Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb organization to give away 1,000 toys and bikes to needy families Retired State Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams and the DeKalb chapter of the Albany State University Alumni Association will be giving away over 1,000 toys and bikes to children in need this holiday season. Williams is inviting the public to submit the names of families in need by Dec. 14. Toys will be distributed on Dec. 21 at the Omega World Center, 3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Decatur.

The community is invited to take a journey celebrating gospel music with the Silver Leaf Baptist Church Choir of Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 to 8 p.m., at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. The concert is free and open to the public. Funding is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library.

DeKalb History Center and the Historic Oakland Cemetery will host its final “Hops at the History Center Author Event” for the year on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 2ndfloor, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Author Janice McDonald will discuss her newest book, “Residents of Oakland Cemetery” and share the stories ofOakland Cemetery’s most notable residents. Since 1850, Atlanta has been laying its residents to rest in a picturesque 48-acre piece of land now known as the Historic Oakland Cemetery. Among the 70,000 people buried in Oakland, are individuals from all walks of life,…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary put on a different hat over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Lary, an ordained deacon at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, performed the marriage ceremony for Deborah and Sheldon Fleming on Nov. 30. Lary said Sheldon Fleming, who works in the city of Stonecrest’s Parks and Recreation Department, asked him to perform the ceremony and he gladly accepted. “I felt honored to be asked. It was the first wedding ceremony that I’ve performed. My pastor helped me to prepare for the wedding,” said Lary. Since Lary was ordained on Aug. 5, 2018 by his pastor, Edward…

Pictured from left: DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management’s David Hayes, Willie Horton and Darren Eastall accepted the 2019 Collection Systems Gold Award on behalf of the county. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management(DWM) was recently recognized with a top award for outstanding wastewater collection system operations. “After many years of mismanagement and dysfunction, this award is evidence that the DeKalb County Watershed Management Departmenthas made verifiable progress and improvement,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb has prioritized enhancing customer service, properly treating wastewater to protect the environment and ensuring the viability and integrity of the system.”…

(D-Stone Mountain), chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), said the GLBC stands against the health care waiver proposals by Gov. Brian Kemp. Rep. Bennett, along with leaders of the House Democratic Caucus, Senate Democratic Caucus and a representative for the Latino and Asian American Pacific Islander caucuses, held a press conference on Dec. 3 to voice their opposition to the proposals. “Health care is a right that should be afforded to all Georgians,” said Rep. Bennett. “We, at the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, cannot in good conscience support policy that ignores the needs of an estimated 600,000 Georgia…

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is hosting The Pastor’s Table on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, 6 p.m., at Coaxum’s Low Country Cuisine, 1300 Iris Dr SW, Conyers. Local faith leaders in Rockdale County will network and speak with the Chairman and other religious leaders, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about opportunities to serve the community. Senior level church leaders in Rockdale are encouraged to attend. Space is limited to only one senior level religious leader or associate religious leader per house of prayer. Space is available on a first come, first-served basis. The theme for the event is “Fish and Grits.” The…

Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will assist military veterans and their spouses with claims and compensation on Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. All veterans and/or their spouses in the metro area are urged to attend, said retired Lt. Col. Amos King, who heads Justice for Veterans. “This will be the third annual event. It’s an opportunity for veterans to get the help they need in applying for claims and compensation. Officials will be on site who can provide an update on their claim or help…

  Public celebration set Dec. 16  Melody M. Maddox officially took the reigns as DeKalb County’s new sheriff after the Thanksgiving holiday. Maddox was sworn in on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson to fill the unexpired term of Jeffrey Mann, who retired at the end of November.  Maddox becomes the county’s 50th sheriff and the first woman to hold the position. Maddox was appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff in July of this year to fill the position held by Reginald B. Scandrett, who retired in June. A Decatur resident, Maddox became Chief…

Culinary Specialist Seaman Recruit Cameron Spivey, from Conyers, slices up turkey for the holiday feast on Nov. 28. Russell is underway conducting routine training in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Lynch