Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett County has opened a shelter for homeless women and their children, offering them a new lease on life. The first – and currently only –shelter in Gwinnett officially opened on Tuesday, Aug. 17. HomeFirst Gwinnett: The Resting Spot will cater to women, moms and their children. HomeFirst Gwinnett is a collaborative initiative between the county, United Way of Greater Atlanta and Primerica Foundation. “Homelessness is a complex and tragic problem. Gwinnett County is fortunate to have a partner like HomeFirst Gwinnett on the frontlines addressing this issue,” said Board of…

After an outcry from citizens at the public hearings this week, Rockdale County Post 2 Commissioner Doreen Williams says she will not support the county’s proposed 7.94 percent property tax increase. The three-member Rockdale Board of Commissioners  is set to vote on the matter on next Tuesday, Aug. 24, after the final public hearing, which will be held at 9 a.m. at the Assembly Hall, 901 Main St., Conyers. The board has held two public hearings: Aug. 17 and Aug. 19. Williams told On Common Ground News (ocgnews.com) this morning that the county should look at other…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Rockdale County will host a ribbon cutting on Aug. 31, 5 p.m., for its new teen center at Johnson Park, 1781 Ebenezer Road S.W., Conyers.  The center will be named after Grady Jarrett, a Conyers native, Rockdale County High School graduate and Atlanta Falcons Defensive Lineman. The 700-square-foot Grady Jarrett Resource Opportunity Center will feature technology and e-sports equipment.  The resource center also will be used to help teens register for college, apply for employment and host e-sports tournaments and leagues. Rockdale County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds contributed…

STONECREST— Tara Graves qualified today(Aug. 19) to run against Councilman Jimmy Clanton, who is seeking re-election for the District 1 seat. Graves was the only candidate who qualified today, bringing the total to eight who are running for council seats. Graves’ entrance means that all three incumbents who are running in the Nov. 2 General Election will face challengers for their seats: Districts 1, 3 and 5. Here’s a snapshot of the races since qualifying began on Aug. 16: District 1: Councilman Jimmy Clanton, Jr., who qualified on Aug. 16; Tara Graves, who qualified on…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Health has added four mobile vaccination unit stops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays on a rotating basis, through Sept. 15. The dates, locations and times are as follows: Tuesdays Aug. 24 and 31, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Gresham Park Recreation Center 3113 Gresham Rd. SE Atlanta, GA 30316 Wednesdays Aug. 18 and 25, noon until 7 p.m.   County Line-Ellenwood Library, 4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294                               Sept. 1, 8 and 15, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Exchange Recreation and Intergenerational Center 2771 Columbia Dr. Decatur, GA 30034  Thursdays Aug.…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Police Detective Casey Benton has been named by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) as the 2021 Outstanding Police Officer of the Year. Detective Benton, who has been with the DeKalb County Police Department for 15 years, received his award in July 2021 during the GACP’s training conference in Savannah. ” src=”cid:clip_image003.jpg” alt=”clip_image003.jpg” width=”123″ align=”left” hspace=”12″ vspace=”5″ v:shapes=”Text_x0020_Box_x0020_2″ apple-inline=”yes” class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” style=”opacity: 1;”>“DeKalb County is fortunate to have Detective Benton not only because of his exceptional work ethic, but most importantly for his dedication to protecting the community’s most valued resource–children,”…

STONECREST, GA– The Stonecrest City Council will hold its upcoming meeting virtually on Monday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., city officials announced today (Aug. 19). The council is expected to consider declaring a Local State of Emergency for the City to continue virtual meetings, the city said today(Aug. 19) in a news release. During meetings in July and at the Aug. 9 work session, the Council discussed ways to return to in-person meetings including implementing a variety of public health precautions such as installing plexiglass barriers on the Council dais and public comment lectern, spacing audience…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Corrections Department is hosting a career fair on Saturday, Aug.28, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., at 750 Hi Hope Road in Lawrenceville. The Department is hiring Correctional Officers and  Correctional Officer Senior positions. There are several phases in the hiring process and this event expedites the time by giving candidates the opportunity to complete the first phase. The career fair includes a facility tour, background processing, a behavior personal assessment device test and interview panels. Attendees are encouraged to apply online for the Correctional Officer position listed on GCCorrections.com before Aug. 26 to fully participate. Additional…

South’s largest outdoor arts and crafts show takes Sept. 9 – 12 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA –The 53rd annual Yellow Daisy Festival returns to Stone Mountain Park Sept. 9-12, 2021. Voted one of the top arts and crafts shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, and winner of multiple awards by the Southeast Festival and Events Association, the event is a tradition for multi-generational shoppers searching for unique works of art. The Yellow Daisy Festival gets its name from the September blooming of a special type of yellow daisy which only grows within 60 miles…