Author: On Common Ground News

Adventurers won’t have to wait until March for the popular triple hike challenge across Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain and Stone Mountain. Similar to the fast-paced Monadnock Madness hike, outdoor enthusiasts will stimulate their senses, challenge themselves, and discover the scenic beauty at three metro Atlanta monadnocks this fall.  During the Daisy Days Triple Hike on Sept. 30, hikers will see seemingly stark mountains transform into a sea of yellow as we summit all three mountains in one incredible day. Participants will even earn a special souvenir and roast marshmallows by a fire. To purchase tickets now, visit http://daisydays.bpt.me. This adventure is presented by…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced that Oakhurst Medical Center is receiving more than $99,000 in Quality Improvement grant awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  The award is part of more than $2.8 million in federal funds for health centers across Georgia, which will use the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants to improve the quality, efficiency and the effectiveness of healthcare for the communities they serve. “What a great way to celebrate National Health Center Week,” said Congressman Johnson, who also attended a legislative breakfast this week to highlight this annual celebration. “Centers like…

Rockdale County will receive more than $196,000 in federal and state reimbursement funding for its cleanup efforts following tropical storm Irma, which occurred in September 2017. The monies will cover the costs of resources the county used during the emergency relief and cleanup efforts. Federal funding will reimburse 80 percent of the costs at $177,986 and the State will provide 8 percent at $18,165. In total $223,389.96 was spent to cover the efforts. Out of this sum, the cost to Rockdale and the taxpayer was 12 percent at $27,247.72. From the period during and following tropical storm Irma, Rockdale County…

Democrats in Rockdale County rallied as they elected delegates and alternates for the Georgia state convention, which will be held on Aug. 25 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Fourteen candidates participated in the Aug. 14 delegate elections at the Rockdale Democratic Party headquarters, 1264 Parker Road, S.E., in Conyers. Delegates elected include: Phyllis Hatcher, a candidate for District 17 state senate seat Muddessar Ahmad, a businessman and philanthropist. Ahmad was honored in February with the Community Spirit Award by the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. Keisha Coopera 9-year resident who said she was attending her very first Democratic…

At the special called meeting on Aug. 15, the Stonecrest City Council approved four of five proposed charter changes the public will consider over the next 60 days. The council opposed an ordinance amending the mayor’s salary and expense allowances for the mayor and council members. This item will not come up for the public to consider because the council voted it down.       Citizens will be allowed to provide input on the proposals(they are only proposals) at upcoming public hearings that will be advertised. Here’s how the Stonecrest City Council voted on the proposals to be considered as…

Please help our friend, Angie Venable, who was injured in a car accident last week. She has been a great help to On Common Ground News and others through her media work in the community. You can learn more and contribute at: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/medical-bill-for-car-accident      

Rockdale County Deputy Dedra Hall has been arrested and charged with sexual battery. The charges stem from a county court systems employee who filed a complaint with the Rockdale County Human Resources Department on April 12, according to the the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office. Hall has been placed on Administrative leave, the Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release. No explanation was given why the arrest took place four months after the complaint was made. The Sheriff’s Office said there is an ongoing Internal Affairs and Criminal investigation. “It is unfortunate this incident has presented itself. However, I expect RCSO employees…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office warns that another telephone scam is in play.  This time the unsuspecting victims are actually being told to meet them at the DeKalb County Jail with cash to avoid arrest for citations. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office wants callers to know that they are not placing these calls, even though the callers are identifying themselves as sheriff’s deputies who work for Sheriff Jeff Mann. “Our office does not place telephone calls to persons to collect fines,” says Sheriff Mann. What should you do?  Just hang up.  As with most scams, the caller is using fear to…

Gov. Nathan Deal yesterday met with President Donald J. Trump, other governors, state attorneys general and federal leaders to discuss criminal justice reform, including the successes and results of initiatives implemented in Georgia. “Smart on crime is not the same as soft on crime, which our results bear out,” said Deal. “In Georgia, we are addressing barriers to successful reentry through job training programs, ban-the-box legislation and operating a charter school in our prison system. We have implemented such initatives while making our communities safer, with a 10 percent decrease in the violent crime rate and a 20 percent…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has been elevated to another level of service. Lary was ordained a deacon at Union First Missionary Baptist Church during the Lithonia church’s Aug. 5 worship service. Pastor Edward. L. Randolph, Jr. performed the ordination for Lary and Deacon Reginald Veasley, praying for both men and their wives, Debra “Debbie” Lary and Angel Veasley. “Serving as a deacon is a very important role. When we look at candidates for that office, the bible says in Acts that there are three qualifications: a man of good rapport, filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” said Pastor Randolph,…