Author: On Common Ground News

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting the “Small Business Think Tank – Connecting Small Businesses with Government Resources” on Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The roundtable is the fourth in a series held this summer throughout the Fourth District and is free and open to all small business leaders. Johnson said the goal of the roundtable were connecting small businesses with federal, state and local resources with the goal of helping businesses grow and creating jobs in the Fourth District. Johnson is sponsoring the series along with the…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect in the Aug. 27 murder of a Decatur man. Arrest warrants were issued for 23-year-old Martin Clive Leahing of Covington.  According to police, Leahing and an accomplice were committing an armed robbery with a handgun on Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur, when the robbery victim fired a weapon in self-defense and shot and killed the accomplice.  Leahing is charged with murder for his participation in a crime that led ultimately to the death of his accomplice. Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit investigators located and arrested Leahing at his residence. He was taken to the…

State Rep. Doreen Carter, House District 92, will honor grandparents who have taken on the mission of raising their grandchildren.  Additionally, the members who served on the Kinship Care Task Force from Rockdale County also will be recognized for their advocacy in the passing of the Kinship Care legislation in Georgia. Carter is hosting the House District 92 Grandparents Day Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center, 1240 Dogwood Drive, Conyers. The nation observed Grandparents Day on Sept. 10, but many local activities and events were postponed due to Hurricane Irma. “We…

Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has appointed State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) to the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving. Carter will fill the position vacated by Rep. Keisha Waites, who  submitted her resignation from the House of Representatives effective Sept. 18. The 10-member study committee, created by House Resolution 282, will  examine whether further changes to state law should be implemented to restrict the uses of technologies such as cell phones while driving to reduce accidents. Statistics show that more than 220 million people in the United States subscribe to wireless services, and it is estimated that as many…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw’s proposed allocation of $35,000 for a covered pavilion at Wade Walker Park in Stone Mountain was approved by the DeKalb County Board of  Commissioners on Sept. 14. Bradshaw said the park, located at 5585 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain, is “a beautiful jewel in the heart of District 4” that is long overdue improvements. The park has 177 acres and features street hockey, baseball, softball, football, soccer, multi-use field, tennis courts, swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, lake and trails. “The Wade Walker Park Friends Group members are key stakeholders and have been instrumental in bringing forth…

The Friends of Stonecrest will host its first Craft Expo, “Christmas in September,” on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road (in the upper parking lot). Vendors are invited to showcase their hand-made goods. For more information regarding set up, call 770-482-3828. Proceeds will support library programs.

Rockdale County Stormwater Utility is seeking volunteers to participate in the 2017 Storm Drain Stenciling Day on Saturday, Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to1 p.m., at Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. Registration for the event ends Sept. 22. The event will educate the public about the significance of stormwater and the serious impact it has on water quality and aquatic life. Community residents will spend the day attaching markers to storm drains with the slogan: “No Dumping. Drains to Stream.” as a reminder to think twice before throwing an object down a storm drain. The Stormwater Utility invites…

The City of Stonecrest is inviting residents and neighbors for a weeklong festival Oct. 2-8.  The seven-day experience will include an assortment of cultural events at various locations throughout the city including food, shopping, entertainment, art, nature, history and more. The Stonecrest Fest kicks off on Monday, Oct. 2, 4 to 7 p.m. at the This Is It! Restaurant, 2853 Panola Road. Patrons are encouraged to ask for the “Stonecrest Fest” special to get a discount on your meal and find out what is in store for the week at this exclusive kickoff event. To date, the event lineup includes…

Written by Sheriff Eric Levett Many Rockdale residents were impacted in one way or another by the recent tropical storm that hit Georgia as a result of Hurricane Irma. From power outages to school closings, Rockdale was impacted and our community showed its strength and cooperation during the crisis. I am extremely proud of Rockdale residents. We came together when needed and we pitched in to show we are united. Even before we felt the impact of Irma, first responders in Rockdale and the City of Conyers were working hard to prepare.  Plans were put in place to handle emergencies,…

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) will meet Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., at J.H. House Elementary School, 2930 Georgia Highway 20 North, Conyers. The evening meeting is being held to give more people an opportunity to attend. The BOC generally has morning meetings. This public is encouraged to attend. The meeting agenda can be found below: ROCKDALE AGENDA, Sept. 19 Call to Order Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Presentations: NSP Update – Christie Phillips, NSP Coordinator Approval of the Agenda Approval of the Minutes: August 22, 2017 and September 5, 2017 Unfinished Business: 2017-354: An Ordinance…