Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA  Decatur Book Festival set for Labor Day weekend  Tens of thousands of book lovers will gather on the Decatur Square over Labor Day weekend for the 11th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival Saturday, Sept. 3, to Sunday, Sept. 4 at the Old Decatur Court House, 101 E Court Square, Decatur. There will be a wide array of events, panel discussions, cooking demonstrations, music, dance, theatre troupe performances and other programming for adults and children of all ages and interests. The festival will feature lectures and signings from more than 300 national and local authors, including award-winners, best-sellers, and some…

Radio personality Porsche Foxx, who made history as the first woman to become No. 1 in Atlanta’s coveted “Afternoon Drive Show” time slot with WVEE-V103, is back. This time, Foxx has a new gig with Old School 87.7 FM. She’s doing “The Porsche Foxx Show” during the afternoon drive, weekdays, 3 to 7 p.m., “rocking the box with Foxx” as only she can. “It feels good to be back. I love Old School and I feel especially blessed to be reconnected with my dedicated following of listeners. I have missed them,“ said Foxx, who came aboard 87.7 FM on July…

The Georgia Farmers Market Association (GFMA) is asking you to pledge to “Just Spend $10” at your local farmers market over the summer. Supporting your local farmers market is important because the money you spend shopping with local vendors is more likely to be reinvested in your local economy. In fact, The New Economics Foundation, a London-based think tank, compared what happens when people buy produce at a supermarket vs. a local farmer’s market and found that twice the money stayed in the community when folks bought locally. If you’re still unconvinced, research has shown that for every dollar spent…

Senior centers in DeKalb County will be showcased in September for National Senior Center Month. “DeKalb County is grateful for its seniors and is proud to be able to provide quality programming through its senior centers around the county,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May. This year’s theme is “Find Balance at Your Center,” noting the varied ways older adults engage with their community and their peers emotionally, physically and mentally. DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs, Central DeKalb Senior Center, Lou Walker Center, South DeKalb Senior Center, Lithonia/East DeKalb Senior Center, DeKalb Atlanta Senior Center and Porter Sanford III…

In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised holiday schedule as follows: Monday, Sept. 5 – Labor Day observed; no sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Sept. 6 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Sept. 5 will be serviced on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Wednesday, Sept. 7 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Sept. 6 will be serviced on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Thursday, Sept. 8 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Sept. 7 will be serviced on Thursday,…

The City of Decatur announces its partnership with ClearGov, a municipal transparency and benchmarking platform, to launch a fiscal transparency portal.  The new tool will enable taxpayers to clearly see how Decatur is funded and how this funding is allocated to provide services to its residents. “Having an engaged community has always been important to Decatur as we believe an informed community is an engaged partner with government,” said Peggy Merriss, City Manager of Decatur.  “Providing open access to financial information is critical to building and keeping the public trust, encourages accountability, and improves the understanding of how tax money…

A DeKalb County grand jury recently indicted a Gwinnett County man for the murder of his ex-girlfriend’s son amidst a violent June 2016 crime spree. Carlester Gilbert is charged with malice murder, felony murder, armed robbery, four counts of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. “A man this dangerous has no business on our streets,” DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said. “We will make sure that Mr. Gilbert’s victims receive justice for what he’s done.” On June 11, Gilbert went to the home of his former girlfriend and boss…

New Bethel AME Church will host “Social Action – A Commitment to Our Community.” The voter education and registration event is set for Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m. 8350 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia. Local, state and community leaders will provide information, answer questions, and discuss the community’s concerns including important issues that will be on the ballot in November. President Barrack Obama recently said at a rally, “Don’t boo, vote.” If you don’t participate, you can’t complain about the outcome. Remember voting is a right not a chore. Please save the date!

The City of Lithonia lost two of its committed and dedicated citizens, Brenda Drucilla Woods and Kiman Woods, in a tragic car accident on July 27. Kiman Woods, Drucilla Woods’ nephew, was a gifted musician and played at First St. Paul AME Church. Drucilla Woods was a community activist and the sister of former Lithonia Mayor Marcia Glenn. On Friday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m., there will be a musical celebration at First St. Paul AME, 2687 Klondike Road, Lithonia. There will be a joint funeral service on Saturday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m., at Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, 2152 Rock…

STONE MOUNTAIN –The DeKalb County Fire Rescue’s Fire Investigations Unit and Stone Mountain Police Department have charged a 16-year-old with first-degree arson in connection with a fire that destroyed the playground at Jim McCurdy Park, located at 5190 Poplar Springs Road in Stone Mountain. The teen, whose identity is being withheld because he is a juvenile, has been remanded to the custody of the DeKalb County Juvenile Detention Center pending further processing. The arrest is the result of information received from residents regarding the fire that destroyed the wood-framed playground structure on Aug. 26 after 8 p.m. Information received by…