Author: On Common Ground News

Jamal H. Bryant launches “Project 5-5-5” to mobilize black voters for 2024 Presidential election  ATLANTA– Jamal H. Bryant, pastor of the mega New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in partnership with several local community leaders, announced the launch of a Get-Out-the-Vote movement dubbed “Project 5-5-5” on Monday, Aug. 5, during an event held at the Carter Center in Atlanta. With less than 100 days left before the 2024 Presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, and former Republican President Donald Trump, Bryant said Project 5-5-5 is critical. In breaking news today (Aug. 6) Harris announced her running mate Minnesota…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested Marcus Gregory, a United States Postal Service carrier, for stealing and dumping mail in the woods, and using illegal drugs while delivering the mail. Gregory was arrested  after a joint investigation by the Gwinnett Police Department and the USPS Inspector General’s Office. Gwinnett County police were initially contacted on July 31 by the Postal Service Inspector General in reference to Gregory.  Their investigators had been watching Gregory after several complaints were filed with USPS  by victims not receiving their mail.  On July 31, undercover officers watched Gregory while he was working and…

ATLANTA – The August meeting of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors will be held in person at MARTA headquarters and virtually on YouTube on Thursday, Aug. 8, beginning with a work session at noon and board meeting at 1:30 p.m.  WHAT:   August meeting of the MARTA Board of Directors Agendas: https://www.itsmarta.com/board-documents.aspx WHAT:   Thursday, Aug. 8 Work session – noon                 Board meeting – 1:30 p.m.                     WHERE:  MARTA Headquarters(6th floor) 2424 Piedmont Rd. NE Atlanta, GA VIRTUAL:  YouTube livestream: https://bit.ly/MARTAPublicStream

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a virtual open house meeting to discuss the DeKalb County Trail Greenway Master Plan on Thursday, Augu.15 at 6 p.m. The meeting to discuss the DeKalb County Trail Greenway Master Plan will be conducted via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckde6grjkqH9MOLhrL0-MWZjHqLbONt-Wr. For more information, contact Caleb Wittenmyer, greenspace manger, at 404-904-3028 or ckwittenmyer@dekalbcountyga.gov

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) public art program, Artbound, announces a call for artist qualifications to create a design for a crosswalk mural at Kensington Station. This call seeks artist qualifications, with a shortlist of 3 artists each compensated $500 to create and provide design proposals. The selected artist will receive a $5,000 fee for the final design. The mural will be painted on the crosswalk by a third party hired by MARTA. The project aims to serve as a safe wayfinding solution for children traveling from the Kensington Station to the StationSoccer fields. One percent…

By Mark Brock Former Redan Raider pitcher Taj Bradley wrapped up an excellent month of July for the Tampa Bay Rays, earning Major League Baseball’s (MLB) American League (AL) Pitcher of the Month honors. Bradley, a 2018 graduate of Redan High School, finished 3-1 in five starts during July with a sterling 1.45 earned run average over 31 innings on the mound for the Rays. He had 31 strikeouts and just eight walks over the five games and hitters were swinging at just a .160 batting average against the second-year starter. During the five game stretch he put together 24…

ATLANTA – Peach Pass is issuing a critical alert to all Peach Pass customers regarding text messaging scams targeting Express Lane commuters throughout Georgia and toll road users in surrounding states. This scam attempts to deceive drivers into disclosing their personal and financial information through a fake website. Customers receiving text messages claiming to be from “Georgia Tolls Services” or “Peach Pass Tolls Services” with instructions to click a link to settle an alleged outstanding toll balance or an unpaid toll invoice should be cautious. These messages are not from the State Road and Tollway Authority and aim to mislead…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A Stone Mountain man will serve a life prison sentence for fatally shooting his girlfriend and business partner while her young grandchild was asleep upstairs in her home.  Kevin Lamar Matchen, 51, was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for the October 2023 death of 45-year-old Alysia Darice Scott. Matchen was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years.  “We send our condolences to Ms. Scott’s family,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “It is terrible…