Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold a career fair for heavy leaners on Thursday, Feb. 23, noon until 4 p.m. at MARTA headquarters, located across from the Lindbergh Center rail station on Piedmont Road in Atlanta. WHAT:           Cleaners Career Fair – MARTA is Hiring: Heavy Cleaners Facilities Cleaners Railcar Cleaners Rail Station Cleaners WHEN:           Thursday, Feb. 23 Noon – 4 p.m. WHERE:        MARTA Headquarters 2424 Piedmont Rd. NE Atlanta, Ga. 30324 MARTA OFFERS: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage Pension and Retirement Savings Plans Life Insurance and Long- and Short-Term Disability Applicants are encouraged to ride MARTA to the event. The…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Rockdale County Probate Court Judge Gary Washington to the Rockdale Judicial Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Council. As a member of the Supervisory Panel, Judge Washington will be responsible for evaluating the performance of the Rockdale County Circuit Public Defender on an annual basis and nominating candidates to be considered for appointment as the Rockdale Circuit Defender when the position is vacant. Judge Washington brings a wealth of legal experience to the role, having more than 30 years of litigation experience, which includes extensive work representing indigent clients while working with the Fulton…

STONECREST, GA –A new MARTA transit hub soon will be built in the city of Stonecrest, providing riders with covered waiting areas, restrooms, bike racks, and fare vending machines, among other amenities. Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA) announced the $1 million they secured for the project during a press conference that was held on Friday (Feb. 17) at City Hall. MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood unveiled plans for the project, saying that officials still are trying to determine the exact location where the hub will be built. Officials are considering a site either north or west of…

DECATUR, GA—The community is mourning the loss of Bishop James H. Morton, Sr., pastor of New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church, Decatur. Bishop Morton died on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the age of 66. He was known locally and nationally for not only his preaching but also his singing talents, forming collaborations with gospel greats including the late Aretha Franklin. Bishop James Harold Morton was born May 8, 1946, the fourth of nine children to Bishop C.L. Morton, Sr. and Evangelist Matilda Morton in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. His desire to serve the Lord was realized at an early age, when…

Click Here to View the Agendas:  https://rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-board-of-commissioners-meeting-agenda/ Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Work Session: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Zoning Public Hearing: Thursday, Feb. 23, 6 p.m., Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Voting Session: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Work Session: Tuesday, March 7, at 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Voting Session: Tuesday, March 14, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers  Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Work…

All Gwinnett County government offices, with the exception of those operations required for the comfort and safety of residents, will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, for the Presidents Day holiday. County offices will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 21. A Magistrate Court judge will be available at the Gwinnett County Detention Center during the holiday. Trash and recycling collection in unincorporated Gwinnett County is scheduled as normal for Feb. 20. The Gwinnett County Solid Waste Management Call Center will be closed that day, but hauler call centers will be open. Residents can visit GCSolidWaste.com to find their hauler’s…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the father in the beating death of his 4-year-old son. Decatur resident Javonte Harris, 27, was taken into custody without incident in Atlanta, on Feb.16 by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit on charges of Malice Murder and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree. The 4-year-old boy was the child of Harris and Malisha Sasfras, 25, of Decatur, who was arrested on Feb. 11 and remains in custody. According to warrants,. Harris caused “excessive pain and injuries by punching the child in the face and causing injuries” between Feb.…

Pictured far right: Thomas W. Dortch. Photo provided by the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. ATLANTA—The 100 Black Men of America, Inc. issued a tribute honoring  Thomas W. “Tommy Dortch, Jr., who passed away  on Feb. 15, 2023: On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, we lost a bright light, an unstoppable, unforgettable force of nature. His work across many industries, through various organizations, with several civic coalitions, alongside HBCUs and Atlanta public schools, in partnerships with corporate foundations, and effectively working with elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels of government always included advocating for underserved communities, and especially for youth. As a member and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– All three high schools within Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) were named Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by State School Superintendent Richard Woods, a distinction RCPS high schools have achieved for more than 13 consecutive years. Heritage and Rockdale County high schools were named AP Access and Support Schools while Rockdale County High School also made the lists for AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement. Salem High School was named an AP Expansion School. Superintendent Terry Oatts praised the school sytem’s students and teachers.  “I am extremely proud to have all our high schools represented on the…