Author: On Common Ground News

Gov. Nathan Deal announced a law enforcement reform package that includes a 20 percent pay raise for more than 3,300 state law enforcement officers and a multi-phase overhaul of officer training and certification courses. The pay increase is effective Jan. 1, 2017, and represents more than $78 million in state funding in the amended FY17 budget and the FY18 budget. “Since our founding, one of government’s primary roles is the protection of its people,” said Deal. “While the responsibility to provide for the public’s safety has not changed over the course of time, the demands of fulfilling this fundamental obligation…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is pleased to announce the finalists for 2016-17 RCPS Teacher of the Year are: Shauna Roddenberry of Barksdale Elementary, Allison Dunlop of Lorraine Elementary, and Kim Sanderson of Davis Middle. All three received surprise visits to their classrooms Friday morning by a crowd of officials, including RCPS Superintendent Richard Autry and school board members, to announce their selection and commend them as inspirations and exemplary educators. All the 22 school-level Teachers of the Year will be celebrated in a ceremony on September 26, 2016, 6 p.m. at Rockdale Career Academy. One of the finalists will…

Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, 1430 Bouldercrest Road, Conley, invites the community to Gospel Singing, Mime, and Dance on Saturday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Donation request for adults is $15 and $10 for youths. Children 6 and under are free. Proceeds will benefit local and global missions.

St. James Children’s Ministry announces the 2016 Fall and Winter St. James UMC Kids’ Consignment Sale, Sept. 16 and 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for high quality children’s clothing, furniture, toys, books, and accessories, as well as maternity items in the activities building at 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta.

Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, Atlanta, presents Jazzing with Grace, on Friday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. The concert will benefit the Foundation of Wesley Woods whose mission is to help older adults age with grace. Milkshake and the Milkshake Quintet featuring Tina Mayfield will headline the concert. Other phenomenal artists from Ben Hill UMC and Tony Hightower also will be featured. Monica Kaufman Pearson is Mistress of Ceremonies with co-host Harvey Monk. Admission is free.  Help Ben Hill UMC support the quality of life programs for older adults in North Georgia.  Donations are appreciated.

School is starting and students from around the world—India Korea, Germany, Ghana, China and many other countries—are in Atlanta. Atlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS) invites the community to the 39th Annual International Student and Scholar Welcome Reception on Sunday, Sept. 25, 3-5 p.m., at Agnes Scott College in Decatur. The free event will be held at the Evans Dining Hall and includes good food and a student jazz trio. AMIS gives you an opportunity to befriend young people who are far from home, to show hospitality for the stranger in our gates. The reception is sponsored by AMIS, Georgia…

Voices of Faith Ministries will host the “Daughters of Faith Youth Rally” on Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the church’s Stone Mountain campus, 2500 Rockbridge Road S.W. Youths and their parents are invited to enjoy food, music, entertainment, games and vendors. The mentoring program is transforming lives and taking back our youths.

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James and DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann will host the 8th Annual Faith Leaders Conference on Thursday, Sept. 15. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the DeKalb County Courthouse, located at 556 N. McDonough Street (4th floor) in Decatur. This free conference actively engages and educates county clergy members about the criminal justice system. The 8th Annual Faith Leaders Conference this year will focus on the Drug Court Program, the Anti-Recidivism Court and the Mental Health Court. The day will also include a tour of the DeKalb County Jail. “Faith leaders are often confronted…

Acting on a recommendation from the state’s Emergency Operations Command in anticipation of Tropical Storm Hermine’s imminent Florida landfall, Gov. Nathan Deal today signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 56 counties. The state of emergency is in effect through midnight Saturday. “Georgia is expected to receive severe weather related to Tropical Storm Hermine through Saturday,” Deal said. “We are working to ensure counties in South, Central and coastal Georgia have access to the state resources necessary to prepare and respond when Tropical Storm Hermine enters Georgia. Our Emergency Operations Command will continue closely monitoring this…

The Lithonia Industrial Park will welcome Home Chef, a meal kit delivery service, which will create more than 1,200 jobs and invest $3.35 million in a new DeKalb County facility by 2020, officials have announced. The wholesale distribution center will lease the 140,000-square-foot facility now occupied by Miller International Food on Lithonia Industrial Boulevard. “Home Chef is among the many innovative companies using Georgia’s high-performing transportation infrastructure to grow their distribution network,” Gov. Nathan Deal said in a news release. “By establishing this new facility and utilizing the state’s skilled workforce, Home Chef will be able to reach more of…