Author: On Common Ground News

A colorful memorial of balloons and flowers were placed on a bank outside of the Zaxby’s restaurant where 17-year-old Elyse Purefoy worked as a cashier in Stone Mountain. The rising senior at Arabia Mountain High School, who was a member of the school’s dance team, collapsed on June 10 during a summer training workout and was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Purefoy was a straight-A student who worked part-time at Zaxby’s. Kimberly Cuffie, one of Zaxby’s shift managers, said workers at the restaurant were shocked and saddened by Purefoy’s…

Two minorities made history in Georgia with appointments by Gov. Brian Kemp’s on June 12. Doraville Police Chief and Brigadier General John King was named Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner and Safety Fire Commissioner, the first Hispanic to serve in that capacity. Cobb Judicial Circuit’s Chief Magistrate Judge Joyette Holmes was named the incoming District Attorney. She is the first African-American and first female to serve as District Attorney in Cobb. Holmes succeeds Victor Reynolds, who was appointed in February as director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations by Kemp. “John King is a decorated soldier, passionate community advocate, and devoted…

Conyers Police captured armed robbery fugitive Calvin Smith on June 7. Police arrested Smith after he and another man, Trayvion Clark, ran from a vacant house. Police pursued the men on foot chasing them through Olde Town, Sgt. Kim Lucas said. Code Enforcement officers and a gang detective had observed fresh gang-related graffiti on a vacant residence. and were meeting with a homeowner in front of the house when the pair ran out of a back door. A foot chase ensued and a perimeter was quickly established to locate the pair. Cadet Shelton Ragland spotted Smith running out of the…

By Sarita Mason OCG News Intern DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner  is gearing up for the DeKalb 2020 Census. Johnson, who has been appointed chairman of the DeKalb 2020 Census Complete Count Committee by the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, says every effort will be made to educate citizens on the importance of the 2020 Census report. “We will knock on doors, visit churches, nursing homes, attend events and more to gain a 100 percent response rate for this upcoming report,” said Johnson.  “It is very important that the citizens are aware of the impact their response to the…

Free family fun is in store for Conyers residents with the popular return of the Olde Town Summer Film Series this summer. Free outdoor movies will be shown at the Olde Town Pavilion, 949 S. Main Street, at the Randal S. Mills City Center Park on the following Saturdays: June 15 (“Ralph Wrecks the Internet 2”); July 20 (“Incredibles 2”); and Aug. 17 (“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”). The July 20 movie event also features a “Touch a Truck.” Public safety officials from the Conyers Police Department, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale County Fire Department, and National…

Conyers First United Methodist Church will host a four-day Bible adventure and beach bash June 18-20 at the Olde Towne Pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be singing, dancing, games, snacks and Christ-based education. The event will culminate with a beach bash on Friday, June 21, on the front lawn of Conyers First United Methodist Church, 921 N. Main Street. Each night, parents are invited to stay or to drop off rising kindergarten to rising 6thgrade students.

Join UGA Extension Services for a family fun event ” Fun with Fresh Food’ on Thursday, June 20, 11 a.m., at the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green Street in Conyers. Learn how to eat the rainbow and enjoy taste tests, demonstrations and free produce. The featured color of the week is yellow.  This is a recurring event that takes place every Thursday through July.  For more information, call 770-278-7373.

The City of Covington, Chamber of Commerce and Newton County Recreation Commission have partnered to provide “Food & Film @ the Field” on Friday, June 21, 6 p.m. at Legion Field, 3173 Mill Street, Covington. The first 200 guests can enjoy a free hot dog, chips and drink prior to the screening of “Ralph Breaks the Internet”on a large outdoor screen. This event is monthly during the summer season. For more information, visit cityofcovington.org

Kick off the summer at the Decatur Beach Party on Friday, June 21, 5 to 11 p.m., at the Olde Depot District on E. Howard Avenue and N. Candler Street in downtown Decatur. Gather up the beach toys and come ready to play in 80 tons of imported sand and enjoy a variety of kids’ activities along the boardwalk, including a toddler play area, rock climbing wall, dunk tank, and more from 5 to 9 p.m. The party will continue into the night with live music, food trucks, a beer garden and more. The event is sponsored by the…

The Fox Theatre presents the 2019 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival with a screening and sing-along of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” for the film’s 30thanniversary. After opening night, the festival will include early and evening shows including “Saturday Morning Cartoons,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a “Mary Poppins” sing-along, and “The Wizard of Oz” which will be celebrating its 80thanniversary. Patrons will enjoy movies under the theatre’s 26-by-56-foot screen. Advanced discount tickets are available online at foxtheater.org. For the full film festival schedule or to purchase tickets, visit FoxTheatre.org.