Author: On Common Ground News

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 &…

The Stone Mountain-Lithonia Tau Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the DeKalb Pan Hellenic Council will host a forum for candidates running for office in the city of Stonecrest. The forum will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m., at the Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia. Citizens will be allowed to submit questions for the candidates to answer. There are 12 candidates running for City Council seats and three running for mayor. Election Day is March 21. Residents who live within the boundaries of the new city may find out which…

The Governor’s Commission on the City of Stonecrest has cancelled its meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16, at the DeKalb Medical at Hillandale Oncology Center Auditorium, as there are no business items to consider this week or updates to report. The Commission is currently engaged with monitoring the activities of the Community Committees and guiding the work of the citizens serving on them. The Commission has published the RFQs for city positions and city services at the www.glga.org website as well as on the www.stonecrestcity.com website. We are currently receiving responses, which will be reviewed by the Governor’s Commission and Community Committee…

Join the South DeKalb Family YMCA on Thursday as it celebrates improvements to the Wellness Center including new exercise equipment and the renovation of existing space, which will provide specialty classes for teens and seniors. A computer lab has been added to offer STEAM and STEM classes for participants in the Y’s afterschool program. The facility enhancements were made to ensure that the Y continues to be a place where people are empowered and transformed through programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. WHO:         Curtis Winston, branch executive director, Debra DeBerry, board chair,…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) announces that hydrant water meter rental operations are suspended immediately in most cases in response to the Level 2 Drought declaration. This suspension applies to all residential and recreational use such as filling swimming pools, events and video production. Construction for new development, which is exempt under the Level 2 drought, is the only exception to this suspension. “We are asking DeKalb County residents and businesses to keep water conservation in mind and be aware of the restrictions that must be put in place while these drought conditions persist,” said DWM Director…

“Michael Flynn’s resignation in the wake of stunning allegations calls on us to raise more questions and demand more answers from the current administration. We need to determine what the president knew and when he knew it. Flynn’s overnight resignation is no substitute for answers. The American people deserve to know the full extent of Russia’s financial, personal and political grip on President Trump. As constituents call my office, I echo their statements: I join my colleagues in demanding that Speaker Paul Ryan and the Republican majority in Congress authorize a bipartisan, independent, outside commission to fully investigate Russia’s influence…

State Representatives Renitta Shannon (D-Decatur) and Howard Mosby (D-Atlanta) will host two joint legislative town halls this Thursday at 6 p.m. and this Saturday at 10 a.m. The legislators will provide updates on Georgia’s 2017 legislative session, address audience questions and concerns, and outline ways for their constituents to become involved at all levels of government. Thursday, Feb. 16 6-8 p.m. Where: Lutheran Church of the Messiah 465 Clairemont Ave., Decatur Saturday, Feb. 18 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Where: Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence 3595 Linecrest Road, Ellenwood Georgia Resists is a political organizing tool launched by the…

Two men believed to be responsible for robbing Dollar General, 1265 Iris Drive, Conyers, are in police custody following information given to Conyers Police by an alert witness. Jahii Ellison, 21 of Conyers, was charged with robbery and Quentin Bussell, 32, Jonesboro, was charged with making false statements in connection to the robbery that took place on Thursday, Feb. 9. One suspect entered the Dollar General around 6:00 p.m. and brought something from the Valentines area to the register. The suspect jumped across the counter pushing the employee out of the way and took an undisclosed amount of money from…