Author: On Common Ground News

For the first time in its history, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will host “Cyber Safety Day” as a unified stand for the safe use of social media and the Internet. On Tuesday, Feb. 7, more than 100,000 students and staff across DCSD will be encouraged to wear yellow clothing and engage in a variety of cyber safety activities. The effort is an expansion of regular efforts to inform students and the DeKalb schools community how to remain safe online. During the school day, classroom teachers will lead students through digital citizenship lessons. For adults, a Twitter…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) marked National Signing Day on Feb. 1 with dozens of accomplished student-athletes from Salem High School, Rockdale County High School and Heritage High School announcing their acceptance of college athletic scholarships. Salem High School (SHS) had three student-athletes who signed letters of commitment to play football, and at least two more football players are expected to announce their college commitments in the coming weeks. Pictured, approximately left to right: SHS Athletic Director Coach Darren Wilkins, Darryl Carter (University of Arkansas Pine Bluffs) and parents Crystal and Darryl Carter Sr., DeMorreal “Mo” Burnam (Indiana University) and mother Rhonda Ward, Toney…

The Rotary Club of Conyers heard the winning speeches delivered by the first place winners of the annual Rockdale County Middle School Oratorical Competition held Nov. 5. This year, the winners for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are all from Davis Middle School. Sixth grade speaker JR Insular spoke on The Right to Trial by Jury. Seventh grader Morgan Gill addressed “The Role of the U.S. in the World.” The eighth grade speaker, Hayley Sanders, made a case for “Why We Need Informed Voters.” All three have received cash prizes of $500 each and state they have started…

DECATUR—The City of Decatur Municipal Court is offering amnesty to drivers who have outstanding violations. The amnesty program, which began Feb. 1 and goes through May 1, offers individuals the chance to resolve past-due traffic citations and active bench warrants for failure to appear in court. Failure to appear in court may result in a driver’s license suspension.  The goal and purpose of the amnesty program is to help restore as many drivers as possible to legal status to drive on Georgia roadways and to avoid more harm to their driving history with additional charges and fines. Amnesty will save…

The DeKalb Pastors Alliance is hosting a membership drive luncheon on Friday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Join in with a community of dedicated pastors seeking to be a voice in the community to help persons grow spiritually, educationally, socially, economically and politically. As pastors, we understand the spiritual and practical battles facing our community. Your involvement is crucial in combatting key issues facing the citizens of DeKalb County, GA. We are calling all pastors, elected officials, community activists to join us this evening as a unified voice,” said…

The Rotary Club of Conyers and Earl Wise, vice president of the Bank of North Georgia, the local STAR student sponsor, have announced the STAR students and their STAR teachers, from the four Rockdale County high schools: Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology High School senior Andrew Markham Bonar who selected Dr. Chuck Garner as his STAR Teacher. Heritage High School senior Smith Meach, who selected Margie Talevski as his STAR Teacher. Rockdale County High School senior Martin Augustine Murphy, who selected Tiffany Jones as his STAR Teacher. Salem High School senior Manuel Omar Tapia, who selected Monique Brown…

STONECREST—The 20 candidates running for elections in the newly-created city of Stonecrest will square off in debates at their first political forum on Feb. 11. The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. State Rep. Vernon Jones, who is co-sponsoring the political forum with On Common Ground News, will introduce the candidates. Three candidates are running for mayor and 17 are seeking one of five City Council seats. Jones, who will serve as moderator, will be joined by State Representatives Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) and Pam Stephenson (D-Decatur). “I am honored to…

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will present his vision for 2017 in his inaugural address on Thursday, March 9. The State of the County breakfast, hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 8 a.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park Carriage Room, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. Nesbitt also will present an evening address for the community on March 9, 7 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 983 Main St., Conyers. Nesbitt plans to share information on administrative improvements, his goal of top-notch customer service at all levels of governments,…

The DeKalb County School District invites members of the public to volunteer for a 12-member E-SPLOST Advisory Committee. The committee provides citizen review of the voter-approved SPLOST project list. Qualified candidates must be citizens who reside within the boundaries of the DeKalb County School District, may not be members of the Board of Education or employees of the School District, and may not have any economic interest in any of the District’s projects. Experience in accounting, architecture, auditing, construction, engineering, finance, K-12 education, legal, planning, project management and/or real estate is desired. Members must be volunteers who can dedicate at least two hours to monthly meetings, generally…

ATLANTA Party With the Past at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market Come explore Atlanta’s past at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market “Party With the Past” on Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, 209 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta. A central gathering place since 1924, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market has many stories to tell. Come grab a bite to eat, a beer to drink, and learn some history about this historic community. Throughout the evening, explore the history of the Curb Market with pop-up displays as well as screenings of the documentary from Southern Foodways Alliance and filmmaker…