Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA– Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Gov. Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, and members of the General Assembly, announced today their shared priority of introducing and passing legislation in the upcoming regular session of the General Assembly that will accelerate a decrease in the state individual income tax rate.  The legislation will amend HB 1437, which provides for a step down of 10 basis points in the income tax rate, starting in 2025 and for each taxable year thereafter until the rate reaches 4.99 percent. By accelerating the reduction, the rate for Tax Year…

Stray cat captured in the Willow Lake Drive area   DECATUR , GA— On Nov. 28, a stray cat was captured in the Willow Lake Drive area and later tested positive for rabies. A resident was attempting to place a stray cat inside a pet carrier when he was bitten on his chin and finger. Georgia is a rabies endemic state and the virus is present all year long. It is not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year. Residents should make sure pets are up to date for preventative vaccination and should eliminate outdoor feeding…

ATLANTA – The December meeting of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors will be held in-person at MARTA headquarters and virtually on YouTube on Thursday, Dec. 7, beginning with a work session at noon and board meeting at 1:30 p.m. WHAT:   December meeting of the MARTA Board of Directors                        Agendas: https://www.itsmarta.com/board-documents.aspx  WHAT:   Thursday, Dec. 7                 Work session – noon                  Board meeting – 1:30 p.m.                     WHERE:  MARTA Headquarters                   2424 Piedmont Rd. NE            …

CONYERS, GA—The Olde Town Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 1 and the Conyers Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2, have been canceled due to the threat of substantial rain. “We have been watching the changing forecast for the past week and in consultation with Rockdale County’s Emergency Management Agency, have made the difficult decision to cancel both the Olde Town Christmas Party and parade,” said Director of Public Relations and Tourism Jennifer Edwards. “Outdoor events are always a challenge to plan and execute, particularly when the weather doesn’t go our way. Due to so many participants in both events and…

STONECREST, GA—The City of Stonecrest on Saturday, Dec. 9, 4 to 7 p.m., for its 4th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Road. The community is invited to come out and hear America’s Got Talent Finalist, saxophone extraordinaire Avery Dixon. Atlanta’s Something For The Soul Band and Stonecrest’s Salem Middle School Chorale also will perform. The evening will also feature the following: Holiday Market Holiday characters Arts & Crafts (snow globes, wreaths, and ornaments) Snowball competition Gingerbread houses Holiday treats and drinks Santa will arrive around 4 p.m. The tree lighting countdown begins at…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—In a recent meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw announced a proposed change to the county’s budgeting process. Bradshaw wants the proposed budget to be submitted to the Board of Commissioners by Sept. 15, instead of Dec. 15 annually to allow more time for the board to review the proposed budget. This proposal had previously been submitted to the chair of the Charter Review Commission for consideration and Bradshaw is now pushing for the Commission to decide on the matter. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond issued an executive order on March…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – DeKalb County’s East Central DeKalb Community and Senior Center, 4885 Elam Road, will host a Family Night Out Paint Party on Friday, Dec. 15, 6: to 8:30 p.m. DeKalb officials say the Family Night Out program offers a safe, fun environment for the whole family to share an exciting painting experience together. All ages are welcome to participate and encouraged to wear matching pajamas. Registration is $10 for a family of 2; $20 for a family of 4; $30 for a family of 6 and $5 for an additional person. The event will include painting supplies, food,…

ATLANTA – The House Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, chaired by State Rep. Rob Leverett(R-Elberton),  will meet on Friday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m., in room 506 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta. To watch a live stream of this meeting, click here. WHO:             Members of the House Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting WHAT:          Committee Meeting WHEN:          Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 1 p.m. WHERE:       Coverdell Legislative Office Building  18 Capitol Square SW Room 506 Atlanta, GA

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers Police Department was reaccredited at the fall Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Conference, which was  held Nov. 8-12 in Bellevue, Washington state near Seattle. Conyers Police Chief Scott Freeman announced the reaccreditation at the Nov. 15 City Council meeting and  praised the Police Department for meeting the 361 standards required by CALEA. Freeman and the command staff went before the Commission and were approved on Nov. 11. Freeman said that currently, 790 of an estimated 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the nation have earned the accreditation by CALEA. The Conyers Police Department is one…

CONYERS, GA—Chief State Court Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. will host a health fair for seniors on Dec. 7, 10 a.m. until noon, at Loves and Hugs Christian Tabernacle, 1701 Klondike Road S.W., Conyers. Judge Cuthpert, along with the Community C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, Inc., will present “Empowering Your Health & Wellness,” a Seniors Health & Fitness Fair. Services provided to our senior citizens will include testing and obtaining current vaccines onsite. Participants also will learn about brain health, hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, COVID-19, cholesterol, pneumonia, and the flu. The presenters at the Health & Fitness Fair will include Monica W. Parker, MD, Director…