Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– Today, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held its first meeting of the 2024 year and elected a new presiding officer and deputy presiding officer. The board elected Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Commissioner Robert Patrick to serve as the presiding officer and deputy presiding officer, respectively, for 2024. Davis Johnson, who represents District 5, previously served as deputy presiding officer for the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners for two terms. “I am looking forward to leading this Board with a spirit of respect, collaboration and integrity as we continue to move our county forward,” Davis Johnson said.…

DECATUR, GA — In honor of the National Day of Racial Healing, Commissioner Larry Johnson will host a virtual roundtable discussion themed “Moving Forward, but Not Forgetting Our Past” on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. “This year, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” said Commissioner Johnson. “This roundtable is just one way for us to celebrate our achievements, acknowledge the work still to be done, and promote continued efforts towards a more inclusive and equitable society.” The panel will be moderated by Sharon Stroye, director of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative…

Update: Family will greet guests on Friday, Jan. 12, from 5-8 p.m., at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes, 4347 Flat Shoals  Parkway, Decatur, GA. Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. Viewing also will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m.– one hour ahead of the11 a.m.  homegoing serviceat Moreland Avenue Church of Christ, 671 Moreland Ave., Atlanta. The service will be live-streamed on Youtube (Moreland Avenue Church of Christ). Special message from OCGNews Publishers Glenn L. Morgan and Valerie J. Morgan We will say our farewell to Valerie’s mom–my mother-in-law, Juliette Hill–this weekend. You will find…

DECATUR,GA— Beginning Jan. 11 to Jan. 16, contractors working on behalf of DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management will conduct water main work on the Scott Boulevard Water Main Replacement Project Phase III. Construction activities associated with this work will require a temporary interruption of water service on Brown Place. The temporary interruption will occur for up to two hours per home between 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Residents should expect the interruption to occur approximately upon crews nearing the home between the provided date range. Our construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to residents.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Three local public servants will be recognized for their humanitarian work on Thursday, Jan. 11, during DeKalb County’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration program. The program, titled “It Starts with Me: Shifting the Cultural Climate Through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence,” will be held Thursday, Jan. 11, 11 a.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Three people will be honored with the Nathaniel Mosby Humanitarian Award, which celebrates the recipients’ commitment to tireless community service and outstanding dedication to being an agent for positive change. The recipients will be: · Dr.…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the appointment of Hunter Hines as Interim Director of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK). Hines will be responsible for the daily operations of the second-busiest airport in Georgia. “Mr. Hines wealth of knowledge and experience will be invaluable to maintaining PDK as one of the most important economic development factors for DeKalb County,” said CEO Thurmond. “He is a young, energetic professional who will continue PDK’s growth and advancement.” The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners recently approved PDK’s master plan that calls for $77.9 million in enhancements and will guide the airport’s operations…

STONECREST, GA—The City of Stonecrest is launching its public engagement initiative for the update of the 2038 Comprehensive Plan. The comprehensive plan, a document updated every five years, plays a vital role in providing strategic focus and deliverables for the City of Stonecrest. This collaborative effort aims to refine the existing plan, ensuring it aligns with the evolving needs and aspirations of the community. The project, awarded to the consultant team comprised of Kimley Horn, Sizemore Group and Sycamore Consulting in November 2023, is poised to bring a wealth of expertise to the table, city officials said. To maximize public…

DCSD slated for 25 electric school buses under EPA program STONE MOUNTAIN — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) – a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – celebrated the announcement that the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is being awarded $20 million to purchase 25 all-electric school buses under an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program. The program is part of a $1 billion nationwide Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition made possible through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the bipartisan infrastructure law, that Rep. Johnson supported. EPA Administrator…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA- The Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families is accepting applications for the annual John K. Morgan Community Service Scholarship and the F. William Hughey Community Service Award. The John K. Morgan Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. There is no age limitation for applicants. The scholarship will be awarded to assist with college-related expenses for students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning. Applications must be received no later than Wednesday, January 31, 2024.…