Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA–For the Robey family, MARTA is more than a transit system. It is the way through which they live, work, and play, MARTA shares in its October edition of “Behind the Ride,” an ongoing series highlighting the people and moments that define MARTA. Since the Robeys do not own a car, the mother and son rely on buses, trains, and bikes to get to school, work, the grocery store, and to soccer.  The family’s access has been made even easier through MARTA’s partnership with Soccer in the Streets™, whose StationSoccer initiative brings youth soccer fields directly to MARTA stations across…

ATLANTA—The Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism, chaired by Sen. Drew Echols (R–Alto), will hold its third hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m.  The meeting will be held at the Rainwater Convention Center, 1 Meeting Place, Valdosta, GA. Lawmakers, tourism leaders, and local stakeholders will discuss strategies to bolster Georgia’s tourism industry and economic impact across the state.  The hearing is open the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.  The Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism was created through Senate Resolution 323.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a double murder—a brother and sister—who were shot to death on Monday evening at the East Perimeter Pointe Apartments in Decatur. The DeKalb County Police Department said that Steven Christopher Mathis was arrested and taken into custody around midnight by the Henry County Police Department and later transported to the DeKalb County Jail.  Officers had responded to the scene of the incident on Monday, Oct. 6, at 7:45 p.m.  and found an adult male and an adult female inside an apartment had been shot a, both deceased.  The DeKalb Medical…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County will host a Public Safety Career Fair on Friday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy (RCA). The event will showcase career opportunities in the field of public safety, bringing together job seekers and community members with local agencies committed to serving and protecting Rockdale County.  Event Details Date/Time: Friday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Rockdale Career Academy (RCA), 1064 Culpepper Dr. SW, Conyers, GA  Participating Departments/Divisions: Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office Rockdale Fire Rescue Rockdale Emergency Management (EMA) : 911 Communications & Animal Control Event Highlights On-the-spot interviews with hiring representatives. Live…

CONYERS, GA–School groups, businesses, churches, bands, organizations, dance ensembles, and more are encouraged to register for the annual Conyers Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m Those interested in participating in the parade can register at: https://bit.ly/48e4HQF. Registration is $25 per entry and the registration deadline is Nov. 10. Conyers Police will close Rowland Road, Pine Log Road and a portion of Milstead Avenue for the parade that steps off from Rockdale County High School. The parade concludes at the intersection of Milstead Avenue and Pine Street. Spectators are encouraged to gather early for a spot along the parade…

Conyers, GA –Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive, S.E., is inviting the community to its annual Harvest of Blessings event featuring its popular Trunk of Treats Festival. The celebration will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   The family-friendly festival promises an evening filled with fun, fellowship, and fall excitement. Guests can enjoy hayrides, bounce houses, a new petting zoo, food, refreshments, and plenty of candy.  The highlight of the night will be the Trunk of Treats, where participants decorate their car trunks and hand out candy to children. Attendees also will have the chance to…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — A community group, the Centerville Highway Corridor, LLC (CHC), is rallying residents across Gwinnett County to oppose a crematory and funeral home along Centerville Highway, citing health risks, heavy traffic and property value decline.   The group is urging residents to attend the Gwinnett Planning Commission’s public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m., where commissioners will consider proposed updates to the county’s special use permits for crematories. The in-person meeting will be held at the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center – Auditorium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. The meeting also will be available later online at GwinnettCounty.com (Search:…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Crystal Nasir, 43, of Lithonia, was convicted by jury trial of operating an unlicensed care home where disabled adults were living with dogs, rats, bedbugs, mold, the DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office said on Monday, Oct. 6. A jury found Nasir guilty of Deprivation of Essential Services to Disabled Adults and Exploitation of a Disabled Adult in connection with the January 2022 discovery of the “horrific” state of the care home she owned and operated, the D.A.’s office stated.  Immediately following the guilty verdicts on Oct. 3, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Nasir…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA —A Gwinnett County farm worker has been sentenced to 30 years for raping a 13-year-old girl at a party in 2023.  Sergio Palomares-Guzman, 36, pleaded guilty on Oct. 2 to multiple felony charges, including rape, aggravated child molestation, child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children in the first degree.  Under the plea agreement, Palomares-Guzman is required to serve the first 20 years in prison without parole before being deported, according to the Gwinnett District Attorney. “We pray that this plea and sentence bring recovery and closure to the victim and her family,” Gwinnett…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Political & Civic Action Committee of the Conyers-Covington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will host a town hall to introduce the candidates who are running for three offices in the City of Conyers’ upcoming municipal elections. The Kappa Coffeehouse’s “Meet the Candidates Night” will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the JP Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor Street, Conyers. Organizers say the event is designed to bring the community together to explore and discuss solutions to issues that can benefit all. Citizens will be able to ask the candidates…