Author: On Common Ground News

New Bethel AME Church, 8350 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia, is hosting a voter registration/education event, “Social Action–A Commitment to Our Community,” on Sept. 10, 11 a.m. Local, state and community leaders will provide information, answer questions, and discuss your concerns. They will address issues many of us share about voting irregularities, youths, seniors, and the working poor. This is a critical election year, which demands our attention and action not only on the national stage but also on “down-ballot” candidates such as senators, judges, county boards, and school boards. Please save the date.

Attorney Dayna Thomas specializes in entertainment and entrepreneurship law. In this exclusive On Common Ground News Q&A, Attorney Thomas offers a look into the intricate world of business law and a legal perspective to business owners and entrepreneurs on how to best manage their businesses. “Entertainment and entrepreneurship are exciting areas of law for me because my clients are driven by passion – passion for their art or their business. As a creative business person, this provides a good foundation for a close attorney-client relationship.” The Emory Law graduate said she was inspired to start her own practice after a…

Live music, horse rides, face painting and free school bags were all part of DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May’s Seventh Annual DeKalb Family Fun Day. “I am pleased with the turnout and support for this event which gave residents a chance to have one more family-friendly event before the summer is over,” said Interim CEO May. Musician JFly, V-103 and the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs partnered with Interim CEO May for the event held at Bransby Outdoor YMCA in Lithonia. Approximately 800 book bags filled with school supplies were passed out to local students…

The Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Division needs dedicated citizens to serve as paid poll officials. Successful poll officials are detailed oriented, demonstrate patience, enjoy working with people, do well with taking direction, and possess basic computer skills. Interested applicants should visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gwinnett/jobs/1498759/elections-poll-official and select the “Elections Poll Official” position. Positions are available for the November 2016 election.

Democratic candidate Courtney Dillard has been certified by Rockdale County Board of Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch as a write-in candidate for the office of Rockdale County Commission Chairman in the Nov. 8 general election. Dillard had petitioned to run as an Independent but failed to get the required 2,534 verifiable signatures for his name to go on the ballot in November. Dillard then published a notice of his intention to run as a write-in candidate in the county’s legal organ on Aug. 17. He officially kicked off his new campaign on Thursday, Aug. 18. Dillard is challenging Oz Nesbitt, who…

The FBI says a suspect has been arrested in connection with an armed bank robbery that occurred in Conyers on Aug. 3. Special Agent in Charge (SAC) J. Britt Johnson, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson announced the arrest of Kevin Simons, aka “Kevmurda,” 28, of Cincinnati/Cleveland, Ohio. Simons was arrested on Aug. 12 in Steubenville, Ohio by FBI agents from Cincinnati FBI’s Cambridge Resident Agency and the Cleveland Field Office, working along with the Steubenville Drug Task Force. Simons is currently being held in Ohio on State of Georgia charges of armed robbery in connection…

ATLANTA Dunwoody Nature Center hosts 23rd Annual Butterfly Festival Venture inside two enormous tents overflowing with hundreds of gorgeous, free-roaming butterflies Saturday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. Bring the family for a day of activities including a Birds of Prey show, live animal encounters, games, educational booths, crafts, music, food and drinks. The price is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free to children ages 3 and under. For more information, visit http://www.dunwoodynature.org/ or call 770-394-3322.   Musical production offers glimpse into the lives of women of…

The Conyers Police Department is hosting its first ever Shop with A Cop (SWAC) 5K race and fun run on Saturday, Oct. 1. Every December, law enforcement personnel accompany children from families experiencing financial hardships to the Conyers Wal-Mart to shop for Christmas gifts. Historically, SWAC has been funded through personal and business donations as well as fund-raising efforts by the Conyers Police Department’s Explorer and Volunteers in Police Services programs.  This year, the department is offering the 5K race and fun run to help raise these funds while providing an opportunity for the community to get to know their…

The South DeKalb Business Association will present Kimberly King, EEO Director of Georgia’s Department of Transportation, as its keynote speaker. The meeting will be held on Aug. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at One Georgia Center, 600 W. Peachtree St., N.W., Atlanta. King has served as the Equal Employment Opportunity Director for DOT since Dec. 10, 2012. An attorney by trade, King has more than 20 years of legal experience in the practice areas of civil rights, human resources and collective bargaining. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and was licensed to…

Some DeKalb youths mixed nighttime basketball with learning life skills when DeKalb Workforce Development teamed up this summer with the DeKalb County Police Athletic League (PAL) Plus Midnight Basketball League. “Providing educational and life skills training along with this summer sports program is a win-win for DeKalb County and for the participating youth,” DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May said. Melfred Garrison, an employment and training analyst senior with DeKalb Workforce Development’s youth department, offered training and employment opportunities to youth participating in the league that targeted males and females ages 15-19, teens in need of community service hours or who…