Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County received the 2021 Georgia County Excellence Award from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) at this year’s County Reconnect Conference. Rockdale, along with Baldwin, Coweta Spalding and Upson counties received the award for finding creative and innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. The conference was held Nov. 12-15 in Savannah, Georgia. Rockdale was honored for its Accountability Court programs, which provide help for nonviolent offenders to change their lives and behaviors. The first Accountability Court program launched in 2007. The programs have a recidivism rate, or rate of people repeating criminal…

Photo provided by Sprouts Farmers Market.  SMYRNA, GA—Sprouts Farmers Mart will open a new format store on Dec. 1 at 2530 Cumberland Boulevard in Smyrna. The location will be its first Georgia Sprouts to feature the specialty market’s updated design and layout. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held before doors open at 7 a.m. Every customer on grand opening day will receive a free reusable bag with purchase. The Smyrna store features the grocer’s latest store design, which makes it easier for health-minded and food-centric shoppers to explore new “better for you” products. Features include: An Innovation Center showcasing new-to-market,…

 ATLANTA—Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced new funding and partnerships for two major initiatives for Atlanta families—the Child Savings Account Program and the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP). “The Child Savings Account and Youth Entrepreneurship programs are two of our Administration’s proudest achievements,” said Bottoms. “When I took office, I had a vision for a more affordable, equitable and resilient Atlanta – and that vision began with our children. These programs are another major investment in the future of our young people and the future of our city. Thank you to APS, Operation HOPE, the United Way of Greater Atlanta,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw is sponsoring two Thanksgiving food distribution events and one COVID-19 and flu vaccination event on Saturday, Nov. 20.  Bradshaw has partnered with Potter’s House Community Development to host a food distribution, COVID-19 and flu vaccine event beginning at 10 a.m. at 1983 Brockett Road, Tucker. While supplies last, $100 gift cards will be distributed to those who receive COVID-19 vaccination on the day of the event. “I could not have imagined back in March 2020 that we would still be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic nearly two years later,” Commissioner Bradshaw…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—On Saturday, Dec. 4, DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will host a special event to help bring the joy of Christmas to underserved children during the holidays. The 2nd Annual Stuff the Bus Holiday Toy Drive will take place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in two locations: Northlake Mall, 4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta, and South DeKalb Plaza, 2726-88 Candler Rd, Decatur. “Many residents have seen a decrease in income due to the spread of COVID-19, yet their economic demands have not changed,” Cochran-Johnson said. “By donating new toys, local children can experience the joy…

CONYERS, GA—The 23rd Annual Christmas Tour of Homes will kick off with a candlelight tour on Dec. 4, 5 to 8 p.m. The event will be held on Dec. 5, 1 to 5 p.m. The tour will kick off at the new Rockdale County Public School administrative building, the historic site of the former Pine Street Elementary, located at 960 Pine Street. Parking also will be available at the Administrative Building. This year’s Tour of Homes will feature “Southern Hospitality” mini sessions on ideas for entertaining during the holidays including charcuterie board assembly, food and wine suggestions, home decor trends, and floral arrangements for…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host his Annual Day of Service on Saturday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Annual Day of Service is a day filled with opportunities for volunteers to give back to their community.  Each year Commissioner Johnson has partnered with different organizations to address the needs of the community. “Giving and empowerment is not a moment. it’s our mission!” Johnson said. “We didn’t think we would still be dealing with COVID-19, but even during these challenging times, we must continue to do our part and help those in…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Sage Arthur, a sophomore at Heritage High School, has been named a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders, which will be held March 26-27, 2022. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. During the two-day Congress, Arthur will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research, receive advice from Ivy League and medical school deans on what to expect in medical school, and learn about cutting-edge advances…