Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The  Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a lane advisory for motorists regarding the I-285/I-20 East Interchange Project in DeKalb County. There will be lane  closures Sept. 29 through Oct. 6, as work crews reconstruct the busy interchange to improve traffic flow safety and safety at this busy interchange. The project will reconstruct the interstate system-to-system ramps at the I-285/I-20 East Interchange and add a combination of collector-distributor, or connecting lanes, and auxiliary lanes along I-20 east of the interchange and I-285 north of the interchange. When/Where:Friday, Sept. 29, through Friday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D–Lithonia) will host a virtual town hall on Thursday, Oct. 26, 6 – 8 p.m. via Zoom.  During the town hall, Rep. Kendrick will provide an overview of the 2023 legislative session and discuss upcoming legislation and events from 6 – 7 p.m. From 7 – 8 p.m., she will provide a review of House Bill 741, legislation to expand the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners. The Zoom link has been updated, click here.  WHO:             Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D–Lithonia) WHAT:          Virtual Town Hall Meeting WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 6 – 8 p.m. WHERE:       Zoom registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuc6oqTMuHdGtl3jnpGCHg1d4Zj2oGgLm

STONECREST, GA—Seniors from throughout metro Atlanta are getting fit at Samson Health and Fitness Center—at no charge to them. The 79,000-square-foot Samson Health & Fitness Center is the health and wellness extension of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Jamal Bryant is senior pastor. “We are blessed to have the largest, seated senior workout class in Atlanta on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instructed by the amazing DaShaun Johnson, The Guru of Abs,” said Melanie R. Render, Samson’s director of athletics. “Over 250 seniors attend each class, and we are continuing to grow. We have also recently added free ballroom and…

LILBURN, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 74-year-old woman. South Precinct officers are actively looking for Bok Chang. She was last seen leaving the area of Ross Road in unincorporated Lilburn on foot at around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 24. Chang was last seen wearing a short-sleeved blue blouse and gray pants. She is described as a Korean female, about  5’3 inches tall,120 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair. She requires around-the-clock medical care. If anyone sees Ms. Chang, call 911.

DECATUR, GEORGIA— The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in locating murder suspect Kristoper Brown, 22, of Lithonia.  A murder warrant has been issued for  Brown in connection with the fatal shooting of  Dorian Bennett on May 3, 2023 at I-285 and Lavista Road in Tucker, Georgia. If located, do not approach the suspect, as he may be armed, investigators said. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Kristopher Brown is asked to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit by calling CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS. A reward may be possible, if the information provided…

STONECREST, GA–Congratulations to Richard S. Hill, who has been named Support Employee of the Year 2023-2024 at Arabia Mountain High School, located in the City of Stonecrest. Hill, who has been with the DeKalb County School System since 2017, is head custodian at Arabia and part of the support team at the school. Staff members nominate and vote on the person(s) selected to be honored. Arabia Principal Tanya Mason recently honored Hill with an appreciation gift—Atlanta Falcons’ and Georgia Bulldogs gear. “It was nice to be recognized for the hard work that we do to maintain the school building. I feel…

ATLANTA — District 10 Council member Andrea L. Boone invites the public to visit the African American Doll Exhibit at the former Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Lane N.W., Atlanta. Curated by its collector, Jamila Jones, the exhibit is currently on display through the holiday season. It features a worldwide collection of more than 1,000 dolls dating back to the 1800s, including miniatures, life-size dolls, action figures, and the first Black Barbie doll. “The opportunity to visit an exhibit with a collection celebrating Black dolls is significant to the African American cultural heritage. To see, touch, and learn of the history…

  DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in a 5-year-old case against a Stockbridge man who fatally shot and robbed a Decatur man who was walking near his home.  Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Monday, against Joshua Cortez Ellis, 25, on charges of Malice Murder, three counts of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer stemming from an incident on June 4, 2019.    According to the investigation, Ronald Peters, 28, was walking near his…

ATLANTA, GA– The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) announced that it has created the Thriving Child Care Business Academy of free online training to help providers enhance their business and financial management skills. Through the Thriving Child Care Business Academy, owners and administrators can receive training in best business management practices,   much like the training they receive in best early childhood education practices on other platforms. “Over the past two years, DECAL has distributed $1.6 billion in federal financial supports to help child care providers mitigate the negative business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DECAL Commissioner…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Class of 2023 graduates, like the state and nation, saw a decrease in composite SAT scores over the previous year. The 2023 mean composite score for RCPS is 969, down from 980. The mean composite score for Georgia public schools is 1045, and the mean composite score for U.S. public schools is 1003, both decreasing from 2022. “Despite the fact that an increasing number of colleges and universities are waiving the SAT requirement for admission, RCPS remains committed to ensuring that our students who opt to sit for this test are prepared to…