Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA–Join District 1 and District 3 Councilmembers Tara Graves and Alecia Washington for a Summer Household Hazardous Waste Event on Saturday, June 28.  Collections will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at two locations: City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd., and Fairington Park, 2831 Fairington Parkway, Stonecrest.  Stonecrest residents are invited to bring their household hazardous waste for proper disposal. Acceptable items include paints and solvents, batteries, electronics, pesticides and cleaning products. For more information email Constituent Services, or call 770-224-0200. 

DECATUR, GA – Join author Martin Padgett as he presents his book, The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick, and the Atlanta-area LGBTQ movement in the 1980s.   The event takes place on Thursday, July 31, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County History Center, 2nd floor, 101 E. Court St., downtown Decatur. In The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick, Padgett assembles the complete kaleidoscope of Hardwick’s life—as a child of Stonewall, as an artist, and as one of the many thousands claimed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Blending biography and history, Padgett traces how Hardwick became a political symbol, first by chance, then by his…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The 2025 Rockin’ Rockdale Summer Concert series kicks off on Sunday, June 29, with Atlanta’s 6 Flow band featuring Ayanna. Come out and enjoy R&B, soul, and jazz from 5-7 p.m., at Wheeler Park, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers.  6Flow is a sensational crowd pleaser offering  an expansive repertoire of music.  Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and baskets. No alcohol is permitted. Food and other vendors will be on site and those who attend are encouraged to support them. Admission is free. Parking is $5 and available on site.   Rockdale’s summer concert series runs through August and will be held…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County government is hosting a property tax town hall  on Tuesday, July 1, at 6 p.m.,  at the Rockdale Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers. Homeowners are encouraged to attend the informational session on property tax appeals, HB581, and the property tax process for 2025.    For more information, contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office at 770-278-7600.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – An Americus man pled guilty to murder for fatally shooting a teen in the head and shooting and injuring the teen’s mother. Terrance Alonzo Washington, 44, pled guilty to malice murder, one count of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, for the November 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old Deqwayvious Tremayne Kleckley and the shooting of his 46-year-old mother. Washington was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years without the possibility of parole. “No mother should have to bury her son due to gun violence, and our hearts go out to this family as they grieve this…

CONYERS, GA–The city of Conyers and Rockdale County governments are partnering for a spectacular pre-Independence Day celebration  in the heart of Olde Town Conyers on Thursday, July 3.  The Red, White and Boom event, a tradition since 2019, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. and feature live music and entertainment, food trucks, kids activities and fireworks show at dark. Bank Street will be closed on Thursday to through-traffic and parking to allow set up for the stage, where  G Clef and the Playlist, along with opener Boom Trio will perform beginning at 7 p.m.  Food vendors will be selling…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA –More than 50 college interns convened this week at the Partnership Gwinnett Intern Mix to build professional connections and explore career opportunities in one of metro Atlanta’s most dynamic communities.  Sponsored by Primerica and PBK Architects, the annual event showcased Gwinnett’s commitment to cultivating its future workforce through strategic talent development. This year’s Intern Mix brought together students from a range of industries for a high-energy evening of networking, employer recognition, and career-focused conversations. The event served as a critical touchpoint in Partnership Gwinnett’s broader workforce strategy, aiming to retain emerging talent and bolster the region’s economic…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Conyers-Covington Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has released a new video showcasing its growing footprint in Rockdale and Newton counties. The video highlights the chapter’s 2024 Kappa Coffeehouse Political Forum series and broader efforts in mentoring, civic engagement and community service.  “Our chapter is committed to making a meaningful impact in Rockdale and Newton counties through mentoring, civic engagement, and community service. Our mission is to empower youth, strengthen community bonds, and inspire responsible citizenship by leading programs that uplift, educate, and connect,” Polemarch Derek Carson said. Elder J.B. Brockman, who chairs the chapter’s…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) announces early voting details for the July runoff between Democratic candidates Peter Hubbard and Keisha Sean Waites, who are seeking their party’s nomination for the District 3 Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) seat.   Early voting will be held Monday through Friday, July 7-11, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at three DeKalb County locations.  Election Day for the runoff is Tuesday, July 15. Early voting sites include: *DeKalb VRE Office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur *Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road, Lithonia *Denotes drop box locations. Voters…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—In Rockdale County, Keisha Sean Waites finished with a strong lead in the Democratic primary race for Georgia’s District 3 Public Service Commission seat, outdistancing two other candidates on June 17.  However, since Waites did not receive more than 50 percent of the vote statewide, she will face challenger Peter Hubbard, who came in second. Waites earned 60.37% (914 votes) in Rockdale, while Hubbard received 22.59% (342 votes).  The third contender, Robert Jones, received 17.04 percent (914 votes).  The runoff between Waites and Hubbard will be held on July 15.  Early voting will be held July 7-11, 7 a.m. to 7…