Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) announced its meeting schedule aswell as days that county offices will be closed for the upcoming holidays.  Here’s a look at the schedule, which includes holidays to be observed through Jan. 20, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. FALL RECESS – NO BOARD MEETINGS – November 15, 2024 – December 2, 2024 – FALL RECESS HOLIDAYS – Thursday, November 28, 2024 and Friday, November 29, 2024 –  Thanksgiving Holidays – County Offices Closed Meeting Cancelled – Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Work Session: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting Cancelled…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The NAACP DeKalb County branch announced its newly-elected officers and Executive Committee at Large who will serve the branch for 2025-2027. Edwina Clanton will continue to serve as president of the DeKalb branch and said she is looking forward to more people joining the organization to help fight for justice and assist with its programs and activities.    “As we gear up for our annual events, community initiatives and legislative advocacy, I invite the community to join us in this mission. Whether its attending our rallies, volunteering, or making their voices heard through our advocacy efforts, know that every…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners acted on several initiatives during its Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 meetings. A recap of what they approved follows:  Expanded support for CASA Program Gwinnett continues to prioritize the welfare of children in foster care through its ongoing support of the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. The National CASA Association for Children and Georgia CASA provide trained volunteers to advocate for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. A recently awarded grant will fund the salaries of the CASA Program Director and two volunteer supervisors. In the past cycle,…

By Mark Brock DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The two remaining DeKalb County School District’s high school football playoff teams are hosting second-round games on Friday , Nov. 22, following big first-round victories last week. The Columbia Eagles (5-6) face off with the Class 2A defending state champion Pierce County Bears (10-1) at Cobb Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm. The No. 7 seed Columbia defeated Butler 46-12 last weekend behind the play of quarterback Cameron Graves and running back Nishan Hillman as both accounted for three touchdowns in the game. Hillman rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—The DeKalb County School District has achieved the highest honors in the state. According to the latest U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings, Kittredge Magnet School and Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers have been named the No. 1 and No. 2 elementary schools in Georgia, respectively. “This extraordinary recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of so many of our remarkable students, outstanding teachers, administrators, Board members, and the incredible support staff and community and business partners,” Superintendent Devon Q. Horton said. “It is the collective efforts and results of so many that we are able to provide…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open four warming centers for residents on Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 20-22, starting at 8 p.m. at the following locations: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta  North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341 (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Dr. (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Dr. (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  Frontline Response International has been contracted to serve individuals who need assistance during extreme weather conditions. Unlike DeKalb’s traditional…

ATLANTA – MARTA will hold a job fair for rail operators, bus operators and journeyman bus technicians on Thursday, Nov. 21,  1–5 p.m., at MARTA headquarters, located across from the Lindbergh Center rail station on Piedmont Road in Atlanta.  MARTA is offering a sign-on bonus to bus operators and journeyman bus technicians who are hired. WHAT: MARTA Job Fair      Rail operators, bus operators and journeyman bus technicians Pay starting at $20/hr. for operators and $26.16/hr. for technicians Sign-on bonus  Business casual/professional dress required WHEN:           Thursday, Nov. 21, 1–5 p.m. WHERE:        MARTA Headquarters, 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta                          BUS AND RAIL OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS: Seeking full-time…

DEKALB COUNTY , GA—The DeKalb County tax commissioner’s office has announced its operating schedule for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. Customers are reminded that online and kiosk service options, including holidays and weekends, are available daily. Holiday schedule: Nov. 27, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Nov. 28-29 Dec. 24, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Dec. 25-26 Dec. 31, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Jan. 1 “With the holiday season upon us, we are reminding customers that most property tax and motor vehicle services can be handled online or at a kiosk daily,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) is hosting its 5th Annual Winter Clothing Drive on Nov. 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside of the DeKalb Police Headquarters at 1960 W. Exchange Pl. Tucker.  DKPD is asking the community to aid in keeping those in need warm by donating gently-used shoes, coats, and new socks. Donations will be accepted for all sizes and genders. For more information,contact Public Information Officer E. Wells at 404-333-9293.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department is urging the public to share any information they may have about an 80-year-old South DeKalb woman who has been missing since Nov. 13.  Rosa Mae Dawson, who has dementia and diabetes, wandered away from her home around 6 a.m. that day and was last seen leaving the 2400 block of Jenay Court in Decatur, police said. Police had issued a Mattie’s Call alert on the day she went missing. They reissued another alert to the public today, Nov. 18, in hopes of finding Dawson.   Dawson was wearing long-sleeved, pink pajamas and a…