Author: On Common Ground News

Jazz Duncan, a senior at the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, has been named a semifinalist for the 2017 Coca-Cola Scholars Program. The program recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors from around the nation who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities. Duncan is among approximately 1,900 high school seniors who are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000 each. Semi-finalists are selected to advance as regional finalists based on academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities. “The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation received nearly 86,000 applications…

To prepare students for top college admissions and success, Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is pleased to announce the following opportunities for students hone their ACT and SAT testing skills through ongoing preparation programs. Free ACT Preparation RCPS students will have the option to attend two different free ACT workshop series this semester. All workshops will be held Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Dr., Conyers. Register at https://form.jotform.com/70043990766159 or www.rockdaleschools.org/ACTprep Please use the list below to help your child decide which ACT Workshop series to attend (Series 1 or Series 2): …

Open enrollment for schools of choice in the DeKalb County School District is underway through Feb. 22. Applicants may apply to enroll in one of the district’s 48 International Baccalaureate, special interest magnet, charter, Montessori, arts or language immersion programs. beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 and continue through 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. The application process is open to students who are currently enrolled or new to the DeKalb County School District. For more information, including a full list of schools, please visit mychoicedekalb.org. Enrollment at individual schools is offered after a program lottery. Interested parties may also…

“A Widow’s Touch” is a source of encouragement for the nearly 700,000 women who lose their husbands each year. This book is designed to help women heal during the painful grieving process, says Sheila Coley. Coley, who helped publish the book, along with Mary M. Hollis, says “A Widow’s Touch” is a candid collection of powerful true stories from over 25 widows, young and old. The two women founded The Next Chapter Widows’ Ministry, a faith-based support group in Decatur to help widows get through the many decisions after their loss. Coley and Hollis say readers will find themselves…

Workshops on how to trace your roots and discover your family history will be held in several locations on Saturday, Jan. 14, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The program will vary at each location, but all will be an introduction on how to do family history research. For each location, participants should bring their electronic devices: phones, tablets, laptop, etc. Admission is free. Registration is requested but not required. In Conyers, nine classes will be offered, including How to Start Family History Research, in both English and Spanish; African-American Research, personal history research; How to Use…

The inaugural events for DeKalb CEO-elect Michael Thurmond will begin Thursday. The “New Day for DeKalb Inaugural Celebration 2017” steering committee is co-chaired by Greg and Betty Levett and Will and Virginia Reece. In a joint statement, the co-chairs said: “We are honored and thrilled to lead this celebration of our new CEO and the dedicated men and women who serve our county. CEO-elect Thurmond will provide new leadership, new vision and a new direction for our county. We are convinced that a new day has dawned in DeKalb County.” The events are free and open to the public, unless…

Three people are running for mayor and 17 others have qualified to run for a seat on the new five-member Stonecrest City Council. The 20 candidates running for the March 21 elections are: Mayor Jason Lary 6844 Main Street Lithonia, GA 30058 Phone: 770-484-8740 jasonlarysr@gmail.com Douglas E. Favors, II P.O. Box 361436 Decatur, GA 30036 Phone: 678-292-6852 dougfavors@gmail.com Charles Hill, II 4135 N. Goddard Road Lithonia, GA 30038 Phone: 404-234-1990 City Council, Post 1 Jimmy Clanton P.O. Box 1495 Lithonia, GA 30058 Phone: 404-657-6283 jimmyclantonjr@gmail.com Charles Ross P.O. Box 870928 Stone Mountain, GA 30087 Phone:…

STONECREST– The Governor’s Commission on City of Stonecrest will hold a public meeting on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held at: DeKalb Medical Center at Hillandale Radiation Oncology Building – Auditorium 2745 DeKalb Medical Pkwy, Stonecrest, GA 30058 This is a business meeting to update residents on various issues, adopt resolutions, initiate activities of the Stonecrest Community Committee, and other related business. – Joel Thibodeaux, Chair AGENDA Public comments will be heard from 6:30 to 7:00 PM. Call to Order and Invocation Updates and comments from Commission Members Consideration of Resolution to name Commission’s…

The Rockdale Board of Commissioners today confirmed Chairman Oz Nesbitt’s selection of Corey K. Hambrick as Chief of Staff. Hambrick, 33, will start in his new role on Jan. 16. Hambrick led Nesbitt’s transition team overseeing the transfer of administrations when Nesbitt took office on Jan. 1. “ I want to express my sincere appreciation to Post 1 Commissioner, Attorney Sherri Washington, and Post 2 Commissioner, Dr. Doreen Williams, for their continued support of ournew direction, specifically selection of our Chief of Staff, Corey Hambrick,” said Nesbitt. “There is a spirit of cohesiveness in the air and it smells,…

Starting in February, Rockdale County Commissioner Sherri Washington plans to host “Tea Talks” to hear constituents’ concerns and suggestions. Washington said at today’s Board of Commissioners’ (BOC) meeting that she plans to host the Tea Talks monthly on the first and second Tuesdays, just ahead of the board meetings. “I hope that residents will talk about their needs in the community: for example, having more parks and recreation facilities. During the budget cycle, they may want to discuss budgetary issues,” said Washington, who was sworn in a few days ago as Rockdale’s new Post 1 commissioner. “It’s just a way…