Author: On Common Ground News

  Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is inviting civic and neighborhood groups, churches, businesses individuals and families to participate in the Great American Cleanup (GAC) on Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Participants will kick off the event at Pine Log Park Pavilion, 500 Georgia Highway 138, Conyers. The deadline to register is April 22. KCRB is partnering with the City of Conyers and Rockdale County to host the event. Last year, 250 volunteers participated in the Great American Cleanup by sprucing up local roadways, subdivisions, commercial properties, parks, schools and illegal dumpsites across Rockdale. Volunteers will be provided cleaning…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, one of DeKalb County’s oldest African-American churches, is celebrating a landmark anniversary.The church kicked off its anniversary festivities on March 24 with two worship services, which were led by Antioch-Lithonia’s Pastor James C. Ward and Pastor Robert Taylor of Jonesboro’s Shiloh Baptist Church, the oldest African-American church in Clayton County. The church’s sesquicentennial worship service and concert on March 31 will celebrate a legacy of leadership, love and loyalty since the church was founded 150 years ago. The “Day of Remembrance” concert will feature guest conductor Heather Sorenson, along with other…

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal will join Papa John’s pizza as a member of its Board of Directors, the company has announced. O’Neal, a franchisee of nine Papa John’s restaurants in the Atlanta area, also will enter into an $8.25 million marketing agreement to be an ambassador for the Papa John’s brand. O’Neal’s new assignment follows an about face for the corporation, which suffered public backlash last year over an offensive comment Papa John’s founder John Schnatter made. According to Forbesmagazine, Schnatter admitted he used the “N” word during a conference call with a marketing agency when he…

  Stonecrest City Council gives green light to buy tract for community park The city of Stonecrest is moving forward with its plans to purchase an 8.8-acre tract to build a community park at the corner of Evans Mill and Salem roads, after getting the nod from the City Council on March 25. In a 5-0 decision, Mayor Jason Lary and four City Council members approved spending up to $350,000 to buy the property, halting plans for a gas station and convenience store. City Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble was absent from the meeting and did not vote. The council’s approval drew…

Conyers Police arrested nine men in a pandering sting operation on March 22. The men who were charged ranged in age from 19 to 52. Police said those arrested used various online advertising sites and mobile applications to meet at motels. The police department’s Criminal Investigations Division, at the direction of Chief Gene Wilson, launched the sting operation to continue cracking down on such criminal activity. The department has conducted over 20 such operations since 2013 following two violent pandering incidents that occurred in early summer of that year. One  “john” was robbed by two men after setting up a…

The Stonecrest City Council approved hiring Megan Phares-Reid as the new City Clerk during its March 25 council meeting. Phares-Reid is leaving the city of Porterdale, where she served for 11 years as City Clerk.  During her tenure, Phares-Reid also served as municipal Court Clerk and Elections Superintendent for the City of Porterdale, which is in Newton County. Reid will replace acting City Clerk Leah Rodriguez, who will return to her duties as a receptionist. Rodriguez had formerly served as City Clerk with the City of Lithonia.      

The Gregory B. Levett, Sr. Family Foundation will host the “Forever Young Senior Citizens Prom” on Saturday, April 27, 7 to 10 p.m., at South Gwinnett High School, 2288 Main St. E., Snellville. This year’s event will create a special opportunity to celebrate  seasoned elders throughout the community. The night will be filled with dinner, dancing and live entertainment. Larry Tinsley, V103 Sunday Morning Radio Host, will serve as master of ceremonies. The event attracts hundreds of seniors and the foundation anticipates hosting more than 500 seniors for this year’s event. Gregory and Betty Levett, Sr., owners and…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond signed an executive order to create a DeKalb Charter Review Commission on March 27 at the Georgia Capitol. The document was also signed by DeKalb Commissioner Jeff Rader, presiding officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners; State Rep. Karla Drenner, who chairs the DeKalb House delegation; and Sen. Emanuel Jones, who chairs the DeKalb Senate delegation. CEO Thurmond pictured with DeKalb County Commission, House and Senate leaders “Today is a historic day for DeKalb County,” said Thurmond. “The signing of the executive order is evidence that DeKalb is ready to work with…

State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) recently introduced House Resolution 680, which would create the House Study Committee on School Nutrition Program Funding. “It is our responsibility as lawmakers to ensure that we have a healthy, nutritious and effective nutrition program in place for Georgia students in order to foster positive educational environments,” said Rep. Carter. “To do this, I believe we need to review the current funding sources that are in place for our school nutrition program.” The House Study Committee on School Nutrition Program Funding would study state and federal funding of school nutrition programs before the recession of…

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon’s “Yes We Can” food drive collected enough food and online donations to create 10,000 meals. The donations will help the Atlanta Community Food Bank help the 19 percent of DeKalb’s population that is “food insecure.” These are households who on an occasional or regular basis do not know where their next meal will come from. The “Yes We Can” food drive is the 10th annual drive sponsored by Gannon, in partnership with DeKlab District Attorney Sherry Boston, Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry, Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling, Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson, Javoyne Hicks, clerk of State…