Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA—The New Black Wall Street Market’s grand opening, which was planned for Labor Day weekend, has been rescheduled to Oct. 30-31, due to the rising number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases, officials have announced. Bill Allen, the visionary and owner of the New Black Wall Street Market, said refunds will be processed for vendors who had paid their fee beginning immediately “After much prayer and deliberation, Mr. Allen has decided that out of an abundance of caution and concern for public health / safety due to the proliferation of the COVID-19 Delta variant, we will be postponing…

ATLANTA –– With temperatures frequently exceeding 90 degrees across much of the state and the heat index near 100, Georgia Power is reminding customers that the company offers energy assistance programs to those in need of help paying or reducing their monthly energy bill.    Assistance when you need it Georgia Power offers energy assistance programs in communities across Georgia and has established partnerships with nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations to assist income-qualifying customers with their energy costs. The company’s programs are offered to help meet the changing needs of customers across the state, proactively identify solutions to meet their specific…

Ministry to host pull-up service featuring gospel recording artist Fred Hammond, free food giveaway, COVID-19 vaccinations + other community outreach STONECREST, GA—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host a pull-up worship service on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the ministry’s campus located at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest. Initially planned as a reopening for in-person Sunday service, Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant pivoted Labor Day weekend plans out of an abundance of caution as Georgia’s COVID-19 cases surge and vaccinations plateau. The pull-up worship experience will feature award-winning gospel…

The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office announced today that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges against a correctional officer who punched an inmate at Phillips State Prison during a scuffle. The D.A.’s office said the correctional officer was within use of force guidelines. The D.A.’s Office released a video clip of the incident showing the inmate poking, swinging and resisting the correctional officers as he was told to return to his cell. The exchange can be viewed with the downloadable link to the clip here. The District Attorney’s Office began investigating the incident last…

ATLANTA – Angelina Cortez, 46, of Rex, Georgia was arrested after turning herself in to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 25, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced in a news release today. Cortez faces one count of Insurance Fraud and two counts of Forgery in the 1st Degree. She is currently being held in the Clayton County Jail. “Ms. Cortez initiated a homeowners insurance claim with USAA Insurance on July 21,” said King. “During the course of the claim, fraudulent bank documents from Navy Federal Credit Union and fraudulent receipts from Fairfield…

Want a beautiful shade tree planted in your front yard for only $25? In its second year, Releaf Dekalb is a partnership between the Dekalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability and Trees Atlanta to expand the tree canopy and bring the benefits of trees to the residents of Dekalb County. The program is open to residents of unincorporated DeKalb County only. There is a strict limit of two trees per home (homeowners participating in this program may purchase additional trees from Trees Atlanta upon request.) Employees or DeKalb County government are not eligible to participate. For more information…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is holding the second of two Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding events in 2021 for Rockdale residents and business owners. The E-Recycling and Paper Shredding Event will be held Saturday, Sept.18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot of 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The free, half-day event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents and electronics, regardless of working condition. There is a maximum of four banker boxes per vehicle allowed for paper shredding, and participants must provide photo ID as proof of an address in the County for both shredding…

CONYERS, GA. – Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) announced its 2021-2022 Teachers of the Year – the women and men who go above and beyond for their students, peers and community. This year’s Teachers of the Year are: Barksdale Elementary School – Garett Riemersma C.J. Hicks Elementary School – Anna Burdette Flat Shoals Elementary School – Kimberly Williams Hightower Trail Elementary School – Shantae Crawford Honey Creek Elementary School – Allison Joy Russell J.H. House Elementary School – LaTosha Finch Lorraine Elementary School – Cayla Hicks Peek’s Chapel Elementary School – Dr. Yovanda Horton Pine Street Elementary School…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw has appropriated $575,000 to assist nine nonprofit, community agencies in helping DeKalb residents with housing and food insecurities, and other essential needs due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The aid comes from District 4 American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. “I have seen firsthand that nonprofit agencies play a critical role when they partner with government to address societal issues,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. “I am grateful to be able to allocate funds to assist these organizations do what they are good at and that is reaching individuals in the…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Commissioners Mereda Davis Johnson and Larry Johnson will distribute free school uniforms during DeKalb’s vaccination event on Saturday, Aug. 28. “It is an honor to partner with our CEO and Commissioner Larry Johnson in this collaborative effort to serve our community,” said Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson. “DeKalb, once again, is on the cutting edge in improving the quality of life for our citizens.” “We want our kids to be dressed for success,” said Commissioner Larry Johnson. One uniform will be provided per vehicle or for each child present. Proof of school enrollment is required for…