Author: On Common Ground News

State Representatives Renitta Shannon (D-Decatur) and Howard Mosby (D-Atlanta) will host two joint legislative town halls this Thursday at 6 p.m. and this Saturday at 10 a.m. The legislators will provide updates on Georgia’s 2017 legislative session, address audience questions and concerns, and outline ways for their constituents to become involved at all levels of government. Thursday, Feb. 16 6-8 p.m. Where: Lutheran Church of the Messiah 465 Clairemont Ave., Decatur Saturday, Feb. 18 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Where: Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence 3595 Linecrest Road, Ellenwood Georgia Resists is a political organizing tool launched by the…

Two men believed to be responsible for robbing Dollar General, 1265 Iris Drive, Conyers, are in police custody following information given to Conyers Police by an alert witness. Jahii Ellison, 21 of Conyers, was charged with robbery and Quentin Bussell, 32, Jonesboro, was charged with making false statements in connection to the robbery that took place on Thursday, Feb. 9. One suspect entered the Dollar General around 6:00 p.m. and brought something from the Valentines area to the register. The suspect jumped across the counter pushing the employee out of the way and took an undisclosed amount of money from…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) and Clark Atlanta University (CAU) have agreed to offer dual admissions and joint enrollment for qualified students at both institutions. The two schools plan to announce the launch of the historic partnership on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. in the Robert W. Woodruff Library Exhibition Hall at Clark Atlanta University, 111 James P. Brawley Drive, SW, Atlanta. The partnership program entitled “Access 4 Achievement” will begin in late spring and will offer students the opportunity to strengthen academic rigor, program-specific transfer agreements and joint faculty and teaching opportunities for graduate students and faculty at both…

Lowe’s has donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund’s 37 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to award emergency student aid to financially needy graduating seniors.  The emergency aid will help students with unanticipated circumstances such as the loss of a parent’s job. More than 200 seniors received aid during the 2016-17 academic year, allowing them to stay in school and on track to graduate. “College is quite expensive, but it is an investment that is certainly worthwhile,” said Quentin Perkins, a senior majoring in computer science at Florida Memorial University. “My parents are not able to pay for…

Rockdale County Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten is set to perform about a dozen weddings on Valentine’s Day, Feb.14, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., in the Magistrate Courtroom located at 948 Bank Street, Conyers. “So far, we have 11 weddings confirmed and two pending requests. I am not looking to turn away anyone who has their heart set on marrying on the most romantic day of the year,” said Judge Aten. In recent past years, the Magistrate Court has performed between five to eight weddings for this occasion alone. The Court pre-schedules free wedding appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays after a…

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon said she plans on Tuesday (Feb. 14) to honor Elizabeth Wilson, the first African-American Mayor of Decatur in celebration of Black History Month. This year, in celebration of Black History Month, each district commissioner will recognize everyday history makers who have dedicated their lives to public service to improve their communities in their respective districts. “We thank her for her pioneering efforts in social justice and public service during a time where equality for many, was only a dream,” Gannon said in her newsletter. Newly-elected Commissioner Steve Bradshaw said he plans to present a proclamation to…

Pictured: 2017 Rockdale County Spelling Bee 1st place winner Aeneas Moore, a 5th grader at Barksdale Elementary, and 2nd place runner-up Allanah Stanton, a 6th grader at Memorial Middle. Congratulations to the 2017 Rockdale County Spelling Bee first place winner Aeneas Moore, a Barksdale Elementary fifth grader, and second place winner Allanah Stanton, a Memorial Middle School sixth grader. Contestants went head to head on Feb. 10 at Edwards Middle School for the right to advance to the regional bee competition and possibly the state competition. This year’s participants and their alternates were: Dasani Harper #1 (alternate Nisa Washington) -…

DeKalb County Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling is partnering with Cinderella’s Gowns, The Men’s Wearhouse and Day League (formerly DeKalb Rape Crisis Center) to sponsor the 2017 Stop Teen Dating Violence PSA Contest. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and DeKalb County high school seniors and juniors are invited to create a 1-minute video promoting healthy teen dating practices that prevent dating violence. The video should highlight positive characteristics such as honesty, compromise, good communication, individuality, understanding and problem solving. The student producing the winning PSA will receive a Prom Prize Package including dinner for two, limo service for the…

State Representatives Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) and Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for “Pink Boots on the Ground” Day at the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 20. “It is always an honor to welcome and join my sorority sisters and other like-minded people at the State Capitol each year for Alpha Kappa Alpha Day,” said Rep. Bennett.  “I am especially looking forward to hosting this year’s event to bring together these women and discuss the issues that are most important to our families and our communities.” “Pink Boots on the Ground”…

State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), along with Pastor Sabrina McKenzie and the Celebrities Against Domestic Violence Partnership will host a panel discussion on Georgia Domestic Violence Awareness Day on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Georgia Capitol. The schedule for the event is as follows: Registration begins at 8 a.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building; Panel discussion begins at 9 a.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building; Press conference begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol; Rally for Domestic Violence Awareness Day begins at 1 p.m. at Liberty…