Author: On Common Ground News

BROOKHAVEN, GA— The City of Brookhaven’s popular Paint the Park event returns to Blackburn Park after being held virtually last year due to COVID-19. Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to use the changing fall colors of the park as inspiration on Sunday, Oct. 24, 1 o 4 p.m. The free event takes place at the pavilion near Ashford Dunwoody Road. To illustrate the importance of civic art, completed pieces will be displayed throughout the afternoon. “I’m so excited that Paint the Park returns home to Blackburn Park this year,” said District 1 Councilwoman Linley Jones. “This…

ATLANTA— Clarence Dean Alford, a former member of the Board of Regents representing Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, has pleaded guilty to Racketeering, the Office of the Attorney General announced. Chief Superior Court Judge Robert F. Mumford sentenced the Alford to 15 years.  He will serve 8 years in prison and spend the remainder on probation.  As a condition of his probation, Alford may not conduct any business with the State, the Attorney General’s Office said. “I applaud the work of the Prosecution Division,” said Chief Deputy Attorney General Wright Banks. “Our office is committed to prosecuting those who perpetrate fraud on…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Advance voting for the Nov. 2 municipal and special elections began today and ends on Oct. 29. Designated polling precincts will be open during the week on Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday advance voting days are Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday     advance voting days are Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, noon until 5 p.m. Drop boxes are under 24-hour surveillance inside designated advance voting locations and are only available during advance voting hours. For more information, visit www.DeKalbVotes.com or call 404-298-4020. DeKalb County’s Board of Registration…

ATLANTA — Online purchase scams now account for more than a third of all scam reports filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Four out of five consumers who report such scams lose money, making it the #1 riskiest scam type. BBB is warning consumers ahead of the holiday shopping season to know how scammers deceive consumers, whether they are actively shopping or passively browsing. The 2021 BBB Online Purchase Scams Report examines more than 55,000 online purchase scam reports submitted to BBB Scam Tracker between 2015 and 2021 and new survey research conducted in 2021 to get insights from those who reported online…

Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 12, for municipal elections across Georgia ahead of the Nov. 2 General Election. Voters also will have the option of voting on two Saturdays because of Georgia’s new election law. Additionally, some  counties, including DeKalb and Fulton, will provide voting on two Sundays. There will be fewer drop boxes for mail-in absentee ballots and they will only be accessible inside polling places during opening hours.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Senior running back Jayden Brown and junior linebacker Cayman Spaulding wreaked havoc on the Class 4A No. 7 ranked Stephenson Jaguars to lead the Miller Grove Wolverines to a 34-27 Region 6-4A victory at Hallford Stadium on Friday (Oct. 8). Brown finished the night with 205 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 22 carries and added a 67-yard punt return. Spaulding had 13 total tackles (7 solo, 6 assists) including six tackles for a loss to go with two interceptions, one for a touchdown. Brown got the Wolverines (5-1, 1-1) on the scoreboard…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Government and DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) expressed their condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic airplane crash on Oct. 8 at PDK Airport. The agencies said that they are grateful for the prompt response by DeKalb County Fire Rescue, PDK’s maintenance and security crews, DeKalb County Police Department, Chamblee Police Department, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency, DeKalb Homeland Security, DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office and American Medical Response. Two children and two adults were killed last Friday after their aircraft burst into flames at PDK Airport. Jonathan Rosen, 47,…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host several Halloween events at various recreation centers, Oct. 28 – 31.  All events are free to attend and will include trunk or treats, face painting, games, costume contests and more. The public is invited and children are encouraged to wear costumes. Thursday, Oct. 28 N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, 7–9 p.m. Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 644 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale, 6–8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29 Exchange Intergenerational Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, 6– 8 p.m. Gresham Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta,…

CONYERS, GA—The city of Conyers will hold its Municipal General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, for the purpose of electing the mayor and two council members: one council member from District 1 and one council member from District 2, Post 1. The four-year terms for all three elected positions begin on Jan.1, 2022 and end on Dec. 31, 2025. Mayor Vince Evans was the sole candidate qualifying for mayor. Candidates who qualified for District 1 are: Eric Fears and Leslie Lambert. Candidates who qualified for District 2, Post 1 are: Charles Bryant, Jason Cosby, and Josie Giles. Only registered…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) will host Wild Night OutSIDE on Oct. 23, 4 to7 p.m. The event will take place at the Rockdale Art Farm, 4420 Flat Bridge Road, S.W., Stockbridge.  The celebratory bash will feature live music, wildlife ambassadors, and libations – including signature cocktails – and food from the Good Food Truck. All of the funds raised will support AWARE’s work in rescuing and rehabilitating Georgia’s injured and orphaned wildlife. The event is being presented by Intown Ace Hardware and Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance  is also a sponsor. To purchase tickets, visit: awarewildlife.org/wildnightoutside. Located at…