Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–County leadership has elevated Gwinnett Parks and Recreation to a standalone department in a move to better serve the community and meet the growing needs of Gwinnett’s award-winning parks system. As part of the transition, County Administrator Glenn Stephens appointed Chris Minor as Director of the new Parks and Recreation Department and Lindsey Jorstad as Director of the Community Services Department. “Gwinnett’s stability can be attributed much to our longstanding practice of developing exceptional leaders within our organization, and with these two appointments, we reaffirm that practice,” said Stephens. “I am confident that Chris and Lindsey possess the values and…

UPDATE: The fugitive, Gloria Wright, 23, wanted in Rockdale County, GA in connection with the murder of her 1-year-old child has been located and taken into custody in Rochester, New York. The arrest was made possible with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals,the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said in a statement tonight(Jan. 18).   “We sincerely appreciate the public’s ongoing support and assistance throughout this investigation. Further details will be provided as they become available,” the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said in a statement tonight(Jan. 18).   ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is seeing the public’s help in…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management crews are continuing work to repair the 30” broken water main at 3661 Clairmont Road, officials said tonight (Jan. 15). Crews will be working overnight as they continue repairs.  A boil water advisory is still in place until further notice.   To view a map of the advisory area click here:  DeKalb Boil Water Advisory WebMap Bottled water is still available at the following distribution centers:  Fire Station 1 – 1670 Clifton Rd. Fire Station 3 – 24 N. Clarendon Ave. Fire Station 7 – 1712 Columbia Dr. Fire Station 9 – 3858 N. Druid Hills Rd. Fire Station 20 –…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta), Edna Jackson (D-Savannah), MeKyah McQueen (D-Smyrna) and Terry Cummings (D-Mableton) celebrated 112 years of service, leadership and sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. To commemorate the milestone, the legislators introduced a House Resolution, LC 112 2652, on the first day of the 2025-2026 Session, recognizing Jan. 13, 2025, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Founders Day. Founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has grown into a global organization of more than 300,000 members who seek to…

Updated: Jan. 16, 2025

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has issued a boil water advisory as it repairs a significant water main break on Clairmont Road near Dresden Drive. Officials said the water main break impacts nearly 8,800 households and 20,000 residents in the Toco Hills area and surrounding neighborhoods. The break was caused by the age of the pipe, a cast iron structure installed in 1941.  A robo call went out today(Jan. 15) at 6:55 a.m. alerting residents of the boil water advisory. The county is providing bottled water at several locations.  Impact on Residents Service Disruptions: Residents in…

WHAT: The City of Stonecrest intends to opt out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead exemption for the City of Stonecrest. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this matter.        WHEN: Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at 6 p.m.        WHERE: City of Stonecrest City Hall (suite 190)         3120 Stonecrest Blvd. Stonecrest, GA 30038        NOTES: Times and places of additional public hearings on this matter are at: City of Stonecrest City Hall on Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. City of Stonecrest City Hall on Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. The DeKalb County School Board…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Danny John Marillo Hunter, 34, of Decatur has received a life sentence in connection with the death of Kateasha Cardell, 30, and the assault of her fiance’ Karlo Dupree, 48, in September, 2021.  Hunter was convicted by jury trial of shooting and killing Cardell, who was renting a home from his father, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced today, Jan. 14.  Jurors on Jan. 9 found Hunter guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a felony.  DeKalb County Superior Court…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD will host its inaugural landmark effort to reduce violent crime in local neighborhoods. The first listening session will be held on Thursday, Janu.16, at 8:30 a.m., at Rehoboth Baptist Church, 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker. As announced in December, DKPD is embarking on a new, three-year Public Safety Partnership (PSP) with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The PSP team supports communities by using data to formulate new crime solutions, tailoring assistance in areas like crime analysis, gun violence and technology. Over the course of the partnership, the DOJ will study DKPD’s crimefighting successes and challenges. The DOJ will then offer guidance and resources designed specifically for DeKalb County’s needs. At the end of 2024, DKPD announced a 14% drop in violent crime…

ATLANTA – Today, at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues legislative preview event, Gov. Brian P. Kemp delivered an address announcing some of his top legislative and budgetary priorities for the 2025 legislative session. To ensure Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business, Kemp announced proposals to ensure Georgia is the Top State for Talent; his intention to enact meaningful tort reform; and new investments in key infrastructure projects statewide Below are the Governor’s prepared remarks: Good morning! Thank you, Ed, for that introduction. I’m glad to be here with Speaker Burns, Lt. Governor Jones, our constitutional…