Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) and Sandra G. Scott (D-Rex) will host Homeowners Association (HOA), Condominium Owners Association (COA) and Property Owners Association (POA) Day at the Georgia Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m., Room 216.  “Homeownership should not come with fear, confusion or unchecked power,” said Rep. Davis. “This day at the Capitol is about elevating the voices of homeowners and ensuring that state law reflects fairness, accountability and transparency.” The event seeks to bring together homeowners, residents, board members and advocates from across Georgia to raise awareness about ongoing concerns related to homeowner, condominium and property owner associations,…

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a moment to pause and reflect. It is a time to remember what Dr. King stood for and to consider what his message continues to require of us today. Dr. King reminded us that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. That truth remains just as powerful now as it was then. His legacy calls us beyond remembrance and into action. This day is not only about honoring history, it is about recommitting ourselves to the work. Dr. King’s legacy was never meant only to inspire. It was meant to prepare us. Prepare…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers City Council will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m., at City Hall, 901 O’Kelly Street, Conyers. The public is invited to attend in person or to view the  meetings livestream at: Council Meeting Stream. Several items are on the Jan. 21 agenda for the City Council and mayor’s consideration. Among them:  Ordinances 1464 and 1465 pertaining to the city’s operating budget Resolution 765 to establish various City Council committees for legislative, investigative and study purposes. Resolution 767 for the mayor to appoint City Council members to various City Council Committees  Board Appointments for the following:  Appointment: Sherri Washington to the Conyers Rockdale…

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce will host its first luncheon of 2026 on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m., at Kaiser Permanente Panola Medical Center, 5440 Hillandale Drive, Stonecrest, GA. The Chamber is seeking new members to join and will focus on helping local businesses better understand how to do business with DeKalb County.  Interested businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to come learn about the resources, processes, and opportunities available to local businesses—particularly those seeking to navigate county procurement, contracting, and vendor engagement. The featured guest speaker will be Michelle Butler, DeKalb County Chief Procurement Officer. Butler will share practical insights every business should…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Thanks to tips from the public, authorities have arrested fugitive Marquel Heard, 33, in connection with the shooting death of a DeKalb woman who encountered suspects burglarizing her home. Authorities are now searching for two other suspects involved in the shooting.  Ana Scott, 36, was killed on Sept 20, 2025 when she rushed home after her doorbell camera alerted her that her home in the 3700 block of Citation Drive in DeKalb County was being burglarized. When she arrived, one of the suspects opened fire on her car. Scott died at a hospital later after being shot.  Heard…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has elected new leadership for 2026.  District 4 Commissioner Chakira Johnson was elected on Jan. 13 at the board’s first meeting of the year as Presiding Officer and Super District 7 Commissioner LaDena Bolton as Deputy Presiding Officer.  About Presiding Officer Chakira Johnson Commissioner Chakira Johnson represents DeKalb County Commission District 4 and brings more than 20 years of experience in civil engineering, local government, and community leadership to her role. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Commissioner Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will open online registration for the Georgia Pre-K lottery for the 2026–2027 school year from Feb. 1-28. Families can register online without submitting any paperwork. The registration link and additional details are available at www.rockdaleschools.org/preK. To qualify for Georgia Pre-K, children must be 4 years old on or before Sept.1. Parents will be notified by Monday, March 9, if their child is selected and will receive instructions for next steps. Students will be chosen through a random lottery drawing. Those not selected will be placed on a waiting list in the order drawn. For more information, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/prek or…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A former DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputy accused of an inappropriate relationship with an inmate was sentenced to 12 years to serve two in confinement, District Attorney Sherri  Boston announced.   Joann Marks, 28, pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to charges of Sexual Contact by Employee or Agent in the First Degree, Items Prohibited for Possession by Inmates and two counts of Violation of Oath by Public Officer.  DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney L. Johnson, who presided over the hearing and accepted Marks’s guilty plea, sentenced Marks.  Marks must turn herself into the DeKalb County Jail on…

 Isaac Newton Farris, Jr. featured guest speaker  ATLANTA— Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church will commemorate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a powerful MLK Day observance on Sunday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. The church is located at 220 Auburn Ave. NE, in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn District. Held at a critical moment for the nation, the observance will directly address renewed threats to democracy and voting rights. Featured guest speaker Isaac Newton Farris, Jr., senior fellow at The King Center and nephew of Dr. King, will reflect on Dr. King’s enduring moral leadership and its relevance to today’s civil…