Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Sheriff Eric J. Levett recently swore in six graduates of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Ambassadors Program, the first class since the program was announced in February 2023. The Ambassadors Program grants passionate citizens the opportunity to serve the Rockdale County community by helping the volunteers to create a positive environment between citizens and law enforcement. In addition, the program will educate volunteers on some of the functions a Deputy Sheriff is required to handle. There are three pillars of the Ambassadors Program: Pillar ONE- Citizens Academy: This pillar is designed for dedicated civilians who see the benefits of…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Gwinnett Animal Welfare is hosting the sixth annual Clear the Shelters adoption drive throughout August. As part of the annual campaign to place shelter pets, Gwinnett Animal Welfare will offer free pet adoptions throughout August and host a Clear the Shelters celebration on Saturday, Aug. 19, noon until 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center, 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. Guests will enjoy hands-on activities, crafts, music, local vendors, face painting and more. Pets are available for adoption now. Adoptable animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, with most pets available for same-day…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a Special Called meeting on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677. Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493.  Agenda Call to Order and Welcome to the Public Adoption of Agenda III.            Executive Session to Discuss Personnel Matters Motion to Convene an Executive Session Motion to Adjourn an Executive Session Motion to Approve the Executive Session Affidavit Ethics Board Officer Elections Board Chair Board Vice Chair Board Secretary Announcement of Next Regular Board Meeting of September…

STONCREST, GA–New Birth Missionary Baptist Church distributed 3,000 new pairs of shoes to metro Atlanta students at its annual back-to-school event, which was held today (Aug. 12) at the mega church’s campus in the city of Stonecrest. New Birth and its community partners also gave away free socks, school supplies, tablets to needy students who qualified based on income, and hundreds of bicycles to those who were fortunate enough to receive a winning ticket. Pastor Jamal Bryant, New Birth’s senior pastor, said the church hosts the annual event to ensure students had essentials to start off the school year. He…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County is opening recreation centers and libraries throughout the county available as cooling centers Saturday, Sunday and Monday, August 12, 13 and 14 due to a heat advisory. As defined by the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City Forecast Office, a heat advisory is issued when “feels like” temperatures are expected to reach or be greater than 103 degrees, or when the actual air temperature is expected to be at 105 degrees or greater. All DeKalb County libraries and recreation centers will be available as cooling centers, during the locations’ normal business hours. For a list of DeKalb County…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announcesd a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Lithonia man accused of shooting into a motel room and killing a transgender woman. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Aug. 10 against Deontavious Brewer, 24, on charges of Felony Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and two counts of Aggravated Assault. On Nov. 11, 2020, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a call about a person shot at the Knights Inn on Panola Road in Lithonia. They discovered Kenneth “Peaches” Armstrong,…

DECATUR. GA–City of Decatur will open the Decatur Recreation Center, Sycamore Street as a cooling center on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 13 and 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., due to a heat advisory by the National Weather Service. A heat advisory is issued when “feels like” temperatures are expected to reach or be greater than 103 degrees, or when the actual air temperature is expected to be at 105 degrees or greater. The City of Decatur advises residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors. Young children…

DECATUR, GA—Dozens of businesses and entrepreneurs were honored at the 4th Annual Black Business Celebration and Showcase. The Aug. 10 celebration, hosted by DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, was held to promote the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The celebration called attention to the economic impact and importance of Black businesses while also offering an opportunity to network within the community and inspire future generations of entrepreneurs. “This was a historic moment to be around African American Trail Blazers,” said Commissioner Larry Johnson. “Events like this are important especially for our young people to see us…

WASHINGTON, D.C. ,Congressman Hank Johnson (GA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Jerry Nadler (NY), Jamie Raskin (MD) and Ted Lieu (CA) sent a letter to the Department of Justice urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for consistently failing to report significant gifts he received. The letter, dated Aug. 11, was sent to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. For close to two decades, Justice Thomas repeatedly certified that his financial disclosures were “accurate, true, and complete,” despite omitting millions of dollars in gifts. Justices of the Supreme Court are required to file annual reports disclosing gifts, and the failure…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs announced that  Midway Pool, 3181 Midway Rd., Decatur, will be closing due to continued storm water damage. The pools listed below will be open now until Sept. 4 only on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Open until Sept. 4       *Exchange Splash Pad, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur       Gresham Pool, 3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta       Lithonia Pool, 2501 Park Drive, Lithonia       Medlock Pool, 874 Gaylemont Circle, Decatur    Tobie Grant Pool, 644 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale   *Operation hours: Saturdays from 10 a.m.…