Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Commissioners Larry Johnson (District 3) and Gregory Adams (District 7) will co-host a budget Town Hall meeting on Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive. The community is encouraged to attend for more information about the county’s operating budget.

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is seeking nominations to honor the dedicated, hardworking and often unnoticed Rockdale citizens with the new Unsung Hero Award at his inaugural 2017 State of the County Evening Address on Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium. Nominees should be residents who work in the community behind the scenes or out of the limelight, seeking no accolades for their work and volunteer efforts. The other eligibility requirements include: Nominees can be of any age. Must be a current citizen of Rockdale County. Nominations must be submitted by another person. A person…

The Rockdale branch of the NAACP will host its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, March 18, 6 p.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park Carriage Room, in Conyers. The event will feature artist Irene Banks. Advance tickets for adults are $50 and $60 at the door. Tickets are $20 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 770-374-4445.

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. has named Jorge Lopez, formerly Director of Public Affairs for Unico Communications, as the county’s new Director of Community Affairs and Innovative Programming. The Board of Commissioners confirmed Nesbitt’s selection of Lopez at its Feb. 14 meeting. Lopez began his duties on Feb. 15. “Mr. Lopez’s experience in television, mass media, and public affairs makes him a perfect fit to help move Rockdale forward and reach new potential,” Nesbitt said. “In addition, Mr. Lopez will help coordinate the relationships with economic development investors and partners, partner with local media to help shed light…

CONYERS– Valentine’s Day was just a little sweeter for about a dozen couples who said “I do” in Rockdale on the most romantic holiday of the year. Rockdale County Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten performed several Valentine’s Day weddings in her Chambers. In honor of Valentine’s Day, Judge Aten sponsored a wedding cake for the couples and their guests. This year, the local Starbucks chipped in complimentary coffee to accompany the cake. Photos by Glenn Morgan Newlyweds Juan and Jernica Lozaen   Newlyweds Traleynn McCullar and Brittany Harlen Photos by Glenn L. Morgan

DeKalb County’s Adopt-A-Stream program has its highest number of volunteers ever, with 450 signups in 2016. Volunteers monitor various rivers, tributaries and streams throughout DeKalb County. The Adopt-A-Stream program is coordinated by the DeKalb Department of Watershed Management (DWM) in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to educate residents about non-source water pollution. Participants learn how to collect water quality data, gather observations about their local waterways, create partnerships within their communities and use water collection tools. “In addition to fostering ecological awareness, the important thing about the Adopt-A-Stream program is that it expands the community’s stewardship of…

Time to lace up your running shoes and restart that New Year’s Resolution – Rockdale Career Academy’s 7th annual Run RCA Strides for Education 5K/1-Mile Run is just around the corner, Saturday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. – noon. Register at www.tinyurl.com/RunRCA2017. This beloved annual tradition raises funds to help RCA students participate in career pathway-related competitions. It also gives RCA students the opportunity to practice in the real world the lessons they’ve learned in the classroom. “This event shows the value of the project-based curriculum taught at RCA and the talent and drive of our students,” said RCA’s Sports &…

The Stone Mountain-Lithonia Tau Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the DeKalb Pan Hellenic Council will host a forum for candidates running for office in the city of Stonecrest. The forum will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m., at the Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia. Citizens will be allowed to submit questions for the candidates to answer. There are 12 candidates running for City Council seats and three running for mayor. Election Day is March 21. Residents who live within the boundaries of the new city may find out which…

The Governor’s Commission on the City of Stonecrest has cancelled its meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16, at the DeKalb Medical at Hillandale Oncology Center Auditorium, as there are no business items to consider this week or updates to report. The Commission is currently engaged with monitoring the activities of the Community Committees and guiding the work of the citizens serving on them. The Commission has published the RFQs for city positions and city services at the www.glga.org website as well as on the www.stonecrestcity.com website. We are currently receiving responses, which will be reviewed by the Governor’s Commission and Community Committee…

Join the South DeKalb Family YMCA on Thursday as it celebrates improvements to the Wellness Center including new exercise equipment and the renovation of existing space, which will provide specialty classes for teens and seniors. A computer lab has been added to offer STEAM and STEM classes for participants in the Y’s afterschool program. The facility enhancements were made to ensure that the Y continues to be a place where people are empowered and transformed through programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. WHO:         Curtis Winston, branch executive director, Debra DeBerry, board chair,…