Author: On Common Ground News

Grants.gov is the federal government’s website for the 26 federal grant-making agencies to post their grant opportunities for the public. A presentation on Nov. 7, 1 to 2 p.m., at the Flat Shoals Library, will cover the registration process, how to search for funding opportunities and how to apply for those opportunities. The library is located at 4022 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.

The Highlands at Hidden Hills Condominium Community in Stone Mountain, recognized Larry Coles, at its August 2016 HOA Meeting, for his dedicated service to the community. Coles, president of the Board of Directors since 2007, was presented the “Above and Beyond the Call Award” in recognition of his commitment and outstanding service. Coles has worked tirelessly to improve and restore the 32-year-old community to its original beauty, the HOA said. “I am proud of what the Board has been able to do to improve the appearance and finances which have helped maintain and improve our property values,” Coles said. Larry…

Public safety professionals from across DeKalb County were honored at the DeKalb County Police Department awards ceremony, which was held on Oct. 20. The ceremony, held at Rehoboth Baptist Church, honored men and women who have performed heroic and extraordinary acts to protect and serve the citizens of DeKalb County. Assistant Police Chief Mike Yarbrough was one of the honorees. He received the certificate of merit. “It’s not about me. It’s about the men and women of valor who represent our department so well,” said Yarbrough. Yarbrough has been with the DeKalb Police Department for nearly 28 years. He…

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) has tapped Georgia Piedmont Technical College(GPTC) instructor Kye Haymore to serve as the 2017 president-elect of the national organization.. “Kye Haymore’s dedication to paralegal education is evidenced by her commitment to her students at Georgia Piedmont, as well as to this important national organization,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “During her 10 years as an instructor at Georgia Piedmont, she has demonstrated her dedication to paralegal education and is widely respected by her colleagues. These same skills will contribute greatly to the success of the association,” Dr. Simama said. Haymore was nominated for…

Sundiata Washington has been named Youth of the Year at the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale Boys & Girls Club in Rockdale County. Washington, a junior at Rockdale County High School, joined the Boys & Girls Club in sixth grade. He has a passion for the Civil Rights Movement, and cares deeply about the youths of today, wanting them to be free of stereotypes that would hinder their opportunities for tomorrow, according to the Boys & Girls Club’s web site. Washington speaks with a profound level of confidence and commitment that is rare among his generation. At Rockdale High, Washington is on…

Mercer Butts, 16, of Stone Mountain, has earned the highest award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award. Butts received the award after earning 60 merit badges and completing a campus beautification project to benefit Tabitha’s House for his Eagle Scout Service Project. A member of Troop 2600 chartered to The House of Hope Atlanta (The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church), Butts is one of approximately seven percent of all Boy Scouts who ever achieve this rank. Mercer is the son of Markus and Sonya Butts. A leader in both Scouting and the community, Butts,…

Local author, consultant and retired Air Force Reservist, Calvin Stevens, will be the featured speaker at the Annual Celebration of Veterans Day, on Sunday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m., St Paul A.M.E. Worship, 1704 S. St. Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia. Stevens, former First Sergeant for the 94 Civil Engineer Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, entered the Air Force in June 1966. He retired from military service on March 29, 2007 with 31 ½ years of service and several awards including: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (3 devices) and the Global War…

Make plans to attend Gwinnett County’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, which will be held Friday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m., at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial at in Lawrenceville. This event is held each year to celebrate the county’s military veterans and public service personnel. Gwinnett’s Board of Commissioners will provide remarks. In addition, honor guard units from the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services and Police departments, Sheriff’s Office, and Corrections, and the city of Lawrenceville Police Department will take part in this event. The Fallen Heroes Memorial is located on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley…

Odds are that a new City of Stonecrest will force citizens to pay higher taxes to support an additional layer of duplicative government. A new city is unnecessary and will not, in and of itself, achieve greater commercial sector growth. Citizens living in the proposed City of Stonecrest would not only pay county taxes; they would also have to pay city taxes to support a new bureaucracy. DeKalb has been and continues to be a great county. As its demographics changed, the county has been fragmented by municipalization. The City of Dunwoody incorporated around MARTA rail service and took within…

“Today, I am announcing my opposition to Amendment 1 on the November 8th ballot, which calls for a constitutional amendment to create a state-controlled school district in Georgia. I oppose this proposal because I believe it will inevitably result in the diversion of public funds for public schools to private entities, with inadequate oversight, and without accountability to parents. I believe such a change in our state, through the permanent measure of a constitutional amendment, will weaken our public schools and create conditions where they become the last resort for desperate families, rather than a symbol of excellence and source…