Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale Rockers senior group will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Piedmont Rockdale Hospital in the Building A Classrooms, 1412 Milstead Ave., Conyers. The Rockdale Rockers is a social club for those aged 55 and older and is geared toward helping seniors live a stronger, longer, healthier life. All meetings include a buffet lunch, a guest speaker, and games. Memberships are now available and priced as follows: Single memberships are $15 per year and couple memberships are $25 per year. The cost for non-members is $5. The speaker for…

There are many opportunities for connection, empowerment and education in the next few weeks. On Common Ground’s Faith and Spirit Community Calendar features a diverse assortment of faith-based and other community events. To see what is going on in your community, visit churchesnow.org. Feeding A Crowd The Sankofa Community Food Pantry hosted a crowd during its drive-through food giveaway in July. Cars snaked around the build at the Faith Plaza, located at 1240 Sigman Road N.W., Conyers. Recipients received boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as dry goods, meats, canned goods and milk. Sankofa hosts the drive –through food…

By Rockdale Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. It is very important that you keep your original Last Will and Testament (“Will”) in a safe place to protect it from loss, damage, destruction, or theft. Georgia law presumes that, if the original Will cannot be located following death, it was destroyed by you with the intent to revoke it. While it may be possible to overcome this presumption, the process of proving it was not your intent to revoke the Will can be difficult, time consuming and costly. A fireproof cabinet or safe in your home is one…

Cities in DeKalb County will kick off the qualifying period the week of Aug. 19 for candidates seeking public office in this year’s municipal elections. Voters will elect leaders in 12 cities: Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker. Seven mayoral seats and at least 28 council seats will be up for grabs in the general election, which will be held on Nov. 5. The number of seats available might change, however, if an incumbent vacates his or her seat to seek a different office or decides not to run for…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for its next Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, which will be held on Tuesdays, Aug. 13 through Oct. 8, 6 to 8 p.m. The free, nine-week course is designed to provide a better understanding of law enforcement by educating Rockdale County Citizens about their Sheriff’s Office. Participants must be at least 21 years old. The class is limited to 30 people. Applications must be completed by Friday, Aug. 9. Citizens will learn the different functions of the various divisions at the RCSO. Topics will include: Tour of law enforcement facilities, K-9 demonstration, Criminal…

Congressman visits “Door of No Return” with Speaker Pelosi, Rep. John Lewis and other CBC Members to observe the 400th Anniversary of the first enslaved Africans landing in America Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) traveled with Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a Congressional delegation to Ghana to hold high-level discussions with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Speaker Mike Oquaye and other senior government officials. The delegation also visited U.S. Army Africa headquarters in Italy.  Speaker Pelosi delivered an address to the Ghanaian Parliament. Solemnly, the delegation also paid its respects at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles and the “Door of No Return,”…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, have made a third arrest in connection with the shooting death of Ronald Peters on June 4 in Decatur. Tyreese T. Johnson, 19, was arrested in Lithonia on July 31 for felony murder and armed robbery. Johnson is accused of fatally shooting and taking property that belonged to the victim. Johnson is in custody at the DeKalb County Jail. Two other suspects are in custody on felony murder and armed robbery charges stemming from the same incident. On July 26, Shaleeya Nicole Moore,18, of McDonough was…

Featuring more than 400 artists, the 51st annual Yellow Daisy Festival will take place Sept. 5-8 at Stone Mountain Park. The park is seeking more than 200 volunteers to experience the festival while earning park perks. Various volunteer positions are available within the festival’s art, crafts, music and food areas. Positions require light work, walking and a friendly smile. Greeters, photographers, gate attendants and help center representatives are needed as well as volunteers to help direct crafters and customers moving items in and out of the festival. Others may be assigned to work as support for crafters in the loops.…

The focus of this month’s DeKalb Cultural Exchange (DCE) meeting will be a clarion call for volunteerism, said Rob and Vicki B. Turner, founders of DCE. Rob Turner is a councilman for the City of Stonecrest and Vicki Turner is a DeKalb County School Board member. The meeting will be held in collaboration with the DeKalb Branch NAACP on Aug. 10, 9 a.m., on the campus of Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. “We will acknowledge schools in South DeKalb that have benefited from having volunteers on site.  The NAACP will…

Seven churches have begun offering fitness activities and open gym times to the public through agreements with the DeKalb County Board of Health. Health officials said the “shared use agreements” enable the congregations to share their programs and facilities with the public. They give residents opportunities to maintain active, healthy lifestyles at little or no cost. Community members can participate in activities such as Zumba classes, basketball programs, indoor soccer and weight training.  In addition, each location is hosting monthly health-related educational sessions. The Board of Health provides funding to support these efforts. “These partnerships are yet another great way…