Author: On Common Ground News

Connie Alsobrook, and Valyncia Smith On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the City of Conyers will make history as the first two black women elected to the Conyers City Council in the city’s 165-year history are sworn in. Valyncia Smith, who was elected to the District 4 seat, and Connie Alsobrook, who was elected to the District 2 seat, made history with their victories on Nov. 5, 2019. They will be sworn in by Rockdale County Magistrate Judge Phina Aten. The ceremony and program will take place at 7 p.m., at the Cherokee Run Golf Club, 1595 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. A…

Mike “Stinger” Glenn, former NBA player and current broadcaster for “Hawks Live,” is showcasing his personal collection of rare books, newspapers and magazines documenting African-American history and culture at the Decatur Library. The exhibit, “Once He Learns How to Read: A Legacy of Literacy,”will be on display at the DeKalb County’s main branch, the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur on Jan. 4-Jan. 22. During library hours, visitors can explore extraordinary slave narratives, books, and newspapers from the 1770s, including the first printed account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was printed in 1775 in England.Documents in the collection…

DeKalb County is hosting a Public Safety Job Fair on Saturday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker.  Recruiting for positions with DeKalb County Fire Rescue, DeKalb County Police Department and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department are recruiting for positions within their departments. For more information, the Fire Rescue can be reached at 678-406-7778;  the Police Department at 770-724-7445; and the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department at 404-298-8285.

The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host its fifth annual Father-Daughter Dance on Feb. 5, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta. The father-daughter dance is for all ages and costs $15 per couple and $5 for each additional child. The event will include music, refreshments and dancing. To register, visit any recreation center or visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parksand click the banner at the bottom of the page. For more information, contact Wannetter Terrell, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs recreation center director, at 404-244-4890 or wsterrel@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Rockdale County is holding the first meeting of 2020 for the Rockdale Coalition of Homeowners and Civic Associations on Thursday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m. at J.P. Carr Community Room, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. Several of the county’s department heads will provide updates, discuss new initiatives and field questions from interested citizens. The group meets quarterly at 6 p.m. at the J.P. Carr Community Room, with the exception of the April meeting, which will be held at the Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers. Dates for the 2020 meetings are scheduled: Jan 23 April 16 July 16 Oct 15 For…

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host “Coffee with the Chairman” on Friday, Jan. 24, 8 to 10 a.m., at Starbucks Coffee, 2450 Salem Road S.E., Conyers. Citizens are invited to share concerns and learn about important issues with the Chairman in a relaxed setting.

The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp in Atlanta is accepting student applications from rising high school juniors and seniors for its summer program. Applications with parts completed by student, parent, and teacher must be postmarked by March 27, 2020. The five-day academic day camp immerses students in the diverse field of public health. The application process is competitive and there is no charge for participants who are selected for the program. Topics vary year to year, but may include: public health interventions, global health, infectious disease, chronic disease, injury prevention, data analysis, surveys, school wellness programs, violence prevention, environmental health,…

By Clarence Cuthpert Rockdale Probate Judge Over the past 12 months the Rockdale County Probate Court (“RCPC”) has continued its efforts to improve efficiency and proficiency in providing services to our community. RCPC’s revenue has continued to increase as a result of making the community aware of the services available through this Court. Purchasing birth and death certificates locally for individuals who were either born or deceased throughout the State of Georgia, which many of our citizens were not aware could be done prior to the RCPC raising awareness throughout the community, has been a major catalyst in increased…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two recent robberies they believe were committed by the same suspect(s) in less than two hours apart. The first robbery occurred on Dec. 22, at 11: 08 p.m., at Starship Enterprises adult novelty store, 1682 GA Highway 138 N.E. A female employee was shot twice in the leg during the incident, Deputy Lee Thomas, spokesperson for the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said. One of the suspects is described as a large, dark-skinned black male wearing a gray zip-style hooded sweatshirt, gray sweat pants, and red shoes. The second suspect is described as a shorter…

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest, will ring in the new year with two worship services on Dec. 31. During both the noon and 10 p.m. services, BET’s Sunday Best winner Le’Andria Johnson will lead praise and worship followed by a special message from Pastor Jamal Bryant, New Birth’s senior pastor “We are welcoming the entire community to come out and encounter God like never before,” said Bryant. “There is no better way to start a new year and mark an exciting new beginning in your life than joining us during our New Year’s Eve celebration. We don’t have…