Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center has reached critical capacity and is seeking volunteer foster homes for shelter animals in need. “Some animals that enter the center need a little extra care before they’re ready to find their adoptive home,” said Katrina Helman, Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division Director. “Fostering is a great way to make a difference in an animal’s life without the long-term commitment of adoption. It gives these pets a chance to thrive while also helping open space for other animals in need.” Foster homes are needed for a variety of reasons, including…

NEWTON COUNTY, GA—A prayer vigil is being organized today, March 22, to remember Justin Etienne, a student at Salem High School in Rockdale County.  Etienne, 18, died after he was shot at Denny Dobbs Park, where a crowd of high school seniors from Newton and Rockdale counties were celebrating Skip Day on March 19.  According to a social media post, organizers are planning to have a candlelight vigil at the park today for the popular soccer player. However, it is unclear if the gathering would be allowed by law enforcement or county officials.  A mother said earlier this week that students at Salem…

NEWTON COUNTY, GA–The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one suspect in connection with the March 19  homicide at Denny Dobbs Park during Senior Skip Day. The suspect has been identified as Jarvis Hinton Jr., 16, of Covington. Hinton, a student at Newton High School, is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and reckless conduct. He is currently in custody at the Newton County Detention Center. As it stands today, March 21, the investigation continues and additional suspects may…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Gwinnett County man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl. Isaiah Esquilin-Perez, 22, was convicted of three counts of aggravated child molestation, three counts of incest and one count of child molestation for attacks on the girl in April 2023 and previously. Esquilin-Perez was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences and mandatory sex offender registration. “We pray that this child and her family are able to find resolution and healing in this verdict and sentence,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “This defendant violated the trust of this family with his horrible actions. His punishment…

DECATUR, GA – To accommodate walk-in customers applying for homestead exemptions, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office located at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur will have extended hours on March 24 through April 1 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be scheduled online at DeKalbTax.org or by calling 404-298-4000. To avoid delays, homeowners can check their exemption status and apply online before the April 1 deadline. Letters were recently mailed to homeowners who may be eligible for a senior exemption, a property assessment freeze, or a basic homestead exemption for the current tax year. All applications, including property…

STONECREST, GA — Hayden Quarry Road will be closed to through traffic March 24-27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate the installation of water line crossings at 7199 Hayden Road. Work will be underway between Turner Hill and Klondike Roads       Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions.  Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Brett Clay, project manager, for Dogwood Site Contractors at 404-831-3559

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Water Resources will host its 2nd Annual Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) Model Water Competition on Friday, March 28, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Johnson Park,1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers.  This STEM-focused event challenges students from Rockdale County middle schools to design and build working model water towers. The hands-on competition fosters creativity, problem-solving, and understanding of real-world water infrastructure—critical elements for a sustainable future. In 2024, Rockdale County hosted the inaugural event, which had minimal participation. This year, the event boasts participation from three schools and 13 teams. The contest is also open this year to students…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) is seeking the community’s help in finding two additional suspects they believe were involved in  a recent homicide.  On Friday, March 7, around 6:28 p.m., DKPD responded to a report of someone shot in the 6000 block of Covington Highway. A 26-year-old man, Emile Field-Marshall, had been shot in the chest. Despite his father’s efforts to save him by rushing him to the hospital, Field-Marshall died of his injuries.   Two suspects were charged with Murder. But during the investigation, it was revealed that the two males in the three pictures are also…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is reminding customers that if they have a gold star or a black star in the upper right corner of their Georgia driver’s license or ID card, they have a REAL ID. Both stars indicate compliance with federal REAL ID requirements, and there is no need to visit a DDS center to obtain a new license or ID if your credential already displays either star. “As the implementation date of May 7, 2025 nears, DDS is seeing customers who are already Real ID compliant visiting our centers.  Either a gold or black star…

DECATUR, GA—A DeKalb County man and his girlfriend have been sentenced to decades in prison for the 2021 brutal beating death of the man’s young daughter. Investigators reported that the couple took turns beating the child until she lost consciousness after she did not do chores. The father then took her to a hospital, claiming she had been in a car accident.  The case reached its conclusion on Wednesday, March 19, when DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Nora Polk sentenced Unchinna Myrick, 28, to 50 years, with 30 years to be served in custody and the balance on probation, for…