outside of their zoned APS school, if space is available. Students who live outside the district (non-residents) and want to attend an Atlanta Public School may do so if space is available. Non-resident students are required to pay tuition. The current tuition rates for non-resident students are: General Education: $10,347 Special Education: $15,198 plus costs for additional services based on individual needs Evening High School: $744…

CONYERS, GA–Damien Lane, a senior at Salem High School (SHS), was named the Atlanta Falcons’ “High School Man of the Year” for 2022. He was selected out of more than 500 nominations state-wide. This prestigious honor mirrors the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, recognizing football players who have exhibited excellence on and off the field and whose character and passion to impact lives extends beyond the game. Lane overcame great obstacles and a torn ACL injury to become an honor roll student with a 3.5+ GPA,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY—The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office said today that it has received several reports concerning a toy gun known as the “Splatter” gun and is warning parents to be aware of the dangers and consequences of their use. The battery-operated semi-automatic toy guns are posing serious safety concerns and   an increasing number of reports have come from the Rockdale County School District   Students are bringing the toy guns to school and putting students and staff at risk. Young people also are using the toy guns in TIK TOK challenges, a rising trend, the Sheriff’s Office said. The toy guns…

DECATUR, GA—Eddie Dubose, 56, of Lithonia, has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a female relative who was 13 years old. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on March 10 against Dubose on charges of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office stated. The charges against Dubose date back to August 2016 when the female victim was staying with her mother at Dubose’s Lithonia home for a family reunion. Dubose assaulted the victim while others in the house were asleep. Two days later, the victim disclosed the assault to her mother, who…

WASHINGTON, D.C. —President Joe Biden is expected to sign into law government funding legislation that includes eight community projects secured by Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04). The projects, which total nearly $5 million and are included in the appropriations government funding package, respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Georgia’s Fourth District. “Ensuring that constituents in Georgia’s Fourth District have the resources we need to make our community healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient is my number one priority,” Johnson said. “These investments support underserved areas and foster economic development, making a real difference in the…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – A series of news headlines have blasted across metro-Atlanta over the past few weeks, offering a disturbing pattern involving teens in metro Atlanta: “16-year-old boy killed, 2 other teens shot near Atlanta fair” “Teen arrested on murder charges after police say he shot 9-year-old to death” “5 shot, 1 stabbed, teen killed in separate violent incidents in Atlanta overnight” “5 teens arrested after shooting, armed carjacking, police chase through metro Atlanta “16-year-old charged after car dealership security guard is shot and killed” Orrin Hudson, founder and executive director of the nonprofit, Be Someone, said such senseless violence shatters…

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a virtual Parks Citizen Advisory Board Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m. The meeting to discuss current park improvements and recreation projects will be conducted via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/89142202530. To join the meeting by phone, dial 888-270-9936, and use conference code 720766. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, administrative coordinator, at 404-371-2927 or cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DECATUR, GA– Frigid weather is expected this weekend and DeKalb County is opening three warming centers for residents who need a place to go to stay warm overnight. Warming centers will be open in the following DeKalb County Fire Stations Friday through Sunday, March 11-13, beginning at 8 p.m. each night.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask,…