Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA— Made to Order Holdings LLC officially opened the doors to Whataburger’s first restaurant in Conyers on Monday, June 24, at 11 a.m., following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. with the Rockdale-Conyers Chamber of Commerce. “We’re thrilled to be open in Conyers and have more locations planned for the Peach State,” MTOH Vice President of Operations Scott Jordan-Wheeler said. “Georgians have shown they are hungry for the bold flavors that Whataburger is known for, and we’re just as eager to serve them those flavors.” The restaurant at 431 Sigman Road NW is MTOH’s third in the state and the…

 Millage rate unchanged for eighth straight year DECATUR, GA– Today, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the county’s Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit for 2024 will provide $162 million in property tax relief for property owners with homestead exemptions. Qualified homeowners receive an EHOST credit that reduces or offsets property tax liability. The amount of property tax relief received by a qualified homeowner is based on the assessed value of the homesteaded property and sales tax revenue generated by EHOST. On average, the EHOST credit will generate a tax reduction of approximately $1,500 for qualified homes valued at $425,000. “DeKalb…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Starting July 2, the DeKalb County Police Department is hosting four town halls inJuly for its Mid-Year Check-In series.  The forums will allow community members to discuss important issues, ask questions, and learn about Police Department’s challenges and successes so far in 2024. Residents are encouraged to find their local town hall from the list below and join the conversation: South                                                                                     Tucker July 2, 2024, at 6p.m.                                              July 9, 2024, at 6p.m. Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library            Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road                                    5234 Lavista Road Decatur, GA 30034                                                  Tucker, GA 30084 North-Central                                                                      East July 23, 2024, at 6p.m.                                           July 30, 2024,…

STONECREST, GA—Lecester “Bill” Allen, developer and founder of the New Black Wall Street Market, has passed away. Mr. Allen transitioned on Saturday, June 22, after a long illness, sources close to the family said today(June 24). Mr. Allen was 80, having marked his birthday in February. A phenomenal trailblazer, business educator and philanthropist, Mr. Allen was the city of Stonecrest’s single-largest commercial landowner with 300 acres in the city. Together, the Allen Family Investments, LLC purchased the former Target department store to develop the New Black Wall Street Market as well as the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute and the mansion where…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are partnering with Christal Jordan-Jennings, founder of Enchanted Branding and PR, to celebrate African American Music Appreciation Month by honoring the musical legacy of Thomas Calloway, professionally known as CeeLo. The tribute will take place during the Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 25, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. During the meeting, CEO Thurmond will present the entertainer with DeKalb County’s highest civilian award, the W.W. King Bridge Builder Award. Additionally, Commissioner Robert Patrick will present CeeLo…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale Clerk of Courts Janice Morris is inviting the community to the upcoming Law Speaker Series Q&A forum on “Wills and Estate Planning.”  The free forum will be held on Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. until noon, at a new location: Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main St., Conyers. The guest speaker will be Attorney Tamika Johnson of the T.M. Johnson Law Firm, which specializes in wills and estate planning. Morris said she is offering the series for constituents to get their questions answered about various law topics. “Those who attend are able to get their questions answered on the spot…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (BRE) meeting for the purpose of certifying the runoff election results will be held Monday, June 24, 2024, at noon. This meeting will be conducted in person at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, Ga. 30032. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font of 12 to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov which must be received between 35 and five minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of your email must include your first and last name. BRE meetings are streamed live…

The conference will feature evening sessions with internationally acclaimed Prophets Brian Carn and Lovy Elias and guest musical artists Melvin Crispell and Will Johnson from June 25-27, 2024 STONECREST, GA – Global prophetic leaders, national recording artists and renowned business leaders will headline the 2024 INNOV8 Conference at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church beginning June 25 through 27. Entry for the multi-day event is free but requires all participants to register for all sessions by visiting www.inov8conference.org. Conference speakers include internationally acclaimed prophets Brian Carn and Lovy Elias and noted musical guests Melvin Crispelland Will Johnson. Global speaker, author and advocate Dr. Cindy Trimm will also lead a transformational session during…

ATLANTA, GA—DeKalb County CEO-Elect Lorraine Cochran-Johnson still hasn’t slowed down since her historic victory in the June 18 runoff election. On Friday, June 21, she discussed her bid to become the first black woman elected to serve as DeKalb’s CEO and her vision to move the county forward during an interview on Atlanta’s WIGO-1570 AM ’s “Amen Corner,” hosted by Amos King. Cochran-Johnson, who will take the oath of office in January 2025, said she is already working on pursuing economic development projects that had been put on hold including redevelopment of the Gallery at South DeKalb mall.  She also…