Author: On Common Ground News

Two weeks ago, the Lithonia Farmers Market invited Chef Cassandra (AKA the Chef in Pearls) to come out and host a food demonstration using farm-fresh and store-bought tomatoes. She sliced the tomatoes and garnished them with olive oil, salt and pepper, setting them on separate trays to distinguish the two varieties. As shoppers walked by, she invited them to guess which tomato was from the farmers market, and which one was from the grocery store by observing and tasting them. To our delight, most people got it right. By looking at the color of the tomato and taking a sample…

You can now dine around the clock at the new Denny’s restaurant located at 2657 Panola Road in Lithonia. Denny’s held its soft grand opening on Sept. 7-8, treating customers to free hotcakes. Franchisee owner Donnell Thompson says he is excited about the new location because it offers patrons a sit-down restaurant on Panola Road. In January 2015, Thompson, who is president of RWDT Foods, Inc., opened a location in Snellville and he plans to open a Denny’s on Fulton Industrial Boulevard in Atlanta. The Lithonia Denny’s is Thompson’s 11th location. Thompson, a former NFL defensive end for the Baltimore…

The City of Atlanta will study raising its minimum wage for all full-time workers to at least $15 per hour, phasing in the increases over a three-year period beginning in 2018. The Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a resolution co-sponsored by Councilmembers Andre Dickens and Felicia Moore to complete the feasibility study by Dec. 14. “I believe that the quality of services provided in the City to its residents will be advanced because raising the wages reduces costly employee turnover, eliminates disruption in services, increases productivity and creates a more stability work environment,” said Dickens. “Statistics show that increasing the…

A 35-year-old Newton County man faces misdemeanor charges for stealing the campaign signs of Rockdale candidates seeking political office, On Common Ground News has learned. Nicholas Scott Minter, of Covington, faces misdemeanor charges for theft by taking   campaign signs belonging to Oz Nesbitt, who was in the July 26 runoff for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. According to a police report, Nesbitt said he witnessed Minter taking his campaign signs and several others near the intersection of Eastview and Sigman roads on Election Day. Minter reportedly placed the signs in a silver Ford pickup truck and drove off after…

The DeKalb School District has announced new locations and dates for a series of community meetings that will be held to get public input on how future revenues from the E-SPLOST program should be dedicated. The program will be used to improve school facilities and infrastructure. Voters approved the 2017-2022 E-SPLOST on May 24, 2016. The district is hosting an informational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m., at the school district’s headquarters, Robert Freeman Building, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. The following dates have been for the regional public meetings on E-SPLOST (also known as Building S.P.A.C.E.S program):…

The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer. The men and women of the DeKalb County Police Department proudly serve over 700,000 citizens within a 271-square-mile radius.  The department’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in DeKalb County by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the U.S. Constitution to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment. Applications are currently being accepted and interested candidates must complete and submit the online application listed in the “job opportunities” section on the county’s…

ATLANTA Sinfo-Nia Youth Orchestra to host open house All musicians ages 7 to 18 are invited to join Sinfo-Nia Orchestra for a free day of instruction, door prizes and fun during its open house on Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to noon, at 1st Congregational Church Commons in Downtown Atlanta, 125 Ellis Street. Learn more about quality instruction on violin, viola, cello and double bass and tuition for the school year session. For more information, call 404-328-0840 or visit www.sinfo-nia.com. DEKALB Learn about services, benefits for elderly at DeKalb Medical seminar DeKalb Medical and Senior Provisions invite all seniors…

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area invites families to join the excitement of Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Panola Mountain State Park Nature Center. Junior Ranger Day will bring together civic organizations in DeKalb, Rockdale, and Henry counties to launch the nationally recognized Junior Ranger program and to celebrate the 10-year anniversary for the federal designation of this picturesque 40,000-acre region in metropolitan Atlanta. As the rest of the family enjoys this state park, kids ages 8 to 12 will participate in activities involving themes related to the National Heritage Area such as farming, stain glass…

The City of Decatur is hosting Recycle Decatur to boost its recycling efforts Thursday, Sept. 15, on the Decatur Square between 4 and 7 p.m. Attendees can get a hands-on review on recycling and learn about all of the resources available to ease the stress of recycling.  Participants will also receive information on the city’s recycling program, meet members of the Environmental Sustainability Board, become familiar with organizations that accept hard-to-recycle items, learn what can be recycled during Decatur’s Electronic Recycling fall event, and enter to win a prize. “We want everyone who attends Recycle Decatur to take out the…

All roads will lead to the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall (Macy’s parking lot) on Saturday, Sept. 24. Come out and join “Discover DeKalb” for the Heart of South DeKalb Festival, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free outdoor festival highlights and promotes South DeKalb as a great place to live, work and play. The day begins with a parade featuring high school bands, cars, step teams, community organizations and leaders heading to the mall at 8:30 a.m. from New Life Church on Candler Road, Decatur. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a day of fun with the whole family.…