Author: On Common Ground News

South DeKalb will show off its marching bands, step teams and many things that make its residents proud to call South DeKalb home at the 4th Annual Heart of South DeKalb Festival, which will be held 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the parking lot of the Gallery at South DeKalb mall near Macy’s. The free outdoor festival is the largest event of its kind in South DeKalb. The day begins with a parade featuring high school bands, step teams, community organizations and leaders heading to the mall at 8:30 a.m., from New Life Church on Candler Road. Bring you…

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services will be available Nov. 1. This federally-funded program assists low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with heating bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Beginning Nov. 1, 2016, residents ages 65 and older or those who are homebound can apply for assistance through the Department’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. All other eligible families may apply for assistance beginning Dec. 1, 2016. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. In…

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the Department of Parks and Recreation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated pool at Maddox Park. Reed was joined by Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Amy Phuong, Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Morris, MARTA Senior Director of Transit Oriented Development and Real Estate Amanda Rhein and Northwest Business Association President Rev. Larry Hill. The opening of the pool fulfills the mayor’s campaign commitment to reopen and revitalize recreation centers and pools in the City of Atlanta. “Since my first day as Mayor, I’ve been determined…

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 16 approved a contract to build sidewalks on Killian Hill Road from Sandra Drive to Nantucket Drive near Trickum Middle School. “I am so pleased to get this project under way because it will improve pedestrian safety along this busy roadway,” said District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard. CMES Inc. was the lowest of five responsive bids at $745,558. The project will install just over a mile of sidewalk, curb and gutter and drainage improvements on the north side of Killian Hill Road. Construction is expected to be complete by early 2017. The…

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) Georgia hosted its inaugural state conference on Aug. 20 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Airport Hotel, announcing several new leaders. National NCNW Membership Chair/Conference Chair Lois Keith had the vision of organizing a statewide conference to re-establish sections to network and learn about various initiatives going on throughout the state. Nearly 200 NCNW members and affiliates were in attendance and the conference highlighted various sections in both the community and collegiate sections. NCNW National Chair Ingrid Saunders-Jones was in attendance and presented Keith with an inaugural Chairman’s Movers and Shakers Award. Members…

Bright from the Start Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is partnering again this year with Zoo Atlanta as they host Educator Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Early care and education professionals throughout the state are encouraged to bring their guests to the zoo for a day of fun-filled activities. Educator Educators will receive free admission and $2 off general admission for each of their guests. Educator identification, such as an employee photo ID; a pay stub or name badge with school name or county and a state-issued photo ID; or a homeschool…

By day, Daymeon Corrie works with the DeKalb County Fleet Maintenance team as a technician. By night, he coaches various soccer teams, including girls’ soccer at Tucker High School. “I love fixing cars. That’s a joy of mine,” said Corrie, a 10-year DeKalb County Fleet Maintenance technician with certifications in emissions, brakes and electrical certifications. “It’s work, but I love doing it. “Teaching kids is the next best thing,” Corrie said. “To watch them blossom into people you thought they would never be—that’s the joy that I get out of it.” Corrie’s soccer career began as a high school student…

A Lithonia man will spend the rest of his life in jail for selling two under-aged girls for sex. Robert Tate, 30, was found guilty of rape, two counts of trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, two counts of pimping a person under the age of 18, and two counts of interference with custody. “This man and his cohorts forced these girls into sexual slavery,” said DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James. “It’s because of people like Mr. Tate that we formed the DeKalb Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation Watch unit, and we won’t stop going after human traffickers until we eliminate…

ATLANTA – For the eighth consecutive year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. and the Atlanta Falcons have teamed up to kick off another new instant game. Atlanta Falcons is a $5 instant game with top prizes of $350,000 and many other great prizes. Tickets went on sale at Georgia Lottery retailers statewide on Tuesday. “We are excited to continue our very successful partnership with the Atlanta Falcons,” said Georgia Lottery President and CEO Debbie D. Alford. “With profits from each ticket purchased benefiting the lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship and Pre-K programs, Georgia’s students score big with this great new game.” In conjunction…

The Fulton County Workforce Development Division is assisting MARTA with its bus operator recruitment.  MARTA wants customer-focused applicants to apply for this opportunity. To apply for bus operator positions, Applicants must: Create an applicant profile @ www.itsmarta.com  and apply for the Bus Operator position Submit applications by Friday, September 2, 2016 Send an email to Jason.Lane@fultoncountyga.gov following application submission. The email must include the name and phone number of the applicant with MARTA BUS OPERATOR in the subject line Wait for further instructions indicating that they can move forward in the application process. Be at least 21 years old Pass…