Author: On Common Ground News

The Chi Tau Omega Chapter Reading Committee in collaboration with Target 4: The Arts! Program Committee hosted its 2022 Virtual Harlem Renaissance Reading Bowl on March 12. This signature event required teams of students to research the contributions of the artists, musicians, performers, writers, and activists of the Period. Teams from two school districts were represented: Fairview, Live Oak & Livingston Elementary from Newton County School District and C.J. Hicks, Peeks Chapel & Shoal Creek Elementary from Rockdale County School District. The teams competed in three rounds of competition by answering questions about the culture, history, and giants of…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 free produce boxes, dozens of eggs and 10-pound bags of chicken hindquarters on Saturday, April 9, ahead of Easter. “Our senior citizens on fixed incomes and working families are struggling to provide food for themselves and their families,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “DeKalb County and our faith partners will continue to hold monthly food distributions to help relieve the burden of rising food prices.” Beginning at 9 a.m., food distributions will be held at the following locations: Berean Christian Church, 2201 Young Road, Stone…

CONYERS, GA–Conyers City Councilmember Connie Alsobrook has  joined  the City’s “Adopt A Mile” program and is encouraging  other residents to roll up their sleeves to help keep the city clean. She adopt not one but two streets– Lakeview Drive and Callaway Crossing. “We have a litter problem and I’m hoping that Homeowner Associations and community groups will get involved  in picking up trash around them,” said Alsobrook.  Alsobrook and about dozen volunteers completed their first project, picking up litter on Lakeview Drive and cul-de-ascs along the stretch on March 5. Ninety  pounds of trash was collected that day. Alsobrook held…

ATLANTA –The Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series will host primary election debates for Governor, U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, Lt. Governor, Insurance Commissioner, State School Superintendent, and U.S. Congressional Districts six, seven, ten and fourteen.  The debate series will take place at Georgia Public Broadcasting (260 14th Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318) starting Sunday, May 1, 2022, and will continue through Tuesday, May 3, 2022.  The debates also will be available for viewers to watch live on GPB.org, and The Atlanta Press Club Facebook page www.fb.com/TheAtlantaPressClub. Logistics: To ensure everyone’s health and safety, media will not be allowed in the studio during…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announces the opening of its popular Fresh MARTA Markets, including the expansion of the program to provide greater food access in DeKalb County with new markets at Doraville and Kensington rail stations.   Fresh MARTA Markets open for the 2022 regular season beginning on Tuesday, April 12 at West End Station, Wednesday, April 13 at H.E. Holmes and Bankhead Stations, Thursday, April 14 at College Park and Doraville Stations, and Friday, April 15 at Five Points Station. The new market at Kensington opens this summer. All markets are open one day-day…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA –  The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in solving a fatal shooting case. The incident occurred on Salem Road at the intersection of Golfview Drive on May 24, 2021, Conyers. The victim, who was shot multiple times while riding his bike, was identified as Kelvin D. Battle, 34, of Covington. Battle succumbed to his injuries several days later, authorities said.  The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have any information about this incident to contact Investigator J. Figueroa at 770-278-8044 or 470-606-7073. Pictured above  is the victim Kelvin D. Holmes. Photo provided by the Rockdale County…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. David Scott (GA-13), Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Nikema Williams (GA-05) announced today that three organizations in DeKalb County, Decatur and Atlanta will receive a total of more than $2.1 million in Public Health AmeriCorps funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The grants will support 87 Public Health AmeriCorps members in Congressional Districts 4, 5 and 13. Public Health AmeriCorps, a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders. Supported by a five-year, $400 million…

STONECREST, GA—Freedom Plasma officially opened its Stonecrest location on Monday, April 4, hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the community to learn more about the need for plasma donations and incentives for giving. The new facility, located at 3140 Turner Hill Road in the former Rite Aid pharmacy building, will have an economic boost of approximately $5 million per year for the Stonecrest community, officials said. And beginning today (April 5), donors—who must be ages 18-65 and have a verifiable home address and provide other identification—will receive bonuses. “We are glad to be here in Stonecrest…