Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office announces its operating schedule for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Customers are reminded that online service and kiosk options are available daily, including holidays and weekends. Holiday schedule: Dec. 22, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Dec. 25-26 Dec. 29, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Jan. 1 “With the holiday season upon us, we are reminding customers that most property tax and motor vehicle services can be handled online or at a kiosk daily,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. “Taxpayers may go online to access their property information, sign up…

DEKALB COUNTY GA– Due to more forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents Dec. 13, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, 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. For…

CONYERS, GA— Springfield Baptist Church will host its annual Christmas food giveaway event on Dec. 16, 8 a.m. to noon, at 1877 Iris Dr. SE, Conyers. The food giveaway is open to all members of the community at no cost. To ensure ease of participation, onsite mobile registration will be available. Food items will be placed directly in attendees’ trunks upon arrival. For more information, visit: www.sbcgrowth.church  or call 770-929-1111.

STONECREST, GA—Elizabeth Smith was welcomed by a room filled with family and friends who cheered as escorts rolled her in a wheelchair to the head table for her birthday celebration at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where she is a member. Wearing a tiara and a gold “100 and Fabulous” sash with her silver and white outfit, Mother Smith smiled at the crowd. She had come on Saturday, Dec. 9, in the rain weather to be showered with gifts and love—four days ahead of her 100th birthday: Dec. 13. New Birth, on behalf of Pastor Jamal Bryant, hosted the celebration.…

DECATUR, GA.–DeKalb County Cooperative Extension is calling for applications for Fresh on DeK, the DeKalb Mobile Farmers Marketstops for 2024. The applications will be open from Dec. 11, 2023, to Jan. 26, 2024. Launched in May 2015, Fresh on DeK has raised awareness about the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption for healthy living by providing fresh, affordable produce and food demonstrations to county residents. Communities, businesses, or organizations can apply to be a Fresh on DeK stop. The proposed location must be in a food desert and must be able to provide a liaison to organize the site. The…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department’s Community Policing Unit is hosting its Annual Winter Clothing Drive on Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside of DeKalb Police Headquarters in the roundabout,1960 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA. The community is asked to help keep DeKalb County residents warm by donating gently-use shoes and coats or new socks to help those in need. Donations for all sizes and genders are requested. For more information, contact E. Wells, public information officer, at 404-333-9293.

DECATUR, GA—How Big is Your Dream Foundation, in partnership with DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, will host the 2023 Winter Teen Bash on Dec. 16, 6 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur. The free event is open to youths ages 10-19, celebrating the completion of the first semester. Teens are encouraged to register to attend and come dressed to impress for the celebration. The evening will include free admission, free food, music, dance, photo ops, and live performances by talented young artists, emphasizing the healing power of music. The event highlights the importance of arts education…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit with assistance from Georgia State Patrol SWAT, arrested a suspect in the murder of a man and the assault of another, in Decatur, Georgia, earlier this year. Kaleb Fisher, 23, a Stone Mountain resident, was taken into custody on Dec. 8 at a residence off Moury Avenue in Atlanta. Fisher is the suspect in the June 26, 2023, drive-by shooting near the intersection of Wesley Chapel Road and Snapfinger Woods Drive, which resulted in the death of Demario Hollis and caused injury to Jerry Toney, both age 19. Fisher was transported…

CONYERS, GA—The NewRock chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction’s hosted a sold-out crowd for its pre-screening of the 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple film. Not even the rainy weather deterred supporters from attending the event, which was held at the AMC Conyers Crossing 16 movie theater on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. The event offered movie-goers the opportunity to see the film 15 days before opening in theatres nationwide on Christmas Day, while supporting NewRock’s scholarships and community programs. Since the organization’s inception in 2018, it has awarded $15,000 in scholarships to teens and supported initiatives such as  the Newton County…

UPDATE: The funeral for Mr. Thomas Livsey will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m., New Bethel AME, 8350 Rockbridge Road, S.W. (Highway 124), Lithonia. Internment will follow the service at New Bethel. Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Lithonia is handling the funeral arrangements.  GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners is paying tribute to community stalwart Thomas Livsey, Sr., a descendant of the historic settlement in Gwinnett known as The Promised Land.  Livsey, the “unofficial mayor” of The Promised Land, passed away on Dec. 6, officials said.  He was 93. Board of Commissioners Chair Gwinnett Nicole Love Hendrickson…