Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) International Day of Service, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is partnering with Walgreens, MCI Diagnostics Center, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, and Saint Philip A.M.E. Church in Atlanta to provide free COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and testing, as well as flu shots, free 3-D mammograms and community blood donations.  The Empowerment Resource Center also will conduct HIV testing at the upcoming event. The two-day event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 15, and Monday, Jan. 17, the actual birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Saint Philip A.M.E.…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA–UGA Extension Gwinnett is set to kick off its annual Plant Sale Fundraiser on Jan. 3. The plant sale, which runs through March 4, supports the 4-H youth development program and Master Gardener projects. The sale offers a variety of fruit and ornamental plants that thrive in Georgia soil. “Each year, we offer a fantastic variety of locally grown fruiting plants; flowering plants that add a splash of color or fragrance to your yard; plants perfect for pollinators; and Georgia natives,” said Mary Black, Division Director of UGA Extension Gwinnett. “Availability changes every year, so be ready…

ATLANTA – As a large weather system moved across the state bringing several inches of rain, snow and high winds, Georgia Power is responding to service interruptions as quickly and safely as weather conditions allow, officials said. Crews from around the state are engaged in restoration activities, including damage assessment to determine what restoration crews will need to make repairs. Approximately 71,000 customers were without power early this morning, according to Georgia Power’s Online Outage Map. Georgia Power reminds customers to keep safety first during severe winter weather and offers the following tools to stay connected and informed. Tools You…

ATLANTA— Chase Davis, chef/owner of metro Atlanta’s King Kabob food truck, is vying to win big on the Food Network star Guy Fieri’s new competition reality show, “Guy’s Chance of a Lifetime.” Fieri is expanding his successful restaurant empire and is searching for one talented food entrepreneur to run their own Chicken Guy! Franchise. The 29-year-old Davis told On Common Ground News today (Dec. 31) that he is excited about being selected to compete on “Guy’s Chance of a Lifetime,” which premieres on Sunday, Jan. 2, at 9|8c on Food Network. The final episode will air on Sunday, Feb. 6,…

Winter Recess – No Board Meetings Scheduled: Dec. 15, 2021– Jan.14, 2022 Holiday – County offices closed – New Year’s Day, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 Holiday – County offices closed – Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Monday, Jan. 17 BOC Work Session: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m., Rockdale Assembly Hall, 901 Main St., Conyers, Georgia BOC Voting Session: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m., Rockdale Assembly Hall, 901 Main St., Conyers, Georgia Zoning Public Hearing: Thursday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m., Rockdale Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia For more information on the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners, visit:   https://rockdalecountyga.gov/our-government/board-of-commissioners/

CONYERS, GA—The City of Conyers will begin accepting applications on Jan. 3 from city businesses and residents for its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants. Funding will be given to 50 businesses and 250 residents who apply and meet certain criteria. The city, which received $6 million in  ARPA funds, has allocated $250,000 in assistance to be awarded to local businesses and another $250,000 to be awarded to residents. Individuals who qualify will receive $1,000 each and businesses that qualify will receive $5,000, until the funds are exhausted. The city received the first half of the $6 million in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The NAACP DeKalb County Branch will celebrate Jubilee Day on New Year’s Day with a virtual program at 10 a.m. sponsored by the Rev. Steven N. Dial, Sr. of Rainbow Park Baptist Church located in Decatur. Jubilee Day marks President Abraham Lincoln’s official signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.  On paper, the document freed all Blacks held captive in Southern states. This year, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will serve as keynote speaker of the DeKalb NAACP event.   The civil rights organization’s 2022 theme is “Protecting Our Democracy.” “This is not only a celebration of Black freedom,…

Stonecrest, GA –A 10-year-old boy who was shot in the face in a drive by shooting in early December was given a Merry Christmas, compliments of SeaQuest Stonecrest – an interactive aquarium known as the ultimate land and sea adventure. Georbrand Jackson, a student at Murphy Candler Elementary school, lost two teeth and part of his jaw in the Dec. 3 attack, which is still under investigation. DeKalb County Police said someone fired two rounds around 8:10 p.m. into the Jackson family’s home, which is located in the 4200 block of Chestnut Lake Avenue, striking the child. The…

The City of Stonecrest is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Mayor Jason Lary City Address Time: Jan 4, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87813252962 Meeting ID: 878 1325 2962 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87813252962# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,87813252962# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 878 1325 2962 Find your…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will hold a Committee of the Whole, Special Called Meeting and Executive Session, Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the Maloof Auditorium located at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030. The tentative agenda follows: Committee of the Whole A.Committee Reports B.Public Health Director – COVID – 19 Update C.Review of the Proposed Executive Agenda for January 11, 2022 D.Review of Commissioners’ Preliminary Agenda for January 11, 2022 Special Called Meeting A.Executive Session B.Other Matters