Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—The city of Conyers will partner with the Georgia Forestry Commission, Rockdale County Master Gardeners and the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival on Friday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. to plant a tree at the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center, located at the Georgia International Horse Park, in celebration of Arbor Day. Mayor Vince Evans and employees from the city’s Planning and Inspections, Code Enforcement and Public Works divisions and the Georgia International Horse Park (GIHP), will be present at the ceremonial tree planting. Mayor Evans will read a proclamation officially proclaiming Friday, Feb. 24, as Arbor Day in the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Temperatures are expected to plunge into the 20s in the metro Atlanta area on Friday and Saturday, according to weather forecasts and DeKalb County is preparing for the cold. DeKalb officials will open warming centers for residents to use in the following locations for two nights, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18, beginning at 8 p.m.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA Anyone staying in the warming…

“This is a sad day for our city. We have lost another soldier…” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. has announced the funeral service for Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.: Celebration services for Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.Date: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023Time: 11:00 amLocation: New Birth Missionary Baptist ChurchAddress: 6400 Woodrow Rd, Stonecrest, GA  The family has asked in lieu of flowers that you support the following foundations in honor of Chairman Dortch’s legacy: The Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Foundationhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/twdjrfoundation National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.https://nbcahof.org/donate/ Update: Mr. Dortch passed away on Wednesday with trumpeteer Mike Phillips serenaded him at his bedside,…

STONECREST, GA – On Friday, Feb. 17, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA) are meeting with Stonecrest city officials to announce the $1 million they secured in the 2023 Community Project Funding (CPF) appropriations for a new transit hub for city residents. The new hub will provide riders with better amenities such as restrooms, covered waiting areas and fare vending. Congressman Johnson secured $15 million in funding for 15 community projects in GA04 in the FY23 Appropriations, including $1 million for a MARTA transit hub in Stonecrest. WHO:             Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04); Sen. Jon Ossoff; Stonecrest…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts to host a special live performance of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad presented by Virginia Repertory Theatre. The production will be held on March 2, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy Theater, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. Based on the book and lyrics by Douglas Jones and music by Ron Barnett, this stirring drama celebrates the adventurous life of this great American hero who freed herself and hundreds of other people from the bonds of slavery.   Share in the joys, sorrows, and challenges of Harriet as she and her friend, Sarah Bradford,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested Miles Bryant, a 22-year-old Doraville police officer, in connection with the death of 16-year-old Susana Morales, who had been missing since July 2022. Bryant, who is from Norcross, is charged with Concealing the Death of Another and False Report of a Crime in connection with Susana Morales’s death. Bryant is being held at the Gwinnett Detention Center without bond. “Detectives developed enough probable cause to get an arrest today, but the investigation is still on going,” said Gwinnett County Police spokesperson Officer Hideshi Valle. Investigators got a break in the case…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson in partnership with DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, Georgia Tech Department of Music Technology and the How Big Is Your Dream Foundation, whose founder and CEO is the renowned drummer Jorel “JFly” Flynn, will host the “Our Soundtrack in American Music “Master Sessions and Grand Finale at the Porter Sanford, III Performing Arts and Community Center. The center is located at 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The program for student artists will run Wednesday through Saturday, Feb.15–18, culminating with a special appearance and recognition of industry legend Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Clerk of Superior and State Courts has announced that traffic citations can now be paid online. “Adding this feature is a huge upgrade in the State Criminal and Traffic Department,” Clerk of Court Janice Morris stated in a news release today (Feb. 13). Defendants can access their citation fees and pay their fees directly onWWW.ROCKDALECLERK.COM. The new system program, Defendant Access, allows citizens to enter their citation numbers, pay their citations online, or view their citation fees. “The previous online portal was not integrated with our case management system. Using Defendant Access, the payment is received immediately…

ATLANTA – The Fulton County Board of Health (FCBOH) Office of Emergency Preparedness is hosting a community-wide personal protective equipment (PPE) giveaway March 1-3, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. “PPE isn’t just for hospitals. These items are used in many businesses and homes across Fulton County,” says Donald Porter, Director of Emergency Preparedness at Fulton County Board of Health. “These giveaway events will help ensure people who need PPE have access to the supplies they rely on to stay healthy as we continue to live with COVID-19 and other illnesses.” This event is free and open to the public as well…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 20, sanitation service for residential customers will run one day late as follows: Monday, Feb. 20 – Presidents Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Feb. 20, will be serviced on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Feb. 21, will be serviced on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Thursday, Feb. 23 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Feb. 22, will be serviced on Thursday, Feb. 23.…