Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Snellville man accused of murdering a pregnant 16-year-old was back in jail on Thursday night (Feb. 13) after a grand jury added new charges for sexually abusing the teen, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced.    The accused killer was released from jail last August after a judge granted him a $50,000 bond against District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson’s recommendation, sparking outrage from the teen’s family.    In the indictment, Jesus Monroy, 20, was charged with malice murder, felony murder, feticide, aggravated assault, enticing a child for indecent purposes, statutory rape, child molestation and three counts of making false statements in connection with the July 15, 2024 strangling death…

Updated: 2.14.2025 DEKALB COUNTY, GA—On Tuesday, Feb. 11, a crowd celebrated the life of Matthew Ware, a beloved community servant in DeKalb County. Mr. Ware passed away after illness on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, the day before his birthday. He was 68. The 16-page program booklet honoring Mr. Ware was filled with photos and the many contributions he made as a public servant, including serving as a past chairman/vice chairman of the Board of Directors Georgia Lottery;  a four-year term on the  City Council in Athens, GA, where he served as finance chair and mayor pro tem. While in Athens,…

CONYERS, GA– Conyers will host its annual Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center. Hosted by Mayor Vince Evans and the Georgia International Horse Park staff, this event will take place at the nature center’s Pollinator Education Garden.  The celebration will focus on planting vital host plants for butterflies and bees, reading nature-inspired poetry, and learning how to support Monarchs and other important pollinators as the spring season approaches. A ceremonial planting will be held during the event and the Georgia Forestry Commission also will be on hand…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—All county government offices, with the exception of those operations required for the comfort and safety of residents, will be closed for the Presidents Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 17 and resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 18. A Magistrate Court judge will be available at the Gwinnett County Detention Center during the holiday. Trash and recycling collection in unincorporated Gwinnett County is scheduled as normal for Feb. 17. The Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management Call Center will be closed that day, but hauler call centers will be open.  Residents can visit GCSolidWaste.com to find their hauler’s contact information.…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the 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 Jan. 16, 2025 Ethics Officer’s YearlyReport Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Public Comments Comments from the Board of Ethics Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and Personnel Issues Motion to Convene an Executive Session Motion to Adjourn an Executive Session Motion to Approve the Executive Session Affidavit…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office  of Professional Standards is investigating the death of an inmate housed at the DeKalb County Jail.  Jail officers discovered a medical emergency inside an inmate housing unit on this morning (Wednesday, Feb. 12), where they found 35-year-old Regis Darnell Jackson unresponsive. Emergency medical services were performed on site by jail, health services staff, and DeKalb EMS.  Jackson was transported to Emory Decatur Hospital for further evaluation and treatment, where he was later pronounced deceased. A Macon, Georgia resident, Jackson had been in custody since August 2022 on various felony charges.  The county…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open four warming centers for residents on Thursday night, Feb. 13. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s.  The following centers will open starting at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta. North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee. (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.)  Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale  During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International, according to…

DECATUR, GA—Grammy award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush will take center stage at DeKalb County’s Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.   Hosted by DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson in partnership with District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah and Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton, this community event promises an evening filled with soul-stirring music, rich culture and storytelling.    Renowned for his high-energy performances, Bobby Rush defies age with his signature move—leaping into the air, arms wide, legs tucked—before landing smoothly into his dazzling routine. It’s…

CONYERS, GA—Get ready for a spectacular weekend of music, food and family fun as the 44th Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival returns to the Georgia International Horse Park in March.  The festival, which takes place March 22-23, kicks off with an electrifying performance by Heart of Atlanta, the ultimate tribute to the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Heart.  From “Barracuda” to “What About Love,” Heart of Atlanta delivers a high-energy experience that will have fans singling along and dancing as the welcome Spring. The band’s two-hour performance on the main stage will be held on Saturday from 3 to 5…