Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County government is partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 bookbags filled with school supplies, along with 5,000 boxes of fresh produce, chicken and lunch box snacks on Saturday, Aug. 5. DeKalb County and its partners will distribute: 5,000 clear bookbags filled with a pack of 12 pencils, a pack of 12 pens, a ruler, a pack of 24 crayons, a composition notebook, a three-subject notebook, notebook filler paper, a pack of three erasers, a flash drive and a calculator. 5,000 boxes of Georgia-grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and chicken hindquarters. Lunch box snacks of cereal,…

DECATUR, GA– On Saturday, Aug. 5, District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will sponsor an End-of-Summer Health, Wellness, and Back-to-School Community event for DeKalb County families. There also will be resources for for those seeking employment opportunities and other services. The event is free, open to the public and will be hosted by Sasha the Diva. The event will take place at Redan Recreation Center,1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia, GA from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. The event will offer attendees an opportunity to join a yoga or line dancing class at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring mats, towels, or blankets…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– NACo  has appointed Commissioner Sherri L. Washington as vice chair for the Rockdale sector of the  International Economic Development Task Force. The task force serves as a resource for sharing crucial information, innovative ideas, and essential resources. Its primary objective is to provide comprehensive guidance to NACo programming, which is closely related to county-level involvement in various international economic development activities. The task force is committed to facilitating effective collaboration and promoting sustainable growth while ensuring that county-level interests are well-represented. “I am proud of my appointment as a Vice Chair to the International Economic Development Task Force. International…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is hosting the Reimagine Rockdale Strategic Planning Kickoff Event focused on visioning Rockdale County for the future. The event will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 5– 8 p.m., at C.E. Steele Community Center, 1040 Oakland Ave. SE, Conyers. The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is inviting all residents to participate in an innovative event that will shape the future landscape of the county. The event aims to gather insights and ideas from Rockdale’s diverse community. County officials say the collaboration will guide decision-making, prioritize initiatives, and set realistic goals for…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against an Atlanta man accused of shooting a man who he suspected of breaking into his car. Jurors returned guilty verdicts July 28 against Josiah Gilbert, 31, on charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. On June 23, 2017, officers from the Atlanta Police Department responded to call about a person shot at an apartment on Candler Road. According to the investigation, Gilbert told police he had heard someone breaking…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested a suspect today( Aug. 1) in connection with the murder of a Florida man in January. Decatur resident Kamren Dakel Pearce, 21, was taken into custody without incident at a residence on Cedar Lake Drive in Conley, Georgia. An arrest warrant charges Pearce with Felony Malice Murder in the shooting death of 30 year-old Fort Walton Beach, Florida resident Franklin Edwards. According to the warrant, the incident took place on Jan. 26, 2023 on Creste Drive in Decatur, Georgia, where the victim was found…

ATLANTA—In celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop, Mayor Andre Dickens announced the City of Atlanta and numerous partners are joining forces to present ATL 50 Hip Hop—a series of events from academia talks, movie series, a time capsule, a blockbuster concert and much more. The City is partnering with local businesses and engaging the community to celebrate the innovative style of music, dance and art that shaped Atlanta’s culture. “Atlanta’s role in the evolution of Hip Hop has been outsized and indisputable. It’s only fitting the City of Atlanta joins our community in celebrating the industry and culture we helped shape…

By Amos King Justice 4 Veterans When shots rang out in the small South Metro-Atlanta town, Hampton, Georgia, the quiet neighborhood was devastated. Four of its residents were gunned down and unfortunately killed by their neighbor, Andre Longmore. Mr. Longmore was living with his mother, Lorna Dennis, who apologized for her son’s actions, explaining that he was a United States Army veteran who had mental illness. Ms. Dennis stated that she tried to get help for her son, but she was told that nothing could be done unless he tried to hurt himself or others. The lack of good mental…

CONYERS, GA—Those seeking to buy a home can get help this weekend with resources by NACA’s Best in America Mortgage.  Rockdale County government is partnering with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to host an event July 28-30, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road S.W., Conyers. NACA Founder and CEO Bruce Marks, Vantem CEO Chris Anderson, and others are holding a joint press conference today to kick off NACA’s Achieve the Dream homebuyer event.  The event will enable low- and moderate-income homebuyers to access NACA’s Best in America Mortgage: no down-payment, no closing…