Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Clerk of Superior Courts Janice Morris is reminding notaries public seeking to renew their commissions as well as new applicants that they must complete mandatory educational training under a new law that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025. HB 1292, which was passed by Georgia legislators during the 2024 legislative session, requires completion of the training course as part of the application process for Georgia public notaries. Notaries will be provided a certificate after completing the training course.  Notaries who are seeking renewals and those who are first-time applicants must include the certificate of completion with their…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open the following four warming centers for residents on each night Wednesday, Jan. 1, through Saturday, Jan. 4, starting at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta  North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International according…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County NAACP invites the community to its Jubilee Day Celebration on Jan. 1, 11 a.m., at Bald Rock Baptist Church, 2282 Old Covington Road, Conyers.  The 2025 theme is “The Fight Continues,” and Pastor Christopher Ship will lead the worship service.   Come out and celebrate the momentous occasion.   

As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the City of Stonecrest for allowing me the opportunity to serve this community. This year has been truly transformative for me. I have gained a deeper understanding of the culture at City Hall and developed meaningful relationships with my colleagues. I have learned invaluable lessons from each of them—some positive, some challenging. Yet, I firmly believe that everyone here is committed to the best interests of the City of Stonecrest. I would like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors…

UPDATE: Former President Jimmy Carter ‘s official state funeral will be held on Jan. 9. 2025 at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden, whose term will soon end as President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, will deliver Carter’s  eulogy.  President Biden said President Carter, his friend, asked him last year to deliver his eulogy. Biden has declared Jan. 9 as a national day of mourning.     Carter’s legacy also will be honored in public services that will be held in Atlanta , followed by a private interment in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, according…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –The DeKalb County NAACP will host its Jubilee Day 2025 Celebration on Jan. 1, 10 a.m., Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Jubilee Day is the remembrance and celebration of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863.  DeKalb NAACP President Edwina Clanton said the branch’s 2025 Jubilee Day Celebration will feature two speakers: Pastor Demetrius McCoy, senior pastor of Word of Life Christian Church, and 17-year-old Khepera Omijeolukore, a member of NAACP Youth Council.  Immediately following the service, the NAACP’s elected officers and at-large committee members will be sworn in…

ATLANTA— Metro Atlanta achieved a historic milestone in November, with total jobs reaching an all-time high of 3,112,100, the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced on Thursday, Dec. 26. The region added 9,600 jobs over the month and 12,900 jobs compared to November 2023. Jobs were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services with employment levels of 435,900, followed by Government at 368,300, the DOL Top sectors for yearly job gains: Health Care and Social Assistance, 15,600  Accommodation and Food Services, 8,600  Local Government, 7,500  Finance and Insurance, 2,000  Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 2,000 Monthly job trends: Key industries…

DECATUR, GA–The Georgia Black Home Educators Network (GBHEN) will host its 3rd Annual Flourish Family Homeschool Conference from Jan. 29-31, 2025. The conference, designed to “empower families to homeschool well,” kicks off on Jan. 29 at 9 a.m. at New Life Church and Community Center, 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur.  A community meet-and-greet will be held at 6 p.m.  In a state where homeschool surged from 59,000 students in 2015 to 91,000 by 2022, the Flourish Conference is equipping families with tools for success, the nonprofit stated in a news release.   Sponsored by School Choice Week, VELA Education Fund, and the Home School Legal Defense Association,…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Ready to take down your live Christmas tree? Consider recycling it at Gwinnett County’s annual “Bring One for the Chipper” event underway Dec. 26 to Jan. 22.  As part of the annual event, the trees will be turned into nutrient-rich mulch on Saturday, Jan. 25, and will be used to enhance County parks.  Designated Gwinnett fire stations will accept trees 24/7 during the drop-off period at the following:  Buford Fire Station 14, 1600 Highway 23 Fire Station 24, 2735 Mall of GA Blvd. Fire Station 29, 2800 Thompson Mill Rd. Dacula Fire Station 17, 2739 Brooks Rd. SE…