Author: On Common Ground News

Customers will see an increase in their Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) and Georgia Power bills beginning in January 2020. The typical AGL residential customer’s bill will go up by about $2.54 per month, about a 4 percent increase. The Georgia Power bill will go up by about $6 a month, which also represents about 4 percent increase. The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the Georgia Power increase on Dec. 17. The $1.77 billion increase, which will fund improved infrastructure, will be phased in over a three-year period, officials said. Officials said AGL’s $65 million rate hike, approved on Dec.…

The Conyers Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating the male suspect pictured. On Nov. 25, the suspect shoplifted multiple tool kits from Home Depot, 1330 Dogwood Drive, Conyers. He was seen leaving the scene inside of a red Ford Expedition on the passenger side of the vehicle. Tipsterswill remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with anyinformation:  404-577-TIPS (8477)  or visit www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org. BOLO CS 19-117286

The state of Georgia is replacing all voting machines by the March 24 presidential primary with a new voting system. In the wake of this change, DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson wants to ensure all DeKalb residents experience how to use the new voting machine and have the opportunity to check their voting status. Cochran-Johnson is hosting a town hall meeting for the public on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6 to 8 p.m., at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Citizens will have a chance to try out the machines ahead of the town hall, from 4 to…

Rockdale County Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten will perform a mass wedding ceremony for couples who want to get married on New Year’s Day. Judge Aten is hosting the wedding ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Magistrate Courtroom, 948 Bank Street, Conyers. Couples must bring a valid marriage license and government-issued identification with them. Pre-registration is required. There is no cost for the wedding ceremony and guests are welcome. “Rockdale’s reputation as a wonderful community for families is widespread. The hundreds of free courthouse weddings that I’ve performed are an expression of my commitment to uplifting and supporting our families…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan OCG Staff Writer Students from Freedom Middle School being recognized for collecting over 500 toiletries for low-income students and families at a special ceremony Dec. 12. Newly elected Stonecrest District 5 City Councilwoman Tammy Grimes attended the special event. A local Waffle House sponsored and served the students a hot breakfast for their commitment to serving the community. While most kids are making wish lists during this time of year, a group of students from Freedom Middle School took time to help others in need this holiday season. About 30 students…

DeKalb County’s Board of  Commissioners, Kathie Gannon, Steve Bradshaw, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson DeKalb County’s Board of  Commissioners introduced a resolution on Dec. 17 urging the DeKalb Delegation to adopt the same Ethics Code previously approved by voters with one substantive change to the appointment process. The measure was introduced by Super District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon, District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw and Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “We call this Model Ethics Code II,” said Gannon. “It’s almost identical to the current code with voter’s 92 percent approval of House Bill 597, DeKalb Ethics Board Reform Bill, passed in 2015.…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, along with many committed residents, celebrated the completion of the second phase of the Glenwood Road sidewalk project on Dec. 2. Officials and members of the community held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the project, which began in 2007, and includes a third phase. “This is a milestone. This has been a long time coming,” said Johnson. Ann Brown, who has been a longtime advocate and champion in South DeKalb, said she was proud to be a part of the milestone. Brown became involved in lobbying for Glenwood Road sidewalks after a young…

Michael Strong will serve as the new branch manager for DeKalb County’s  Stonecrest Library branch. Strong, who has been with the DeKalb County Library system for more than 30 years, will succeed Lylah Lockridge. Strong, a Decatur native, has served as manager of the Covington branch, for the past two years. Acting manager, Amanda Lindsay, said Strong would begin his role as branch manager in the new year. “My passion is working with the community. I like turning strangers into neighbors and neighbors into communities. I want patrons to realize that this is their library and we are here…

Georgia’s unemployment rate hit the lowest percentage in history in November at 3.3%, while the total number of jobs in the state set a record high of 4.64 million, state officials reported on Dec. 19. The Georgia Department of Labor, which has been keeping records on employment data for 43 years, said the total number of jobs in Georgia also set a record high at 4.64 million and the number of employed Georgians achieved an historic high of 4.96 million. Gov. Brian P. Kemp praised Georgia’s strong economy, which added 6,500 jobs in November. Job openings typically are stronger this…

By Rockdale Clerk of Courts Ruth A. Wilson Once Upon A Time At Christmas, there was an Elf on the Shelf at the Courthouse. He called himself Aluicious Lilliputian Fontroy or ALF for short. His only job was to solve problems and prevent problems at the Historic County Courthouse and to do it quietly in the background. He would mostly hide in the ceiling, the walls and subfloor of the old building and no one was the wiser. This Holiday Season he became particularly agitated. All the decorations and festivities had him feeling left out, forgotten and…