Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA –Congressman Hank Johnson­ announced Georgia’s Fourth District nominees for the U.S. Military Academies – Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines on Saturday, Feb. 10. In a time when the world is on the brink of a multi-national conflict, the Congressman used the solemn moment in an in-person event at Decatur’s Legacy Park to honor the students for their dedication and bravery, telling them their service to our nation is needed more than ever. “You all going into the military are at the vanguard of making sure that we can continue to live the lives that…

The Rockdale County Clerk of Superior and State Courts along with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority will be offering free online notary training Feb. 29, 6 p.m., via ZOOM. There are a limited number of spaces available. If you are a notary or thinking of becoming a notary, this training is highly recommended. Being a notary comes with great responsibility. It is important that notaries follow all laws and regulations. Failing to do so could lead to lawsuits or other punishments. For more information, log onto WWW.ROCKDALECLERK.COM or contact 770-278-7900. To log onto Zoom, click: https://gsccca-org.zoom.us/j/87341659923?pwd=lBrIVzo4uo2C3mIoyfGkSHLZXmgQlV.1

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—In celebration of Black History Month, the Rockdale County Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 15, paid tribute to five community leaders for their historic contributions to Rockdale’s public school system. The group of “first African-Americans” included: The late Sandra L. Rosser, the first African-American elected to the Rockdale Board of Education, serving from 1993-1996. Rockdale native E.R. Shipp, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and community historian, who co-founded the online organization, Black Heritage of Rockdale County Tolbert Morris, Jr.,the first African-American male elected to the Board of Education,  a published author of children’s books and founder of Helping Hands Outreach…

DECATUR, GA—A date has been set for the trial of alleged cult leader, Eligio Bishop, 40, who is accused of raping one of his former followers.   DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick has scheduled the case to begin with a motions hearing and jury selection on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Courtroom 6D.    On July 8, 2022, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Bishopon charges of Rape, False Imprisonment, and three counts of Prohibition on Nude or Sexually Explicit Electronic Transmissions.    Bishop was arrested in April 2022 for reportedly raping one of his followers in March 2022 and then posting…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) will host a 2024 virtual housing legislation update on Monday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., via Zoom. To register for the event, click here. State representatives will discuss housing legislation and their impacts on the community. The event will cover landlord and tenant issues, rental control, housing regulations, preemption bills, homeowner association rights and regulations and safe homes. WHO:            Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) Rep.  Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) WHAT:          2024 Virtual Housing Legislation Update WHEN:          Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, 7 p.m. 7 p.m. WHERE:       Via Zoom. Click here to access Zoom registration. 

Johnson was chosen to serve as head of the delegation to represent the attendees during this visit.  He will deliver four speeches during the tours: presentation and opinion exchange with Ministry of Foreign Affairs; welcome reception hosted by Okayama Prefecture with the governor and officials; visit to the Superintendent of Education of Okayama Prefecture; and the farewell dinner at Parity Makibi. “This is a distinct honor that I am able to travel to Tokyo to further expand my knowledge and share my passion for public service,” said Commissioner Johnson.  “This is an amazing learning opportunity and a time to strengthen…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA— Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department are urging the public to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways, after a rabid raccoon bit a dog. The incident occurred on Thursday, Feb. 8, near the 1900 block of Stone Forest Drive in Lawrenceville. The raccoon was captured and later tested positive. Rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons, officials said. All pet owners should ensure that their pets are current on rabies vaccination. According to the National Association…