Author: On Common Ground News

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…

The City of Atlanta announced that alcohol license renewals are now processed exclusively online through a new portal at https://web.atlantaga.gov/oalr/. All alcohol licenses must be renewed online by Dec. 31. The online portal will not accept renewal applications after this date. In order to renew an alcohol license online, businesses must meet the following criteria: The account must be active with a valid business tax number and pin number; The alcohol account financial status must be current and not delinquent; The owners and/or principals of the business must be the same as those originally reported to the City of Atlanta…

DeKalb’s very own chess champion Orrin Hudson appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning during today’s drive time hour to promote his message of strategic thinking and how he teaches youth to always think ten steps ahead. Recently, he worked with actress Lupita Nyong’o on the set of Disney’s ‘Queen Of Katwe’. Check out the interview here.

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) will host its Anniversary and Scholarship Gala on Thursday, Nov. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. GLCC and its president, State Rep. Doreen Carter, are elated to present two outstanding leaders who will speak at this year’s event: Keynote speaker Dr. Jabari Simama, president of Georgia Piedmont College, and special guest Whitney Ingram, the first black female to graduate from University of Georgia’s physics doctoral program. A graduate of DeKalb County schools (Stephenson High School, 2007), Ms. Ingram is among an elite group…

The Rockdale County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Office reminds voters that In-Person Early Voting begins on Monday, October 17, 2016 for the General and Special Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Per the sample ballot attached, voters will cast ballots for races such as President, U.S. Senate, Congress, State House, State Senator, Board of Commission, Sheriff, Probate Judge, Clerk of Courts, etc. The Rockdale Board of Elections is open for voters to cast their early ballots during the following days/hours: Monday – Friday, October 17 – October 28, Saturday; October 29. 
Monday-Friday, October 31 –…

ATLANTA– Four constitutional amendments are facing Georgia voters in this November’s general elections. Each of the Constitutional measures are being decided based on a yes-or-no vote.The Georgia NAACP had previously announced opposition to all four constitutional amendments and has announced today a change to its policy position on Constitutional Amendment 2. “Today, we encourage our members, units, and the community to Vote Yes only on Amendment 2. Specifically, Amendment 2 will trigger the implementation of Senate Resolution 7 and allow the state legislature to provide for additional penalties or fees to a court case in which a person is found…

Testing is still under way for lead in water at DeKalb County public schools. Testing began in September with the oldest schools first. The process is expected to end by summer 2017.  The school district released these results today (Oct. 18): Briar Lake ES (1957) – Of the 23 drinking water sources tested, none are at or above EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion. International Student Center (1958) – Of the 38 drinking water sources tested, one source is at or above EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion. The source is a drinking fountain. The source…

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Sherry Boston is bringing together citizens, law enforcement, advocacy groups and survivors for her sixth annual resource fair and symposium on domestic violence. The “Building Bridges, Making Connections, Coordinating a Community Response to Domestic Violence” event, which includes a complimentary breakfast, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur, Georgia. The program will feature Kimya Motley, an award-winning educator, philanthropist, and domestic violence survivor. In 2011, Motley and her then 10-year-old daughter were shot and wounded by her ex-husband. After surviving the attack, Motley…

More than 12,000 people have participated in early voting so far. DeKalb County Supervisor of Elections Maxine Daniels said that when she arrived at 6 a.m., voters were already standing in line waiting for the polls to open. “I wasn’t surprised by it. Anytime you have an open presidential office it will be phenomenal.” Daniels said other than periodic long lines, there were no problems reported. She said the backup was caused by voters filling out the forms to cast their ballot. Congressman John Lewis and Congressman Hank Johnson kicked off early voting today by campaigning for Hillary Clinton. Lewis…

Atlantans are mourning the death of actor Tommy Ford, who appeared in over 100 productions including co-starring in the 1990s Fox sitcom, Martin. Thomas Mikal Ford played the role of “Tommy Strawn,” one of Martin’s best friends on the show. The actor was placed on life support and hospitalized in Atlanta for an aneurysm that ruptured in his abdomen, several media outlets reported. Ford died on Oct. 12. He was 52   Ford was involved in several projects in Atlanta including serving as a faculty member at Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s growing film and television program. The college’s president, Dr. Jabari Simama,…