Author: On Common Ground News

Watch baby chicks hatch, calves nurse from a bottle, and goats gambol in their pen at the 4-H exhibit at the Gwinnett County Fair, Sept. 14–24. Called “Farm Friends,” the 4-H exhibit offers other hands-on opportunities to learn about farm life, such as milking a wooden saw horse, feeling rabbit fur and wool, and watching farm hands care for animals we depend on for food and clothing. Farm Friends is located at the big red barn at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds at 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. For a schedule and more information, visit  www.gwinnettcountyfair.com.

ity of Stonecrest Councilwoman Diane Adoma has published a newsletter to update residents of the new city. To view the newsletter in its entirety, click here.

Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District,covering portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties, condemned President Trump’s response to the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The violence broke out over the weekend when hundreds of white supremacists who staged a “take America back” demonstration clashed with counter protestors. A car plowed into the crowd killing one woman and injuring 19 others. Two state troopers responding to the scene were killed in a helicopter crash. Johnson issued the following statement on Aug. 16 following remarks by Trump concerning the protest: “Tuesday’s comments from President Trump that compared counter protestors with…

Conyers police are seeking two suspects who burglarized a vehicle at LA Fitness in Conyers on Aug. 11. The victim’s credit cards were used at Sam’s Club in Lithonia within the hour. Hundreds of dollars in snack foods were fraudulently purchased by the suspects who were occupying a silver Ford Explorer. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers 404-577-TIPS.  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward for up to $2,000. View the video of the break-in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAOKUewuDdk

Insured and non-insured individuals can get free clinic services on Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Clarkston First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 4007 Church St., Clarkston. Ray of Hope Christian Church, Clarkston First Baptist Church, DeKalb Board of Health and Clarkston Community Health Center are partnering with the Hope Through Health Clinic to provide free medical exams, pharmacy, vision dental services, as well as provide food and clothing.

Voices of Faith Ministries, 2500 Rockbridge Road, S.W., Stone Mountain, will celebrate its 23rd church anniversary this weekend beginning Friday, Aug. 18, 6 to 8 p.m.  Come enjoy a free movie, games and popcorn. Don’t worry about picking up dinner before viewing the movie, “The Shack.” There will be food trucks on site where you can purchase dinner and snacks: The Tempted Palate, Mama Dukes Catering, Mac the Cheese Comfort Food Truck, and the Atlanta Ice Cream Truck. Friday Night Explosion will be held in the main sanctuary at our Stone Mountain location, 2500 Rockbridge Road, S.W., Stone Mountain. The…

By Ed Williams, Ed.D. Chair Concerned Citizens For Effective Government Today, the Confederate carving on Stone Mountain is rebranded with lasers, animated with colored beams of lights to glorify the image as if it is coming back to life. None of these men in the carving were from Georgia, there was no battle at Stone Mountain, and there is no one buried at Stone Mountain. So why is it called a Confederate Memorial? I do not seek to destroy history but to tell the true story.  The defenders seek to rebrand the symbolism of oppression and terrorism as art…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) honors 119 students recently named 2017 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars, including two National AP Scholars, for their outstanding performance on the 2017 exams. Each year, thousands of high school students across the world take AP exams. The College Board recognizes the hard work of top students through the awarding of several distinctions: AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, and National AP Scholar. Two RCPS students received the prestigious honor of being named National AP Scholars – Andrew Bonar and Dahlia Walters. These two students, both recent graduates from the Rockdale Magnet…

WASHINGTON – The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is heartbroken over the deaths of Ms. Heather Hayer, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, a 20-year veteran of the Virginia State Police, and Trooper Berke M. M. Bates in Charlottesville, VA. NCNW expresses its sincere sympathy and condolences to the wounded and deceased, their families and friends. Fringe groups who seek to terrorize and take innocent lives discredit their cause, their country and themselves. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees every American the right to peacefully express his/her views on matters of policy and principle, no matter how extreme…

The Ludacris Foundation and State Rep. Valencia Stovall (D-Forrest Park) are gearing up to host LUDAFAMDAY on the Labor Day weekend at Turner Field in Atlanta. The free community event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 2, during the 2017 LUDADAY Charity Weekend. Rep. Stovall will unveil details of the event at a news conference set for Thursday, Aug. 17, at the State Capitol. “As a native of Southeast Atlanta, I’m excited to be a part of the LUDADAY Charity Weekend and to partner with the Ludacris Foundation and AmbitiousX,” said Stovall. “This event will bring awareness to…