Author: On Common Ground News

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the city of Stonecrest announced the ministry’s shift to a digital worship, prompting a surge in online viewership. Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant informed his congregation to visit newbirth.org, Facebook Live and YouTube Live to view service for the next few weeks as houses of faith across the nation adhere to the urging of “social distancing restrictions” by the nation’s leaders. “As we begin transitioning to a complete digital worship experience, we are already experiencing a huge increase in viewership and engagement across all of our digital platforms,” said Bryant, who organized a call with…

Voices of Faith Ministries Founder Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr. announced that he and pastors overseeing the church’s five congregations located in metro-Atlanta and Baton Rouge, LA are offering worship services exclusively via live streaming and teleconference calls until further notice. “It is our hope and prayer that as we move to our cyber sanctuary that not only family and friends locally will worship with us, but people from across the globe will join us to hear a preached Word,” said Bishop Hawkins. “Now is the time for all of us to draw closer to God.” Voices of Faith Ministries has…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan OCG News Staff Writer With the impending coronavirus pandemic, people are seeking ways to cope during uncertain times. For some, the realities of food scarcity have hit hard as local food banks fold under pressure to limit social contact and stores struggle to keep shelves stocked to meet the demands of panicked consumers. Miles ahead of the COVID-19 virus, Sankofa House Community Food Bank will offer no-touch food assistance to the public on Saturday, March 21, at the Faith Plaza, 1201 Sigman Road, Conyers. The local Conyers food pantry provides no-questions-asked curbside,…

Rockdale County Animal Control has modified its services during COVID-19, following recommendations set by the National Care and Control Association. County officials stated in a news release that the center would implement the following immediately: Suspend low priority/non-emergency activity such as non-aggressive stray animal pick-up, leash law and licensing complaints, barking and nuisance complaints, trapping of community cats, and conflict mitigation scenarios Respond to emergency and high priority calls for law enforcement assistance, injured stray animals, bite complaints, and aggressive dog complaints Reduce non-essential shelter intake, including suspending non-emergency owner surrender intake and encouraging owners who are ill to…

Attorney Harold Boone, Jr., a graduate of DeKalb County’s Stephenson High School class of 2000, has been named one of Georgia’s top black lawyers by the National Black Lawyers—Top 100. Invitation for inclusion in the professional organization is extended to a select group of lawyers based on their superior skills and qualifications in the field, the organization stated in a news release. “WiththeselectionofMr. Boone, Jr.byTheNationalBlack Lawyers–Top100,he hasshownthathe exemplifiessuperiorqualifications,leadershipskills,andperformanceinhis areasoflegal practice,” the news release stated.  “The selectionprocessforthiselitehonorisbasedonamulti-phaseprocesswhichincludespeernominationscombinedwith thirdpartyresearch.” Boone, a native of Stone Mountain, earned his bachelor of arts degree in English from Valdosta State University in 2004. He obtained his…

DeKalb County police are investigating the shooting of a man who was found dead inside a Honda SUV in the parking lot at the Salem Crossing Shopping Plaza, located at 3590 Panola Road. According to police, the man was identified as Jai Hayes, 24. Investigators with the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s office responded on the scene around 4:30 a.m. on March 17 and determined that the victim had died from a gunshot wound, authorities said. “Suspects have not been identified and the investigation is ongoing,” police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent said in a statement.

On Sunday, March 1, 4:13 p.m., the Ford Focus pictured arrived at a vehicle maintenance shop on Vaughn Street in the City of Conyers. The suspect illegally entered the property and cut catalytic converters from three trucks with a reciprocating saw. Any information regarding this subject may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers withany information: Call: 404-577-TIPS (8477). Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org. BOLO Crime Stoppers

Effective until further notice, the DeKalb County Police Department’s front screening desks will be closed, but will be providing service to the public via telephone for non-emergencies.  We will continue to respond to calls for service. For non-emergencies, call the applicable numbers listed below: Precincts / Sections Contact Numbers North-Central Precinct (770) 724-7600 East Precinct (770) 482-0300 South Precinct (404) 286-7900 Tucker Precinct (678) 937-5301 General Investigations (770) 724-7841 Open Records (770) 724-7474 Police Records (770) 724-7740 Property & Evidence (404) 294-2528 Internal Affairs (770) 724-7910 General Information (404) 294-2000 Uniform Division Chief (770) 724-7439 Investigations Division…

Homeowners For A Better Government (HOFBG) will livestream the Rockdale County Sheriff’s candidates’ forum tonight (March 19), 7 p.m. All five candidates have confirmed. The agenda is as follows: Candidate opening remarks 5 minutes each Emailed questions (not to exceed 45 secondsper question) Candidates each will have 2 minutes to answer. Candidate closing remarks 5 minutes each Adjournment To watch live stream, search “Vimeo HOFBG SHERIFF FORUM.” The following candidate forums will be held at 7 p.m.: March 27, Magistrate Court Judge April 16 – Clerk of Courts Forum videos: Commission Chairman Forum 1 https://vimeo.com/386047369 Post 1 Commission Forum https://vimeo.com/393085417

DeKalb County will hold its second COVID-19 virtual town hall meeting today, March 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The virtual town hall meetingabout COVID-19 and the county’s preparedness measures will feature DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, District Health Director Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, DeKalb County School District Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson, Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett representing the mayors of DeKalb Municipal Association, and other experts.  Panelists will discuss medical updates, distance learning, county and municipal preparedness, and federal and state support services. The virtual town hall meeting can be accessed via: www.dekalbcountyga.gov Comcast Cable Channel 23 in DeKalb County…