Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA–As Mississippi and Texas continue to rebound from the devastating impacts related to recent winter storms, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is preparing its second wave of assistance to various ministries in the impacted areas. Shipments of bottled water and household supplies are scheduled for departure on Tuesday, March 9, and Wednesday, March 10, both at 9:30 a.m. from New Birth’s campus located at 6400 Woodrow Road in the city of Stonecrest. “So many communities in both Texas and Mississippi are in the midst of a dire crisis that has crippled many households from having access to clean…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Post 2 Commissioner Doreen Williams will host a virtual town hall,  “We’ve All Experienced Grief This Last Year: Let’s Talk About Resiliency,”’ on Monday, March 22, at 6 p.m. Speakers include Dr. Dietra Hawkins and the Rev. Tracy Lewis, with both participants focusing on dealing with grief and the path to resiliency. Dr. Hawkins is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, published author, and public speaker who has nearly 20 years of experience helping individuals, communities, and organizations apply research-based approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lewis is President and Founder of Growing Discoveries…

LITHONIA, GA—Zae Brewer, a Lithonia High School senior, is one of two students selected as Georgia’s delegates to the 2021 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), the Georgia Department of Education has announced. Each year, the USSYP brings the most outstanding high school students—two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity—to Washington, D.C. for an intensive weeklong study of the federal government and the people who lead it. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 program will be the first-ever fully virtual Washington Week. Brewer will join a 104-student delegation and will each receive…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday, March 5, that a total of five men are now in custody in connection with the shooting death of 55-year-old Craig Haynes. Haynes was shot on Feb. 20 at his home on Bobolink Drive in Decatur, authorities said. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive…

Pictured: Congressman Hank Johnson (front row), SBA’s Georgia District Director Terri Denison and Ruby Reisinger, area director of UGA’s Small Business Development Center DEKALB, GA–Congressman Hank Johnson (GA04) on Thursday, March 4, held a virtual town hall meeting for small businesses in the Fourth District to provide updates on the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (known as PPP) and other available resources. Guest speakers included Terri Denison, Georgia District Director for the Small Business Administration, and Ruby Reisinger, area director of the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center. “It’s time for the smallest of small…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County homeowners are encouraged to apply online for basic homestead exemptions before the April 1 deadline. Individuals applying for the first time must own and occupy the home as their primary residence as of Jan. 1, 2021, have all vehicles registered in DeKalb County, file taxes from the property, and not have a homestead exemption anywhere else. Homeowners do not need to apply more than once for a basic exemption. For all exemptions, eligibility and document requirements, please visit www.dekalbtax.org/exemptions. “Homestead exemptions provide significant savings for property owners who own and live at their primary residence,”…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host “March Backyard Gardening” virtual classes for free. The “Pollinators Attractors Spring Planting” class will be held on March 11, 6 to 7 p.m. The “Spring Veggies and Herbs” class will be on March 15, 6 to 7 p.m. The “Conifers for South” class will be on March 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The “Backyard Blueberry” class will be on March 24 6 to 7 p.m. Registration is required and is available at https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7QcpXVPkdNH4aG2  or by email at yanyu.chen@uga.edu.   For more information, contact the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Office at 404-298-4080,…

Photo Provided By Rockdale County Office of the Chairman ROCKDALE, GA—Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt will host his “10th Annual Lend-A-Ham”giveaway on Sunday, March 28, 3 p.m. at the Oliva Haydel Senior Center, located at 1240 Dogwood Drive, Conyers. “It’s a blessing to be a blessing,” Chairman Nesbitt said. “I’m excited that this year marks our 10th year supporting the senior citizens of Rockdale County. Most are on a fixed-income and several are raising grandchildren. Easter recognizes and celebrates the resurrection of Christ, the ultimate giver. I’m glad to live in a community where people care…

CONYERS–The St. Patrick’s Day festivities planned for Wednesday, March 17, in Olde Town Conyers will look a little different this year, but shenanigans will still be had. The traditional parade will not be held due to COVID-19 concerns, but will instead feature a St. Pet’s Day Stroll. Pet owners, along with their leashed or harnessed festive Irish-attired pet, are invited to gather at the corner of Commercial and Center streets before 5 p.m. At 5 p.m., participants will be led by the Free Range Minstrel David Court, a one-man band, and march with their pets down Commercial Street…

Pictured is the current  Blackhall Studios complex. South DeKalb County poised to become home to Georgia’s largest movie production complex   DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Blackhall Global Partners, LLC (BGP) is kicking off its $250 million expansion in DeKalb County. This week, the company began filing for permits with DeKalb County’s Planning and Sustainability Department to begin construction on its 155-acre parcel adjacent to the current Blackhall Studios. The economic impact to DeKalb County is projected to be more than $1 billion, providing nearly 5,900 jobs. The total economic impact for the state is estimated to be more than…