Author: On Common Ground News

More than 300 people attended the DeKalb Entertainment Commission’s second Entertainment Expo on Nov. 3. The event featured resources and information for residents, companies, and professionals seeking to build their presence in the entertainment industry. The Expo offered panel sessions, hands-on workshops, pitch opportunities, one-on-one meetings with industry professionals, industry-related vendors and information on the latest industry trends. Industry experts gave guidance on how to get into the entertainment business in Georgia—from  seasoned professionals to those just starting out in the industry to Atlantans looking to make a career change. “This year’s Entertainment Expo gave attendees the opportunity connect with…

As required by the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Local Workforce Development Board in DeKalb County (Workforce Region 5) has prepared updates to the regional workforce plan. The document is available for review and comment on the WorkSource DeKalb (WSD) website at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/worksource-dekalb/localregional-plan. A hard copy of the local workforce plan is available for review at the WorkSource DeKalb office located at 774 Jordan Lane, Building #4, Decatur, GA 30033. Contact the WSD at 404-687-3400 if you are interested in reviewing the document at WSD. Comments will be accepted during a 30-day period of Nov. 6 – Dec. 6.  …

District 1 Atlanta City Council Member Carla Smith will sponsor the 2018 Veterans Resources Expo on Saturday, Nov. 17, in partnership with the City of Atlanta Commission on Veterans Affairs. The free event will take place in the old Council Chamber from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 68 Mitchell St., S.W.  (Participants may also enter the building at 55 Trinity Ave., S.W. Commemorating Veterans Day, the expo will provide veterans access to a broad range of services, including housing assistance, education, jobs and job training, health screenings and benefits counseling. “Our veterans have answered the call to defend our…

By Ruth A. Wilson Rockdale Clerk of Courts Rockdale’s very first Sheriff was I. W. Almand. There is a street in Olde Town Conyers named for him. Under his watch, there was a rampant spate of bad guys doing bad stuff. The first Rockdale Clerk of Superior Court was F. J.  Treadwell. Drawn from his records, here are just a few examples of the depravity and debauchery of the time: May 1870, William Murphy was arrested for Larceny. Court costs were $4.10, Constable fee was $2.33 and the Jailor charged $3.30. He was charged with taking two bushels of wheat…

The Conyers Police Department is seeking cash, checks and Wal-mart gift cards to support its 11th Annual Shop With A Cop to buy Christmas presents for needy children in Rockdale County. The Conyers Police Department (CPD) works with the Conyers Wal-Mart, along with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Safety work on the annual project. Law enforcement personnel accompany children from families experiencing financial hardship to the Conyers Wal-Mart to shop for Christmas gifts. “The Conyers Wal-Mart has been an excellent community partner to assist the Conyers Police in spearheading this effort. Officers interact with…

Democrats tried hard on election night to turn the state blue urging voters to go to the polls, but Georgia stayed true to its color—red—giving the GOP the state’s top seats. Here’s a look at how the top races stacked up: Lt. Governor Republican Geoff Duncan was elected lieutenant governor, defeating Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico with 52% of the vote (1,946,233 votes). Amico received 1,815, 510 votes (48%). Insurance Commissioner Republican Jim Beck held the lead over Democrat Janice Laws, receiving 1,939,665 votes (50%) for state insurance commissioner. Laws garnered 1,801825 votes (47 %). Libertarian Donnie Foster placed third with…

Voters re-elected Democrat incumbent Doreen Williams for a second term on the Rockdale Board of Commissioners. Williams solidly defeated Republican Larry Cox for the Post 2 seat, earning 67.2% of the vote. Cox received 32.70%, early results showed. In other Rockdale races: Voters’ top three picks in the four-way race for Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor were incumbents David L. Shipp and Russell W. Tonning, and Kenny Arnold Johnson. Incumbent Democrat Pam Stephenson, District 90, defeated Republican challenger Takosha Swan with 79.92% of the vote(21,008 votes). Swan received 20.08% (5,279). District 90 covers portions of Rockdale,…

GEMS SOVC REPORT 11.6.18

Voters in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District overwhelmingly returned Democrat U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson to his seat on Tuesday night. Johnson, who lives in DeKalb County, defeated Republican Joe Profit in Tuesday’s election with 225,879 votes (79%). Profit, a businessman and former Atlanta Falcons running back, received 60,817 votes (21%). Voters elected Johnson, who has held the seat since 2007, for a seventh term. The Fourth Congressional District covers portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties.

Democrat Stacey Abrams is not conceding to Republican Brian Kemp in the hotly contested race for Georgia governor. Abrams said she is awaiting the final count of absentee and provisional ballots. About 63,000 ballots separate the two candidates, according to unofficial results. Kemp had 1,972,985 votes (50%). Abrams had 1,909,815 votes (49%), the latest numbers show. Libertarian Ted Metz had 37,081 (1%) of the votes. Abrams told voters to prepare for a “do-over” as her campaign presses for every vote to be counted. “And I need you to know that it is my mission to serve you, to serve Georgia,…