Author: On Common Ground News

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…

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…