Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Family and friends are mourning the loss of Jesse B. Hendrick. Mr. Hendrick passed away in his sleep on Monday, Oct. 10, after a long illness. His wife, community activist Josie Dean Hendrick, said he was in hospice care at their home in Rockdale County when he transitioned around 2 a.m. He was 80. “We had recently celebrated his 80th birthday. He was determined to have a party at the house and we had one for him,” said Mrs. Dean-Hendrick. Jesse Hendrick was born to the late Lize Zach Hendrick and Ruby Elouise Hendrick in Newnan, Georgia on…

STONECREST, GA–After two and a half years of providing free meals and resources to families since the start of the pandemic, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will reach a sobering milestone of serving its millionth person on Saturday, Oct. 15. The food distribution event, led by The King’s Table food ministry, will take place at 9:30 a.m. on New Birth’s campus, 6400 Woodrow Rd., in Stonecrest. “The persistent truth is that mounting food insecurity for families and seniors continue to be a solemn reality as our global markets continue to sputter, rising inflation rates challenge our checkbooks and the looming…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County’s Hamilton Recreation Center, 3263 Chapel St., Scottdale, will host a Teen Scene Gamers Edition program on Friday, Oct. 21, 7 to 11 p.m. The free program is for youths ages 13 – 16 and will include games, food, music and more. Pre-registration is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. To access online registration, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Online” button on the department’s homepage or register in person at the recreation center. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at 770-414-2111 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.  

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Today, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposal for a $20 million plan to enhance emergency services at Emory Hillandale Hospital and nursing services at Grady Hospital. “Today’s vote by the Board of Commissioners will save lives and strengthen the healthcare safety net for tens of thousands of residents in DeKalb County and metro Atlanta,” said CEO Thurmond. Thurmond’s $12 million funding request for Emory Hillandale Hospital will mitigate the loss of emergency room beds due to the pending closure of Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center on Nov. 1, which is expected to result in…

GWINNETT COUNTY—Veterans and their families can now find local, state and federal services in one place Gwinnett County Commissioners, veterans and community leaders cut the ribbon to the Veteran and Family Services office in Lawrenceville on Oct. 10. The project streamlines access to resources such as food, transportation, workforce development, housing and childcare. The renovation of the office was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. “This is a proud day for the board and great example of how the County uses federal funding to implement innovative solutions to challenges we face as a community,” said Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson.…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers-Rockdale (Nancy Guinn Library) Library has partnered with the City of Conyers to be a part of the Mayor’s Reading Club. The Mayor’s Reading Club is a program created by Georgia City Solution, A Georgia Municipal Association Nonprofit. The Nancy Guinn Library will host the Mayor’s Reading Club, and the first featured guest reader is Conyers’ Mayor Vince Evans. The first Mayor’s Reading Club Storytime is Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10 am. Georgia City Solutions, Inc. is a nonprofit organization created by the Georgia Municipal Association established to support new and innovative programs, solutions, and research aimed at…

STONECREST, GA—Stonecrest Fest, in its 4th Year, will return on Saturday, Oct. 8, noon to 8 p.m., after a two-year hiatus as result of the COVID-19 health pandemic.  The outdoor festival will be held in the parking lot of the Privi complex( former Sears building) at The Mall at Stonecrest, 8020 Mall Parkway.  The festival was postponed last weekend due to inclement weather forecast as a result of Hurricane Ian, which forced many evacuees from Florida to Georgia.   Charlotte Cain, CEO and Founder of the Stonecrest Fest, said she is exciting about the return of the festival, which promises to be a fun event for…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA. – DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs will host a series of free fall festivals, Oct. 28 – 31, at various recreation centers throughout DeKalb County. This year’s festivals will include face painting, hikes, music, games, contests, hayrides, food and more. All members of the community are invited to attend, and children are encouraged to wear costumes. The 2022 Fall festivals include: Friday, Oct. 28 N.H. Scott and Decatur Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Halloween Carnival, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, 7 – 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 Redan Recreation Center and New Covenant Christian Ministries…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has approved a new ordinance that will make it more difficult to drag race on Gwinnett County streets. The ordinance, approved on Tuesday, Oct. 4, allows Gwinnett Police to impound vehicles involved in street racing for up to a month. State law does not address impounding – only fines. The county’s action is on the heels of local cities such as Atlanta and Sandy Springs passing similar ordinances. In May, Gwinnett Police along with other local police departments made more than 80 arrests on Peachtree Corners Circle and Spalding Drive, leading to…