Author: On Common Ground News

A 35-year-old Newton County man faces misdemeanor charges for stealing the campaign signs of Rockdale candidates seeking political office, On Common Ground News has learned. Nicholas Scott Minter, of Covington, faces misdemeanor charges for theft by taking   campaign signs belonging to Oz Nesbitt, who was in the July 26 runoff for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. According to a police report, Nesbitt said he witnessed Minter taking his campaign signs and several others near the intersection of Eastview and Sigman roads on Election Day. Minter reportedly placed the signs in a silver Ford pickup truck and drove off after…

The DeKalb School District has announced new locations and dates for a series of community meetings that will be held to get public input on how future revenues from the E-SPLOST program should be dedicated. The program will be used to improve school facilities and infrastructure. Voters approved the 2017-2022 E-SPLOST on May 24, 2016. The district is hosting an informational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m., at the school district’s headquarters, Robert Freeman Building, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. The following dates have been for the regional public meetings on E-SPLOST (also known as Building S.P.A.C.E.S program):…

The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer. The men and women of the DeKalb County Police Department proudly serve over 700,000 citizens within a 271-square-mile radius.  The department’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in DeKalb County by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the U.S. Constitution to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment. Applications are currently being accepted and interested candidates must complete and submit the online application listed in the “job opportunities” section on the county’s…

ATLANTA Sinfo-Nia Youth Orchestra to host open house All musicians ages 7 to 18 are invited to join Sinfo-Nia Orchestra for a free day of instruction, door prizes and fun during its open house on Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to noon, at 1st Congregational Church Commons in Downtown Atlanta, 125 Ellis Street. Learn more about quality instruction on violin, viola, cello and double bass and tuition for the school year session. For more information, call 404-328-0840 or visit www.sinfo-nia.com. DEKALB Learn about services, benefits for elderly at DeKalb Medical seminar DeKalb Medical and Senior Provisions invite all seniors…

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area invites families to join the excitement of Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Panola Mountain State Park Nature Center. Junior Ranger Day will bring together civic organizations in DeKalb, Rockdale, and Henry counties to launch the nationally recognized Junior Ranger program and to celebrate the 10-year anniversary for the federal designation of this picturesque 40,000-acre region in metropolitan Atlanta. As the rest of the family enjoys this state park, kids ages 8 to 12 will participate in activities involving themes related to the National Heritage Area such as farming, stain glass…

The City of Decatur is hosting Recycle Decatur to boost its recycling efforts Thursday, Sept. 15, on the Decatur Square between 4 and 7 p.m. Attendees can get a hands-on review on recycling and learn about all of the resources available to ease the stress of recycling.  Participants will also receive information on the city’s recycling program, meet members of the Environmental Sustainability Board, become familiar with organizations that accept hard-to-recycle items, learn what can be recycled during Decatur’s Electronic Recycling fall event, and enter to win a prize. “We want everyone who attends Recycle Decatur to take out the…

All roads will lead to the Gallery at South DeKalb Mall (Macy’s parking lot) on Saturday, Sept. 24. Come out and join “Discover DeKalb” for the Heart of South DeKalb Festival, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free outdoor festival highlights and promotes South DeKalb as a great place to live, work and play. The day begins with a parade featuring high school bands, cars, step teams, community organizations and leaders heading to the mall at 8:30 a.m. from New Life Church on Candler Road, Decatur. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a day of fun with the whole family.…

Have you ever considered doing business in other countries? Did you know that there are resources in Georgia to help you to expand globally? Learn more at the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce’s Third Wednesday Luncheon, Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at This Is It Banquet Hall, 2853 Panola Road, Lithonia. The guest speaker will be Shehzin Jafar, International Trade Manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Additional guest speakers will include Alena Edmondson of EDN Global and Stacy K. Blackmon of Global Women. Since 1998, Edmondson has focused on driving small business development in communities of color…

The Fulton County Workforce Development Division will host a Youth Enrichment Services (YES) orientation session for youth ages 16 to 21 who are in need of employment. The session, the second one offered this month, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to noon, at the Adamsville Career Center, 3700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta. Parents are welcome to attend the session, which will provide information on Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligibility requirements. Workforce Development wants young people to apply for participation in the YES program. The year-round program increases work opportunities for youth, encourages leadership and promotes…

 The Atlanta City Council approved $52,000 in funding to support the activities and initiatives of the Atlanta Youth Commission. The allocation was sponsored by District 5 City Councilmember Natalyn Archibong. The measure was approved unanimously. “These funds will help this vital commission carry out its mission,” Archibong said. “It is a body dedicated to advancing the causes and issues important to our city’s youth. Allocating funding for this commission couldn’t be more timely, and demonstrates the high value our city places on our youth.” The Atlanta Youth Commission was established by the City Council for the purpose of acting as a think…