Author: On Common Ground News

  STONECREST, GA—Brandon Riley is leaving his position as the City of Stonecrest’s director of Parks and Recreation effective Dec. 10. Riley has been named senior director of program operations for Operation Hope, a nonprofit that offers financial programming and coaching to empower and uplift communities. Riley will start his new position on Dec. 13. Riley was instrumental in making several significant accomplishments during his nearly three years with the City of Stonecrest. During the 1 year and 7 months as parks director, he was responsible for overseeing: the acquisition of 11 parks and future park properties totaling over 420…

Pictured L-R: GLCC President Greg Williams, Sales Manager for Mid/Large Commercial Team Kaiser Permanent presents the Chamber’s award to Valerie Morgan, and Glenn Morgan.    The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) honored On Common Ground News(ocgnews.com) Publishers Glenn and Valerie Morgan at its Morning Mix and Mingle on Dec. 1.    The event, which was held at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in the city of Stonecrest, was hosted by the Peachtree State Federal Credit Union’s Decatur branch. On Common Ground News’ was recognized for its dedication and over 26 years of service in the community. On…

 Edward Allen Gatling DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The Lithonia man who shot two DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office deputies this morning (Dec. 1) has been killed after engaging in gunfire with law enforcement tactical units attempting to make an arrest. Several metro law enforcement agencies joined the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office in pursuit of  Edward Allen Gatling, 38,  today in areas adjacent to the Wellington Circle home where deputies had gone this morning to serve an arrest warrant for Aggravated Assault with Attempt to Murder. During the warrant endeavor, Gatling opened fire and shot the deputies then fled the scene. A multi-agency…

DORAVILLE, GA—DeKalb County will give a $100 prepaid debit card to everyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday, Dec. 4. Beginning at 8 a.m., DeKalb County Board of Health, Emory Healthcare and DeKalb County Fire Rescue will administer voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone 12 years of age and older at the former K-Mart, 5597 Buford Hwy. NE, Doraville GA 30340. “DeKalb County’s focus of providing $100 incentives for vaccinations is having a major impact on increasing the county’s vaccination rates,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Because of our partnership with DeKalb County Board of Health and Emory…

Update: Due to expected cinclement weather, the meeting date has changed to Dec. 12, from 1 – 4 p.m. LITHONIA—Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance(AMHAA) will host its second community engagement session to determine the future of the historic Bruce Street School site, DeKalb County’s first public school for blacks. The outdoor, drop-in meeting will be held on Sunday, Dec. 11, 1- 4 p.m., at the former school site, 2449 Bruce St., Lithonia. The three-hour drop-in session will feature several activities to gain community feedback on how the ruins of the former school might be preserved as a historic…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Planning and Development will hold a job fair on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in Lawrenceville. The job fair will be held in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Conference Center (second floor), 75 Langley Drive. Masks are recommended but not required. The department wants to fill several positions including code enforcement, inspections and planning. During the event, applicants can discuss career opportunities with the department’s staff and interview for posted positions. Job hopefuls are encouraged to apply online for the positions listed on GCGA.us/PandDJobFair before Dec. 8. Gwinnett County offers competitive benefits, paid training,…

ATLANTA—Former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams announced her campaign for Governor today (Dec. 1). In conjunction with the announcement, Abrams released a video titled One Georgia focusing on her campaign. The video, narrated by Abrams, features images of Georgians from across the state and outlines Abrams’ efforts over the last four years to build a “stronger Georgia.” From her fierce advocacy for voting rights, to supplying food banks during the pandemic, to eliminating medical debt for tens of thousands of Georgians, Abrams discusses her dedication to delivering for Georgia. “Opportunity and success in Georgia shouldn’t be determined by your zip…

FULTON COUNTY, GA—The Fulton County Library System, in collaboration with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation, announced, One Book, One Read a county-wide book club with the aim of getting as many people across reading, talking about and engaging with the same book. The goal is to promote critical conversations, community building and literacy all while having fun with your friends, family and neighbors. The Library System’s first ever One Book, One Read program will begin with Caste: The Origins of OurDiscontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The book’s core resides in comparisons between the caste system in India, the American race system, and the rise of…

Story Updated Dec. 1: Graves thanks supporters, Incumbent Jimmy Clanton for his service STONECREST, GA—Tara Graves overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Jimmy Clanton in the Nov. 30 runoff for the District 1 Stonecrest City Council seat, earning 68.05 percent (296 votes), according to unofficial results released at 9:40 p.m. by DeKalb County elections officials.   Clanton received 31.95 percent (139 votes), elections officials reported. Graves, who has never run for office before, started the runoff race with a strong lead from supporters showing up for advanced voting. According to stats, she received 116 votes during advanced voting while Clanton received 46…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and their daughters will kick off the 2021 holiday season with the lighting of Georgia’s Christmas Tree on Wednesday, Dec. 1. The event will be held at the State Capitol in the North Wing rotunda at 2 p.m.  The First Family will be joined by leadership from the Georgia Building Authority and special guests, Clark Howard and the Atlanta Boy Choir. The First Family invites all Georgians to come together for this special time to reflect on the joy of Christmas and the importance of generosity and fellowship during this time…