Author: On Common Ground News

‘Fire + Water’ services offer water baptism, major fireworks display STONECREST, GA– New Birth welcomes everyone to join its transformative and uplifting Watch Night Service on Dec. 31, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Watch Night 2023, themed “Fire + Water,” promises a dynamic spiritual experience to conclude the year in reflection, prayer, and celebration. New Birth’s morning service offers attendees a final opportunity to be baptized in 2023. Registration at www.newbirth.org is required to participate during the first service’s baptism. The evening service will conclude with one of metro Atlanta’s most spectacular fireworks displays to celebrate the new year. Both services feature esteemed musical guests in addition…

ATLANTA – DeKalb 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 pre-session town hall meeting with state representatives on Thursday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m., at the Chamblee City Hall. State representatives will recap the 2023 legislative and special session and preview the legislative goals for the 2024 session. Inquiries can be sent to long.tran@house.ga.gov. WHO: Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Vice Chair Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) DeKalb House Legislative Delegation WHAT:          The DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation Pre-Session Town Hall WHEN:         …

ATLANTA—The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has announced that the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is one of 24 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for the Federal 2024 Fiscal Year. Referred to as a H.E.A.T. grant, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office’s award totals $63,450.00. The goal of the H.E.A.T. program is to combat crashes, injuries, and fatalities caused by impaired driving and speeding, while also increasing seatbelt use and educating the public about traffic safety and the dangers of DUI. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office H.E.A.T Unit will use the grant from…

ATLANTA – MARTA will run more frequent train service through downtown Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 30, for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl parade and game.  Beginning at 11 a.m., trains will run every 6 minutes on the Red/Gold Line between Lindbergh Center Station and Airport Station and on the Blue/Green Line between Ashby Station and King Memorial Station. At 7 p.m., service frequency will decrease to 10 minutes.   Starting at 9:30 a.m., MARTA will run a shuttle train between Five Points Station and Mercedes-Benz Stadium/State Farm Arena/GWCC Station to move people to the Peach Bowl.  Extra trains will be placed into…

DECATUR, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents on Thursday, Dec. 28, and Friday, Dec. 29, starting at 8 p.m. each day to use at the following locations: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estate 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…

LITHONIA, GA– Marbut Road, between Lithonia Industrial Blvd. and South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road, will be closed to through-traffic Tuesday, Dec. 26 to Friday, Jan. 26 to facilitate water and sewer line repair at 6720 Marbut Road, Lithonia. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Eddie Spry, traffic safety operations manager, at 470-755-9085.

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond approved a $1,500 retention bonus for the county’s 6,000 employees in time for the holidays. “Our employees are DeKalb County’s most valuable asset,” CEO Thurmond said. “Their commitment, dedication and hard work during some of the toughest times in DeKalb’s history have been invaluable.” Eligible DeKalb employees received the $1,500 one-time retention incentive in November. CEO Thurmond and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners have authorized several bonuses, pay raises and pandemic-era overtime since 2020, including: April 2023: o   Starting salary for police recruits was increased to $55,000 and $51,000 for fire recruits. o  …

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Georgia Department of Natural Resources partnered to deploy two decommissioned railcars into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Savannah where over time they will develop into reef habitats for marine wildlife. Earlier this year, the dismantled older model railcars were stripped of hazardous materials and contaminants and inspected and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for deployment as artificial reef material. On Thursday, Dec. 21, the railcars were transported by barge to Artificial Reef L, an established reef about two square miles in size, located approximately 23 nautical miles…

DECATUR, GA—This year, DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson’s Tree of Love provided Christmas gifts to more than 1,000 children. The event, which celebrated its 25th anniversary, was held at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in South DeKalb. Several community partners and residents “adopted” the children by providing them with gifts based on their wish lists, which were placed on the Tree of Love.  The wrapped gifts were distributed during the closing ceremony on Dec. 16, just ahead of Christmas, organizers say. A host of District 3 volunteers, residents, and community partners operated in love, peace and…