Author: On Common Ground News

Is your child entering a Georgia Child Care center, Head Start program, pre-K class or school for the first time? If so, the DeKalb County Board of Health offers your family convenient, affordable back-to-school immunizations and vision, hearing and dental screenings. The Board of Health also issues certified birth certificates for children born in Georgia and provides sports physicals. Board of Health Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, July 30, immunizations and vision and hearing screenings will be offered at all four centers, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Extended hours are available 8:15…

The Rev. Stafford Wicker, who has pastored Antioch AME Church for 24 years, was recently announced the 137th elected and consecrated Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. During the AME church’s annual general conference held earlier this month, Wicker was elected as Bishop and assigned to oversee the 18th Episcopal District in Africa, which includes Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Swaziland. “My new assignment will allow me to preside over and expand the AME church while also assisting in economic development,” said Wicker who will maintain an office in the United States with an official residence in Southern Africa. Wicker…

Jocelyn Moore, former deputy staff director of the Senate Finance Committee and most recently, managing director in The Glover Park Group’s Government Affairs Division, has been named the NFL’s senior vice president of Public Policy and Government Affairs. Moore will lead the league’s public policy and legislative agenda and coordinate closely with NFL clubs on local and salient legislative and regulatory issues. Based out of the NFL’s Washington, D.C. office, she will report to Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s executive vice president of Communications and Public Affairs. “Jocelyn’s wide-ranging knowledge and experience will serve to advance our policy priorities in Washington…

Marcus Stokes was an architecture student at UC Berkley when he decided to intern at a special effects studio in San Francisco, CA. Unbeknownst to Stokes at the time, this internship would serve as the bedrock to a burgeoning career in film animation. He’s been building a name for himself ever since. Stokes is the son of James and Connie Stokes, who reside in DeKalb. James Stokes is a retired dentist. Connie Stokes is a former DeKalb County Commissioner and former Georgia Senator. In a special report conducted earlier this year by the LA Times, Stokes was featured in the…

Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is ready to help you learn the ins and outs of the business world and turn your passion into a business with the 2016 Entrepreneurial Academy. Starting on Monday, Sept. 12, this seven-week program offers motivated individuals the essential information needed to start and run a successful business. “This entrepreneurial program is a course designed with the small business entrepreneur in mind. Whether you have an existing business or dreams of starting one in the future, the academy has something for you,” said Fred Boscarino, president/CEO of the Chamber. “Experienced business people who have been there,…

DeKalb Medical has received the Health Champion Elite Designation from the American Diabetes Association for providing health and well-being support and resources to its employees. The award recognizes DeKalb Medical for meeting three healthy living criteria as defined by the Association: nutrition and weight management, physical activity and organizational well-being. “Employee health and wellness is very important at DeKalb Medical,” said WorksWell Interim Executive Director Cynthia Holbrook. “Each year, we participate in community and corporate events like the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes and National Cancer Survivors Day to give employees a chance to connect with people in the community…

Rockdale County’s elementary students scored above the state’s average on the 2015-16 Georgia Milestones assessment, reports released by state officials show. This is the second year for the tests, given to students in grades 3-8. The Georgia Department of Education also made available scores for the Georgia Milestones End of Course Assessment for grades 9-12. The test scores represent only one piece of the State of Georgia’s “multiple measure” approach to school accountability known as the College and Career Ready Performance Index, or CCRPI. “Overall, we have seen an increase in the number of students in the proficient and distinguished…

Voices of Faith Ministry’s 50+ Ministry awarded $500 scholarships to six college-bound students on Sunday, July 24. Linda Williams-Sanchez, who serves as president of the 50+ Ministry, said applicants were required to submit essays detailing their plans for college and beyond and how God has played a role in their lives as well as the teachings of Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., who founded Voices of Faith, which has campuses in Stone Mountain and Conyers. The names of this year’s scholarship recipients are: D”nia Elston                     Stephenson High School Jordan Davis                     Stephenson High School Tahj Copeland                  South Gwinnett High School Breanna Bivens    …

  Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the statewide back-to-school tax-free holiday weekend will take place this Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31.   “The back-to-school tax-free holiday allows Georgia’s families and students to save money on crucial school items, clothing and technology during a time of year when household expenses add up quickly,” said Deal. “I commend the General Assembly for working with me to reduce taxpayer burdens in order to make our state a better place to work and raise a family, and it is my hope that parents and students will use this weekend to prepare for a successful…

Early results in Rockdale run-offs (all precincts reporting): Tonya Anderson Peterson (2,132) is leading Dee Dawkins-Haigler (2,022) for the Senate 43 seat Vernon Jones (1,349) is leading Rhonda Taylor(1,335) for the State House 91 seat Clarence Cuthpert (3,095) leading Judge Charles Mays (2,120) for probate judge Oz Nesbitt (3,065),leading Richard Oden (2,275) for Rockdale Chairman Sherri Washington (2,657) leading Phyllis Hatcher (2,420) for Post 1 Commissioner H. Duncan (3,227) is leading C.Barker Carr (2,512) for School Board