Author: On Common Ground News

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist DeKalb County is well represented in the 2025 class of the Georgia Football Hall of Fame with four inductees gracing the stage on Saturday, Oct. Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta. Avondale’s Danny Buggs (1970), Chamblee’s Steve Wallace (1981), Dunwoody’s Harris Barton (1981) and Redan’s Chris Gardocki (1987) join 29 others in the Hall’s fourth class. Wallace and Barton were both part of the long history of the Chamblee and Dunwoody football rivalry and joined forces as bookend tackles with the San Francisco 49ers where…

ATLANTA—The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will host its Fall Super Saturday Homebuyer Education Expo on Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at World Changers Church, 2500 Burdette Road, College Park.   Future homebuyers are invited to the daylong event that will offer an array of resources to those seeking to buy a home.  Take part in informative sessions, expert panels, and gain valuable insights. Secure your spot today. Attendees who complete the full day will receive a certificate for down payment assistance. Space is limited. Click here to register. 

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Crews Middle School Lead Counselor Shayla Thompson has been named the Georgia School Counselor of the Year by the Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA). The Georgia School Counselor of the Year award recognizes school counselors who strive to be model citizens of their community, the school counseling community, and their broader professional community. They maintain high moral standards in their personal and professional conduct, and implement comprehensive, data-driven school counseling programs that support students’ career, social/emotional, and academic developmen “I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition, especially knowing I work alongside so many amazing and dedicated counselors. This experience…

LITHONIA, GA– DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold its 3rd Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Nov. 8, 12 noon to 4 p.m., at 1185 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia, GA. This year’s festival invites families and friends of all ages to enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun and tasty treats. The free event will feature fall-themed activities aimed to engage arts and crafts explorations, outdoor adventure and more.  Festival Highlights: A campsite‑style s’mores station Guided garden tours  Honey tasting Local vendors   Face painting Petting zoo Pony rides “This event has truly become a highlight of our fall season,” said Kevin Buford,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Antioch AME Church, 765 S Hairston Road, Stone Mountain, is hosting a community-wide Trunk or Treat event on Friday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 pm.  Children are welcome to wear their costumes.  There will be food, candy and music. The event is free.   

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has appointed Dr. Clare Avory as the new Director of DeKalb Emergency Management Agency,a vital step in ensuring public safety and wellness.   Avory brings more than two decades of experience in operations, crisis leadership, and emergency preparedness to the role, following a distinguished tenure as Associate Director of Emergency Preparedness at Louisiana State University (LSU). Avory will lead the DeKalb County Department of Emergency Management’s efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, natural and manmade disasters. She will serve as liaison to local, state, and federal agencies to ensure community safety, resilience,…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Supreme Court of Georgia unanimously upheld the conviction of a man found guilty of murder while driving drunk and fleeing police. Victor Allen Smith, 59, appealed his 2023 conviction on counts of felony murder, vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and other charges – and the subsequent life sentence – by claiming that prosecutors prejudiced the case when they presented evidence to the jury that his license had been suspended for roughly 18 years at the time of the incident. The evidence at trial was that Smith struck and killed 22-year-old Hugo Natanael Martinez on the evening…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—State Rep. Rhonda Taylor(D-Conyers), who represents House District 92, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission will host an information session concerning the Georgia Promise Scholarship voucher program, Georgia Match, and other state-supported educational resources on Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m., at the Conyers-Rockdale Library, 964 Green St. S.W., Conyers. Taylor said the information session will provide an opportunity for interested parents and high school seniors to learn more about the Georgia Promise Scholarship program created through Senate Bill 232. The program offers eligible students in grades J-12 funding to cover a range of educational expenses including private school…

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta announced the Invest Atlanta has approved $925,00 in Tax Allocation District (TAD) funding to support the city’s small business community. The funding is part of the ongoing effort to bolster Atlanta’s small businesses through targeted investment and to ensure they can fully capitalize on major events coming to Atlanta, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  “Small businesses are the backbone of Atlanta’s economy, and these grants are one way we can help them grow and remain sustainable,” said Mayor Andre Dickens, who also serves as Invest Atlanta Board Chair. “Strategic funding isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about building opportunities. Every…

ATLANTA—Congressman Hank Johnson is hosting a tele town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 to 8 p.m., to hear from constituents in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional district about how federal cutbacks and the government shutdown is impacting healthcare. “If you have a story you want to share, I want to hear from you. If you’re a furloughed or laid-off federal worker, I want to hear from you. Shoot, if you’re a MAGA Trump supporter, I want to hear from you, too,” Johnson stated in a news release on today, Oct. 22,” Congressman Johnson stated in a news releasee on today,…