Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County NAACP’s annual “Black History and Heritage Celebration” was a celebration indeed. The Feb. 11 program featured an array of dancers, drummers, spoken word artists and singers including, singer and songwriter Derrick Monk, who once produced for the late James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul.” The NAACP’s program kicked off with a “Milestones in Black History Parade,” featuring children from the community marching in with handmade posters displaying pictures and information about black historical trailblazers. The celebration, which was held at the Rockdale Auditorium in downtown Conyers, included a lineup of performers from neighboring cities including the Rainbow…

ATLANTA Black History Month parade set in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn District The Black History Month Parade will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m., in the historic Sweet Auburn District at Hurt Park, 200 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta. There will be a vendor market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Courtland Street, ending at Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Baker Street. Vendor and sponsor applications are still being accepted. The Black History Month parade will feature various dance and music performances and special appearances by the Legends Marching Band from Nassau, Bahamas…

Deandre Seabrooks, 29, was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl who was walking home, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced. Sariah Wilcoxson was gunned down on Jan. 11, 2016 after leaving a MARTA bus stop near the corner of Flat Shoals Road and Fayetteville Road where she had just left a friend. As she walked toward the East Hampton Apartment Complex where she lived, Seabrooks opened fire with an AK-47 assault weapon, striking her in the neck and arm. Seabrooks fled the scene, Boston said. An eyewitness later identified Seabrooks as the…

DeKalb County Commissioners Larry Johnson (District 3) and Gregory Adams (District 7) will co-host a budget Town Hall meeting on Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive. The community is encouraged to attend for more information about the county’s operating budget.

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is seeking nominations to honor the dedicated, hardworking and often unnoticed Rockdale citizens with the new Unsung Hero Award at his inaugural 2017 State of the County Evening Address on Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium. Nominees should be residents who work in the community behind the scenes or out of the limelight, seeking no accolades for their work and volunteer efforts. The other eligibility requirements include: Nominees can be of any age. Must be a current citizen of Rockdale County. Nominations must be submitted by another person. A person…

The Rockdale branch of the NAACP will host its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, March 18, 6 p.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park Carriage Room, in Conyers. The event will feature artist Irene Banks. Advance tickets for adults are $50 and $60 at the door. Tickets are $20 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 770-374-4445.

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. has named Jorge Lopez, formerly Director of Public Affairs for Unico Communications, as the county’s new Director of Community Affairs and Innovative Programming. The Board of Commissioners confirmed Nesbitt’s selection of Lopez at its Feb. 14 meeting. Lopez began his duties on Feb. 15. “Mr. Lopez’s experience in television, mass media, and public affairs makes him a perfect fit to help move Rockdale forward and reach new potential,” Nesbitt said. “In addition, Mr. Lopez will help coordinate the relationships with economic development investors and partners, partner with local media to help shed light…

CONYERS– Valentine’s Day was just a little sweeter for about a dozen couples who said “I do” in Rockdale on the most romantic holiday of the year. Rockdale County Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten performed several Valentine’s Day weddings in her Chambers. In honor of Valentine’s Day, Judge Aten sponsored a wedding cake for the couples and their guests. This year, the local Starbucks chipped in complimentary coffee to accompany the cake. Photos by Glenn Morgan Newlyweds Juan and Jernica Lozaen   Newlyweds Traleynn McCullar and Brittany Harlen Photos by Glenn L. Morgan

DeKalb County’s Adopt-A-Stream program has its highest number of volunteers ever, with 450 signups in 2016. Volunteers monitor various rivers, tributaries and streams throughout DeKalb County. The Adopt-A-Stream program is coordinated by the DeKalb Department of Watershed Management (DWM) in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to educate residents about non-source water pollution. Participants learn how to collect water quality data, gather observations about their local waterways, create partnerships within their communities and use water collection tools. “In addition to fostering ecological awareness, the important thing about the Adopt-A-Stream program is that it expands the community’s stewardship of…

Time to lace up your running shoes and restart that New Year’s Resolution – Rockdale Career Academy’s 7th annual Run RCA Strides for Education 5K/1-Mile Run is just around the corner, Saturday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. – noon. Register at www.tinyurl.com/RunRCA2017. This beloved annual tradition raises funds to help RCA students participate in career pathway-related competitions. It also gives RCA students the opportunity to practice in the real world the lessons they’ve learned in the classroom. “This event shows the value of the project-based curriculum taught at RCA and the talent and drive of our students,” said RCA’s Sports &…