Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY—Dozens of supporters turned out for the DeKalb NAACP MLK parade today(Jan. 16), traveling from Green Pastures Church to Martin Luther King, Jr. High School.  Rob Hardy, executive producerof the pilot episode of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, which is currently filming its third season, served as grand marshal of the event.  The theme of this year’s parade was “Sound The Alarm” because there is still work to be done in our community, the DeKalb NAACP stated.  https://youtu.be/fhaG24mVjDQ

ATLANTA—DeKalb County community activist Teresa Hardy was ordained as deacon at Salem Bible Church on Sunday, Jan 15, 2023. Several supporters, including family and friends, attended the ordination where Hardy and several others were promoted in ministry at Salem Bible Church under the leadership of the Rev. Jasper W. Williams, Jr., pastor emeritus, and his son, Pastor Joseph L. Williams.  Hardy has been a member of Salem Bible Church since 2002. She has actively served at Salem in the Christian Education, Political/Social Justice and Small Group Growth Leader ministries. Hardy  gave thanks to God for her new role as deacon…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host the fourth annual “Tech for All” Policy Conference and Day of Action on Thursday, Feb. 16, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.     The event schedule is as follows: Networking event and panel discussion – Thursday, Feb. 16, 8 a.m., Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Atlanta, Room 307 Legislative Session Day 20 – Thursday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m., House Chamber Gallery Award ceremony and lunch – Thursday, Feb. 16, 12 – 3 p.m., Atlanta City Hall Atrium The conference is free to attend but advance registration is required. Please click here.  This year’s event will…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-installed Serenity Garden at Hairston Park on Wednesday, Jan.18, 10 a.m., 911 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain. A total of $53,286 was allocated to complete the park improvements. Contributions were provided in part through Parks Pride’s Community Building Grant, supported by The Home Depot Foundation, DeKalb County Commissioners Steve Bradshaw and Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Friends of Hairston Park, and the Parks Department to complete the Serenity Garden. The public is invited to join county officials, parks staff, Park Pride representatives and Friends…

Voices of Faith Church has kicked off 2023 with a resurgence. The church is a no judgement zone. It’s not a building, it’s for people who seek God for real change in their lives. https://youtu.be/IFJRy9he_kg

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners kicked off the first meeting of the 2023 year by voting on the positions of the presiding officer and deputy presiding officer. For the 2nd consecutive year, both Commissioner Robert Patrick and Commissioner Mereda Davis-Johnson were elected to serve as the presiding officer and deputy presiding officer, respectively, for 2023. Also, on Friday, Jan. 13, Patrick named committee chairs and members. Committee assignments were prioritized based on seniority of elected service with the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and individual commissioners’ preferences. The committees are announced as follows:       County Operations…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County will open warming centers for residents to use in the following locations for three nights from Jan. 13-15, beginning at 8 p.m.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check. For more information about centers offered by DeKalb County and its community partners, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/weather.

ATLANTA — After a natural disaster, many people find that helping others brings out their best qualities. Unfortunately, this goodwill can also bring in contractors who take advantage of those who have suffered through a crisis. Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides tips for what to do after a damaging storm or tornado and warns residents to beware of “storm chasers,” out-of-town contractors soliciting business. Once the storm has passed, cleanup and recovery efforts begin. Storm victims should never feel pressured to make a hasty decision or choose an unknown contractor. Make temporary repairs if necessary so you can take the time to choose a…

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta will be opening two emergency warming centers in anticipation of frigid temperatures. The centers will open Friday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m., until Saturday, Jan.14, 8 a.m., and again, Saturday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m., until Sunday, Jan. 15, 8 a.m. The warming centers will be located at: Old Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Lane N.W., Atlanta Central Park, 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta Transportation will be provided to both locations beginning at 8 p.m. on both nights from the Gateway Center, 275 Pryor St. S.W, Atlanta, with return transportation upon deactivation. Additional buses will be scheduled, as…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers Police Department is currently conducting the annual Service Satisfaction Survey for the calendar year 2022. The goals of the service satisfaction survey are to measure levels of citizen concern for safety, levels of police performance, and public confidence in the department as well as to provide an opportunity for public comment on police performance.  Chief Freeman explains, “The men and women of the Conyers Police Department strive every day to provide great service to the community.  As our agency moves forward into a new year, we want to ensure we provide an opportunity for our citizens to…