Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), Georgia’s largest school district serving more than 180,000 students, has secured the highest possible bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service, the most recent data shows. Moody’s has affirmed the district’s Aaa rating on its outstanding general obligation unlimited tax (GOULT) debt, reflecting the district’s exceptional financial health and prudent fiscal management. Moody’s cited GCPS’ conservative budgeting, strong reserve levels, and commitment to responsible fiscal management as key factors in affirming the Aaa rating,  the county stated in a Feb. 10 press release. The district has strategically leveraged voter-approved sales tax collections to fund capital…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently introduced House Bill 25, the Dignity is Essential Act, which seeks to address hygiene inequity. HB25 would allow recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to purchase certain hygiene products, specifically diapers and menstrual hygiene items, should a federal waiver become available. HB 25 would mandate that if the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) permits states to allocate SNAP and WIC benefits for the purchase of these items, Georgia’s…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Registration is underway for the How Big Is Your Dream?!™ Spring Break M.A.D.E. Academy of the Arts. The week-long program, open to students ages 10-18, is designed for those who want to explore their creative potential and develop foundational skills in music and arts entertainment. The program will be held April 7-11, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.  Space is limited. No prior music experience is necessary.  The academy will include interactive sessions focused on:  Music Theory – Building a strong understanding of the fundamentals of music.  Voice – Developing vocal…

By Mark Brock DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Pilar King accomplished a first for Southwest DeKalb High School by becoming the first swimmer in the school’s history to bring home a gold medal from the GHSA Class 4A State Swimming and Diving Championships. on Thursday afternoon. King stepped onto the starting block at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center on Feb. 6 knowing she was 100 yards from completing her trek into the school record books as she waited for the start of her 100-yard backstroke state finals. “My coaches told me I had the opportunity to win the school’s first gold medal,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—A Snellville man is now in custody after firing at Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies while they were executing a warrant.  Denzel James Thompson is currently being held at the Gwinnett County Jail on multiple charges. The incident occurred on Feb. 6 as the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Unit was executing a warrant at a residence in Snellville. During the operation, Thompson opened fire on deputies. No law enforcement personnel were injured.  The Gwinnett Police Uniform Division, Gwinnett Police SWAT Team, and other local agencies responded to assist with the incident. Thompson was taken into custody. Thompson faces…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at DeKalb County Fire Rescue headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Room 111, Tucker, GA . The county is currently recruiting for ground maintenance workers. At the job fair, attendees will be able to meet with park management hiring staff, interview for current openings and learn about salary and benefits. The job fair is free and open to the public. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at 404-710-6331 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT), in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), will temporarily close the intersection of SR 20, Chandler Road, and West Hightower Trail in Conyers, GA, for planned roundabout construction Feb. 14-17.  The intersection will be closed for the entire weekend to facilitate construction. During this closure, drivers should expect detours and plan for additional travel time. Detour signage will be in place to guide motorists along alternative routes. Detour Routes: Bethel Rd NW (West Hightower Trail to SR-20/Loganville Hwy) SR-20 (Loganville Hwy) (Roebuck Rd NW to Pleasant Hill Rd) Day St NW (Bethel Rd NW to…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04) reintroduced a resolution calling on Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, a group of civil rights activists whose courageous actions in 1961 helped dismantle racial segregation in interstate travel. If approved, the medal would be awarded to the Freedom Riders as a group and displayed at the Smithsonian Museum to honor its historic contributions to the fight for equality and justice.  On May 4, 1961, 13 young activists – known as the original Freedom Riders – departed Washington, D.C., on two buses bound for New Orleans. Their mission was…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Board of Elections will hold two public hearings for the purpose of receiving comments and feedback regarding two proposed precinct consolidations.   Public input is sought on the proposed consolidation of the following precincts: Merge Honey Creek Precinct with the Magnet Precinct. The Honey Creek Precinct is now the home of a private school and is no longer available for use as a precinct. Merge Hightower Precinct with the Milstead Precinct. There has been a low Election Day voter turnout at Hightower and this precinct is located within 2 miles of the Milstead Precinct.    The public…

DECATUR, GA—For several hours this morning (Feb. 6), the downtown Decatur Courthouse was evacuated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County Marshals. Decatur Fire officials were investigating a suspicious package in the area of the Superior Court Clerk’s Office.  It was determined that the package – an envelope – contained non-hazardous materials and posed no threat.  The incident will be further investigated for possible criminal charges. The courthouse building was cleared and reopened o the public, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office said.