Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA– Salem High School (SHS) in Rockdale County Public Schools was recently named the school that registered the most student voters out of more than 80 schools statewide in the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement 2023 Be the People Voter Drive. The contest was held to encourage high school students to register to vote. High schools throughout Georgia were encouraged to register all students 17.5 years and older. The competition took place over 30 days in more than 80 high schools. Salem High School won a trip to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion for 50 of its students. This trip will…

ATLANTA – Georgia legislators are reminding voters in the city of Decatur that they will have the opportunity to vote on proposed homestead tax exemptions on Nov. 7 through local ballot referendums. The referendums are the result of a package of property tax relief bills passed and signed into law during the 2023 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly. State Rep. Omari Crawford (D-Decatur) today joined with State Representatives Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), Becky Evans (D-Atlanta), Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) and State Sen. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) to  the reminder. “We have heard the concerns of the citizens in the City…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Springfield Baptist Church will host its annual Harvest of Blessings featuring its Trunk of Treats Festival, set to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the church’s campus located at1877 Iris Drive, Conyers, GA. The family-friendly event promises an evening of excitement and activities for all ages. Event highlights include hayrides, a Silent Party with a DJ, the ever-popular Trunk of Treats, bounce houses, a Bible cakewalk, refreshments, and a chance to win fantastic prizes. For more information, visit  www.sbcgrowth.church or contact the church at 770-929-1111.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Police Department’s Police Athletic League will host its Second Annual PAL Pumpkin 5k Run/Walk at 9 a.m. on Oct. 28. On race day, there also will be activities for the whole family. Registration for the race is $35. A signature race T-shirt and participation race medal will be given to each registered participant. Race awards will be given in several age categories. All funds go to the DeKalb County Police Athletic League 501c (3) non-profit organization and 100% of the profits from the event will go to funding PAL’s youth mentoring program aimed at…

Rockdale Clerk of Superior and State Courts Janice Morris organized a successful Breast Cancer Awareness event that united county employees for a deserving cause. The Walk A Mile in Their Shoes breast cancer event took place on Oct. 18, 2023 at the Rockdale County Courthouse. The courthouse staff and county employees dressed in their pink attire and walked a mile during their lunch hour to celebrate those who are fighting breast cancer and survivors. “Everyone has been impacted by breast cancer in some capacity,” said Morris. “We’re encouraging everyone to get their yearly mammogram, and if you feel something say…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUTY, GA–The No. 3 Cedar Grove Saints play one of several key region matchups this weekend for DeKalb football programs as they host the No. 7 ranked Sandy Creek Patriots in a rematch of the controversial 2022 Class 3A state title game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Hallford Stadium. Cedar Grove (3-5, 1-0) had beaten Sandy Creek (6-2, 1-0) 49-34 in the 2022 regular season to win the Region 5-3A title, but a hard-fought defensive battle came down to the end in the Class 3A state title game at Georgia State’s…

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case of a Clarkston man accused of shooting and killing a woman inside a Stone Mountain hotel room.  On Thursday, a jury found Faruk Fadesire, 26, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from an incident on October 24, 2020.    According to the investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded around 6:30 p.m. to a report of a person shot at the Scottish Inn on Memorial Drive. …

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced the 4th Annual Small Business Summit, a premier event designed to support and empower local entrepreneurs. The summit will take place on Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Atlanta Gas Light Regional Business Center, located at 2505 Brannen Rd. SE, Atlanta, 30316.   This annual event provides small business owners with invaluable insights, resources and networking opportunities. The summit will feature three informative panels, each focusing on key areas of interest for small businesses. Topics include iSupplier opportunities, LSBE Program and certification, business incentives, tax credits, opportunity zones, loan programs…

Atlanta, GA – Today, the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) announced that it received federal approval to replace electronically stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for recipients who are victims of card skimming, card cloning, and other similar fraud. “Our team worked quickly to develop and implement a SNAP benefit replacement process to provide much needed relief to Georgians who have been defrauded by bad actors,” said DHS Commissioner Candice Broce. “As we begin to receive and review benefit replacement requests, we will continue to educate our clients on best practices to protect their…