Author: On Common Ground News

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…

The Columbia Eagles led from start to finish in the DeKalb County Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Championship but had to hold off a furious fourth quarter rally by the Arabia Mountain Rams to claim a 58-49 victory. Columbia (12-1) jumped out to a 11-0 lead to open the game and went up 32-22 with 4:27 to play in the third quarter on a three-pointer by Trevian Callaway before the Rams (10-3) began to chip away at the lead to pull within 36-32 at the end of the third quarter on a Jordan Miller runner in the lane. Arabia Mountain…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A 5-0 run in the final 37 seconds of the game sealed a 43-35 win for the Columbia Lady Eagles over the Arabia Mountain Lady Rams in the DeKalb County Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Championship on Saturday, Feb. 12, at Miller Grove High School. Arabia Mountain’s Caiden Bradford hit a runner coming in from the wing with 1:17 to play to pull the Rams within 38-35. A few seconds later the Rams got the ball back with the chance to tie the game when Columbia’s Kerselin Anderson got a steal and was fouled with 37 seconds…