Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS—The historic Bald Rock Baptist Church and Pastor Christopher Shipp celebrated two of its congregation members as Rockdale County centenarians today (April 18). The Rev. Willie Clarence Banks, 100, and Deacon John Henry Penn, 101, were honored during Bald Rock’s drive-in Men’s Day worship service, marking a page in the history of Bald Rock, Rockdale’s first African American congregation, which was established in 1861. The church held the service on the front lawn with members and visitors worshipping in their cars with masks on and following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Brian Jenkins, president of the…

Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Rick Wade headline online business forum   STONECREST—New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant is hosting a virtual conference for current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on April 24, at 10 a.m. Featuring Slutty Vegan Chief Executive Officer and Founder Pinky Cole and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Dr. Rick Wade, “The Launching Pad” is a half-day online business forum created to empower business moguls in the making and enable them to better position their ideas in the marketplace.    “This forum will not only inspire leaders…

The City of Stonecrest’s Acting City Manager, Janice Allen Jackson, and Deputy City Manager, Jim Nichols would like to invite you to our next; Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Virtual Meeting on April 20, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Click here to import this event into your Calendar Access: Stonecrest YouTube Live Channel If there is a ZOOM Link, then the Link will be updated on The City Calendar, and attached you will find the meeting agenda.

ATLANTA—On Thursday, April 8, Gov. Brian Kemp’s Executive Order 03.31.21.03 became effective, rolling back the remaining COVID-19 restrictions on Georgia’s economy. The Governor’s Executive Orders are available to read here.  More details on the Executive Order is below: Executive Order 03.31.21.03 ▪ Will become effective April 8 through April 30, 2021 ▪ Eliminates the Gatherings ban ▪ Eliminates Shelter-in-Place requirements ▪ Removes the critical infrastructure distinction and collapses all organization suggested measures into one main list, with a small number of additional industry-specific requirements remaining ▪ Reduces any remaining distance requirements (i.e. distance between parties at restaurants, bars, and movie theaters, and between patrons…

The 2021 DeKalb County Junior Varsity Track Championships provided some exciting moments as the Stephenson Lady Jaguars and Decatur Bulldogs captured the respective titles on April 13 at Buck Godfrey Stadium in Decatur. Stephenson held off a late charge by defending champion (2019) Arabia Mountain to capture the title by a slim 96-93 margin. The Lady Jaguars built a lead early taking the titles in the shot and discus with wins by Jamaya Allen in the shot (30-05.75) and the discus (81-09) along with a victory by Petaune Noteman in the long jump (16-05.00). The 4×800 meter relay team claimed…

PENSACOLA, FL— Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), the governing body for Pensacola Beach, recently launched a new, content-rich website showcasing the many unique creatures and features of the barrier island. Pensacola Beach has long been a favorite spot for vacationers who are drawn to its sugar-white beaches and clear emerald waters. Look a little deeper and you’ll discover that it is also home to a fragile and diverse eco-system with abundant wildlife and plant life. PensacolaBeachEcoTrail.com is an extension of the physical Pensacola Beach Footprints in The Sand Eco…

DeKalb County Development Authority Dorian DeBarr DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Development Authority unanimously approved Dorian DeBarr as the new president of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority. DeBarr joined the organization in 2016 and has served since 2019 as the interim president following the departure of Ray Gilley. “Mr. DeBarr has done an outstanding job ensuring DeKalb’s economic progress remains steady despite the negative impacts of the pandemic,” said DeKalb County CEO Thurmond. “Under his leadership, Decide DeKalb has been a great partner with the county in supporting existing businesses and pursuing  new opportunities and was…

Rep. Hank Johnson announced today(April 15) that FEMA is accepting applications for funeral assistance for Georgians who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District,  helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and held a virtual teach in on April 7 to educate constituents on this and other relief provided in the law. Georgianswho paid for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, for an individual whose death may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19 can apply for up to $9,000 of assistance per funeral through FEMA’s…

STONECREST—Willie “Willa” Moss celebrated her 100th birthday in pandemic style–wearing a mask and seated in a wheelchair on her porch flanked by masked family members and friends. A drum line and  dancers serenaded the District 5 resident who became a centenarian on April 14. Moss’ daughter, Dr. Felicia Mayfield, hosted the event.   Stonecrest Councilmember Tammy Grimes, who represents residents in District 5, shared in the celebration and presented Moss with a proclamation signed by the Mayor Jason Lary. The proclamation capsules of Moss’ life, declaring April 14, 2021 as “Willa L. Moss Day:” “Whereas, Willa Moss was…