Author: On Common Ground News

After the polls close on Election Day, Dr. Steven N. Dial, Sr. of Rainbow Park Baptist Church in South DeKalb County will begin preparing for a new chapter that will not only include a new leader for our nation but also a new CEO for DeKalb County. Dial and the DeKalb Pastors Alliance, a group of 11 South DeKalb pastors, plan to hold a prayer vigil from 11 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 8, Election Day, on the steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse in downtown Decatur. “I do believe this is the most important election of our lifetime,” said…

Those in the DeKalb County School District who knew Dr. Robert R. Freeman as superintendent for 16 years simply called him “Bob.” It fit the gentleman cowboy’s modest style. “Bob was my mentor. He was my friend,” said Dr. Melvin Johnson, chairman of the DeKalb County (Georgia) Board of Education. “He was one of the most influential people in my life.” Dr. Freeman passed away at age 84 on Oct. 21 in Alpharetta, Georgia, a north-Atlanta suburb. Born in Jordan, Montana in 1931, Dr. Freeman brought the lessons of a Western upbringing to a long career in education. “He had…

Mobile dairy to visit Atlanta-Fulton Central Library The Mobile Dairy Classroom will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 10:30 a.m., at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta. The Mobile Dairy Classroom is a dynamic and fun educational program operated by the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Milk. A fully operational milking parlor with a live cow used for milking and feeding demonstrations will be inside of the classroom. ATLANTA   Sixth annual Chastain Park Arts Festival set The sixth annual Chastain Park Arts Festival, Nov. 5-6, will feature approximately 185 artists and artisans.…

The MARTA Police Department will create a simulated full-scale training exercise (Operation Deep Impact) Nov. 5-6. The exercises will begin on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. and end on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 3 a.m. The exercises will be conducted at the Sandy Springs and Decatur MARTA stations. The annual drills are designed to evaluate emergency response capabilities in the event of an actual threat to the system. The training exercise provides the opportunity for MARTA Police, MARTA staff and other emergency response agencies to address potential incidents such as terrorist attacks, pandemics or natural disasters, in a real-life setting. MARTA will…

Don Rubin, a professor at the Center for Health and Risk Communication at the University of Georgia, will present “How to Make the Most of Your Health Insurance” on Nov. 7. The workshop will be held 11 a.m. to noon at the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library, 3772 LaVista Road, Tucker. 404-679-4408. Rubin also will hold the workshop from 2 to 3 p.m. at the REdan-Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia. 770-482-3821.

Grants.gov is the federal government’s website for the 26 federal grant-making agencies to post their grant opportunities for the public. A presentation on Nov. 7, 1 to 2 p.m., at the Flat Shoals Library, will cover the registration process, how to search for funding opportunities and how to apply for those opportunities. The library is located at 4022 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.

The Highlands at Hidden Hills Condominium Community in Stone Mountain, recognized Larry Coles, at its August 2016 HOA Meeting, for his dedicated service to the community. Coles, president of the Board of Directors since 2007, was presented the “Above and Beyond the Call Award” in recognition of his commitment and outstanding service. Coles has worked tirelessly to improve and restore the 32-year-old community to its original beauty, the HOA said. “I am proud of what the Board has been able to do to improve the appearance and finances which have helped maintain and improve our property values,” Coles said. Larry…

Public safety professionals from across DeKalb County were honored at the DeKalb County Police Department awards ceremony, which was held on Oct. 20. The ceremony, held at Rehoboth Baptist Church, honored men and women who have performed heroic and extraordinary acts to protect and serve the citizens of DeKalb County. Assistant Police Chief Mike Yarbrough was one of the honorees. He received the certificate of merit. “It’s not about me. It’s about the men and women of valor who represent our department so well,” said Yarbrough. Yarbrough has been with the DeKalb Police Department for nearly 28 years. He…

The American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) has tapped Georgia Piedmont Technical College(GPTC) instructor Kye Haymore to serve as the 2017 president-elect of the national organization.. “Kye Haymore’s dedication to paralegal education is evidenced by her commitment to her students at Georgia Piedmont, as well as to this important national organization,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “During her 10 years as an instructor at Georgia Piedmont, she has demonstrated her dedication to paralegal education and is widely respected by her colleagues. These same skills will contribute greatly to the success of the association,” Dr. Simama said. Haymore was nominated for…

Mercer Butts, 16, of Stone Mountain, has earned the highest award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award. Butts received the award after earning 60 merit badges and completing a campus beautification project to benefit Tabitha’s House for his Eagle Scout Service Project. A member of Troop 2600 chartered to The House of Hope Atlanta (The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church), Butts is one of approximately seven percent of all Boy Scouts who ever achieve this rank. Mercer is the son of Markus and Sonya Butts. A leader in both Scouting and the community, Butts,…