Author: On Common Ground News

The deadline to RSVP for The Pastor’s Table has been extended to Friday, Feb. 21. Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is hosting The Pastor’s Table, an event where local clergy in Rockdale County can network and speak with the Chairman and other religious leaders, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about opportunities to serve the community. Senior-level ministry leaders in Rockdale are strongly encouraged to attend. Space is limited to only one senior level religious leader or associate religious leader per house of prayer. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The chairman says the theme is “Fish and Grits.”…

South DeKalb trailblazer Juanita Johnson’s most famous students  were “Little Richard” and Sam Moore of the duo, “Sam and Dave.”                  Decatur resident Juanita Johnson, a retired missionary, evangelist and musician with a long list of accomplishments, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a host of family and friends. Johnson, who has been teaching private piano lessons and voice since 1950, counts Rock ‘n’ Roll artist Little Richard and Sam Moore of the soul and R&B duo, Sam and Dave, among her most famous students. “I worked with Little Richard on playing the…

Mayor Jason Lary poses with DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos at the Prevention of Violence Awareness Day A discussion on the safety and well-being of youths in the community was one of many topics discussed on Feb. 1 at the Jared’s Heart of Success, Inc’s. Prevention of Violence Awareness Day.  The event, held at the Stonecrest Library, was a part of an ongoing national awareness program that educates youth on violence prevention through programs on bullying, suicide prevention, social isolation, gun violence, and teen dating. Mayor Jason Lary and members of the law enforcement community were guest honorees and…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer Over 80 preschoolers and elementary school students at Voices of Faith’s Christian Academy in Stone Mountain and Conyers took learning out of the classroom during a special program to celebrate School Choice Week. The national initiative educates students and parents about various education options available – from public to private schools, charter, magnet, Montessori and even ways to get started with homeschooling online. Voices of Faith’s Christian Academy Principal Sabrina Hayes said this was the schools’ first time participating in the national education campaign. She said she wants parents to know there are…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is accepting entries from high school students who live in or attend school in Georgia Fourth Congressional District to enter the Congressional Arts Competition. Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Since 2007, more than 700 Fourth District students have competed in Rep. Johnson’s annual event. Last year’s winners in the 2019 competition were awarded four college scholarships worth a…

In observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 17, sanitation service for residential customers will run one day late as follows: Monday, Feb. 17– Presidents’ Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Feb. 18 –Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Feb. 17, will be serviced on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Wednesday, Feb. 19 –Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Feb. 18, will be serviced on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Thursday, Feb. 20 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Feb. 19, will be serviced on Thursday, Feb. 20. Friday, Feb. 21– Residential customers…

Antonio Lee, 18, of Decatur has been arrested and charged with the armed robbery and murder of Charles Lewis. According to warrants, Lee shot Lewis in the leg during the commission of a robbery on Jan. 28 on Wesley Club Drive in Decatur. TheDeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit worked with the U.S. Marshals in arresting Lee on Feb. 5 on Columbia Drive in Decatur. Lee was taken into custody without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.  

“Heart disease is truly the silent killer… I am grateful to be alive to share my story.”—State Rep. Doreen Carter   ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter, District 92, is encouraging men and women to “Go Red for Women” by wearing something red on Friday, Feb. 7. Carter, whose district includesportions of Rockdale and DeKalb counties, will host a “Go Red for Women” rally at 11:45 a.m. at the South Wing steps of the Georgia Capitol in downtown Atlanta. “Go Red for Women” Day is celebrated by the American Heart Association (AHA) and is designated to increase women’s awareness and…

The Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology team won the Southern Stingray Bowl, a regional ocean science academic competition that is part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl(NOSB). The Southern Stingray Bowl, which was hosted Feb. 1 by Savannah State University, tests students’ knowledge of ocean science disciplines through buzzer-style, multiple-choice questions and open-ended team challenge questions. The Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology team will join winners from 22 other regional bowls on April 16-19 in Long Beach, Mississippi, for the NOSB Finals. Students on the championship team include Sydney Moodie; Hector Aguirre; Shivam Vohra; Carly Kimpling;…

Conyers Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating the suspect vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run that happened on Jan. 28, 2020. The vehicle pictured struck a vehicle from behind around 6:55 p.m. and then fled northbound on Hwy 138. Any information leading to the arrest of these persons of interest may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.  Tipsters will remain anonymousand are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with anyinformation: Call: 404-577-TIPS(8477) Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org.  BOLO hit and run CS 20-010784