Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County, GA—The Rockdale County Think Tank is hosting an MLK Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 17, 2 p.m., at 1524 Flat Shoals Road, S.W., Conyers. The community is invited to attend the “Black on Black Love Again Celebration” in honor of the national Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday “We just want everyone to come out in the spirit of love and peace. We want to stop the killing and spread love,” said Josie Dean, founder of the Rockdale County Think Tank. Deans said that guest speakers will include Conyers City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook; John Evans, founder…

CONYERS, GA– A new partnership between Piedmont Rockdale Hospital and the federal WIC program is assisting eligible mothers of babies in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)obtain the nutrition they through a coordinated application process. The new process is designed to save moms from having to make a trip to a government office to apply for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Information about the program will be presented at a virtual NICU parent support group meeting, hosted by the local health department on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Then,…

DECATUR, GA—On Tuesday, Jan. 11, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners elected District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick as the 2022 presiding officer and District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis-Johnson as deputy presiding officer. Commissioner Patrick will lead the seven-member board over the next two years. “I am deeply honored by my colleagues vote of confidence in my capabilities to lead the Board of Commissioners during these trying times,” Commissioner Patrick said. “My first priority is to hold a board retreat so that we, as a governing body, can establish some clear goals to work towards this year. While we are…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County will commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a weekend marked with a food distribution, COVID-19 test distribution, prayer and a parade. “The Board of Commissioners and I have proclaimed this King Holiday weekend as a time for Prayer, Healing and Restoration,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. On Saturday, Jan. 15, beginning at 9 a.m., 3,500 boxes containing produce, chicken hindquarters and a dozen eggs will be distributed at the following locations: Rehoboth Baptist Church, 2997 Lawrenceville Hwy., Tucker Shy Temple CME Church, 2030 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur Big Miller Grove…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Jan. 18 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Jan. 17, will be serviced on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Wednesday, Jan. 19 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Jan. 18, will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Thursday, Jan. 20 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Jan. 19, will…

LITHONIA, GA – New Bethel AME Church in partnership with MAJL Labs will be sponsoring a COVID-19 testing site, on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8350 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia.   Testing is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

DECATUR, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County Branch will host the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (MLK Jr.) Parade on Monday, Jan. 17, 2 at 12 noon. The parade line up starts at 10 a.m. at Green Pastures Christian Ministries, 5455 Flat Shoals Pkwy., Decatur, and ends at MLK High School, 3991 Snapfinger Road, Decatur. The theme is “Marching to the Sound of Justice.” All are welcome to participate in this historical event. To participate in the parade, you must register http://www.naacpdekalb.org. To volunteer, please send email to info@naacpdekalb.org  Subject: Volunteer To donate, remit payment at Donations…

ATLANTA– Gov. Brian P. Kemp has announced four judicial appointments and his intentions to appoint a district attorney for the Houston Judicial Circuit. Judge Charles E. Bailey will fill the seat on the DeKalb County State Court formerly held by the Honorable Kimberly Alexander who was appointed to the DeKalb County State Court Jury Division, effective August 31, 2021. Ana Maria Martinez will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Dax Lopez. Judge Ronnie Thompson will fill the seat on the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit created by the passage of HB 786 during the 2020 session of the Georgia…

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta announced the opening of two emergency warming centers in anticipation of frigid temperatures. The centers will open tonight, Monday, Jan. 10, at 8 p.m. and will remain open through Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., Jan. 11. The warming centers are located at the Old Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Ln N.W., Atlanta, and the Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Ave. N.E., Atlanta. Transportation will be provided at 8:00 p.m. from the Gateway Center, located at 275 Pryor St. SW, Atlanta.

ATLANTA –Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has appointed former State Rep. Edward Lindsey, Jr. to the State Election Board. Lindsey succeeds Rebecca Sullivan who was named Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services earlier today(Jan. 10). Edward Lindsey is a partner in the Dentons’ Public Policy practice and serves as the head of the firm’s Georgia state government affairs team. He previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 10 years, including three terms as House Majority Whip. Lindsey is a graduate of Davidson College and earned his law degree from the University of Georgia.