Author: On Common Ground News

Motivational speaker, youth mentor and anti-violence activist Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson is setting up a life-size chessboard at the Holiday Inn Express, 7846 Stonecrest Square, Stonecrest to bring life lessons to students in metro Atlanta and break the cycle of poverty, crime and violence. Hudson will host the “winners’ seminar” on Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participation in the program is free. The session, “Get in the Game,” will outline specific strategies that help students put “brains before bullets” and to choose peace instead of violence. “By learning to out-think the competition, these young people will learn to…

The DeKalb County Police Department is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer. The department is hosting a job fair on Saturday, June 3, at the DeKalb Police Training Academy, 2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia. Applicants can complete the Physical Agility Test that day or sign up for the June 9 test date.

DeKalb County’s Sanitation Division will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29. Due to the holiday, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimming collection for residential customers will be based on the revised collection schedule below:   Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day observed. No sanitation collection service. Tuesday, May 30 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, May 29, will be serviced on Tuesday, May 30.   Wednesday, May 31 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, May 30, will be serviced on Wednesday, May 31. Thursday, June 1…

DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency is hosting a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Workshop. The nine-week workshop begins on June 15 and will be held on Thursday evenings from 7–9:30 p.m. at DeKalb Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084. Participants will learn what to do before, during and after a disaster occurs. The workshop will also train citizens to care for family members and neighbors. Course topics include: Disaster preparedness Basic fire suppression Medical operations Light search and rescue operations Disaster psychology Team organization and terrorism Autism awareness The workshop is free for DeKalb…

The Rev. Cheviene Jones is retiring from Saint Paul AME Church, 1704 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia. Jones, who has served 43 years in ministry, will be honored at a banquet celebration on Saturday, June 3, at 4 p.m., at Fairfield Baptist Church, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia. Known for his holy ghost-filled preaching, his anointed teaching of the “Word of God and vocal musicianship, the Rev. Jones has pastored churches in Georgia, Missouri, California, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Ohio. He was formerly a professional musician in New York City before becoming a pastor. Born in Albany Georgia to the late…

Stonecrest Councilwoman Dr. Diane Daniels Adoma has announced a youth ACT Prep Boot Camp in District 5. The camp will be held on June 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Salem Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road, Stonecrest. “The goal is to see every Stonecrest student graduate from high school or obtain a GED.  A high school diploma or GED is a critical first step fo  students to have greater options and opportunities in life,” said Adoma.  “Many students, especially African American students, struggle with college standardized admission tests such as the ACT or SAT.  We therefore have a situation…

CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA   Honorable Mayor Jason Lary, Sr. Council Member Jimmy Clanton, Jr. – District 1         Council Member Rob Turner- District 2 Council Member Jazzmin Cobble – District 3          Council Member George Turner- District 4 Council Member Diane Adoma – District 5 WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA May 24, 2017 @ 5:00p.m. Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia, Georgia CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Pro Tem – Adoma   ROLL CALL: Acting City Clerk   III.           OPENING REMARKS:  Mayor Pro Tem                                                                                                                                  AGENDA ITEMS:   Discussion on the Citizen Proclamation Process   Discussion on Administrative Support for Council                                             …

Gov. Nathan Deal has revised his executive order to broaden the scope of an investigation of DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann, who was arrested on May 6 for allegedly exposing himself in an Atlanta park and running from police. Deal signed a new order on May 16. The new order came five days after Mann’s attorney, Noah Pines, held a news conference and told reporters he had asked the governor to reconsider having Mann investigated because the charges against him amounted to violations of city ordinances—not criminal charges. Deal had cited criminal charges as the justification for appointing an…

Atlanta Sports City (ASC) at Stonecrest has inked a deal with Emory Healthcare and Urban Retail Properties, LLC, owner of the Mall at Stonecrest, to join the mega sports and entertainment complex that will be built in the newly-formed city of Stonecrest. Officials announced Emory Healthcare as the official sports medicine partner and Urban Retail as the official retail partner for the project during a news conference, which was held on May 17 at the Discover DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau in Tucker. Officials also announced that a new grand entrance to the Mall at Stonecrest would be built along…