Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb Public Health is kicking off the 2024-2025 school year with extended clinic hours and walk-in availability through Aug.17. Health centers will be open until 7:30 p.m. Services will include immunizations, vision, hearing, dental and nutrition screenings. Birth certificates also will be available through the Vital Records office. “Back-to-school rush has a special and personal significance this year, as my oldest child is off to kindergarten,” said Dr. Sandra J. Valenciano, District Health Director and CEO of DeKalb Public Health. “I empathize with everything that my fellow parents and caregivers are going through. While this may be a stressful…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Health will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Aug. 15, in the Bohan Auditorium, located in the Richardson Health Center at 445 Winn Way, Decatur. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m.  The public is invited to attend. Public access will be available via video conference through the following methods: Zoom Video: https://app.zoom.us/ Meeting ID: 766 5001 4119 | Passcode: ktd4Cc Zoom Audio: 301-715-8592 | Meeting ID: 76650014119# Agenda items for the meeting include: Call to Order Approval of Minutes Regular Board Meeting Minutes of May 23, 2024 Election of Officers Nomination and Election…

UPDATE:  Darius Lavoice Carlos has been located safely, officials stated  8.19.2024. ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 46-year-old Conyers man who may be in need of his medication.  Darius Lavoice Carlos was reported missing by his wife. Details about Mr. Carlos were provided by the Sheriff’s Office in the missing Be On the Lookout alert below:

STONECREST, GA—Belinda’s Southern Cuisine, 7322 Stonecrest Concourse, has closed after nearly a four-year run in the city of Stonecrest. The white tablecloth linen restaurant, known for its Sunday-style soul food dinners throughout the week, served its last customers on Aug. 3, 2024, owners Belinda Hull and Bobby Hubbard announced today, Aug. 10. Hull told On Common Ground News that she and her husband, Bobby, have decided to retire after dedicating themselves to their passion for serving homecooked meals in an upscale environment in the historic City of Stonecrest. The restaurant, which opened in November 2020, drew not only locals but visitors from…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson has been tapped for key appointments by the National Association of Counties (NACo), officials announced on Friday, Aug. 9. The appointments come as Gwinnett County celebrates recognition by the national organization for 31 of the county’s groundbreaking programs secured under Hendrickson’s leadership. NACo President James Gore has appointed Hendrickson to serve on the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee as subcommittee vice chair. The committee focuses on housing. Hendrickson also will serve as vice chair of the Large Urban County Caucus. Gore said he chose Hendrickson because of her commitment…

ATLANTA, GA—The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, steeped in history alongside other great black churches in Atlanta such as Ebenezer Baptist Church, Wheat Street Baptist, and Big Bethel AME, is celebrating its 110th Church Anniversary.  Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr., senior pastor, has invited the Rev. Anthony Corbett, Sr., to be the guest preacher for the special occasion on Sunday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m., 1879-1921 Glenwood Ave., S.E.  The community is invited.

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) and fellow Democratic members of the House and Senate Education committees on Friday(Aug. 10)  issued the following statement regarding State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods’ decision to approve the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course, reversing his initial decision: “This week, Democratic members of the House and Senate Education committees convened a critical hearing at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building to address the ongoing debate surrounding the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course. The session provided an update from the Georgia Department of Education and the College Board, shedding light on the…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against Demetrius Samuel Roam, 22, of Atlanta who is accused of assaulting two women within a one-week span in October 2020. Roam pleaded guilty to two counts of Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault Strangulation, Aggravated Assault with Intent to Rape, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Aggravated Sodomy, and Rape stemming from the assaults of the two women at an apartment complex in Atlanta. Roam has been linked to several additional assaults, including: an additional rape at the complex in October 2020; an attempted assault at the…