Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office secured warrants and charged Alfred Jermain Arnold in connection with the homicide of a woman who was found dead in her home on April 12. Arnold was charged with malice murder, arson in the first degree, aggravated assault and theft by taking (motor vehicle) in the death of Loretta Goolsby, 58. Goolsby had been missing since April 6. Her landlord had been trying to contact her because her rent was late, which was very unusual for her, authorities said. A neighbor found her body on April 12 at her home on Lester Road in Conyers,…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary greeted and spoke to students at The Academy of Scholars Christian School on April 25. The mayor, who visited on Career Day, discussed the formation of Stonecrest and his role as mayor. He took pictures with the students during his visit. The Academy, located in Stonecrest, serves students ages 4 through grade 6.

Updated: Residents raise questions about new vendor planned for Browns Mill Stonecrest city officials fielded questions during a heated   community meeting on April 25 where the city continued discussions on its plans to acquire Browns Mill Recreation Center and eight other parks from DeKalb County government. Parks is one of three services, along with planning and zoning, and code enforcement that the new city is required to take over under the Stonecrest charter. Parents have expressed concern over the city’s plans to bring on a new vendor to run the summer camp at Browns Mill, with several saying parents should…

Rockdale County Procurement Division will host a “How to do Business with Rockdale County” meet-and-greet on Wednesday, May 15, 10 am to noon. The event will be held at JP Carr Community Room – 981 Taylor Street, Conyers. Vendors are invited to networkand meet with purchasing staff and departmental staff of various county departments.  It is also a great opportunity to meet other vendors that may need their goods or services. Vendors are encouraged to RSVP by May 8. Contact Tina Malone, procurement manager at tina.malone@rockdalecountyga.gov.

Watchdogs for Justice Team will conduct a free seminar, “Keeping Kids Out of Prison,”  on May 4, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.  The seminar will consist of interactive skits and a question-and-answer session involving the following topics: What your constitutional rights are and how to safely exercise them Four primary reasons youth end up in the system What to do if stopped by the police When to talk and when to keep silent What “3 strikes and you are out” means Watchdogs for Justice is a…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all students, teachers and parents to a day filled with strategy, tactics and deep thinking at Stone Mountain Middle School, 4301 Sarr Parkway in Tucker. The school will host the seventh annual DCSD Chess Club Fair on Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. until noon. The event will feature chess gameplay, door prizes, recognition, refreshments and special guest speakers. One special guest will be local nonprofit founder and public speaker Orrin Hudson. In 2001, Hudson founded Be Someone, an organization that uses chess to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and critical thinking among children in underserved…

DeKalb County is celebrating National Park RX Day on Sunday, April 28. Park RX Day is designed to promote outdoor activities and good health across the nation. DeKalb has planned an array of free activities on this day including yoga, tai chi, guided walking tours, planting, dancing, blood pressure screenings, health education and food The DeKalb County Board of Health is coordinating the county’s observance of Park Rx Day. The following county parks are participating: Mason Mill Park (Flagship Event) 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Activities: Yoga, cardio, guided walking tour, kid-focused fitness, health education and…

Work Session: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012 Voting Session: Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers Evening Work Session: Tuesday, May 21, 7 p.m. – Honey Creek Elementary School located at 700 Honey Creek Road, Conyers Zoning Public Hearing: Tuesday, May 28, 9 a.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Voting Session: Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers

Mandisha A. Thomas (left) and State Rep. Debra Bazemore (right) present Congressman Hank Johnson (center) with The Environmental Scorecard Award. Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) was presented with “The Environmental Scorecard Award,” in recognition of his 100 percent environmental voting record in 2018. Johnson received the award on April 22, Earth Day, at the Georgia Environmental Justice Education and Awareness Symposium, where he also served as a guest speaker for the symposium. Mandisha A. Thomas, founder of Golden Gate Health Care Resources, was joined by Debra Bazemore, Georgia State Representative HD-63, in presenting the award to Johnson. “It is an…

Task Force combats human trafficking  DeKalb County District Attorney  has been appointed to the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission, a task force created by Georgia’s First Lady, Marty Kemp, to combat human trafficking in the State. First Lady Kemp publicly announced the 22 members named to the Commission during a press conference on April 23 at the State Capitol. “It is my pleasure to officially welcome all members to the GRACE Commission,” said First Lady Kemp. “I am confident that we have put together a great team of dedicated individuals who are well-equipped to…