Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA–Registration is under way for the third annual Academy of the Arts summer day camp, open to aspiring youths who are interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts. The camp is open to youths ages 10-18. The How Big is Your Dream Foundation, whose founder and CEO is the renowned drummer Jorel “JFly” Flynn , in partnership with the DeKalb County Parks + Recreation  Department., will host the camp on June 3-21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the  Porter Sanford, III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive Decatur. The academy is designed to encourage youths who  aspire…

ATLANTA — National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and the family of U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson will hold a news conference on Thursday(May 16) to provide updates on the case.  Crump, who is representing the family, will be  joined  family members, to discuss the case.  The family will announce  funeral arrangements and address how they and Fortson’s beloved dog, Chloe, are doing. Chloe was with  Fortson in his off-base apartment in Florida when deputies shot and killed him on May 3. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office stated that a deputy was responding to a disturbance in progress…

By Mark Brock Athletics Specialist for DeKalb County School District The Druid Hills Lady Red Devils finished second in the GHSA Class 4A Girl’s State Track and Field Championships for the second consecutive season to lead a group of five Top 10 finishes by DeKalb County teams. Druid Hills collected six gold medals, two silver and one bronze medal on the way to compiling 90 points in coming up just three points shy of Westminster’s 93 at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany. Sanaa Frederick became one of the most decorated girls’ track athletes in DeKalb history as she completed a…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—A man was arrested Thursday for the carjacking of a woman at an assisted living facility. Following the incident, the suspect returned to the very same scene, only to be met by police. On Thursday May 9, at 9:30 p.m, officers assigned to the Bay Creek Precinct responded to a carjacking call at a an assisted living facility located at 1466 Grayson Highway in unincorporated Lawrenceville. Officers met with the victim and learned she had parked her vehicle in a parking spot and while walking to her apartment, was approached from behind by a male pointing a firearm…

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CARTERSVILLE, GA–The Tellus Science Museum is reopening the Bentley Planetarium with upgraded projectors on Saturday, May 18, in conjunction with the Museum’s Star Party. The new system features 4k laser technology, which will enhance guests’ experience with brighter, clearer,and more saturated images. “We’ve spent the past six months communicating with various local, national, and international experts about this installation, and several additional weeks training staff on the new system we chose,” said Karisa Zdanky, said Tellus Astronomy program manager. “This project has involved many of our museum departments and team members, and it’s really exciting to see it finally come…

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who is running for DeKalb County CEO, is inviting DeKalb residents to join her for a one-hour county-wide Tele Town Hall on May 15, 6:30 p.m., covering major issues that impact DeKalb County.   “During this Town Hall, I will share my plan to move DeKalb progressively forward as I address critical issues at the forefront of our future,” Cochran-Johnson stated. “DeKalb is at a crossroad and the next CEO will be charged with acting on key issues that will define our communities. Join me for a candid conversation on my plan to usher DeKalb into its best days…

ATLANTA — A delegation of business leaders and government representatives recently led a week-long economic development tour to Korea with plans to ignite international investment in Fulton County. Develop Fulton, a major collaborator behind the overseas initiative, aims to position the county, particularly South Fulton, as the epicenter of business expansion opportunities in the United States. Georgia State Sen. and Develop Fulton Chairman Brandon Beach touted Georgia’s reputation as the premier location in the nation for business and economic development. “Fulton County is the nucleus of smart growth that represents an area uniquely positioned to attract major attention for future…

LITHONIA, GA—State Rep. Doreen Carter, District 93, invited the community to join the “House District 93 Friends Breakfast Meetup,” which was held on Saturday, May 11, at Robert’s Soul Food Rerstaurant, 2810  Evans Mill Road, Lithonia. Folks who came out had a chance to meet community leaders from DeKalb and Rockdale counties and to order from the restaurant’s newly added Southern-style breakfast, served on Saturdays. Several candidates running for office fueled up at the breakfast meetup, before hitting the campaign trail to get out the  voting for the final Saturday voting day. The three-week early voting period ends on Friday,…

CONYERS, GA—Storm cleanup in Conyers, thanks in large part to the city’s Storm Assistance Program (SAP), is winding down after an EF2 tornado caused damage in the city of Conyers and Rockdale County on April 3. The SAP was launched on April 10 and targeted city residents on streets and in neighborhoods hardest hit by the storm, and without the means to pay for removal of downed trees and debris. Fifty-six applications for assistance were received, with 39 of those eligible for aid within the city limits. Of the 39 remaining applications, work has been completed for 33 of the…