Author: On Common Ground News

LITHONIA, GA—Lithonia First United Methodist Church, 3099 Stone Mountain Street in downtown Lithonia, is operating a food bank for needy residents living in 30038 and 30058 ZIP codes Weekly, residents can select from a wide range of goods including bread, bakery items, meat, and sundry items every Monday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Registered participants can also pick up a bag (or bags, depending on family size) of groceries every 28 days on Mondays or on the second Saturday of each month, also from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Those receiving food are required to wear face masks…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Restaurant patrons in Gwinnett County now will be able to have cocktails delivered to their homes with their restaurant takeout orders under a new county ordinance. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, March 1, voted to change the current county ordinance to allow deliveries of wine, beer and mixed drinks with takeout orders from restaurants. The board also approved extended alcohol sales on Sunday. The new hours for beer and wine sales on Sunday have been extended two hours. Now, residents can purchase alcohol beginning at 11 a.m. until midnight. The updated ordinance on alcohol…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold a job fair for bus operators and journeyman bus technicians on Saturday, March 5, 9 a.m. until noon, at MARTA headquarters, 2415 Piedmont Rd., Atlanta. MARTA headquarters is located across from the Lindbergh Center rail station on Piedmont Road in Atlanta. MARTA is offering a $3,000 sign-on bonus and will train all Permit and Class C license holders for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).  WHAT:           Bus Operator and Journeyman Bus Technician Job Fair Pay starting at $17.74/hr. for operators and $23.91/hr. for technicians MARTA will train all Permit and Class C holders…

ATLANTA—World-renowned cinematic innovator Tyler Perry will deliver the keynote address at Emory University’s 177th Commencement ceremony scheduled for Monday, May 9, on the Emory Quadrangle. Perry will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree.    “Tyler Perry is a visionary creative force — writing, directing, producing and performing in plays, films and TV shows that move, entertain and inspire,” said Emory President Gregory L. Fenves. “Equally impressive are his endeavors as a philanthropist, humanitarian and social justice advocate. Whether funding scholarships for talented students, covering the grocery bills of elderly Atlanta residents, or supporting global disaster relief, he is renowned…

CONYERS, GA— The Conyers Police Department is receiving Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training to better address how to respond to crisis situations.   The training, provided by the Police Executive Research Forum, is being funded by a $60,000 grant from the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Training Program.   Officials say the program is designed to create an environment for the best possible outcome during situations that can evolve very quickly.      All department personnel including 911 communications operators, police officers, and supervisors are required to participate in the training, the Police Department stated.     The Conyers Police…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston presented her 7th Annual Love Run 5K on Feb. 26, 2022 in support of the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. The chilly weather didn’t dampened the enthusiasm of those who participated. While some showed up in person outside the downtown Decatur Courthouse, others participated virtually, documenting their fundraising efforts.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council will resume regularly scheduled, in-person meetings on Monday, March 7, at 1 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave.SW. Regularly scheduled, in-person committee meetings will resume the week of March 14 and will also be convened in the City Council Chamber. The meetings will be conducted in accordance with the City of Atlanta’s Charter, City Code of Ordinances, and the rules of Council as adopted for in-person meetings. In-person public comment procedures will resume as previously conducted and adopted by the Council in accordance with City Charter Section…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced that it will lift its mandatory mask requirement for all staff and students indoors and on buses. Effective March 2, mask-wearing will be strongly encouraged for all staff, students, and visitors but not mandatory. DCSD said in a March 1 news release: “DCSD is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. The district reviews the COVID-19 case data and status reports for the school district and DeKalb County. In collaboration with the DCSD’s Medical Advisory Committee, all information is utilized to make decisions on mask-wearing and other mitigation strategies.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 3,600 boxes of produce and chicken on Saturday, March 5, 9 a.m. “As food prices continue to soar, many people are struggling to keep food on their tables,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “This food distribution will help to relieve the burden residents have of feeding their families.” Food distributions will be held at the following locations: Berean Christian Church, 2201 Young Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088 Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 3800 Big Miller Grove Way, Stonecrest, GA 30038 New Birth Missionary…

STONECREST, GA– The 10th and final year of Monadnock Madness, the springtime hiking promotion stretching across three mountains and throughout the month of March, has begun. Participants can get out and explore Georgia’s granite giants – Arabia, Panola, and Kennesaw Mountains – through the Triple Hike Challenge, guided ranger programs, nature photography workshops and mountaintop yoga. A “monadnock” is a large geologic formation that has remained static as the ground has eroded around it – Arabia, Kennesaw and Panola Mountains are all three examples of this geologic formation. These metro-Atlanta mountains support a variety of rare and beautiful plant species, including diamorpha, atamasco lily, trout lily…