Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Georgia U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is accepting applications for student nominations to the nation’s military service academies. Students who wish to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must first apply through the Academy directly. Students must meet eligibility requirements in academic performance, physical fitness, medical standards, extracurricular involvement, leadership, motivation, and aptitude as determined by the Academy. The second step in pursuing admission to a Service Academy is the Congressional Nominations process. An individual must meet the Academy’s admission requirements and receive a nomination to be offered final appointment to…

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning is joining the Georgia Foundation for Public Education(GFPE) this fall in offering 20 $5,000 mini grants to rural elementary schools partnering with childcare programs to help students transition into pre-k and kindergarten. To receive the Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grant, the schools must show how they collaborate with the childcare programs to vertically align their early literacy practices to assist young students. The program is targeted for schools in rural areas of Georgia, with a county population of 35,000 or less. Local elementary schools will partner with local childcare providers who have…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following meetings on Monday, September 9, 2024. The board meeting is in-person and will be held in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. 11:30 a.m.     BOARD MEETING Executive Session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters. Work Session & Business Meeting 5:45 p.m. Community Input Session The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Board of Elections will meet today, Sept. 4, 5 p.m. On the agenda is New State Election Board Rules. The public may attend the meeting in person or virtually.

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—The Tunes by the Tracks 2024 Fall Lineup kicks off on Friday, Sept. 6, with THE Electromatics performing from 7 to 9 p.m., at the downtown Stone Mountain Municipal Parking lot on Main Street. The outdoor concert is free to attend. Bring a lawn chair. Beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available for sale. Come early to enjoy Stone Mountain Village’s restaurants, bars, brewery and stores.  Parking is available at the Baptist and Methodist church lots, Old Rock Gym, street parking, Second Street near City Hall, spaces near the Depot, and behind Truist Bank, according to the Tunes…

DECATUR, GA—The Screen on the Square Movie Series will present “Wish” on Friday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m., at the downtown Decatur Square. The GPS address is 101 East Court Square, Decatur. “Wish” is about a young girl named Asha who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her. Everyone is welcome to attend the free, family-friendly event. Bring your blankets and chairs and relax under the stars. Arrive early to secure your spot and enjoy the pre-movie festivities. There will be…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County’s first-ever comprehensive housing plan, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the county’s growing housing crisis, was unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27. “We’re at a critical juncture in DeKalb County’s history,” said Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who championed the plan. “The housing crisis is affecting families across our community, and we need a comprehensive, coordinated approach to address it. This housing plan is our roadmap to ensuring that everyone in DeKalb has access to a safe, affordable place to call home. It’s about building a future where no one is left…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A 20-year-old man accused of killing a pregnant 16-year-old was released on a $56,000 bond on Wednesday, despite the demand of the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s office to keep the murder defendant in custody.  Jesus Monroy, the ex-boyfriend of the victim, was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child (feticide) and making false statements or writings. Campos was charged in connection with the July 15 strangling death of Mia Campos, who was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.  “It is disappointing that (Superior Court) Judge Karen Beyers chose…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan CONYERS, GA — Conyers welcomed a sizzling new addition on Thursday, Aug. 29, to its main food highway. R&B star Usher Raymond opened his Dave’s Hot Chicken at 447 Hwy 138 SE at the former Krystal’s restaurant. Usher has teamed up with franchise owners Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali to open multiple locations in the metro Atlanta area. The Conyers restaurant is the chain’s first location in Georgia. Lines of cars and hungry customers snaked around the building beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday during the restaurant’s soft opening. There was a steady crowd throughout the day and…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick is hosting two Labor Day weekend events to bring the community together for a day of fitness, fun, and to support important local causes. The inaugural District 1 Labor Day 5K Fur Run will kick off on Sunday, Sept. 1, at Mercer University, 2930 Flowers Rd. S, Atlanta. Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by an instructor-led warm-up session before the race starts. Participants are welcome to bring their pets, though it is not a requirement to join in the race. All proceeds from the event will…