Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is inviting the community to celebrate Black History Month by viewing the “Black Church Experience,” a docuseries produced by Rockdale County government. The docuseries highlights unique stories, insights into the historical significance of the Black Church within our community, and presentations from local pastors and Praise and Worship teams. The three-part docuseries is available on Rockdale 23 (Comcast cable channel 23) and is being shared on all Rockdale County social media platforms with the handle: RockdaleGov. Viewers can watch the videos on demand at: vimeo.com/RockdaleGov or on Rockdale 23 YouTube. The…

DECATUR, GA– On Feb. 18, a portion of the northbound lane along DeKalb Industrial Way, at eastbound Lawrenceville Highway, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while crews work to install valves on new ductile iron pipe. Message boards will be placed at the intersection. This section of DeKalb Industrial Way will reopen on Friday, Feb. 18, at 4:30 p.m. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated this construction project to address the repair needs of approximately 100,000 linear feet of water pipe as a part of ongoing maintenance to improve water service countywide. Motorists…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp on Feb. 15 joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the State of Georgia achieved a record-breaking year for international trade. In 2021, Georgia’s total trade reached $166.11 billion across 223 countries and territories. As reported by GDEcD’s International Trade team, Georgia set a record for exports of $42.36 billion in 2021. “Being ranked seventh in total trade value is no small feat, and I applaud our state’s trade team and Georgia businesses for these results,” said Governor Kemp. “With more than 85 percent of our state’s exporters categorized as small businesses, Georgia’s…

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Marino Sanchez-Nava was arrested for Arson in the 1st Degree, Criminal Damage to Property, Burglary, and Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime. The arrest stemmed from a    Nov. 16 incident in which a fire was started in the basement of a residence. Someone was home at the time and immediately called emergency services. Firefighters determined that the fire was intentionally set. The suspect was subsequently charged for the crimes in December. “Mr. Sanchez-Nava was apprehended following a tip on his whereabouts,” said Commissioner King. “The suspect…

ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers) will host a virtual town hall to educate property owners and homeowners on House Bill 1093 and other housing issues on Thursday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Advanced registration is required. To register for this virtual town hall, please click here. “I am worried that such a law would increase the number of boarding houses, illegal personal care homes and party houses within stable neighborhoods and single-family residential neighborhoods,” Rep. Davis stated in a news release. “In my district, homeowners would not have the ability to complain that…

WASHINGTON, D.C.—DeKalb County Commissioner and National Association of Counties (NACo) President Larry Johnson will welcome President Joe Biden to the NACo Legislative Conferencetoday, today, Feb. 15. President Biden will address conference attendees during a general session beginning 1 p.m. EST. Commissioner Johnson’s introduction and President Biden’s address will be livestreamed here. “It is an honor to welcome President Biden to our conference, especially as we work with the administration to invest federal resources in our communities,” Johnson said. “Our strong partnership with the federal government will help DeKalb County and counties across America thrive.” The opportunity to welcome President…

STONECREST, GA—The Stonecrest City Council on Feb. 14 passed a resolution during a special called meeting to hold a special election on May 24 to fill the unexpired term for the office of mayor. The resolution was approved 5-0. The council authorized the DeKalb County Board of Elections to conduct the special election and a runoff, if needed, on June 21. The council also approved a resolution setting the qualifying fee for the mayoral race at $600. Although the qualifying dates were not stated during Monday’s special called meeting, Mayor pro tem George Turner said that the qualifying period must…

On Sunday, Feb. 27, 1-4 p.m, community members will gather to shape the future of the remnants of DeKalb County’s first Black public school, the Bruce Street School ruins. The event will take place at the offices of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, 3350 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038. Free parking is available onsite and at the easily accessible trailhead next door (3366 Klondike Road). This event is the third in a series designed to gather community feedback and direct the reactivation of the school site. The event will be led by Martin Rickles Studio, an Atlanta-based interdisciplinary design studio; staff members…