Author: On Common Ground News

Join the Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts (CRCA) and Black Heritage of Rockdale County for a Rockdale Black Heritage symposium on Saturday, March 14, 2 to 4 p.m., at the J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. The program, entitled “Embracing the History Around Us: Housing in JP Carr Community,”will share Rockdale County’s black history highlighting the housing in the J.P. Carr community. The second induction ceremony for the Black Heritage Hall of Fame also will be conducted. The community is invited to bring their stories, memories, pictures and any other items relevant…

Live on Commercial Street is hosting a Saint Patrick’s Day street party on Saturday, March 14, 2 to 11 p.m., on Commercial Street in Olde Town Conyers. The Celtic Tavern, Sweet Treat Depot and Tin Plate Conyers invite you to come out for this year’s annual Saint Practice Day Party the Saturday before Saint Patrick’s Day. Commercial Street will be closed for guests to dine and drink and enjoy live music and other outdoor activities.

Have you lost a loved one? How are you handling your grief? Those who are seeking grief support are invited to attend the “Grief Share” support group at Voices of Faith Ministries, 2500 Rockbridge Road S.W., Stone Mountain. You will learn how to walk the journey of grief to find healing and hope and be supported along the way. The 13-week session begins on March 24. Sessions are available at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. To register, visit voicesfaith.org. Participants also can call 770-498-5850 x326 or email mercy@voicesfaith.org.

Stonecrest City Councilman Jimmy Clanton will host his CommUNITY Awareness meeting on Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the AEI StartUp Factory, 7310 Stonecrest Concourse. Breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. This month’s topics include new information on the city’s purchases of the Sears and Sam’s Club buildings, assault on the city’s charter,  the city’s finances, possible mileage rate cap increases and more. The event is free and open to the public and held on the first Saturday of every month.

ATLANTA—The executives of a hospice known as STG Healthcare of Atlanta have agreed to pay $1.75 million in a Medicaid/Medicare fraud settlement, Georgia Attorney General Chris Car announced today. CEO Paschal “Pat” Gilley and CFO Matthew Gilley are accused of submitting false claims to Medicare and the Georgia Medicaid program, for patients who were not terminally ill and therefore ineligible for hospice care. Two whistler blowers alerted officials about the false billings, spanning from 2013 to 2017. The Medicaid portion of the settlement is approximately $607,682 of the $1.75 million, officials said.…

An alleged serial rapist linked to eight sexual assaults cold cases, including five in DeKalb County, has been arrested, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced on March 4 with officials from several law enforcement agencies. Further investigation revealed that the DNA evidence also links Cooley to seven other unsolved sexual assault cases, including four others in DeKalb, two in Atlanta, and one in Conyers. The crimes span a period of more than 20 years, dating back to 1999. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 38 at the…

The wife of Tesfaye Birru held a press conference March 3 to ask for help in tracking down the three suspects who fatally shot her husband as he closed their convenience store on Feb. 19. Police believe a burgundy/maroon 4-door Honda Accord pulled up to the Citgo gas pump. Two of the three suspects are visible on surveillance video. Anyone who has any information about the case  is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text 274637 or visit the Crime Stoppers website. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are eligible for rewards up to $2,000.…

DeKalb County reported that 1,272 00 ballots had been cast in person and 628 by mail  for a total of 1,900 votes on March 2.  DeKalb Sheriff’s Office to hold news conference on coronavirus  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office plans to hold a news conference on Wednesday, March 4, to announce its preparedness plan for the coronavirus. The DeKalb County Jail currently has some 1,800 inmates awaiting trial or serving sentences up to 24 months. The jail infirmary can accommodate patients with infectious diseases. The facility has a 3,800 bed capacity. . Inmate…