Author: On Common Ground News

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and partners are launching the fourth annual “We’re Not Gonna Take It” video contest to combat opiod abuse. The contest, which runs from Feb. 1 through March 15, is open to high school and college students enrolled at a Georgia-based institution sponsored by a qualified adult. Entrants should create a video or radio submission no longer than 30 seconds. “Opioid abuse and misuse is affecting all Georgians, and we have to join together to strengthen our response to this modern day epidemic,” said Carr. “Georgia’s young people can lead awareness and change. Every year, students…

MARTA has announced plans to replace 25 percent of its bus and paratransit fleet over the next six years. MARTA will introduce 387 buses and 211 mobility vans from now until 2024. The new buses feature Wi-Fi, high definition security cameras, high capacity heating and air conditioning, including heated entry and exit floors to prevent icing, and mobile ticketing. The new mobility vans have three wheelchair positions, non-slip flooring, and ambulatory seats with three-point seatbelts. “We are excited to introduce these state-of-the-art buses and vans to MARTA’s fleet,” said MARTA Chief Operating Officer Rich Krisak. “The vehicles are safer, more…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit arrested four suspects in connection with two murders where drug transactions are alleged to have been involved. Calvin Joel Bartholomew, 29, of Stone Mountain, was charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bartholomew shot Maurice Rondrell Stargell multiple times on Ember Drive in Decatur on Jan. 16, according to warrants issued on Jan. 17. The warrants allege that the two men were at that location for a drug transaction when an attempted robbery escalated into the shooting that led to Stargell’s death. The arrest took place with assistance…

DeKalb honors DWM calendar contest winners   DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners honored 12 elementary school students for submitting works of art that highlighted water conservation and the importance of properly disposing fats, oils and grease.   The DeKalb County School District students were selected as the winners of the Department of Watershed Management(DWM) 2018 Art Calendar Contest. Kindergarten through fifth grade students were encouraged to submit artwork that followed the theme of “Protecting Our Water Resources,” such as never pouring fats, oils and cooking grease down drains. The annual contest celebrated its 13th…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) was honored on Feb. 1 by Environment Georgia for his 100 percent clean-energy voting record in 2017. Johnson received the “Environmental Champion” award after he toured clean-energy battery maker sonnen off LaVista Road in Tucker. “Rep. Johnson voted with our planet and our families 100 percent of the time in 2017,” said Jennette Gayer, executive director of Environment Georgia. “Today’s event is fitting–we are touring a facility dedicated to helping us transition away from dirty energy sources and maximize clean energy from the sun.” “It’s an honor to be recognized by such an important organization…

Rockdale’s sharpest readers went head to head in the Rockdale County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl on Jan. 27 at Rockdale Career Academy in Conyers. Lorraine Elementary won first place among 11 elementary school teams. Barksdale Elementary won second place and Shoal Creek Elementary won third place. In the middle school division, defending champion Edwards Middle School reclaimed their trophy and won first place out of four middle school teams. Gen. Ray Davis Middle School won second place and Conyers Middle School won third place. The first place teams advance to the regional competition on Feb. 10 at Clayton State University.…

Retired Army Capt. Tommy Clack received the A.R. Gus Barksdale Lifetime Achievement Award, the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor, at the organization’s 62nd Annual Meeting. Clack was among six award recipients honored during the Chamber’s luncheon at the Georgia International Horse Park on Jan. 30. Clack, who is president and chairman of the Walk of Heroes Memorial in Conyers, has assisted veterans for over 40 years. After losing three limbs and suffering internal injuries on May 29, 1969 while serving in Vietnam, he turned his tragedy into victory by advocating for those who serve the United States. Since 1970,…

The Rockdale County Branch of the NAACP will host its 2018 Black History & Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10, 3 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers. “We are pleased to be in partnership with the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library to bring several Black History Month activities to Rockdale County.  We are also working in collaboration with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company to showcase participants from the August Wilson Monologue Competition and to attend August Wilson’s play, King Hedley II, on Feb. 25,” said Rockdale NAACP President Thomas Brantley, Jr. “We cordially invite all to…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who represents District 4, is seeking to fill two appointments: one on the county’s Animal Advisory Board and the other on the CATV Citizens Board. Board members serve in an advisory capacity to the DeKalb County CEO and Board of Commissioners. Responsibilities of this board will include monitoring the master plan to ensure its implementation in the provision of professional practices including efficient service delivery and updated clean facilities. In addition, the board will serve as liaison to animal advocacy groups, animal professionals and County government for the purpose of creating a method for clear…

Register for DeKalb Medical Center’s free Surgical Weight Loss Seminar to get all the facts on Bariatric Surgery and how it can help you improve your health and meet your weight loss goals. The seminar will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Women’s and Surgery Center Auditorium, 2701 N. Decatur Road, Decatur. For more information: 404-445-0504 or http://bit.ly/SWLSeminar.