Author: On Common Ground News

 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– Firefighters and first responders from multiple agencies challenged themselves to a one-mile climb—equivalent to 160 flights of stairs—to the summit of Stone Mountain today in commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Wearing a full complement of firefighting gear, the group tested their endurance in honor of the 343 firefighters, paramedics, and 72 law enforcement officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Over 600 participants from more than 50 agencies took part in the climb, making this the largest event to date. This annual tradition began in 2014…

R&B group, Brownstone, “If You Love Me,” to perform  STONECREST, GA– This Saturday, Sept. 14, the City of Stonecrest will host its 5th Annual Screen on the Green and Entrepreneur Expo from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Southeast Athletic Complex, 5845 Hillvale Road, Stonecrest. The family-friendly event begins with a showcase of local entrepreneurs and ends with an outdoor movie, “Inside Out 2.” Brownstone, the 90s R&B group known for its hit song, “If You Love Me,” will hit the stage for a special celebrity guest performance. There will be food, a DJ, multiple bounce houses and a variety…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold Open House nights during September, October and November 2024 for the 2025-2026 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night. The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 8, 2024, through Dec.13, 2024. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus and Rockdale…

DECATUR, GA – On Dec.7, 1946 at 3:42 a.m. the first alarm came into Atlanta Fire Department headquarters: “The Winecoff Hotel is on fire!” For the next two hours, everything good, bad, improbable, and certain about the human experience played out. Few events in history can match the Winecoff Fire for extremes. The DeKalb County History Center will present Janet Cox, daughter of survivor Dorothy Moen Cox, and the authors of the book, The Winecoff Fire, to discuss both the personal and historical significance of this Atlanta tragedy that happened on Dec. 7, 1946. This event will be recorded The ticketed program…

ATLANTA – Chris Bailey’s whirlwind journey to becoming an Olympic gold medal winner comes full circle when he returns to the place where it all started on Thursday, Sept. 12. Bailey, who didn’t start running track until he entered 11th grade at Carver Early College, will return to the school for a recognition and ring ceremony featuring faculty, staff, and students, as well as Bailey’s family and friends. After graduating from Carver Early College in 2018, Bailey had a stellar academic and athletic college career that included stops at Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Tennessee (Class of 2022, B.S.,…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw will host his Annual Veterans Expo and Fellowship Lunch event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Tobie Grant Recreational Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale. Commissioner Bradshaw, in collaboration with Atlanta VA HealthCare System, AMVETS Post 44, Georgia Grace and Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Departments, will provide onsite resources and information about housing, VA benefits, caregivers, trauma recovery, employment and training, mental health, telehealth and women’s wellness programs. “I appreciate the many partners who will be present to provide much-needed information and resources for veterans and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The DeKalb County Board of Education will conduct an Audit Committee meeting on  Thursday, Sept 12, 1 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Cabinet Room at the Robert R. Freeman administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. The audit committee meeting agenda is attached and also can be accessed online at: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for the meeting agenda/information. The meeting can be viewed online at the following link on DeKalb Schools TV (DSTV) by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org/communications/dstv. AGENDA: A. CALL TO…

PHILADELPHIA, PA–Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to meet tonight (Sept. 10) for their first and perhaps only debate before the Nov. 5 presidential election.  The showdown for the high-stakes debate will take place at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia and will be televised at 9 p.m. ET by numerous networks. Hosted by ABC News, the debate comes as polls show Harris and Trump are in a dead heat. Harris leads Trump by just 1 point—49 percent to 48 percent—among registered voters, according to the latest PBS News/NPR/ Marist poll. Analysts say tonight’s showdown will be…

ATLANTA—The world-famous Tabernacle Choir of Salt Lake City, Utah is bringing its Hope Tour to Atlanta and joining forces with the historic Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs for a free concert at State Farm Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. The Tabernacle Choir performed a private concert at Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on Sunday, Sept. 8. Tabernacle Choir president Michael O. Leavitt described what concertgoers can expect on Wednesday night: “The Choir will join their voices once again with those from Morehouse College and Spelman College glee clubs. When these famed groups perform together,…