Author: On Common Ground News

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…

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” – John Ruskin How do you like to spend rainy days? Leave a comment below!

The DeKalb County Police Department is receiving customized training that county officials hope will build trust between citizens and the police, thanks to a new partnership with Dale Carnegie of Georgia training program. DeKalb leaders, including Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Public Safety Cedric Alexander, DeKalb Police Chief James Conroy and Interim CEO Lee May, discussed the new training program at a press conference held on Aug. 18. Alexander, who was selected by President Obama for the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, helped developed the “pillars” for the training program. The President’s task force was established to strengthen…

The City of Decatur Municipal Court is offering amnesty to those who have past due traffic citations or active bench warrants for failure to appear in court. The city’s amnesty program runs Aug. 15 through Oct. 15. It is important to note that a failure to appear in court may have resulted in a driver’s license suspension.  The goal and purpose of the amnesty program is to help restore as many drivers as possible to legal status to drive on Georgia roadways, and to avoid more harm to their driving history with additional charges and fines. Amnesty will save individuals…

State lawmakers will explore ways to encourage minority participation in Georgia’s film and television production industry with the appointment of a new House study committee. Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has appointed the following members to the House Study Committee on Georgia Minority Participation in the Film & Television Production Industry: Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas – Chair (D-Atlanta) Rep. Patty Bentley (D-Butler) Rep. James Beverly (D-Macon) Rep. Pam Dickerson (D-Conyers) Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville) Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) The study committee was created by House Resolution 1577.