Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA–Members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation will hold a post-session town hall meeting on Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m., at the New Black Wall Street Market in the city of Stonecrest. The meeting, conducted by Delegation Chair Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and Vice Chair Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain will be the first held for the public at the Delegation’s new constituents’ office, which opened on April 27.  The new constituents’ office was open to as another way to enhance connecting residents with state lawmakers. State representatives will recap the 2024 legislative session. Inquiries and concerns may be sent…

STONECREST, GA – On Saturday, April 27, Congressman Hank Johnson honored the achievements and talents of high school students in Georgia’s Fourth District during time set aside by his office called “A Day with Hank.” The day’s events showcased young leaders and artists by recognizing them at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta for the Georgia Service Academy Day in the morning, and later, at Congressman Johnson’s district office, where the the winners of his 2024 Congressional Art Competition were announced. At Academy Day, the Congressman told the students:  “Each of you is a leader in your own way, and your…

CONYERS, GA –  Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) congratulates the valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2024. The Valedictorians and Salutatorians were notified in surprise announcements during school on March 28. The Valedictorians and Salutatorians will lead their senior class in their school’s graduation ceremony, which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2024. For more information, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/graduation

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has released the 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report, also referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). DWM continues to surpass all federal and state drinking water quality standards, providing DeKalb County customers with high-quality drinking water. DWM serves more than 760,000 customers and is responsible for treating and distributing drinking water and collecting and treating wastewater throughout DeKalb County. By law, tap water is tested for various water quality parameters to ensure that the water is safe for people to drink. DeKalb County Watershed collects and tests over 250 samples…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve water service capacity throughout DeKalb County continue with the Woodacres Water Main Replacement Project. Phase I of the project will include the installation of 4,105 linear feet of 8-inch ductile iron pipe (DIP), affecting Battle Drive, Jordan Terrace, Malabar Drive, Woodacres Road and Wentworth Drive. This project is expected to last six months (April to October 2024), barring any weather delays. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.  To learn more about the Woodacres Water Main…

STONECREST, GA—Caden Harris, the 14-year-old entrepreneur who teaches financial literacy to kids from a renovated school bus, learned over the weekend that someone had stolen the generator that powers his classroom on wheels. “While I was in Washington, DC speaking at the Treasury Department sharing about financial literacy making a global impact, when unfortunately, my dad received a phone call that while I was on stage speaking, my bus had been broken into and my generator which powers the interior workings of the bus was stolen!!!” Caden said in an Instagram post. Pictured L-R: Caden Harris and Stonecrest City Councilman…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Police Department invites the community to attend the DeKalb County Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 8, 10 – 11 a.m., at the DeKalb History Center (Old Courthouse Courtyard),101 East Court Square, Decatur. Each May has been recognized as a time for law enforcement agencies throughout the county to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families. The Memorial Service brings surviving family members, police officers, elected officials, community groups and friends together to commemorate the lives of our fallen heroes. Also, fallen officers will be recognized from Clarkston, Decatur, DeKalb County Marshal’s Office, DeKalb…

This is the time of year that politicians come around asking for your vote. Each one is friendly and courteous, shaking hands and smiling—to secure the vote. Many times, after the politicians win the elections, they refuse to meet with their constituents to discuss pertinent issues. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Amos King, founder of Justice for Veterans, is very disturbed about the lack of participation from politicians concerning the mental health and welfare of veterans in DeKalb County. On numerous occasions, he has tried to meet with various local politicians, but they have refused. King has had successful meetings with political…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Hundreds of people are expected to attend the Thursday luncheon on May 2, where DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond will deliver his eighth and final State of the County address. The reminder concerning the event published today, May 1, was incorrect. The program will be available on Thursday, May 2, via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel at DCTVChannel23.tv. Thurmond, who has served as DeKalb CEO since 2016, will officially end his term in office on Dec. 31, 2024. “Lessons Learned” will be the topic of Thurmond’s 2024 State of the County address to be presented during the business…