Author: On Common Ground News

Israel has declared war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas aftermilitants carried out a surprise attack by air, land and sea on Gaza on Saturday, Oct. 7. The war between Israel and Hamas has left some 2,000 people dead as the fighting continues. President Joe Biden held a press conference today and pledged U.S. support to Israel. “So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack. There is no justification…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2023 is 75.77%, based on data from the Georgia Department of Education released today. The overall graduation rate decreased by 0.42% over the prior year. In comparison, the State of Georgia had a slight increase in graduation rate, rising from 84.06% to 84.36%, an increase of 0.3%. Two  DCSD high schools earned a perfect graduation rate of 100%: DeKalb Early College Academy (2nd year in a row) and DeKalb School of the Arts. In addition, these two schools and Arabia Mountain High School have earned…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan For On Common Ground News STONECREST, GA—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church hosted 5,000 music fans on Monday, Oct. 9, for a free concert featuring best-selling gospel artist Kirk Franklin. It was not only the music that stirred the masses but a dark secret that has haunted Franklin for years—the genesis for his latest album, Father’s Day. The 16-time Grammy winner sat down with New Birth’s pastor, Dr. Jamal Bryant, for a discussion about the project before the concert. Franklin, 53, shared his story about meeting his biological dad this past summer to a teary-eyed audience and…

CONYERS, GA—The 43rd Annual Olde Town Conyers Fall Festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 21,10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in historic Olde Town Conyers. What began as a fundraiser by the Rockdale County Historical Society in 1980 to help fund operational costs for the Depot (which now houses the Conyers Welcome Center) and Old Jail Museum, has become an annual fall tradition for Conyers residents and neighboring communities. While the historical society still exists, the organization turned over the coordination of the festival to the city of Conyers in 2008. “More than 100 vendors are expected to participate this year,”…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help locating a 26-year-old female from Lawrenceville. On Oct. 5, the family of Detryauna Hemphill contacted Gwinnett County Police to report her missing. Hemphill was last seen by her family on Sept. 25, leaving her residence on Villa Ridge Parkway in unincorporated Lawrenceville. She told her family she was going to visit some friends. Hemphill is described as a black female, 5-foot-10 and about 300 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jeans with a blue and white top. Anyone who sees Hemphill is encouraged to call 911.

12-foot puppet, symbol of hope, journeys across America   ATLANTA – MARTA’s public art program, Artbound, in partnership with Flux Projects, Center for Puppetry Arts, ​and Decatur Arts Alliance, welcomes “Little Amal’ to Atlanta as she continues her journey across America. Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child who has become an international symbol of human rights and delivers a message of hope for displaced people. She has already trekked more than 6,000 miles across 15 countries for a project called “The Walk.” Little Amal arrives in Atlanta looking for a stuffed animal to keep her company…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A partial lane closure will occur on Clifton Springs Way, between Clifton Church Road and Clifton Springs Road, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The closure, which is part of the Alameda Trail Water Replacement Project, will be in effect Monday through Friday for approximately four weeks. Signs and flaggers will be in the area during the road closure to advise motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. For more information, visit the Department of Water Management at www.dekalbwatershed.com, call the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or email…

STONECREST, GA—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host a free performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Kirk Franklin on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at New Birth, 6400 Woodrow Rd. in the city of Stonecrest. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The pop-up performance comes on the heels of the release of “Father’s Day,” Franklin’s critically acclaimed studio album. “We are beyond thrilled to host this special pop-up performance and listening experience featuring one of the most internationally acclaimed and revolutionary artists of our time,” said New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant. “Kirk’s unique ability…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County saw a 79 percent drop in sewer spill volume from 2020 to 2023. The year-to-date total spill volume dropped from 24 million gallons in 2020 to 5 million gallons in 2023, which is 19 million gallons less, or a 79.23 percent decrease, the county stated in  a news release. “This significant decline in spill volume is the result of a comprehensive effort to repair, upgrade and maintain DeKalb’s sewer system,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Residents have also contributed to this decrease by pouring less fats, oils and grease down drains.” Since 2017, the county…