Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—In celebration of Black History Month, the Rockdale County Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 15, paid tribute to five community leaders for their historic contributions to Rockdale’s public school system. The group of “first African-Americans” included: The late Sandra L. Rosser, the first African-American elected to the Rockdale Board of Education, serving from 1993-1996. Rockdale native E.R. Shipp, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and community historian, who co-founded the online organization, Black Heritage of Rockdale County Tolbert Morris, Jr.,the first African-American male elected to the Board of Education,  a published author of children’s books and founder of Helping Hands Outreach…

DECATUR, GA—A date has been set for the trial of alleged cult leader, Eligio Bishop, 40, who is accused of raping one of his former followers.   DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick has scheduled the case to begin with a motions hearing and jury selection on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Courtroom 6D.    On July 8, 2022, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Bishopon charges of Rape, False Imprisonment, and three counts of Prohibition on Nude or Sexually Explicit Electronic Transmissions.    Bishop was arrested in April 2022 for reportedly raping one of his followers in March 2022 and then posting…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) will host a 2024 virtual housing legislation update on Monday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., via Zoom. To register for the event, click here. State representatives will discuss housing legislation and their impacts on the community. The event will cover landlord and tenant issues, rental control, housing regulations, preemption bills, homeowner association rights and regulations and safe homes. WHO:            Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) Rep.  Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) WHAT:          2024 Virtual Housing Legislation Update WHEN:          Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, 7 p.m. 7 p.m. WHERE:       Via Zoom. Click here to access Zoom registration. 

Johnson was chosen to serve as head of the delegation to represent the attendees during this visit.  He will deliver four speeches during the tours: presentation and opinion exchange with Ministry of Foreign Affairs; welcome reception hosted by Okayama Prefecture with the governor and officials; visit to the Superintendent of Education of Okayama Prefecture; and the farewell dinner at Parity Makibi. “This is a distinct honor that I am able to travel to Tokyo to further expand my knowledge and share my passion for public service,” said Commissioner Johnson.  “This is an amazing learning opportunity and a time to strengthen…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA— Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department are urging the public to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways, after a rabid raccoon bit a dog. The incident occurred on Thursday, Feb. 8, near the 1900 block of Stone Forest Drive in Lawrenceville. The raccoon was captured and later tested positive. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons, officials said. All pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on rabies vaccination. According to the National Association…

DECATUR, GA –– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a DeKalb Juvenile Justice Probation Officer who allegedly used his access to the DeKalb County Jail to provide contraband to an inmate. Leonard Addison, 32, a resident of Sugar Hill, Georgia, was taken into custody at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center on Feb. 14, after warrants were issued charging him with Violation of Oath of Office, Crossing a State/County Guard Line, Possession of Prohibited Item, and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. All offenses are felonies. According to the warrants and sheriff’s investigators, Addison entered the DeKalb County Jail on…

ATLANTA – DeKalb County House Delegation Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Vice Chair Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), along with members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation, will hold a meeting with Steve Henson and the DeKalb County Charter Review Commission on Monday, Feb. 26, 12 p.m., in room 514 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta. Additionally, these legislators will meet with the DeKalb County School Board on Monday, March 4, 12 p.m., in room 502 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta. Inquiries may be sent to long.tran@house.ga.gov. WHO: DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents this weekend on Feb. 17 and 18, starting at 8 p.m. to use at the following locations: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Rd., Atlanta Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check. For more…

STONE MOUNTAIN–White Oak Hills Baptist Church recently celebrated Haroldeen McMullen for 25 years of faithful service in the church ’s Music Ministry. The church held the celebration for McMullen —”A Day of Roses”—on Feb. 10, just ahead of Valentine’s Day.  McMullen received a proclamation and plaque from Congressman Hank Johnson’s office, a letter of congratulations from the City of Stone Mountain, along with other awards and surprises from the White Oak Hills Baptist Church congregation. White Oak Hills Baptist is under the leadership of the Rev. Jeffery Easley, Senior Pastor, and Stuart Brown, Associate Pastor. White Oak Hills is located at 5171 Redan Road, Stone Mountain.