Author: On Common Ground News

By Valerie J. Morgan Atlanta Rotomolding has partnered with a Canadian-based company to bring 350 jobs to DeKalb County. Officials with California Innovations, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, said they chose DeKalb to expand their manufacturing operations for rotationally molded coolers and sporting goods accessories because it was a “good fit.” “We were looking on the internet and found Atlanta Rotomolding. We decided to call them and after speaking with them, we liked their track record and we decided it really was a good fit,” said Mel Mogil, president and CEO of California Innovations. Atlanta Rotomolding, a custom molder, is…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) and Clark Atlanta University (CAU) will offer dual admissions and joint enrollment for qualified students at both institutions beginning late spring. The two schools announced the launch of the historic partnership on Feb. 15 in the Robert W. Woodruff Library Exhibition Hall at Clark Atlanta University. The partnership program entitled “Access 4 Achievement” will offer students the opportunity to strengthen academic rigor, program-specific transfer agreements and joint faculty and teaching opportunities for graduate students and faculty at both institutions. GPTC President Jabari Simama actively sought a higher education partnership with Clark-Atlanta University to provide additional…

Water customers in the Tucker/Northlake area may notice a drop in water pressure on Feb. 24. The drop may be as much as 50 percent in some areas but DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) officials say not to worry. The situation is temporary. The DWM has scheduled a preliminary test of a 48-inch transmission water main that runs along Henderson Mill Road. The test is being conducted in preparation for repairs for the more than 40-year-old pipe. Testing will begin at 6 p.m. In the event that customers experience a water pressure drop of more than 50 percent…

Several “living legacies of DeKalb County” were recognized Feb. 14 as part of DeKalb County’s Black History Month commemoration. CEO Michael Thurmond, along with each DeKalb County commissioner, recognized a constituent during the commemoration. “In DeKalb County, we are fortunate to have everyday history makers whose acts and ideas changed the course of our future through improvements to our social, educational and economic landscape to reinforce a better community,” states the resolution acknowledging the accomplishments of the honorees. Those recognized included: Flat Rock Archives president Johnny Waits, who was recognized by CEO Michael Thurmond for his decades-long effort…

Throughout February, the members of Lou Walker Senior Center are celebrating Black History Month with events open to the public. The center is located at 2538 Panola Road in Lithonia. This year’s national Black History Month theme is “The Crisis in Black Education,” and the center’s performing arts events and speakers will deliver messages around the subject. Upcoming events include: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m., Crisis in Black Education presented by LWSC Drama Club Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2:30 p.m., Black History Celebration presented by LWSC Performing Arts Group Feb. 17—March 3, LWSC Photography Exhibition

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…