Author: On Common Ground News

Xpress Commuter Service bus stops for routes 400 and 416 will be impacted on Friday, Feb. 1, due to road closures for the NFL Honor Ceremony, which will be held at the Fox Theatre in downtown Atlanta. Riders during the afternoon trips should plan to board at the following temporary bus stops:  Peachtree Street & Renaissance Parkway at Emory Hospital (Northbound) at MARTA stop Linden Avenue before West Peachtree Street The stops listed above are replacing the following stops, which will not be serviced:  Peachtree Street at Linden Avenue Ponce De Leon Ave at West Peachtree Street Spring Street at Linden…

The Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is ready to help you get your new year’s business resolutions off the ground at this year’s 2019 Entrepreneurial Academy. Starting on Monday, Feb. 11, the seven-week program offers individuals a deep dive into the essentials on starting and running a successful business. “The entrepreneurial program is a course designed with the small business owner in mind. If you have dreams of starting your own business or are already an established business owner seeking to expand, the academy has something for you,” said Fred Boscarino, President/CEO of the Chamber. “Experienced business people who…

Rockdale Constitutional Corner By Sheriff Eric J. Levett Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office would like to take this time to remind drivers to winterize their vehicles and follow safe driving tips in preparation for inclement weather. Winter weather can catch all of us off guard, but you can reduce the risks of being involved in a crash by making sure your vehicle is ready for the season, adopting winter driving techniques and following general roadway safety tips. Last winter, there were 250 crashes on snow, ice or slush covered roads in Rockdale County. Speed-related factors were reported as a causative factor…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced on Jan. 23 that he was elected by his peers to lead the Judiciary Subcommittee – Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet. “I am honored to be named chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet,” said Johnson. “Intellectual property laws that protect the rights of owners of patents, trademarks and copyrights help drive America’s competitiveness and export growth, create millions of jobs, and affect virtually every segment of the U.S. economy. Georgia is home to a burgeoning tech and creative sector. As we work to modernize and streamline our patent and…

State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) is encouraging citizens to “Go Red for Women” by wearing red on Feb. 1. “Go Red for Women” Day is celebrated by the American Heart Association and is designed to increase women’s awareness and research about cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for African American women, according to the CDC. “Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education, healthy eating habits, and regular exercise,” said Carter.  “My grandmother died of a massive heart attack. My mother died in her sleep.  I was…

Newly-elected State Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) has been appointed to the Georgia House of Representatives Insurance, Interstate Cooperation and Science & Technology committees. Davis was sworn into office as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives on Jan. 14, marking her first day of the 2019-2020 legislative term. She represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. “I am proud to represent the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County,” said Rep. Davis. “I will make every effort to focus on problems and solutions within my district.” The House Committee on Assignments, chaired by House…

Katerina Taylor, president and CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, has been named a 2019 Notable Georgian by Georgia Trend. Taylor was recognized along with other Notable Georgians and Most Influential Georgians during a luncheon on Jan. 22 at the Georgia Aquarium. Taylor became the first female to lead the DeKalb Chamber in 2014. Under her leadership, she established the Women Executive Leaders of DeKalb (WELD), a resource group for women executives; helped to spearhead the Chamber’s educational efforts that helped to lead to the passing of the county-wide SPLOST in 2017; and strengthened collaborative partnerships between community partners,…

DeKalb County Police Officer Norman Larsen and K-9 Indi were presented the Award of Bravery for saving lives and for consistently serving the county with courage. The Award of Bravery was presented by the Animal Law Source, Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, National Sherriff’s Association and Office of the District Attorney, Towaliga Judicial Circuit during the K-9 Handler Intensive at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center on Jan. 18. “DeKalb County is extremely proud of Officer Larsen and K-9 Indi,” said Public Safety Director Jack Lumpkin. “The county appreciates their unwavering dedication to keeping DeKalb safe while serving…

The city of Stonecrest has named Sean DePalma, formerly parks director of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, as its new Parks and Recreation Director. DePalma began his duties on Jan. 7, 2019. Mayor Jason Lary said DePalma is a good fit for the city. “We needed a person with varied skills in parks administration, personnel, facilities, green living, entertainment and sports. We felt he was the best fit overall for our needs for now and in the future,”  Lary said. DePalma has more than 20 years of municipal administration in parks and recreation. In his previous role in Fort Myers Beach, DePalma…