Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County’s Code Enforcement Division has been honored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its creation of a groundbreaking digital automation tool.  The new tool, which was built in-house using Microsoft Power Automate, eliminates manual processes and slashes the time needed to generate Notices of Violation from 10 minutes to 7.32 seconds. Equally important, the tool t has enhanced accuracy, improved workflows, and enabled staff to focus on higher-value services for residents. Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chair JaNice Van Ness applauded the Code Enforcement Division for its 2025 NACo Achievement Award.  “The team at…

STONECREST, GA– The City of Stonecrest will host its 3rd Annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Family Fun Day on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Browns Mill Aquatic Facility.  Spearheaded by District 5 Councilwoman Tammy Grimes, the event aims to honor the courage of children battling cancer, support their families, and unite the community around the cause. According to the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, 47 children are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each day. The average life expectancy for a child with cancer is just 8 years old. “Young people and their families face an unimaginable amount of uncertainty from…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reported today that there have been two unrelated in-custody deaths at the DeKalb County Jail in the past several days. No details were released, as both incidents remain under investigation. There have been five inmate deaths at the DeKalb County Jail so far in 2025 and five in 2024, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said.

LAWRENCEVILLE – A former City of Lawrenceville official is among a duo named in a sweeping conspiracy that redirected multi-million-dollar pipe-laying contracts away from qualified potential vendors to companies he controlled. Joshua Heath Morris, Lawrenceville’s former assistant gas director for operations, and businessman Westly Lee Griffin were indicted Wednesday on conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (R.I.C.O.) Act, bribery, and conspiracy in restraint of free and open competition in transactions with state or political subdivisions. “Public officials are held to a high standard,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We intend to prosecute this case to the fullest…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Duluth man was convicted of rape for sexually assaulting a teen multiple times as she woke up to him attacking her. A Gwinnett County jury on found Anthony Dontae Murphy, Jr., 25, guilty of five counts of rape for the August 2020 incidents. Murphy was ordered to serve three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. “This defendant’s behavior is despicable,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “We are pleased with the verdict and the sentence, and we pray that this victim has been able to heal physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally from this.” The victim reported the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department is looking for the best and brightest recruits to protect and serve the public, and there’s an upcoming event for people to show they have what it takes. DKPD is planning a one-stop hiring event Saturday, September 6, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Tobie Grant Recreation Center at 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale. Candidates will run an agility course, so it’s recommended they bring a change of clothes. Then they’ll go through the interview process, which could result in a conditional job offer that day. New recruits can earn up to $64,050…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) recently announced the top three finalists for the district Teacher of the Year with surprise visits to finalists’ schools. The district finalists for RCPS Teacher of the Year are Gretchen Gault of Lorraine Elementary School, Latonya Saunders of Memorial Middle School, and Danyel Stancil of C.J. Hicks Elementary School. Each finalist received a surprise visit at their school on Wednesday morning, Aug. .27, by RCPS Superintendent Shirley Chesser, Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) Chairwoman Sandra Jackson-Lett, BOE members Pam Brown, Akita Parmer, Justin Kenney, cabinet members, school leaders and staff, who commended the…

DECATUR, GA- Today, Aug. 27, DeKalb County announced a program to assist seniors (aged 62 years and over) with a no-cost removal of dangerous trees that threaten the safety and well-being of DeKalb County residents. The DeKalb Senior Tree Removal Program was approved by the Board of Commissioners in January 2025 and will be administered by the Department of Community Development. To qualify for funding, eligibility requirements are: Homeowner must be a DeKalb County senior citizen aged 62 years or older. Property for tree removal must be the homeowner’s principal residence. Homeowner’s total household income must be at of below 60 percent of…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– The Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will host its annual National Preparedness Day event on Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. The free, family-friendly event aims to educate the community on the importance of being proactive and prepared for all types of emergencies—including natural, man-made, and technological disasters. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore information booths, watch live demonstrations, and participate in interactive presentations throughout the day. Partnering organizations include Rockdale County Fire Rescue, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Conyers Police Department, Animal Services, the Community Emergency…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA— The City of Lilburn has hired an unusual cleanup crew to tackle a growing problem. A herd of 91 goats from Fritz Family Farms of Monticello, GA, has been deployed to chomp away the invasive kudzu growing along the creek at Lilburn City Park.   For approximately 10 days, these “eco-friendly landscapers will be on the job, clearing invasive vegetation the natural way. While the goats are not available for petting, visitors can catch them in action from a safe distance behind a temporary fence line along the creek.  “The goats provide a sustainable and effective solution for controlling…