Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) today appointed a Committee on Assignments to determine committee assignments and leadership positions for the 2023-2024 legislative session. “I appreciate my colleagues who have agreed to join this committee and work with me to determine how to best utilize the tremendous talents of all of our House members,” said Speaker Burns. “This committee will work hard over the next few weeks interviewing members who apply for leadership positions, and we look forward to announcing a full committee roster as soon as our work is completed.” Speaker Burns has appointed the following members to the…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County will present its 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration program, “Cultivating a Beloved Community,” on Friday, Jan. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The King Day charge will be delivered by Daniel Blackman, regional administrator for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “This tribute marks the 39th consecutive year DeKalb will host the King celebration, making it the longest-running county-sponsored program in Georgia honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. Special musical guests will be JFly of How Big Is Your Dream?!…

ROCKDALE COUNTY—The Conyers-Rockdale Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium located at 903 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012 to hear items that are on their agenda. The agenda is attached hereto and the public is invited to attend. For more information, please contact the Rockdale County Department of Planning and Development at 770-278-7100 or by visiting the website at https://rockdalecountyga.gov/county-departments/planning-development/ Planning Commission Public Hearings Time: 6:00 pm When: 2nd Thursday of each month Where: Auditorium – 903 Main Street Board of Commissioners  Zoning Public Hearings Time: 6:00 pm When: 4th. Thursday of each month…

ATLANTA – House Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton) today was elected by her colleagues in the Georgia House of Representatives to continue her service as the House Speaker Pro-Tempore for the 2023-2024 legislative term. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Georgia House of Representatives for continuing to put their confidence and trust in me for another legislative term,” said Speaker Pro-Tempore Jones. “The state of Georgia succeeds when its elected officials place good policy above politics. With Speaker Jon Burns at the helm, the Republican leadership team will continue to navigate the House towards sound, conservative policies that…

Atlanta, GA: The King Center will host the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service on Jan. 16, 10 a.m., at Ebenezer’s Horizon Sanctuary, 101 Auburn Ave., Atlanta. The service will broadcast live on FOX 5 Atlanta and livestream on Facebook, YouTube, fox4atlanta.com, and thekingcenter.org.  The 54th Annual Commemorative Service is the hallmark of the King Holiday Observance.  The Rev. Natosha Reid Rice and Pastor Sam Collier will preside over the event. The King Center CEO, the Rev. Bernice A. King, will give the Call to Commemoration.    This year’s keynote speaker is Bryan Stevenson, lawyer, social justice activist, law professor at New York University School of Law, and the…

ATLANTA–The Beloved Community Awards (formerly The Salute to Greatness Awards Gala) is back in-person and is one of the marquee events of The King Center’s week-long holiday experience. This year’s event, hosted by Malcolm Jamal Warner and Keisha Knight Pulliam, will feature musical performances by MAJOR, Deborah Cox, Goldford, and Angel Taylor. The ceremony will be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m., and will stream on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and on thekingcenter.org, on Monday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. The Beloved Community Awards recognizes national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, pursue…

Atlanta, GA: The King Center will host the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service on Jan. 16, 10 a.m., at Ebenezer’s Horizon Sanctuary, 101 Auburn Ave., Atlanta. The service will broadcast live on FOX 5 Atlanta and livestream on Facebook, YouTube, fox4atlanta.com, and thekingcenter.org. The 54th Annual Commemorative Service is the hallmark of the King Holiday Observance.  The Rev. Natosha Reid Rice and Pastor Sam Collier will preside over the event. The King Center CEO, the Rev. Bernice A. King, will give the Call to Commemoration. This year’s keynote speaker is Bryan Stevenson, lawyer, social justice activist, law professor at New York University School of Law, and the founder…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that the State of Georgia has joined national settlements with CVS, Walgreens, Teva and Allergan to resolve allegations that the companies contributed to the opioid crisis. By joining the settlements, Georgia stands to receive more than $181 million in total base payments to help fund critical treatment, prevention, reduction and recovery services, Carr said. “No Georgia community is a stranger to the devastating effects of the opioid crisis, and we must do all we can to support those who are struggling,” said Carr. “Today’s announcement is another step forward in our…

CONYERS, GA – The Rockdale County Branch NAACP will host a breakfast commemorating and honoring the life, legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 16.  The event will be held at 8 a.m. at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive SW, Conyers.  The community is invited to attend. “We are excited to have a member of President Joe Biden’s staff to do a special presentation to one of the Rockdale County NAACP’s members, “ the organization stated in its news release. The keynote speaker will be Ambassador Waleed Shamsid-Deen, Special Envoy for Trade & Investment, The…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– Stone Mountain Park’s first-ever Lunar New Year Festival features cultural craft activities, storytelling, puppetry, dance and drum exhibitions, parades, a new Drone Show, a new Light Show, and other cultural elements. The festival will take place Friday through Sunday, January 20 – 22 and 27 – 29. Held in the Crossroads area of the park, visitors will experience the Largest Lunar New Year Spectacular in North America through dance, music, educational craft activations, dragon and lion dance teams, martial arts demonstrations, signature foods, hundreds of red and gold lanterns, and much more The event showcases cultural and educational activities for…