Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is on winter recess through Jan. 13 and will convene its first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.  The newly elected chair, JaNice Van Ness, will officially take the helm of the three-member, all female BOC. Here’s a look at the Rockdale BOC January schedule: Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Work Session/Voting Session: Tuesday, January 14, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers  Monday, Jan. 20– Martin Luther King Day Holiday – County Offices Closed  Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Work Session:  Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m., Assembly Hall, 901…

STONECREST, GA– The City of Stonecrest broke ground Jan. 3 on the Panola Shoals Restoration Project, marking a monumental investment in preserving natural resources, enhancing outdoor recreation and promoting community health. The $3 million project at 4460 Panola Rd. will stabilize and restore the South River streambank at Panola Shoals. Plans include building a more than 750-foot gravity block retaining wall, a two-tiered boulder retaining wall and a concrete access drive. Improvements will also include upgraded pedestrian pathways, native plantings to stabilize the soil and an irrigation system to support landscaping along the restored area. “This project is a testament to…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Board of Elections will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 5 p.m., at 1115 West Ave. S.W., Conyers.  The public is invited to attend in person or virtually.The meeting will be available online via Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7049887949  Meeting ID: 704 988 7949 One tap mobile +13126266799,,7049887949# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,7049887949# US (New York)

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Clerk of Superior Courts Janice Morris is reminding notaries public seeking to renew their commissions as well as new applicants that they must complete mandatory educational training under a new law that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025. HB 1292, which was passed by Georgia legislators during the 2024 legislative session, requires completion of the training course as part of the application process for Georgia public notaries. Notaries will be provided a certificate after completing the training course.  Notaries who are seeking renewals and those who are first-time applicants must include the certificate of completion with their…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open the following four warming centers for residents on each night Wednesday, Jan. 1, through Saturday, Jan. 4, starting at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta  North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International according…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County NAACP invites the community to its Jubilee Day Celebration on Jan. 1, 11 a.m., at Bald Rock Baptist Church, 2282 Old Covington Road, Conyers.  The 2025 theme is “The Fight Continues,” and Pastor Christopher Ship will lead the worship service.   Come out and celebrate the momentous occasion.   

As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the City of Stonecrest for allowing me the opportunity to serve this community. This year has been truly transformative for me. I have gained a deeper understanding of the culture at City Hall and developed meaningful relationships with my colleagues. I have learned invaluable lessons from each of them—some positive, some challenging. Yet, I firmly believe that everyone here is committed to the best interests of the City of Stonecrest. I would like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors…

UPDATE: Former President Jimmy Carter ‘s official state funeral will be held on Jan. 9. 2025 at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden, whose term will soon end as President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, will deliver Carter’s  eulogy.  President Biden said President Carter, his friend, asked him last year to deliver his eulogy. Biden has declared Jan. 9 as a national day of mourning.     Carter’s legacy also will be honored in public services that will be held in Atlanta , followed by a private interment in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, according…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –The DeKalb County NAACP will host its Jubilee Day 2025 Celebration on Jan. 1, 10 a.m., Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Jubilee Day is the remembrance and celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863.  DeKalb NAACP President Edwina Clanton said the branch’s 2025 Jubilee Day Celebration will feature two speakers: Pastor Demetrius McCoy, senior pastor of Word of Life Christian Church, and 17-year-old Khepera Omijeolukore, a member of NAACP Youth Council.  Immediately following the service, the NAACP’s elected officers and at-large committee members will be sworn in…