Author: On Common Ground News

In celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Day, Gwinnett County is partnering with the United Ebony Society to host a drive-thru donation drive on Saturday, Jan. 16 to collect items for senior nursing facilities and homeless outreach organizations. The event, scheduled ahead of the King holiday on Jan. 18, will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Moore Middle School, 1221 Lawrenceville Highway in Lawrenceville. The weekend will continue with two virtual events held Jan. 17 and 18, both starting at 1 p.m. Residents are also invited to participate in the Martin Luther King Day…

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Day on Monday, Jan. 18, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Jan. 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Jan. 19 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Jan. 18, will be serviced on Tuesday, Jan. 19.  Wednesday, Jan. 20 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Jan. 19, will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Thursday, Jan. 21 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection…

Rhodes scholar, Stonecrest teen entrepreneur and student leaders to receive Nathaniel Mosby Humanitarian Award   DECATUR—DeKalb County government will honor a Rhodes scholar, two youth organizations engaged in human rights advocacy and a 14-year-old entrepreneur during the county’s 37th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. The awards will be presented on Monday, Jan. 18, 9:45 a.m., during a brief King Day celebration at James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College Ave., Clarkston, GA. At 10 a.m., immediately after the program, 3,500 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound bag of chicken hindquarters.…

CONYERS—City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook and Beyond The Bell are inviting local youths to a 2K “Race for Peace” run commemorating the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The race will take place on Monday, Jan. 18, noon, at Bill Spivey Community Park, 1221 Irwin Bridge Road, Conyers. Alsobrook said youths ages 10 to 17 from Rockdale and DeKalb counties are encouraged to participate in the race, which will include stops along the route. Participants will draw a question to answer about Dr. King. In order to continue forward on the race path, the participant must answer the question correctly,…

Hundreds of senior citizens lined up to receive COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Lou Walker Senior Center in DeKalb County. Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority volunteered to assist with the effort. https://youtu.be/NsLox1KMwkk

Starbucks has announced new initiatives as part of its long-standing commitment to positively impact the communities it serves. The company will invest $100 million to launch the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund focused on supporting small businesses and community development projects in Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) neighborhoods. In addition, Starbucks is partnering with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to share the museum’s educational resources and digital volunteer opportunities, according to a news release on its website, starbucks.com. “Starbucks has always been a company focused on caring for our partners, creating experiences…

Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT) and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) are seeking feedback from citizens about the proposed Courtesy Parkway Extension Project. RDOT and GDOT have offered two ways for the public to submit feedback through a virtual information website at bit.ly/2XlE6eE, as well as an in-person Public Hearing Open House on Thurday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive, SE, Conyers. Registration is encouraged to attend the in-person Open House at bit.ly/2Lctxbh. The public can review the website to learn more about the proposed Courtesy Parkway…

ATLANTA–On Thursday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m., Gov. Brian P. Kemp will deliver the 2021 State of the State Address before the General Assembly.  Attendance is strictly limited to legislators and media. The State of the State Address will be carried live on Georgia Public Broadcasting at gpb.org.

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host a conference call with local clergy to provide an update on COVID-19. The chairman will share information regarding the rising number of COVID-19 cases, testing and Georgia’s vaccines rollout plan. The conference call will be held on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2:30 p.m. The phone number is (605) 472-5416. Once dialed in, participants should enter in the Access Code: 616392. After announcing their first and last name, participants should mute their phone to prevent feedback and background noise. For more information, please contact Jeannettia Owens at jeannettia.owens@rockdalecountyga.gov. #

The Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Council has appointed Sherri Washington, Commissioner Post 1 as Vice Chair of the council. The Vice Chair is responsible for providing support to the Chairperson. In addition to standing-in for the Chairperson if required, the Vice Chair may also be delegated specific areas of responsibility. “I’m thrilled to accept this position and to partake in the expansion of economic development in Rockdale County,” Washington said, “This is truly an honor and I’m so excited to be a part of this council.” As Vice Chair, Washington is encouraging the public to learn about the new Advancing Rockdale Economic Development Strategy in a virtual…