Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA— Transforming Faith Church (TFC) is inviting the community to its New Year’s Eve worship celebration featuring award-winning gospel artist Charles Jenkins. Pastor Lee May said that he and his congregation, whom he calls “transformers,” are preparing for a joyous experience and are looking forward to welcoming everyone. The NYE’s celebration is a milestone for the 6-year-old church. “In our short history as a church, this is a first for us,” Pastor May said.  “We believe 2024 has some amazing things in store for us all. What better way to prepare for this amazing journey than in worship.” Charles Jenkins…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents on Thursday, Dec. 7, starting at 8 p.m.  The county had opened warming centers on Tuesday and Wednesday to make sure that residents had a place to keep warm. The following warming centers will be open: 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 Road, Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case of a woman accused of abducting and murdering her former girlfriend in a case that went cold until 2018. On Friday, Dec. 1, a jury found Joyce Marie Pelzer, 47, guilty on charges of Malice Murder and Felony Murder stemming from the kidnapping and subsequent death of Shawndell McLeod, 35, on Sept. 25, 2011.   According to the investigation, McLeod’s mother called the DeKalb County Police Department to report McLeod missing after she did not show up to work that morning.  Family members went…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host helpful Family and Consumer Sciences virtual classes for free in December and January. Radon webinars will be held on Dec. 14, 12:00 p.m., and Jan. 24, 2024 at 6 p.m. Radon occurs naturally when uranium breaks down to form radon. It can build up to dangerous levels inside homes, schools, and other buildings. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after tobacco smoke. Register for this class at https://bit.ly/DeKalbRadon  The “Jump Start Your Physical Activity for 2024” class will be held on Dec. 20 at…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will offer a Winter Break Camp, Dec. 18 – 22, Dec. 26- 29 and Jan. 2 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost of the camp is $10 per day for children ages 5-12. Each participant must provide his or her own breakfast, lunch and snack. To register, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Online” button. Residents can also register in person at any of the locations listed below: East Central DeKalb Community and Senior Center, 4885 Elam Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30038 Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with DeKalb’s Stone Mountain Sue-Kellogg Library Branch will host a “Stories and S’mores program on Saturday, Dec.15, 5 to 7 p.m., at E.M.B.A.R.C. Youth Farm, 1185 Rock Chapel Road,Lithonia. The Stories and S’mores program offers a safe, fun environment for the whole family to share an exciting experience together under the stars. This program is free for all ages to participate and we encourage patrons to bring chairs and blankets. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at 404-371-3643 or…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) introduced the House version of the Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act, which includes and builds upon Congressional Democrats’ strongest gun safety legislation in one bold, comprehensive bill that works to end the epidemic of gun violence in America. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced the Senate version of the bill. “We’re in a gun violence crisis: 2023 is on track to see the most mass shootings in recent history, and gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and young people,” said Senator Warren. “This crisis demands…

STONCREST, GA—Voters said yes to a new leader for the Stonecrest City Council, Post 2 seat. Terry Fye, an alumni of Miller Grove High School and Georgia State University, overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Rob Turner in the Dec. 5 runoff for the Post 2 Stonecrest City Council seat. Fye commanded a strong lead early on as advanced voting ballots were tallied.  Fye received a whopping 74.32 percent (301 votes), while Rob Turner received 25.68(104 votes), according to unofficial results with all 6 precincts reporting by the end of the night. The results will be certified at the DeKalb Board of Registration…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and Wednesday, Dec. 6, starting at 8 p.m. each day to use at the following locations: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Ave., 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 Road, 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…