Author: On Common Ground News

“Georgia must not remain one of only four states in the nation not to have a hate crimes law.” Bishop Jackson AME Bishop Reginald T. Jackson leads push for hate crimes law in Georgia, justice for Ahmaud Arbery ATLANTA—AME Church Presiding Bishop Reginald T. Jackson and two state legislators, Sen. Lester Jackson and State Rep. Al Williams, have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday, May 12, noon, at the Historic Brunswick  Courthouse, 701 G Street, Brunswick, Georgia, to address the resurgence of hate crimes in Georgia. Bishop Jackson said that he and the two lawmakers plan again to…

Pictured (L-R): Pastor Billy Honor, Rev. Alvin Herring, Pastor Michael McBride WASHINGTON — Leaders of the nation’s largest grassroots, faith-based network are condemning the delayed arrests of the two white men who gunned down Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black man while he was jogging in a white community in Brunswick,GA. The demonstration was held on Friday, May 8. Arbery  would have been 26 years old, Several groups, including the NAACP and leaders from the metro Atlanta area and other locations, staged a demonstration in Brunswick on Friday to demand justice for Arbery’s family.             Ahmaud Arbery The case has…

The meeting is available via YouTube (City of Stonecrest)

DeKalb County Police and Fire Rescue recruits will hand out 3,000 COVID-19 care kits containing two non-surgical masks and hand sanitizer to residents on Saturday, May 9, 9:30 a.m., to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. DeKalb County Board of Health is supporting this initiative. Although county officials are not disclosing the location of the pop-up event, they say neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19 are being targeted for the series of free care kits.  On Wednesday, May 6, DeKalb Police and Fire Rescue recruits passed out 1,000 care kits at the Kroger plaza, 4919 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.

By Justin Myers For On Common Ground News   The Georgia Kangaroos played its last game on March 8 with a win (Final Score 150-118). Shortly after the win, the City of Stonecrest closed the Browns Mill Recreation Center, home of the Kangaroos, following social distancing restrictions ordered by Gov. Brian Kemp due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brian Caswell, head Coach of the Georgia Kangaroos, said the state’s restrictions forced the premature ending of the season for the city of Stonecrest’s brand new team. “Keep in mind the National CDC (Centers for Disease Control) published no groups larger than 10…

Rockdale County Board of Elections is working to make sure citizens are still able to vote as conveniently as possible during the General Primary/Nonpartisan/Special/Presidential Preference Primary occurring on June 9. The options being offered to vote include: mail absentee ballots, in-person early voting, Saturday voting and in- person Election Day voting. Early in-person voting will take place at 1400 Parker Road only. Election Day in-person voting will take place at the voter’s assigned polling place. For those voting in person, be prepared to wait in possibly long lines due to social distancing. Rockdale County Board of Elections strongly encourages…

DeKalb County School District Announces Virtual Graduation Schedule Tentative plans call for the DeKalb County School District’s Class of 2020 to hold graduation exercises virtually in June, or face to face in July, depending on COVID-19 guidance on social distancing, district officials announced today(May 8).  The coronovirus pandemic has forced school officials to re-think  end-of-year school plans and traditional celebrations in including high school graduations. On April 14, the DeKalb County School District published the “End of Year Guide for Students and Families” that disclosed the two graduation ceremony options being considered in light of the Georgia’s executive order to…

The Rockdale Board of Elections will host its regular meeting on Thursday, May 14, 4 p.m. via Zoom. Updates concerning the 2020 elections will be discussed. The public is invited to join the meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86826519309 Meeting ID: 868 2651 9309   In the event that the meeting fills up, use the following login: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84059037308 Meeting ID: 840 5903 7308

Library remains closed during COVID-19 modifications   The Conyers Nancy Guinn Memorial Library will begin curbside service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, starting May 11. Library patrons may pick up items that they have placed on hold by appointment only. The library will remain closed as it modifies its spaces to support government guidelines to lessen the spread of COVID-19. The library’s Circulation Department will contact patrons who have materials on hold. Patrons will drive up to the front entrance and staff will bring the items to your vehicle. Additional instructions will be shared at the time appointments are…

STONECREST— New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is partnering with RoweDocs and MAJL Laboratories to offer a free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on the church’s campus on Sunday, May 10. Testing begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. Individuals who do not have insurance or receive Medicaid and Medicare coverage are encouraged to participate. Dr. Tisa Rowe of RoweDocs said the free testing provided by trusted community-based organizations is essential in helping to close the mortality gap and eliminating healthcare disparities surrounding COVID-19. “It is evident based on initial outcome data that minority individuals are not being…