Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA–The inaugural Festive Night of Lights, a brand-new holiday celebration in the city featuring a drone show, takes place in historic Olde Town Conyers on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. To kick off the holiday season, families are invited to join in on festive fun, food, entertainment and sparkling lights. Guests will enjoy free trackless train rides and other children’s activities, take selfies with Santa, and savor delicious bites from local food vendors or dine at one of Olde Town’s charming restaurants. Adding to the magic of the evening, carolers dressed in Victorian-styled costumes, The Christmas Carolers,…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers City Council member-elect Sherri Washington will be sworn in on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m., at Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly St., Conyers. Washington was the clear front runner of the three-way race on Nov. 4, capturing 63.89 percent(559 votes) for the District 2, Post 2 seat.  Washington will take her seat at her first City Council meeting, following the swearing-in ceremony. Washington will begin her term immediately, having been elected to fill the remainder of Connie Alsobrook’s term. Alsobrook stepped down from her second 4-year-term, which began in January 2025. Alsobrook overwhelmingly won the office of mayor…

DECATUR, GA– Due to forecasted freezing temperatures, DeKalb County is opening the following warming centers for residents beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11, Sunday through Tuesday: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta • St. Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee • Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur • Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur • Golden Door Warming Center (Women & Children), 2944 Ember Drive, Decatur All transportation routes originate from Frontline Response Headquarters (2585 Gresham Roadd SE, Atlanta) and are scheduled for initial pickups to be completed by 7:30 p.m. Following the initial routes, final sweeps will continue from 7:30 p.m. until 10…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Due to cold weather, Gwinnett County has moved its Veterans Day Ceremony and Stand Down event indoors.  The ceremony honoring those who have served our country, followed by Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson’s Stand Down event with resources and services geared toward veterans and their families, will be held on Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., inside the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center Auditorium, Lawrenceville. All visitors should enter from the front of GJAC, not from the parking deck entrance. Remarks will be made by Chairwoman Hendrickson, Commissioner Kirkland Carden and Commissioner Jasper Watkins.  Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will temporarily close the golf courses located at the Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center and the Mystery Valley Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday, Nov.10–11, due to cold weather conditions. Tennis courts at Sugar Creek and driving ranges at both facilities will remain open to the public. The golf courses are expected to reopen on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 a.m. Locations            Mystery Valley Golf Club – 6094 Shadow Rock Drive Lithonia, GA 30058 Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center – 2706 Bouldercrest Road Atlanta, GA 30316

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces the conviction by jury trial of a Stone Mountain man accused of shooting two teen girls, killing one. On Thursday, Nov. 6, jurors found Malachi Coleman, 23, guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, for the murder of Jayce Pirtle, 19, and the shooting of a 16-year-old girl. According to the investigation, on Jan. 2, 2023, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) responded around 5 p.m. to a call of a person shot in…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—State Rep. Rhonda Taylor, District 92, will host her final meeting for her 2025 “Constituent Speak” series on Saturday, Nov. 15.  The East corridor multi-county community meeting will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Conyers Rockdale Library, 864 Green St., Conyers. The meeting is being held a week earlier than previously scheduled to avoid the busy Thanksgiving holiday planning and travel, Taylor said. Taylor will be joined by State Rep. Viola Davis and State Sen. Emmanuel Jones as they provide updates ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session and gather input from community residents on their concerns…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County tax commissioner’s office located at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur will have extended hours for property tax customers Nov. 10 – 17 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. All tax office locations will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. “As the final deadline approaches for property taxes, we typically see an influx of taxpayers at the Memorial Dr. office. Please pack your patience,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. To avoid long lines and wait times, payments can be made online, by phone, by secure drop box, and at any…

DECATUR, GA– Antwyn Brown has been appointed Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO) for DeKalb County Government.  DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson stated that Brown will assist Chief Operating Officer Zachary Williams in overseeing the county’s operational departments and advancing DeKalb’s commitment to efficient, transparent, and customer-focused service delivery.  “Antwyn Brown brings exceptional experience, analytical skill, and a deep commitment to public service,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “His leadership will strengthen our operational effectiveness and ensure that DeKalb County continues to meet the needs of residents with excellence and accountability.”  A seasoned leader in public administration, Brown has more than two decades of…