Author: On Common Ground News

Health TRUST Rockdale, the grant-making division of the Hospital Authority of Rockdale County (HARC), will accept applications February 3 – 7 for its first grant cycle of 2020. Nonprofit or government agencies working to improve the physical and mental health of Rockdale residents are encouraged to consider applying. Agencies interested in applying for a grant during the upcoming cycle should contact HARC Executive Director Julie Mills at 770-922-1441 or jmills@healthtrustrockdale.org prior to January 31. Potential applicants should carefully review the grant program guidelines and 2020 deadlines by visiting www.healthtrustrockdale.org. Participation in a pre-proposal conference/orientation session is mandatory for all new applicants. Previous…

The public is invited to attend a free film screening of “Suppressed: The Fight to Vote” on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. at St. Paul AME Worship Center, 1704 S. Stone Mountain -Lithonia Road, Lithonia. The film, created by Robert Greenwald, weaves together personal stories from voters across the state of Georgia to paint a picture of voter suppression in the 2018 midterm election in which Stacey Abrams ran to become the first Black female governor in the US. Featuring experts, poll watchers and everyday Georgians, the film speaks about the effects of voter suppression and the threat it poses…

1st VP Lance Hammands served as master of ceremonies for the DeKalb NAACP’s Jubilee Celebration on New Year’s Day at Rainbow Park Baptist Church in Decatur. The celebration, commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation that freed black slaves on Jan. 1, 1863,  kicked off with song titled “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar. Pastor Steven Dial provided a powerful invocation. 3rd VP Edwina Clanton provided a warm welcome and presented the purpose for the annual celebration. After the congregational led the Negro Spiritual by James Weldon Johnson, Deymon Fleming Jr., a high school junior, read the Emancipation Proclamation and Al Chatman led…

With qualifying for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s special election set Jan. 6-8, the race is already heating up. The special election, scheduled March 24, is expected to draw several contestants running against Melody Maddox, who was just sworn in as sheriff on Dec. 16, 2019. Maddox moved up as sheriff from the No. 2 position as deputy chief, an appointment made by former Sheriff Jeffrey Mann as he prepared for his exit, announcing his retirement with more than a year left to serve. The moves set the wheels in motion for the upcoming special election, which must be held because…

Twelve couples were married in a mass wedding on New Year’s Day at Rockdale County’s Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten’s chambers. Judge Aten performed the nuptials for the couples, whom she said came from as far as Cobb County, and then hosted a reception with a wedding cake. The ceremony and celebration were provided at no charge to the couples who registered in advance. Aten said she was delighted to perform the ceremony and thanked staff members who volunteered to assist her with the celebration. “They(the couples) decided that they wanted today, New Year’s Day, to be their wedding…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer The Rockdale Democratic Party is getting organized to get the vote out in preparation for the 2020 Presidential and local elections. Qualifying for local races will be held March 2-6. The Presidential Preference Primary will be held on March 24. The general primary and non-partisan local elections will be held on May 19. Several seats in Rockdale County will be up for grabs. Offices include Board of Commissioners Chairman (Oz Nesbitt); Post I Commissioner (Sherri L. Washington); Clerk of Superior Court (Ruth Wilson); Sheriff (Eric Levett); Tax Commissioner (Tisa Washington); Coroner…

The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating Christopher Simmons, 27, of Lithonia, who is wanted for aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, and first-degree criminal damage to property. Simmons is accused of shooting up a Stone Mountain house on Dec. 19, endangering a sleeping 2-year-old boy and two adults. According to the police report, Simmons, a family friend, went to the home at 550 Cross Creek Point, Stone Mountain, around 1 a.m.  He reportedly rang the doorbell several times and when no one answered, he went to the side of the house and began firing a…

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce invites businesses to its first luncheon of the New Year. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds will serve as keynote speakers in a presentation entitled “Tale of Two Cities.”  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m., at This Is It restaurant, 2853 Panola Road, Stonecrest. Both Lary and Reynolds won elections in November. Lary was re-elected as mayor of Stonecrest for a second term, after defeating challengers Charles Hill, II and Diane Adoma three-way race. Lary, who is considered the father of Stonecrest, having spent fouryears pushing…

Lithonia Mayor-elect Shameka S. Reynolds and city council members-elect Darold P. Honore’ and Vanneriah Wynn will be sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m., at Lithonia Middle School, 2451 Randall Ave., Lithonia.Chief Judge Tunde Akinyele will administer the oaths of office. The community is invited.

The DeKalb Cultural Exchange (DCE) community breakfast will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 9 a.m., at the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Pkwy., Decatur. Hosts Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner and his wife, DeKalb County School Board member Vickie B. Turner, say the meeting is a critical one kicking off the New Year. Elected officials will provide updates on legislative issues at the national and state level  including Congressman Hank Johnson; State Senators Emmanuel Jones and Tonya P. Anderson; and State Representatives Billy Mitchell and Dar’shun Kendrick. DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda…