Author: On Common Ground News

The joint regular meeting of the DeKalb Parks Bond Citizen Advisory Committee and the Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The meeting will take place on the first floor in room 111. Information will be provided on greenspace acquisitions and current parks and recreation projects. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs administrative coordinator, at 404-371-2927 or cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.

 The Rockdale County Think Tank organization will host its State of the County address by the citizens of Rockdale on Saturday, Jan. 23, noon to 2 p.m., at Ruby Tuesday’s, 1714 Highway 138, Conyers. Think Tank Founder Josie Dean said the meeting is an opportunity for citizens to discuss critical issues to address for 2018.

The Friends of Stonecrest Library will host a meet-and-greet and membership drive on Monday, Jan.  22, 6 to 8 p.m., at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. Come learn about the group’s initiatives and meet its officers. The Friends provide support and funding for library activities. Light refreshments will be provided at the meeting.

Pastor Charles Bennafield was installed on Jan. 6 to lead the historic Flat Rock Community Church, located in the new city of Stonecrest. The installation officially merged two churches in which Bennafield has been involved over the last 15 years: Crossroads Christian Community Church, which he launched in 1998, and Flat Rock Community Church, where he served 6 years before the launch. Four elected officials attended the celebration: Congressman Hank Johnson, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and Stonecrest Councilmembers Diane Adoma and George Turner, who all live in the city where Flat Rock is located. Congressman Johnson likened the church’s new…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) has been elected by his peers to lead the Judiciary Subcommittee – Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over administration of U.S. Courts, federal rules of evidence, civil and appellate procedure, judicial ethics, patent, copyright and trademark law, information technology and the Internet. A former judge and criminal defense attorney, Johnson has served on Judiciary since 2007, championing civil liberties, consumer protections and workers’ rights. “I am honored to be named the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet,” Johnson said. “At a time when the Trump…

DeKalb County Cooperative Extension is calling for applications for Fresh on DeK, the DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market, stops for 2018. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 1. Launched in May 2015, the mobile market has raised awareness about the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption for healthy living by providing fresh, affordable produce and food demonstrations to county residents. Communities, businesses or organizations can apply to be a Fresh on DeK stop. The proposed location must be able to provide a liaison to organize the site. The site must also have a street-level parking area that is highly visible,…

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said he is seeking another wholesale warehouse store after the abrupt Jan. 11 closing of the Sam’s Club at 2994 Turner Hill Road. The Stonecrest store is one of 63 that the warehouse giant abruptly closed across the nation, laying off thousands of employees. “I’ve already contacted Costco and they’re interested,” Lary said. Lary said he was outraged to learn the Stonecrest store was closing. Loyal members, who have supported the store for years, expressed their shock, and employees, who learned they no longer had jobs when they reported to work.…

Civic and community activists say they plan to protest the regressive policies of the Trump administration during the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship game in Atlanta today. “Every measure the previous administration put in place to protect the well-being of people and the planet has been under attack by the Trump administration. We urge all citizens to get engaged to stop the assault on our civil and human rights, and on health, education and the environment,” said Richard Rose, president of the Atlanta branch of the NAACP. Other organizations taking part in the protest include the Georgia Alliance for…

Two more suspects have been arrested in connection the bronze heist at the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial in Rockdale County. The Rockdale Sheriff’s Office said that Bryan Sears of Union City was taken into custody today (Jan. 8). Keshia Martin Black of Coweta County was arrested on Jan. 3. The arrests follow that of Wendall Heath Tolbert, 51, of Coweta County, who was charged with felony theft and interference with government property, also a felony. “This case has taken us to Union City, Coweta County and Meriweather County,” Sheriff Eric J. Levett said. “We want to make sure that…

With temperatures plummeting into the teens, landscapes in metro Atlanta have offered some postcard worthy photo opportunities. Photographer Glenn L. Morgan captured an icey Lake Capri, where residents in the lakefront community in Rockdale County are enjoying Mother Nature’s awesome bounty.