Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The youths came dressed in their Sunday best—and their sneakers—to walk the Red Carpet. That’s how you roll when you’re attending the Sneaker Ball. About 150 youths turned out on Saturday, July 15, for the Stewart Foundation’s White Linen Sneaker Ball, which was held at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in South DeKalb. The Stewart Foundation, in partnership with DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson, presented the event. The Stewart Foundation’s Youth Leadership Program, open to youths ages 9-18, exposes youths to the tools, activities and communication skills they need to succeed, along with parental commitment. Youths who…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the DeKalb Board of Commissioners will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 20, 10 a.m., for the new East Central DeKalb Community and Senior Center, 4885 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. The energy-efficient 24,000-square-foot center contains a 75-foot by 30-foot indoor heated saltwater lap pool and a large exterior patio with furniture. Additionally, there is a large multipurpose dining room with a moveable partition wall and stage, a large commercial kitchen, lounge areas, library/reading room, a fitness room, aerobics/dance room, two large classrooms with a moveable partition wall, arts and crafts room,…

Stonecrest, GA – Mayor Jazzmin Cobble will host a SPLOST Talk Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, July 19, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. Join the mayor and City Engineer Hari Karikaran as they provide an overview of SPLOST I and have a discussion on upcoming SPLOST II.

CLARKSTON, GA—The inaugural Rowsom Sports City of Clarkston Summer Basketball Camp kicks off this week with basketball legend Dominique Wilkins, who will be a special guest. The four-day camp will be held July 18-21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Clarkston First Baptist Family Life Center. City officials say the camp will provide a fantastic opportunity for youths to improve their skills, have fun, and make lasting memories on the court. The City of Clarkston and Rowsom Sports have collaborated to create the unique summer sports program, which focuses on enhancing basketball skills and promotes youths’ social, emotional, mental,…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who attempted to commit a forgery at Piedmont Bank. The police department released a surveillance from the bank showing the suspect investigators are seeking. The suspect was wearing a tan baseball hat, glasses, and a gray sports coat. Police said the incident occurred on June 21. The man used a stolen identity and fraudulent passport in attempt to access the bank account of a Piedmont Bank customer at 5100 Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree Corners. Anyone who has any information to share in this…

CONYERS, GA– State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host an agriculture resource forum for constituents in House District 93, which includes DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. The forum will be held on Thursday, July 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the JP Carr Community Center in Conyers. Participants will learn about services provided by the federal Farm Service Agency, such as various safety net programs, commodity price support, disaster assistance and services to help farmers access capital. The guest speaker will be Arthur Tripp Jr., state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Georgia.…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to digitize records documenting the sale and purchase of enslaved persons in DeKalb County, Georgia. The goal of the project is to create an easily accessible online database, allowing users to search and explore these historical records. With the Clerk’s Office safeguarding property records dating back to 1838, Clerk DeBerry envisions that this undertaking will provide a valuable resource for individuals seeking to uncover their family heritage. Moreover, it will serve as a crucial tool for historians, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the ways in…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson on Thursday, July 13, began ride-a-longs with Code Enforcement County to ensure compliance with the county’s new Video Surveillance Ordinance, requiring gas and convenience stores and high-risk businesses to own and operate a video surveillance system. Code Enforcement is checking 248 gas and service stations in unincorporated DeKalb County to make sure the businesses have installed the mandated cameras. The ordinance went into effect on June 30, 2023, and all gas and service stations must comply prior to the renewal of their business license. “With the ongoing violence and crime DeKalb County is…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced the appointment of four new leaders by the Board of Education earlier this week. Officials said the new staff members bring unique experience and expertise to their respective positions, further enhancing DCSD’s commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities for its students. The new leaders will fill previously vacant district positions, the district’s new superintendent said. The start dates are still to be determined. “These exceptionally talented leaders join an already outstanding District leadership team. I am confident that together, we will swiftly and strategically work to enhance academic achievement and…