Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A DeKalb County man accused of following and killing a motorist in a road-rage shooting will spend life in prison.  Michael Charles Jackson, 61, was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the January 2022 shooting of 46-year-old Don Wardlaw. Jackson was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years without the possibility of parole. He chose to represent himself rather than hire a defense attorney.  On Jan. 27, 2022, police found Wardlaw’s car wrecked in a yard off…

ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announce that Edward “Dave” Adams has received the Georgia Governor’s Public Safety Award in the “Outstanding Contribution to the Profession” category. Governor Brian P. Kemp personally awarded Adams with the honor at a ceremony held recently at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.  Adams currently serves as State Safety Manager in Georgia DOT’s Crash Reporting Office. He joined the department in August 1999 and has devoted his career at Georgia DOT to enhancing traffic safety for all Georgia drivers. Adams was recognized for his efforts by Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, Dec.19, 2024, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at 178 Sams Street,Room A1201-A & B,  Decatur.   Agenda Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda   III.   Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of October 17, 2024 Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Proposed 2025 Budget  2025 Ethics Board Meeting Calendar  Proposed Changes to the DeKalb County Ethics Code Preliminary Cases Robert Sims v. DeKalb County Fire Department Public Comments Comments from the Board of Ethics VII.  Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and…

DEKALB COUNTY – Today, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry’s paid family leave proposal, setting a new benchmark supporting county employees. The historic decision, officials say, positions DeKalb as a leader in family-focused workplace policies in Georgia and across the Southeast. Effective immediately, the policy provides up to six weeks of paid leave for eligible employees to bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child. It also expands sick leave benefits to include caregiving for grandparents and other family members, ensuring that employees can support their loved ones without compromising their financial stability.  “Today marks a proud…

GWINNETT CPUNTY, GA – A mechanic is behind bars after scamming drug addicts on the mend through a company he set up called Wheels N Recovery. Aaron Edmond Hayes, 54, pled guilty to violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act for deceiving 22 people into giving him a total of $76,827.87 for cars that he never delivered to them. Hayes was ordered to serve one year in prison, followed by two years in a work release program. He also was ordered to pay restitution for the full amount of money he took from the victims. “This is a good resolution that gives the people back the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted frigid temperatures, DeKalb County will open the following four warming centers for residents Wednesday, Dec. 11, through Friday, Dec. 13, starting at 8 p.m.:  Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta 30316. North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341 (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Dr. (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Dr. (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International according to the…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Kendall Ramon Flenoury, 39, of Lawrenceville, GA. Flenoury was reported missing by his mother on Dec. 3, after failing to contact her for several days.  Flenoury was last seen on Nov. 23, after leaving his mother’s home on Jami Hollow Way in Lawrenceville.  Flenoury told family members that a friend was going to pick him up. He was supposed to return home for Thanksgiving but never arrived, relatives told police. Flenoury is approximately 5’9 in height and weighs 165 pounds.  He has balding black…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding  Jonathan Cunningham. Cunningham’s family contacted the police on December 5to report that he was last seen on Nov. 28, leaving the area of Medical Way in Snellville.  Cunningham suffers from several medical issues and his family is concerned that he has not contacted them. Cunningham is approximately 5’9 and 140 pounds.  He does not have a vehicle and is known to travel on foot. Anyone who has any information to share in this case, should contact GCPD detectives at 770-513.5300.  To remain anonymous, tipsters should…

CONYERS, G. – Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) made significant gains in several areas within the elementary, middle, and high school levels of the College and Career Readiness Index (CCRPI), according to data recently released by the Georgia Department of Education.  This is based on students’ performance on the 2024 Georgia Milestones Assessments administered during spring 2024. The CCRPI components consist of Content Mastery, Progress, Closing Gaps, Readiness, and Graduation Rate for high schools. At the elementary school level, RCPS saw gains in the Content Mastery, Progress, Closing Gaps* and Reading Readiness components over last year. Middle schools increased in Content Mastery…

DECATUR, GA – With the adoption of House Bill 1292 by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session, Georgia’s notaries public will be required to complete an educational training course as part of the application process. Additionally, notaries will be required to maintain a journal of their notarial acts performed at the request of a self-filer.  The educational requirement applies to all notary applicants, whether it is an initial (new) application or a renewal application. The new requirements become effective Jan. 1, 2025. HB 1292 [O.C.G.A. §45-17-8(h)(2)] directs the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Authority to adopt rules and regulations, as necessary, to…