Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Long-time incumbent Oz Nesbitt, who is in a heated race with JaNice VanNess for Rockdale County Commission chairman, gained 8 more votes after the May 21 election results were certified on Friday, May 24, 6:30 p.m. After certification, Nesbitt ended up with 41.71% (5,195 votes) versus 41.67% (5,187 votes) reported in unofficial results on May 21. Nesbitt received the additional votes after all absentee, early voting, Election Day, provisional and challenged ballots, and ballots cast by uniformed and overseas citizens were certified by the Rockdale Board of Voter Registration and Elections , three days after the primary elections.…

LAWRENCEVILLE – A Flowery Branch man was sentenced to life in prison on May 24 for raping a 15-year-old Gwinnett County girl and stabbing her 86 times. Zachary Iona, 22, pled guilty in Gwinnett County Superior Court to charges of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, statutory rape, child molestation and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony.  Iona was given a life sentence, followed by five years of parole and mandatory sex offender registration as part of his negotiated plea. “This should be a warning to our young people to beware,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin Gatson. “As…

Due to the inclement weather forecast for Monday, May 27, the Gwinnett County Memorial Day Ceremony at the Fallen Heroes Memorial will move indoors to the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium. The ceremony will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. The ceremony will include remarks by the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, and Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Patricia Ross will deliver a keynote address. After a distinguished 25-year military career, Commissioner Ross retired as an Air Force Colonel. She now leads the statewide organization charged with advising, counseling and assisting Georgia…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County’s Juneteenth Celebration Concert is less than a month away and officials are announcing how to get the free tickets to the event. Legendary artist El DeBarge and Brick will headline the concert, which will be held on June 15, at the Rainbow Park Amphitheater, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the concert starting at 6 p.m. Starting next Tuesday, May 28, free tickets for the event will be available for pickup at three locations throughout the county, while supplies last. The tickets will be distributed Monday through Friday,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Michelle Long Spears and Atlanta-based artist Jermaine Clark will unveil a new mural on Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at Mason Mill Park, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur. The event will take place under the bridge on the South Peachtree Creek Trail. The mural is the result of a series of public engagement meetings curated by the community and artist Jermaine Clark. The project was completed in four months and made possible through the DeKalb District 2 Park Bond. The new public art will play an important role in amplifying park…

 STONECREST, GA—The community is invited to come out on Saturday, June 8, 3p.m., for an evening of fun and fashion brought to you by The New Black Wall Street Market, in partnership with City of Stonecrest Councilmembers Tara Graves and Alecia Washington. The Daughter Daddy Sneaker Ball will be hosted by Rubin B, along with beats by DJ Eric B, youth entertainment by How Big is Your Dream, and will feature keynote speakers, Pastor Lee May and Life Coach Robin May of Transforming Faith Church. There will be giveaways, dancing, inspiration, live entertainment, and more. Mark your calendars and lace…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Leslie Lambert of Conyers, GA, was appointed by the Board of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) on May 2 to the Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District. Lambert ‘ss two-year term as Rockdale’s representative began on the day she was appointed. Lambert has spent more than 40 years in the healthcare industry. As a registered respiratory therapist (RRT), she has been on the leading edge of respiratory treatment for patients with a multitude of breathing ailments. She began a respiratory protocol that is still used throughout the Piedmont Healthcare System. Lambert has lived on…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Steve Bradshaw, former candidate for DeKalb County CEO and DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner, announced his endorsement today, May 23, for Larry Johnson in the Democratic primary runoff election for DeKalb County CEO. Bradshaw is a former U.S. Army officer and veteran of the first Persian Gulf War. He was elected to the DeKalb County Commission in 2016 and his fellow commissioners chose him twice, unanimously, to serve as the board’s presiding officer. Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the former Super District 7 Commissioner, are expected to square off for the DeKalb County CEO seat in the June…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Human Services Department’s Office of Youth Services is accepting applications for its Girls’ Clubhouse, a free summer program designed to expose DeKalb County female teens to personal, social, and professional development training skills they can use throughout their lives. The program will be held June 8 to July 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A weekly Saturday session will be hosted at South DeKalb Senior Center, 1931 Candler Rd., Decatur. The Girls’ Clubhouse program conducts group counseling sessions to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of DeKalb teen girls. The program explores topics surrounding self-esteem, self-concept, crisis, problem…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will run one day late as follows: Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, May 28 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, May 27, will be serviced on Tuesday, May 28.  Wednesday, May 29 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, May 28, will be serviced on Wednesday, May 29. Thursday, May 30 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, May 29, will be serviced on Thursday, May 30. Friday, May 31 – Residential customers…