Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA—Sometimes, patience pays off.  And for DeKalb County resident Priscilla Ward, patience paid off big on Saturday, Oct. 15.  Unbeknownst to Ward, she became the 1 millionth person New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has provided food since the church and its partners began giving away free food boxes to the local community since the global pandemic began two and a half years ago. Ward received $1,000 cash for being the 1 millionth person. The cash give away on Saturday was part of the celebration that the church held to mark the huge milestone in providing assistance to those in need.   “At…

Decatur, GA.—  Beginning on October 17 through November 4, registered voters in DeKalb County will head to the polls for advance voting, also called early voting. Here are 5 important reminders for those planning to vote early: During the advance voting period, registered voters can cast ballots at any DeKalb location. For a list of locations, click here. Drop boxes are available in DeKalb, but only at six select advance voting sites and are only accessible during operating hours. View the list here. If you are a voter with a physical disability or are 75 years of age and older,…

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga.— Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continues on Monday, October 24, with the launch of the Barbashela Creek Sewer Replacement Project. Crews will work towards a wastewater treatment gravity sewer project to rehabilitate the system. The sewer replacement project is expected to last approximately 14 months (October 2022 to December 2023), barring any weather delays.   Normal construction hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.   To learn more about the Barbashela Creek…

DECATUR, Ga.  – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493.  Agenda Adoption of Agenda Approval of the Minutes of September 15, 2022 Administrative Items Proposal for Construction of Wall for Ethics Administrator’s Office Deferred Items Agreement Re: Digital Ethics Training Library, item Deferred from the April 21, 2022 meeting Memo re: Swearing in Board Members, item Tabled from the July 21, 2022 meeting Introduction of New Ethics…

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…