Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—Don’t head to the kitchen for dinner. Take a break. Sankofa House, Inc. is inviting families to bring their children to enjoy a sit-down dinner July 5- 29, Monday through Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. Sankofa House is located at 1240 Sigman Road N.W., Conyers (in the plaza next to Voices of Faith Ministries in Conyers. Children must be present for parents to eat free. For more information, call Miselinda Agbaka at 678-524-1971.

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs’ Friends of Flat Shoals Park will host its annual “Book it to the Park” book drive on Saturday, July 9 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flat Shoals Park, 4522 Flat Shoals Pkwy. Decatur. The Friends of Flat Shoals Park began hosting the “Book it to the Park” event shortly after the installation of the new book box in 2017. Officials say the book box has been a success and is heavily utilized by youths in the community. In an effort to support literacy and reach the goal of receiving 300 books,…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department will host Movies in the Park during the month of July. Every Wednesday, in various locations across the county, a movie will be shown at dusk, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and food for each showing. All movies featured will be PG-13 and below rated films and appropriate for all ages to enjoy. Movie Schedule July 6, Bouldercrest Park July 13, Lithonia Pool July 20, Wade Walker Park Tennis Court July 27, Mason Mill Park For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, public…

CONYERS, GA–After 52 years of law enforcement service, nearly 12 as City of Conyers Police Chief, Gene Wilson has retired Scott Freeman, who has served as deputy chief of police for four years, has been named his successor to lead the Conyers Police Department. “Chief Wilson’s service as chief to the citizens of Conyers came at a critical time in our city’s history as far as growth and in successfully policing and managing crime,” said City Manager Tony Lucas. “We cannot thank him enough for his service to our city, as well as his stellar career in law enforcement serving…

DECATUR, GA—A former employee of the Java Monkey Coffee House in Decatur has been convicted of setting the fire that destroyed the coffee house in 2018. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on June 30 against Rickey Thomas, 32, on charges of Arson in the First Degree, Arson in the Second Degree, Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree, and Burglary in the Second Degree, in connection with the fire. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office said that Thomas was sentenced to a term of 30 years to serve 10. A restitution hearing will be scheduled at a later date,…

ATLANTA–The Georgia Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit is seeking to identify a person of interest in an investigation involving child sex trafficking. The individual has a tattoo on his chest that matches or is similar to the sketch below. The individual made unsubstantiated claims to be some type of corrections officer and possibly lived in Clayton County in 2018. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for cash rewards. Call the tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) Text CRIMES (274637) Submit a tip online by visiting www.STOPCrimeATL.com To…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Health has received its first doses of Moderna (for ages 6 months to 5 years old) and Pfizer (for 6 months to 4 years old) COVID-19 vaccine. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment online or by visiting one of the Board of Health’s four regional health center locations: Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for COVID vaccination and booster doses of COVID vaccine are recommended for individuals age 5 and older. COVID-19 vaccinations are free. However, if you have insurance, please bring your insurance information and photo ID with you.…

By Ed Williams, Ed.D. In 1971, the citizens in DeKalb and Fulton counties voted to levy a one-percent sales tax for 50 years to fund MARTA transit services. I was 7 years old at the time and was not old enough to vote or petition the courts. The sales tax funding mechanism came about because homeowners did not want transit funding done as part of their property taxes. The Board of Commissioners in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and DeKalb, as well as the City of Atlanta authorized the Rapid Transit Contract and Assistance Agreement (RTCAA) with MARTA , setting it to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson announced that she has awarded funding to two organizations to provide rental and utility assistance to needy District 5 residents. Earlier this year, Davis Johnson allocated $200,000 to Decatur Cooperative Ministry and $100,000 to the NAACP DeKalb. With the funding awards, the organizations now will be able to provide eviction forbearance and rental assistance and help cover utility and water bills for residents in District 5 who are experiencing hardship. Decatur Cooperative Ministry will also provide relocation assistance for individuals who have been displaced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This…