Author: On Common Ground News

Business owner Kathy L. Harvey has announced that she has qualified as a write-in candidate for Rockdale County Probate Court judge. In November, Harvey will face Clarence Cuthpert, Jr., an attorney who defeated incumbent Charles Mays. Harvey is a Law and Public Policy Ph.D candidate at Walden University. She holds an advanced M.Sci. Degree in Law and Public Policy (MLPP), California University of Pennsylvania (CAL-U), and a MACC in Christian Counseling from Luther Rice University. She operates a business called The Counseling and Consulting Connoisseur. Harvey has two children and three grandchildren.

The Georgia Lottery is joining a new game that offers two lifetime prizes. Cash4Life is a multi-state draw game with the chance to win $1,000 a day for life, or the chance to win $1,000 a week for life. The game went on sale statewide Sunday. Drawings will be held at 9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. The first drawing in Georgia will be held July 29. Tickets are $2 per play. Players must pick five numbers from one to 60 and a Cash Ball number from one to four. Players can win $1,000 a day for life by matching all…

ATLANTA Grant Park hosts Summer Shade Festival Festival lovers are invited to one of Atlanta’s top summer festivals on Saturday, Aug. 27 through Aug. 28 at the historic Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. The Summer Shade Festival brings a 5K Run, food trucks, craft beer, an artist market and live music to Atlanta’s oldest park. Bring a blanket and the whole family and enjoy the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival to celebrate the end of summer. For more information, visit http://www.summershadefestival.org.   House in the Park Atlanta festival expected to draw over 10,000 people  The 12th Annual House in…

Law enforcement agencies from around Georgia, WSB-TV and citizens came together to collect needed supplies for flood victims in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Supplies were collected at the Atlanta Civic Center on Aug. 20 and 21. Four tractor-trailers were filled with donations over the weekend, doubling the goal of filling two trucks. Tractor-trailers were provided by Holland Inc., 7 Hills Transportation, Cardinal Logistics and Caring for Others, Inc. making a total of six departing for Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Aug. 24. Clarence Cox, president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), said he was pleased with the response…

Hundreds filled the Lithonia Amphitheater for On Common Ground News’ “A Night of Smooth Jazz” on Aug. 20 featuring headliners Ronnie Laws and Lonnie Liston Smith. The crowd also enjoyed special guests Jaman Laws, Julie Dexter, Joey “Papa J” Sommerville, Rhonda Thomas, Groove Centric and DJ Naturel. While some concert patrons brought their picnic baskets and coolers, others purchased barbecue, crab legs, shrimp and Italian icees from vendors. VIPs were treated in elegant fashion—by candlelight at linen-covered tables and chairs for the outdoor event. JFly, who produced the event, will join On Common Ground News in presenting a a concert…

 The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs is installing book boxes, sometimes called little libraries, in several parks to increase literacy and promote a love of reading. The primary goal of this initiative is to increase literacy by providing the exchange of free books in the local communities. Patrons are encouraged to take part in this free program, which allows readers of all ages to borrow, take or drop off a book for future usage. “This project brings books to neighborhood parks to make them more accessible for our youth,” DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May said. “Now,…

DeKalb County Public Library and the DeKalb County School District are teaming up for a library card sign-up campaign this fall to encourage all students, their family members and school system staff to get a library card. Beginning in September, which is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and continuing through October, the Library and the school system will promote the benefits of having a card along with the Library’s new and colorful, limited-edition card, designed just for the campaign. School Superintendent R. Stephen Green is chairing the campaign. He will appear on a specially-designed poster which will be displayed in each…

The City of Lithonia Farmers Market is offering locally-grown fruits, vegetables and other goods every Sunday through Sept. 18, 1 to 5 p.m., at the City Hall parking lot, 6920 Main St. Shoppers can be seen packing up newly laid eggs, selecting just picked produce and even learning about the secret lives of bees from the local honey expert, just to name a few of the things in store when you arrive. Growers like Gwendolyn Washington, who operates Phoenix Gardens with her husband, Brennan, love to chat with shoppers who are interested in how they grow their crops. Washington is…

The Citizens Progressive Club of Rockdale, Inc. will presents its 60th Anniversary Dinner and Gala on Saturday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. This year’s theme is “Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Building the Future of the Community for All.” The guest speaker for the occasion will be  Gregory B. Levett, Sr. of  Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. Levett received national recognition as the “2015 Funeral Director of the Year” by the funeral industry. Tickets are $35 per person. For tickets and additional information, contact the…

CONYERS – Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is hosting its annual Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding event for Rockdale residents and business owners, Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot of the Rockdale County Government Annex, 1400 Parker Road. The free event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents and electronics, regardless of working condition. There is a maximum of four banker boxes per vehicle allowed for paper shredding, and as a new element this year due to high demand, participants must provide photo ID as proof of an address…