Author: On Common Ground News

Lithonia First United Methodist Church recently celebrated Pastor’s Appreciation Sunday on Oct. 9.  The church honored Pastor Leon Matthews along with Mrs. Pamela Matthews and son, Mackenzie. The Rev. Matthews has served as Senior Minister at the church since 2010.  By his character and service, he demonstrates what it means to be a Christian who follows in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, his congregation says. Under his leadership, the church is enjoying a season of growth and renewal.  In the pastor’s own words, “The best is yet to come!”

The DeKalb County Board of Health’s STD/HIV Prevention Program will host an STD/HIV Haunted Maze health fair, which will feature free STD and HIV testing and other health screenings. This event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Exchange Park Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. The event will also offer food, vendor trick-or-treating, a photo booth, face painting, an entertaining and educational STD/HIV haunted house and more. For more information, call 404-270-2453.

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics has launched a new website, www.dekalbcountyethics.org, that provides a one-stop shop for the ethics needs of DeKalb residents, employees and officials. The website is an educational resource for anyone seeking information about responsibilities under the DeKalb Ethics Code and advice given by the Board of Ethics. The website includes information about conflicts of interest, gifts, proper use of county property, outside employment and more.Additionally, the website contains: Biographies and contact information for the ethics board members and county ethics officer. Meeting dates and past minutes. The DeKalb Ethics Code and Rules. Advisory Opinions of…

The Technical Board of Appeals in DeKalb County is seeking an individual to fill a vacancy on the board as a representative for District 5, Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson announced. All members of the board shall be residents and homeowners in DeKalb County. Board members shall have at least seven years of experience in the building industry. Members of the board shall hold no other county office, appointed position within the county or any other county compensated position. To apply, CLICK HERE. Follow the instructions to complete and submit an application to the Office of Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson. For more information,…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs will host a series of free fall festivals Oct. 21 – 31 at various recreation centers throughout DeKalb . This year’s festivals will include face painting, hikes, music, games, contests, hayrides, food and more. All members of the community are invited to attend, and children are encouraged to wear costumes. The 2016 fall festivals include: Friday, Oct. 21 Davidson Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, 4 – 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 Browns Mill Recreation Center, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Midway Recreation Center, 7 – 10 p.m. H. Scott and Decatur Alumni Chapter of Kappa…

The community is invited a workshop, “Surviving and Saving Tools for the Upcoming Tax Season,” on Oct. 29, 1 to p.m., at the Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. The workshop will help attendees understand: The updates and changes for the 2016 Tax Season Audit triggers Filing Status – Knowing how to file correctly Itemized deductions versus standardized deductions Charitable donations versus non-charitable deductions Retirements and Investments to reduce your tax liability The workshop is presented by Tau Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in partnership with the Council for Community Enrichment, Inc.; Hairston Crossing…

Food sovereignty means that a community has the authority to determine the origin, the quality and the standards of the food that they consume. The term became popularized in the 1990s with the La Via Campensino movement, a movement started by farmers around the world bringing the difficulties of farming to the forefront. This global protest of small-scale farmers from acknowledging their inability to make a living wage under the status quo, found its way into every-day dialogue. From the early La Via Campesino movement to now, the concept of food sovereignty has evolved beyond farming rights, and now includes…

Andrew Bonar, a senior at the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology in Rockdale County Public Schools, was recently named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Bonar was one of hundreds in Georgia and 16,000 nationwide named semifinalists. About 1 percent of the 1.6 million students who took the 2015 PSAT were named Semifinalists for the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Bonar, pictured with Rockdale County Board of Education member Katrina Young and RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry, was recognized for his achievement at a recent Rockdale County Board of Education meeting.

The Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families is soliciting applications for the annual John K. Morgan Community Service Scholarship and the F. William Hughey Community Service Award. The John K. Morgan Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. There is no age limitation for applicants. The scholarship will be awarded to assist with college-related expenses for students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning. Applications must be received no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2017. Past recipients of…

Rockdale Commissioner Oz Nesbitt is again preparing to distribute free Thanksgiving turkeys to seniors. Nesbitt said at least 200 Rockdale seniors are expected to benefit from this year’s turkey drive, which kicks off Nov. 15. Courtesy Ford, 1636 Dogwood Drive, is the drop-off location for those would like to donate a turkey. Nesbitt says he is appreciative to all who give their time every year to help the community with the turkey drive. “There is much to be thankful for and I am grateful to the people who make all of this come together for our seniors,” said Nesbitt. “It…