Author: On Common Ground News

Charlie Lee Geddis, and Antonio Crowley TheDeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit on Feb. 4 arrested Charlie Lee Geddis, 23, of Decatur, who had been on the run for murder since last October. Geddis is the second of three suspects sought in the fatal shooting of 68-year-old Jesse Turner III. Turner was shot at the BP gas station on Panthersville Road on Oct. 7, 2019 after an altercation with the three suspects. Authorities said Turner had paid for gas and was standing at a pump when one of the men opened fire and shot Turner. Antonio Crowley, 21,…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a Flat Rock Culture and Volunteer Day on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Rd., Stonecrest. Citizens are invited to join park staff and Flat Rock Archive representatives as they beautify and restore the park. Volunteers will learn about the rich African-American history in South DeKalb. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear proper footwear and bring a refillable water bottle.

Join Ranger Ryan at Arabia Mountain for a guided beginner’s bird hike on Saturday, Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Arabia Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest. The two-hour hike will take guests on a variety of trails through varied habitat. Participants will learn about Atlanta’s 10 most common species while discussing ecology, behavior and adaptations of the birds sighted on the hike. Guests are asked to dress comfortably with appropriate footwear and bring a refillable water bottle and a pair of binoculars. Ages 8 and up. Register by email at ArabiaRanger@gmail.com (Subject: Birding).

DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs has opened registration for youth track-and-field for youth ages 5 to 14. The registration fee is $40 per participant and is open through March 7. Practice dates and times will be determined by individual recreation centers. For more information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks or call 770-414-2111.

On Feb. 18, the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host “Permaculture: Cultivating Food Nature’s Way,” 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County Extension Office Auditorium, located at 4380 Memorial Dr., Decatur. The class will cover five major areas including companion planting, mycelium running, how trees communicate, good and bad pests, and pruning. The registration fee is $10 per person. To register, contact the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Office at 404-298-4080 or email uge1089@uga.edu. For more information, visit www.extension.uga.edu/county-offices/dekalb.html.

Hosted by the  Cooperative Extension and UGA DeKalb, the three-class series will offer participants the opportunity to gain knowledge and answers to all gardening questions. After attending all three classes, participants will be given one free ticket to UGA DeKalb’s advanced gardening series class. Registration is $30 and ends on Feb. 10. Class schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m. – Turf 101 Introduction to turfgrass species, establishment, maintenance, and pest control of turfgrass species used for home lawns. Also, discuss turfgrass alternative at certain locations. Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6:30 – 8 p.m. – Tree &…

Students in Rockdale, Newton and surrounding counties are invited to attend Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten’s Fifth Annual Youth Law Camp on Monday, Feb. 17, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The free, one-day camp, offered in partnership with NewRock Legal Society, is open to 8thto 12thgrade students who will be out of school for winter break. Free admission includes breakfast and lunch. Judge Aten is hosting a day of fun and learning for those interested in a law-related or law enforcement career pathway, or those who would like to learn more about the justice system. The program includes a legal careers session,…

Join master Storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste for an afternoon of storytelling on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 to 3 p.m., at Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St S.W., Conyers. Participants will learn how storytelling has been used as both a tool of resistance and reconciliation. All ages are welcome. Patrons also have the option to watch a free screening of the film, “Queen of Katwe,” in the meeting room on the library’s lower level from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Both events are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful is now accepting registrations for the next Great American Cleanup to be held on Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m. to1 p.m., at Pine Log Park Pavilion, 1500 GA Highway 138, Conyers. The half-day event, hosted in partnership with the City of Conyers and Rockdale County, encourages citizens to pick up garbage, tires and other debris around the community and teaches youths about the importance of litter prevention and recycling. Civic and neighborhood groups, businesses, Boy and Girl Scout troops, churches, youth groups, individuals and families are invited to participate. Volunteers will be provided cleaning supplies including garbage bags, gloves and…

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