Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families is soliciting applications for the annual John K. Morgan Community Service Scholarship and the F. William Hughey Community Service Award. Applications must be received no later than Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. The John K. Morgan Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. There is no age limitation for applicants. The scholarship will be awarded to assist with college related expenses for students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning. Past recipients…

In observance of Christmas Day on Wednesday, Dec. 25, sanitation service for residential customers will be based on the following collection schedule:  Monday, Dec. 23– Normal collection day. Tuesday, Dec. 24 –Normal collection day.  Wednesday, Dec. 25 –Christmas Day observed; no collection service. Thursday, Dec. 26 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Dec. 25, will be serviced on Thursday, Dec. 26. Friday, Dec. 27– Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Thursday, Dec. 26, will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 27. The Sanitation Division’s administrative office, North Transfer Station and Seminole Road Landfill will…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will offer a Winter Break Day Camp, Dec. 23 – 31 and Jan. 2 – 3, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Camp will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day. The cost of the camp is $10 per day for children ages 5-12. Each participant must provide his or her own breakfast, lunch and snack. To register, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parksand click the “Register Online” button. Residents can also register in person at any of the locations listed below: Exchange Recreation…

Melody M. Maddox was sworn in as DeKalb County’s 50thSheriff, the first woman to hold the office, on Dec. 16 at St. Philip A.M.E. Church in Decatur. Three African-American women administered the oaths: Judge Penny Brown Reynolds administered the Loyalty Oath; DeKalb County Superior Couit Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson administered the Oath of Office and DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson administered the Constitutional Oath. The Rev. William D. Whatley, senior pastor of Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, welcomed guests, family and friends to the ceremony. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, 6thEpiscopal District A.M.E. Church, performed the invocation.…

Tammy L. Grimes took the oath of office on Dec.17, becoming the newest District 5 Councilmember for the city of Stonecrest. Grimes’ inauguration marked another chapter for the city, which became DeKalb County’s largest municipality with more than 50,000 residents when it was incorporated in 2017. Attorney Noreen Banks-Ware, a long-time friend of Grimes, administered the oath of office. Grimes was flanked by her husband, Reginald; son, Reginald II; and two daughters, Taylor and Tylar as they all stood before a packed crowd at City Hall. Grimes’ father and mother, Willie and Alean Tayton, and Grimes’ sister, Dr. Sheila Tayton,…

DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox joins Chief Deputy Randy Akies and Chaplain Curtis Crocker to distribute toys at the agency’s 14thAnnual Adopt-A-Family Holiday Party. (Photo by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office) The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office’s 14thAdopt-A-Family program held Dec. 19 was an exciting occasion for kids from Bethany Foster Care and DeKalb County Department of  Family and Children’s Services  who will now be able to celebrate the holiday with loads of gifts. Earlier this season, the Sheriff’s Office held its annual Chili Cook-off, where guests tasted and judged each other’s culinary skills.  Proceeds and individual donations paid for bikes, electronics, clothes…

 DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is speaking out about the growing prevalence of dollar stores and the negative impact they are having on communities from a health standpoint and on local grocers locally and nationally. Cochran-Johnson joined a national conversation on the subject during the Dec. 8 CBS “Sunday Morning” interview with Special Contributor Allison Aubrey. DeKalb County and Moville, Iowa were featured in the segment, along with business owners and case studies from across the United States. The issue is one that prompted DeKalb’s Board of Commissioners (BOC) to approve a 45-day moratorium on dollar stores this week.…

Joshua Bryant, Tiffany Swanson, Aaron Johnson The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested all three suspects wanted in connection with the Dec. 5 beating and carjacking of 74-year-old Rosa Smith. Joshua Bryant, 20, of Atlanta, and Tiffany Swanson, 19, of Statesboro—were arrested on Dec. 19 and booked into the DeKalb County Jail. The first suspect, Aaron Johnson, 17, of Atlanta surrendered to police and has been in custody at the DeKalb County Jail since Dec. 11 on robbery and elder abuse charges. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, working with U.S. Marshals and Atlanta Police Department arrested Bryant and Swanson  on…

The man who shot an employee at the Dart Container manufacturing plant in Conyers is now in custody at Rockdale County Jail. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Cameron Golden of Arkansas, is being held on charges of murder and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime. Authorities still have not given a motive for the shooting.  The shooting happened on Friday, Dec. 13. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office responded to a “shots fired” call at 6:58 a.m. at the Dart manufacturing plant, located at  1455 GA-138. Upon arrival, deputies found one male with a gunshot wound…