Author: On Common Ground News

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Over the weekend, Congressman Hank Johnson’s $15.8 million in Community Project Funding for Georgia’s 4th District (Fiscal Year 2024) was signed into law by President Joe Biden. A detailed summary of the bill is available HERE. The funding, included in the first of the appropriations government funding packages, responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in Johnson’s Fourth District – which is currently comprised of parts of DeKalb County, Newton County, and all of Rockdale County. “Taking care of home first has always been how I approach representing our great district,” Rep. Johnson said. “The nearly…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Richard A. Oden, former Chairman of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners, on Friday, March 8, entered the race for Chairman, challenging incumbent Oz Nesbitt, Sr. Oden filed his qualifying papers by the noon deadline, said Rockdale Democratic Party Committee Chair Rosalyn Ridgeway. Oden, who served as chairman from 2009 to 2016, joins JaNice Van Ness, a former Rockdale commissioner, James Sendelbach, a licensed professional counselor, and Brian L. Jenkins, in the Chairman’s race. Jenkins is a community activist who serves as president of the Rockdale branch of the NAACP and owns a landscape design company. Kai Oden,…

The qualifying period for the May 21, 2024 General Primary and the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election ended today, March 8, with a few more people entering key races before the noon deadline. Attorney Gina Smith Mangham filed qualifying papers and is challenging incumbent Mereda Davis Johnson for the Commissioner District 5 seat. Andy Yeoman qualified for the Commissioner District 1 seat and is challenging incumbent Robert Patrick. Rita A. Scott also filed today to run for the Commissioner District 4  seat. Scott joined three others seeking that seat, which will be vacated at the end of  2024 by Steve…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– A 48-year-old Snellville man has been arrested following an undercover investigation where he thought he was soliciting a 14-year-old girl for sex. Jermaine Morgan was arrested on March 6 by the City of Millen Police Department, with assistance from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit. The undercover chat investigation began on Jan. 2 with the suspect who thought he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl online. Investigators said the suspect acknowledged the age of the decoy in the chat and maintained a sexual conversation with the decoy. The suspect solicited the decoy for obscene images of herself…

Story Updated DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran Johnson officially entered the race for DeKalb County CEO, filing their qualifying papers on Thursday, March 7. The two Johnsons, who are unrelated, along with Steve Bradshaw, are vying to succeed Michael Thurmond, whose term expires at the end of 2024. All three Democrats in the CEO race have served together on the 7-member Board of Commissioners.  Their bids for  higher office will mean  three veterans are leaving the board. Larry Johnson and Lorraine Cochran Johnson had to vacate their seats this week to qualify to run for DeKalb CEO. Because…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Brian L. Jenkins officially entered the race on Thursday, March 7, for Chairman of the Rockdale Board of Commissions. Jenkins, who is owner of BJ’s Landscaping & Design and BJ’s Home Improvement, joins James Sendelbach, a licensed professional counselor, and JaNice Van Ness, a former Rockdale commissioner,  in challenging Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr., who is seeking re-election. Jenkins is a community activist who serves as president of the Rockdale branch of the NAACP. Incumbent Sherri L. Washington also qualified on Thursday for re-election for the County Commissioner, Post 1 seat.  Washington is facing two challengers: Tuwanya Smith, who did…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson reminds homeowners to check their homestead exemption status before the April 1 application deadline. To avoid delays, homeowners can check online at DeKalbTax.org or call 404-298-4000 for assistance Exemptions provide a reduction in annual property taxes and are available to individuals who own and occupy the home in the county, including the City of Atlanta portion in DeKalb. Special exemptions are also available for eligible seniors ages 62 and older, disabled residents, and disabled veterans. “Homestead exemptions provide significant savings for property owners who own and live at their primary residence,”  said Johnson. “Homeowners…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents on Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10, 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 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 check. Those…

ATLANTA– The metro Atlanta community is mourning the loss of Dan Moore Sr., founder of the APEX Museum (African American Panoramic Experience). Moore passed away on March 4 at the age of 88. A public viewing will be held on Friday, March 8, 5-7 p.m., at Willie A. Watkins Historic West End Chapel. Moore’s funeral will be held on Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m., at Midway Missionary Baptist Church in College Park. Moore’s dedication to the city of Atlanta and his contributions to APEX were recently honored with the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2023. The DeKalb…

CONYERS, GA—Three  Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) seniors were honored for their creative writing skills after entering the “Conyers, Celebration of Community” essay contest, a partnership between the city of Conyers and RCPS. Andre Lopez, a senior at Rockdale Career Academy was the first-place winner, earning a prize of $500. Terron McRae, a senior at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, was the second-place winner of $350 and Desire’e Williams, a senior at Rockdale Career Academy, was the recipient of $150 for third place.   The students were honored at the Feb. 21 Conyers City Council meeting by essay…