Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA –Those attending the Peachtree Road Race and July 4 fireworks in downtown Atlanta are encouraged to take MARTA. MARTA is most efficient way to attend the 54th running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race, Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo, and Centennial Olympic Park fireworks. New this year, MARTA fare stickers are available to affix to your bib for easy travel on race day. Fare stickers were included in 1300 early bird race packets and are also available for purchase at the Health & Fitness Expo. PEACHTREE HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO · Sunday, July 2, and Monday, July 3 ·…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson is presenting his free concert series again this summer at the Rainbow Park Amphitheater, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The “Thriving Thursday” finale is June 28 featuring Malcom Jamal Warner, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of HipHop through jazz. The free concert series transitioned on June 24 to weekends, launching with actor/singer/jazz musician Terrence “TC” Carson. No concert is planned for July 1 but one is scheduled July 8. The final concert will be held on Sept. 16. The summer concert series, which Johnson launched in 2022, draws a multi-generational crowd. In addition…

ATLANTA – A band of strong thunderstorms swept through Georgia late Sunday toppling trees, damaging power poles and downing electric lines throughout the north and central regions of the state. Georgia Power crews responded to these storms, working overnight safely and as quickly as possible and restoring power to more than 200,000 customers as of Monday morning. Crews will continue working throughout the day to restore power to customers who are still experiencing outages caused by the severe thunderstorms that brought high winds, heavy rain and lightning. There are more than 1,400 individual cases of damage that must be addressed…

SAVANNAH, GA—On Sunday, June 25, more than 200 people from across Georgia and 11 other states began a weeklong journey on the rivers, creeks, oxbows, swamps and lakes in the Savannah River basin. Designed to connect people with and protect Georgia’s rivers, Georgia River Network’s annual Paddle Georgia adventure takes place on a different river each summer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time since 2019 the organization has hosted Paddle Georgia as a large-group, week-long adventure. Over the next seven days, paddlers will explore Brier Creek, a hidden, cypress-lined beauty in Screven County, the Savannah River…

DEKALB COUNTY—On July 1, 1st Vice President Edwina Clanton will replace Lance Hammonds as the NAACP DeKalb Branch President. This change was necessary because Hammonds announced in a letter to the branch his plans to file his declaration of intent to run for DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner. Qualifying for this race is in 2024. In 2022, NAACP bylaws were revised to avoid conflicts of interest. Once an officer of the branch establishes a fundraising committee or officially declares an intent to run for office, the NAACP officer or chairperson must relinquish the position during the period of candidacy. Clanton…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County District 2 and 6 commissioners invite the community to join them to discuss the proposed Brookhaven annexation. Residents are urged to attend a series of community meetings to discuss the proposed annexation of neighborhoods (refer to the map for specific neighborhoods) into the City of Brookhaven. The annexation petition, which has reportedly passed the 60 percent threshold required to proceed, was received by the county last week. The proposed annexation, if approved, would be the largest in Georgia’s history to be accomplished through the 60 percent method. The City of Brookhaven has previously annexed nearby Lavista…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is working to identify a man who entered a local hardware store twice, took merchandise, and left without paying. On May 13, the suspect entered the Home Depot at 2120 Hamilton Creek Parkway in Dacula. He loaded a shopping cart with merchandise valued at $1,300 and gave the cashier fraudulent account information. On May 27, the same man entered the store, loaded his shopping cart with merchandise valued at $1600, proceeded to the cashier, and provided fraudulent account information again. Both times the man did not provide any money for the purchases…