Author: On Common Ground News

Last year, the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) Toilet Retrofit Rebate Program sent rebate checks totaling $183,563 to homeowners who replaced older toilets with new efficient WaterSense-approved models. In 2016 alone, more than 1,200 homeowners took advantage of the program, which has paid a total of $2.6 million in rebates since it began in 2008. “Water conservation is a big deal because DeKalb is one of 52 counties that remain under a Level 2 Drought in Georgia,” said DWM Director Scott Towler. “Not only do low-flow toilets save water, which is a high priority for all of us…

In observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 20, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule. The revised schedule is as follows: Monday, Feb. 20 – Presidents Day observed. No sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Feb. 20, will be serviced on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Feb. 21, will be serviced on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Thursday, Feb. 23 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday,…

ATLANTA Atlanta Mission hosts 5K race to end homelessness The Atlanta Mission, which provides services to Atlanta’s homeless population, is hosting The Race to End Homelessness on Saturday, Feb. 18, 8:15 a.m., at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Thousands are expected to run in the race, in the cold, for those who sleep in the cold. According to the Atlanta Mission’s website, there are over 7,000 homeless individuals in metro Atlanta. Registration is $30 in advance or $35 on race day. Registration fees cover one night of shelter and services for one man, woman or child facing homelessness. …

State Rep. Michele Henson (D- Stone Mountain) will host “Eggs & Issues: A Community Forum” on Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 – 10:30 a.m., at St. Timothy UMC Church, 5365 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain. The event will with feature guest speaker, Larry Pellegrini, executive director of Georgia Rural Urban Summit and community activist, who will share advice on how to best advocate for themselves and the issues that are important to them. Henson will provide updates on the major events of the 2017 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly so far and give attendees the opportunity to discuss their ideas,…

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is looking for eligible organizations to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in their communities in 2017. The SFSP, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides access to healthy meals to children during the summer months when school is not in session. DECAL administers the SFSP in Georgia. The SFSP reimburses non-profit and government organizations for providing free meals to eligible children in low-income areas during the summer months. The following entities can qualify as sponsors: public or private nonprofit schools; universities, colleges or camps;…

Church fires are a serious problem in America.  There are measures that can be taken to prevent fires in places of worship.  When churches burn, the contents and valuables that are lost are priceless articles that cannot be replaced.  Reducing a church vulnerability to arson or fire is important. The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department is hosting” Faith in Fire Safety: Preventing Fires in Church and Worship Centers Forum” on Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The forum will be held at the DeKalb County fire Rescue Headquarters, 5th floor conference room, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. Fire rescue…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office received its official certificate of re-accreditation by the American Correctional Association (ACA) at the organization’s winter conference in San Antonio, Texas in January. The ACA awards accreditation based on findings of a strenuous audit of the agency’s administration and management, physical plant, institutional operations and services, and inmate programs.

The community is invited to a town hall meeting, “The Kingdom of God Over A Trump Administration,” on Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m., at the Jimmie Lee Smith Community Center, 5883 Highway 155 North, Stockbridge. There will be a panel discussion with community leaders, state lawmakers, county officials, faith leaders and others. Bishop Ruth W. Smith and Pastor Zichri Osler encourages the community to attend this important forum. For more information: 678-565-7001.

State Sen. Emanuel Jones said he is introducing legislation aimed at updating and modernizing our school discipline procedures. Jones said he plans to call for the creation of a Student Resource Officer Code of Conduct, a guide that would be distributed to Student Resource Officers (SRO). Student Resource Officers play an important role in public schools by ensuring the safety of the students and staff who attend our schools, as well as providing students a safe outlet to voice any concerns. “By implementing uniform procedures and codes of conduct, we give our SROs the training and guidance necessary to carry…

The City of Atlanta will host its inaugural “Aglanta Conference” to showcase urban and controlled environment agriculture innovation in the City of Atlanta. The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability has partnered with Blue Planet Consulting, a firm specializing in urban agriculture projects, to bring together restaurateurs, grocers, architects, entrepreneurs, technologists, business owners and urban farmers to network, share best practices and establish partnerships. The conference will take place on Feb. 19 at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, and aims to help foster Atlanta’s growth as a central hub in the nation’s annual $9 billion indoor farming industry. “We are excited about…