Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—Interested in farming,  community gardening or backyard? Join State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) and Rockdale County Commissioner Sherri Washington on Thursday, July 27, to learn about federal agriculture resources that are available. The agriculture resource forum will be held on Thursday, July 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the JP Car  Community Center in Conyers. The guest speaker will be Arthur Tripp Jr., state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Georgia. Participants will learn about services provided by the federal Farm Service Agency, such as various safety net programs, commodity price…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has reported that a DeKalb County Jail inmate died while in custody on July 19. The man’s death marked the third inmate who has died this year at the DeKalb County Jail. The most recent death occurred on Wednesday, July 19. Atlanta resident Ricky Lavoghn McCullum, 58, was returned to the jail that evening, after having been released from the hospital following a nine-day stay while still in custody, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.  Preliminary incident reports indicate that McCullum became unresponsive while in the jail’s intake area…

DECATUR, GA – On Wednesday, Aug. 9, 6-7 PM, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding a webinar to discuss the PACT Act, a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Rep. Johnson and his special guests from the Veterans Administration will discuss what the new law means for veterans and survivors and provide details on how to get the care and benefits available to veterans and their families. WHO: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA); Lauren Ruchin, PACT Act Coordinator & Toxic Exposure Screening Navigator; benefits representative…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved the architectural and engineering (A&E) services contract for the replacement of Brookhaven Library. After a competitive bidding process, Cas Architecture emerged as the highest scoring proposer. The firm was chosen based on its expertise and experience designing innovative, modern libraries in Georgia. “We are excited to reach this significant milestone in the process for replacing Brookhaven Library,” said Alison Weissinger, director, DeKalb County Public Library. “The new library will feature the latest technology, provide a welcoming space for readers and serve as a destination for lifelong learning. As we move forward…

ATLANTA – The Joint Study Committee on Dual Enrollment for Highly Skilled Talent at Younger Ages will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the 4C Academy in Albany. The committee is co-chaired by State Rep. Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) and State Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan). Created by Senate Resolution 175, the joint study committee will examine Georgia’s existing dual enrollment opportunities to develop highly skilled talent at younger ages. Members will identify potential solutions that could yield more dual enrollment for highly skilled talent at younger ages at the request of students, families,…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a Gateway to Fishing to Program, Saturday, Aug. 12. The event will be held  8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Park, 3985 LeHigh Blvd., Decatur . The event will take place at the fishing pond.   The free event will enhance fishing in metro and suburban parks and other public waters that are easily accessible to home for Georgians. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources strives to partner and host youth fishing classes and improve accessibility for communities to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–On Thursday, July 20, a host of Georgia’s elected officials, community leaders and sheriffs gathered for a bridge dedication in honor of Thomas E. Brown, the longest-serving elected sheriff in the county’s history. Brown also holds the distinction as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia. He was appointed as marshal by President Joe Biden on Oct.17, 2022. State Rep. Angela Moore (D-Decatur), who served as mistress of ceremony for the bridge ceremony, sponsored House Resolution 349 to dedicate the bridge on State Route 10 over I-285 in DeKalb County in honor of Brown. The resolution was…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County is making recreation centers and libraries throughout the county available as cooling centers due to a heat advisory by the National Weather Service. As defined by the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City Forecast Office, a heat advisory is issued when it “feels like” temperatures are expected to reach or be greater than 103 degrees, or when the actual air temperature is expected to be at 105 degrees or greater. DeKalb County libraries and recreation centers will be available as cooling centers, during the locations’ normal business hours. For a list of DeKalb County recreation centers,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The premiere screening of “Driving Force,” produced by Antoine Allen Films, will be presented on Friday, July 21, 7 p.m., at the Church of New Beginnings, 3150 GA Highway in Conyers. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Al Sadler, Sr. and his wife, Jean, lifelong residents of Conyers, have roles in the movie, which is being televised on tubi. Additionally, several scenes of the movie were filmed at their church, Rev. Sadler said. The family movie is about a man who struggles with faith and forgiveness after a drunk driving accident takes the life of his young daughter. Rev.…

LITHONIA, GA–Members at the East DeKalb Senior Center are mourning the loss of Joseph Randall Lewis, the man who made them smile and kept them busy. Mr. Lewis, who was the center’s events coordinator, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 17. Members said another employee found Mr. Lewis in his office. Mr. Lewis was 36. Several members of the senior center will bid Mr. Lewis farewell farewell at homegoing services planned this weekend. They will be wearing their gold Bruce Street Senior Center T-shirts, a member of the center said. A brand new center replaced the Bruce Street center in…