Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson was recently reappointed to serve as National Association of Counties (NACo) Board Representative on the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Association) Board of Managers. Gov. Brian Kemp swore in the 2023-2024 Board of Managers during a luncheon at the ACCG Annual Conference at the Savannah Convention Center in Chatham County. “Elected by their peers each spring, the ACCG Board of Managers is a group of dynamic leaders that serve as decisionmakers on behalf of our organization,” said Executive Director Dave Wills. “I would like to congratulate our newly installed Board…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County will continue Thursday, May 11, with the Delano Line Park Rehabilitation Project. Crews will replace and realign approximately 1,990 linear feet of 12-inch-diamter and 120 linear feet of 8-inch-diameter gravity sewer pipe and rehabilitate 12 manholes. The repair project is expected to last six months (May to October 2023), barring any weather delays.   Normal construction hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected. KEMI Construction, working on behalf…

DECATUR,GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and Commissioner Michelle Long Spears will hold four public tours to review park improvements for Mason Mill Park, Deepdene Park, Briarlake Park and Frazier Rowe Park on May 17 and May 20. The community is invited to attend the meetings and provide input regarding the master plan update, SPLOST and upcoming improvements for the parks. Wednesday, May 17 ·      Mason Mill Park, 6 p.m., 1340- B McConnell Drive, Decatur Saturday, May 20 ·      Deepdene Park, 9:30 a.m., N. Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast, Atlanta ·      Briarlake Forest Park, 11:30…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Government will celebrate Mother’s Day 2023 with its monthly food distribution partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 boxes of 100 percent Georgia-grown fruits and vegetables, eggs, and chicken hindquarters on Saturday, May 6. “We are honoring all mothers and mother-figures as they are the backbone of this world,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “There is nothing like a mother’s love and we celebrate that today and always.” Additionally, residents will receive cookies, fruit juice boxes, cereal and jellybeans. On Saturday, May 6, beginning at 9 a.m., food distributions will be held at the following locations:…

DEKALB COUNY, GA—A– An attempt to get contraband to inmates at the DeKalb County Jail was averted on Wednesday, May 3, when a man standing outside the facility was caught literally “holding the bag,” near a rope dangling from a cell window. According to reports, a DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy confronted Mark Lumpkin, 58, as he stood near the building holding a black bag. When questioned, Lumpkin informed authorities that he had agreed to participate in a “drop” for a fee and was driven to the jail by a woman identified as LaToya Plunkett, 59, of Stone Mountain, Georgia. The…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Eighth-grade students at DeKalb Academy of Technology & Environment, Inc. (DATE Academy) put their entrepreneurial training to the test this week by pitching their businesses to a panel of “sharks.” The young students sought investors for an array of businesses that included food projects, sneakers, jewelry and trendy accessories. Some were successful in convincing the panel while others headed back to the drawing board to work on their plans. The morning event was filled with cheers and groans from the students and peers, who were in the audience.The presenters had prepared for their May 1 presentations over seven…

DECATUR, GA – In a program on May 4 at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, some 65 leaders of local faith-based institutions met to share prayers for peace and harmony within the community and in the lives of the DeKalb County Jail’s more than1,600 inmates. The event commemorated National Day of Prayer, an annual observance created in 1952 and signed into law in 1988. DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox, with agency Chaplain Pastor Quincy Lavelle Carswell II and 12 members of the jail’s chaplaincy program, welcomed a litany of prayers by Imam Furqam Muhammad, Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger, Father Robbie Cotta,…

Rockdale County Commissioner Sherri Washington is among the 2023 Spring graduates of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. The graduates include community and economic development professionals, elected officials, public servants, business leaders, educators, and engaged citizens from across Georgia. Created in 1993, the Academy assembles a cross-section of experts, research-based curriculum and resources necessary for building a vibrant economy. The Academy features a cornerstone program, The Essentials, a one-day program that provides attendees an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of the complexities of economic and community development on the local, regional, and state levels. Graduates of the program have…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Visions of the Minds, Inc. has awarded educational scholarships to three Heritage High School students in Rockdale County. Visions of the Minds is a youth mentoring program providing enrichment services in Rockdale and surrounding counties. To support its mission through education and entrepreneurship endeavors, the mentoring program added “The Love of Excellence Scholarship” in honor of itslate Vice President, Ms. Rikkila Christain. This scholarship awards a student or individual $500 toward educational funding or starting a new business. The following students were honored with scholarships for their hard work: Aleema Lewis was awarded $500 to help fund her…