Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Today, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Qcells, one of the largest and most-recognized renewable energy solutions providers, will invest $171 million in a new solar module manufacturing facility in Dalton, creating 470 new jobs in Whitfield County. The new facility is expected to increase the number of Qcells employees in Georgia to more than 1,000. “We are proud that Qcells, like so many other job creators, has chosen to expand its operations here in the No. 1 state for business,” said Kemp. “For decades, Georgia and Korea have enjoyed a strong, prosperous relationship. I purposefully chose to visit…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Families in Rockdale County are invited to register for another free summer enrichment program hosted by Conyers City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook in collaboration with Beyond The Bell and Family Promise of NewRock. The six-week program, open to youths ages 17 and under and their parents or guardians, will be held June 13 through July 21, ending with a Youth Health Fair and school supply give-away. “We had over 40 youths to participant in the summer program last year. Parents were ecstatic the program was free,” said Alsobrook. Alsobrook said this summer, the program’s activities and classes…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Robert Patrick is pleased to announce that Pleasantdale Park was selected as one of multiple sites throughout DeKalb County that will be home to the Fresh on Dek Farmers’ Market. The market provides guests with fresh fruits and vegetables in communities where access to nutritious food options might be limited. The market rolled into Pleasantdale Park on May 25 and runs through July 13. Each Wednesday, from 5 to 7 p.m.  at Pleasantdale Park, guests will be able to receive pre-bagged produce while supplies last. Additionally, those who attend will have access to healthy recipes and…

BROOKHAVEN, GA–Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. welcomed one of its newest chapters, Alpha Beta Lambda Omega, to the North DeKalb County area on May 15. The chartering ceremony and luncheon were held at the Hyatt Regency Villa Christina in Brookhaven and officiated by Carolyn Gause Randolph, South Atlantic Regional Director. Phyllis Mitchell will serve as chapter president and lead its 57 members in its mission of providing service in the North DeKalb County communities of Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Dunwoody. The mayors of all four cities, as well as other community leaders from across DeKalb County, supported the formation…

Two newcomers are headed for a runoff for the House District 86 seat, which was held by Zulma Lopez, who decided not to seek re-election. The May 24 contest was close for the House District 86 seat: Imani Barnes received 47.62 percent of the vote. Jacqueline Adams received 46.23 percent. However, since neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, they will challenge one another on June 14. Barnes ran for Tucker City Council in 2021. She is a research scientist and owner of I can Become Anything, LLC., a learning development business in which she works with teens. She…

STONECREST, GA – The City of Stonecrest’s Municipal Court will launch a warrant amnesty program for individuals facing arrest and other penalties due to city ordinance and misdemeanor violations. Court officials will also waive or offer reduced fees for select non-traffic citations. The amnesty program will be held on June 14 and June 30. “This program offers the public an opportunity to voluntarily address and resolve outstanding cases,” said Mallory Minor, Municipal Court Clerk of Stonecrest. The amnesty program will be available to individuals with citations issued from 2018 to 2022. Court sessions will be conducted virtually from 8:30…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Elections posted its unofficial results for the May 24 primary election and will certify its election results on Friday, May 27, 5 p.m. Key dates: Runoff elections are scheduled for June 21.There will be a runoff in the School Board Board, Post 2 race between Tony Dowdy and Janie Jones since neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote. Early voting will be held June 13-17. June 10 is the last day to request an absentee ballot. All results of the May 24 elections are unofficial and incomplete until the DeKalb BRE officially…

Runoff elections scheduled for June 21   DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb  Voter Elections and Registration (DeKalb VRE) announced its unofficial results for the May 24 primary election and will certify its election results during the May 31 DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) meeting at noon. Runoff elections are scheduled for June 21. All results are unofficial and incomplete until the DeKalb BRE officially certifies the primary election. Unofficial results include Election Day voting, absentee ballots and advance voting. UOCAVA ballots must be returned to DeKalb VRE by close of business on Friday, May 27, 2022. Unofficial results can…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Lithonia man accused of killing his teen girlfriend then burying her body in a relative’s backyard.    Aldeyshaun Locklear, 20, was sentenced to a term of life in prison by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who presided over the trial.   Jurors returned guilty verdicts on May 20, 2022, against Locklear on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault by Strangulation, and Concealing the Death of Another in connection with the strangulation death of Te’a Choates, 19.   Choates was reported…

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is warning of a new text message-based scam that is attempting to steal your driver’s license information. Customers have been getting text messages asking them to follow a fraudulent link to verify their driver’s license information due to a temporary suspension.  DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore says such text messages are a fraud and likely an attempt by scammers to get your personal information. The Department stated in a news release today: “DDS employees do not contact customers to ask for personal or confidential information, such as driver’s license or…