Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the second annual Gateway to Fishing program on Sept. 17. The event will be held 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the fishing pond at Chapel Hill Park, 3985 LeHigh Blvd., Decatur. The free event is being held to enhance fishing in metro and suburban parks and other public waters that are easily accessible to home for Georgians. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources strives to partner and host youth fishing classes and improve accessibility for communities to enjoy. The event…

CONYERS, GA—Despite a massive fire that ripped through their church on Aug. 19, Excel Church Worldwide is moving ahead to help families in need this Labor Day weekend.   The church is giving away free groceries to 1,000 families on Saturday, Sept. 3. The church’s “Free Groceries to Go” event will be held  10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at its campus, 1151 Flat Shoals Road S.E., Conyers.    “The church is known as a community pillar that always supports local families in need and we are not stopping now,” said Excel Church Lead Pastor K. Francis Smith.  For over 15 years, Excel…

CONYERS–The Conyers Police Department (CPD) is hosting a free Bike Safety Rodeo for kids ages 5-16 at the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center (BHCNC) on Saturday, Sep. 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The goal of the event is to educate young cyclists about bike and helmet safety, promote safe riding techniques – and to do so in a healthy, park environment.            “This event will give tips that these young bicyclists can use for the rest of their life,” said Sergeant Peggy Franklin, Community Outreach Sergeant at Conyers Police Department.  “We want to especially encourage kids to wear helmets when…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 38-year-old Decatur man in connection with molestation of a minor. Decatur resident Roderick C. Strickland was taken into custody without incident on Aug. 29 by investigators at his residence. An arrest warrant charges Strickland with Child Molestation and accuses him of performing “an immoral, indecent act” in the presence of a child under the age of sixteen. Strickland is being held at the DeKalb County Jail.

DECATUR, GA –The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a suspect in the robbery of a man and a woman at a Decatur hotel. Stone Mountain resident Angel Maria Nicole Macias, 29, was taken into custody by DeKalb Sheriff’s Office investigators on Aug. 29at a Stone Mountain residence. Arrest warrants charge Macias with Armed Robbery against Kelvin Bernard Hunter and Melissa Gee, and with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony against Hunter on April 25, 2022 at the American Best Inn on Covington Highway in Decatur. Macias was transported to the…

ATLANTA – Mayor Andre Dickens announced the award of more than 420 Resurgence grants totaling $8.2 million to assist small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic. The Resurgence Grant Fund, administered by Invest Atlanta on behalf of the City of Atlanta, is an American Rescue Plan Act-funded program that offers Atlanta small businesses and nonprofits grants up to $40,000 to cover expenses incurred due to COVID-19 hardships. “While the city of Atlanta continues to steadily recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our small businesses owners and nonprofits need capital to continue to grow and serve their…

ATLANTA—In anticipation of heavy traffic expected during the Labor Day weekend, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced today the suspension of lane closures on Georgia interstates and state routes. Highway lanes throughout the state will be open beginning Friday, Sept. 2, at 12 p.m. until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. While construction related lane closures will be suspended, the department reminds travelers to exercise caution as crews may still work near highways, and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. In addition, incident management, emergency or maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at…

Rockdale Board of Commissioners announced its meeting schedule for the last quarter of 2022. Meetings are streamed via Facebook live on the Rockdale County Government Facebook page and website at www.rockdalecountyga.gov   The meeting calendar follows: **HOLIDAY – Monday, September 5, 2022 – County Offices Closed – Labor Day Holiday** **Work Session: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. – MEETING CANCELLED** **Voting Session: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012 – MEETING CANCELLED** Work Session: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia…