Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners gave the green light to several new items earlier this week. Here are some highlights: Improvements to swimming pools and aquatic centers underway Big upgrades and repairs will take place at Lenora Park Pool, Collins Hill Park Aquatic Center and Mountain Park Aquatic Center. The improvements include the removal and replacement of tile, plaster and pool shell expansion joints at the indoor competition pools at Collins Hill Park and Mountain Park. Lenora Park Pool will undergo the removal and replacement of perimeter pool deck joints. Repairs and replacements will make sure there…

DEKALB COUNTY– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host the Summer Food Service Program from June 5 – July 21. This ongoing effort ensures school children have nutritious meals during the summer and seeks participating program sites. To qualify as a site, 50 percent of children served must meet the income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Children who are members of households that receive food stamp benefits or Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC) assistance automatically qualify. Funding for the Summer Food Service Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) invites the best and the brightest to attend the RCPS Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the RCPS Board Room, 960 Pine Street NE, Conyers.Participants must pre-register by visitingwww.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair or by downloading the Career Fair Plus app on your smart phone. The school district is recruiting outstanding candidates for teaching positions in the 2023-2024 school year. All 22 RCPS schools will be represented and interviews will be held during the Teacher Job Fair. To pre-register and schedule an interview, please visit www.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair RCPS has 11 elementary schools, four…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the indictment of Douglas County Chairwoman Romona Jackson Jones, Douglas County Commissioner Henry Mitchell, Douglas County Tax Commissioner Greg Baker, former Purchasing Director Bill Peacock, and Anthony Knight, owner of S&A Express. The indictment relates to a contract awarded to S&A Express for professional janitorial services for the Douglas County Annex Building. All defendants are charged with Conspiracy in Restraint of Free and Open Competition in Transactions. “Those who work for the taxpayers of Georgia are expected to uphold high ethical standards and to perform their duties in an honest and…

WEST HELENA, AR—DeKalb County resident Amos King and his family members this weekend are celebrating the legacy of the late Elizabeth Cash Green, King’s great-grandmother, who is believed to be the last survivor of slavery in America. Green, who was born on June 2,1862, died in Helena, Arkansas on Feb. 20,1975 at the age of 112, King said. Although Wikipedia reports that Peter Mills (Oct 26, 1861-Sept 22, 1972) was the last known surviving American born into slavery, King and his family say the Helena (Arkansas) World newspaper chronicled Green’s 111th birthday, more than two years after Mills had already…

DECATUR, GA –– DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox announced the retirement today of Chief Deputy Randy Akies, who served the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years. Chief Deputy Temetris Atkins, a 34-year law enforcement veteran, has been appointed to fill the position. Sheriff Maddox appointed Chief Akies to the post when she took office in 2019. As Chief Deputy, Akies was the highest, non-elected official in law enforcement in the agency, responsible for the jail, field and court operations. Prior to his appointment, Chief Akies had been Major and Jail Services Commander, where he was responsible for DeKalb…

ATLANTA – The MARTA public art program, Artbound, welcomes four new members to its Council for the Arts. Created in 2017, the Council meets quarterly to provide perspective to MARTA’s public art programming, helping amplify the work of Artbound and advocate for public art and transit. “Council members are chosen based on their connection to the arts, equity, and their commitment to thriving communities,” said Art in Transit Director Katherine Dirga. “Each member brings their individual talents and unique viewpoints to the table, and I’m excited to work with these gifted community members.” MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood…

STONECREST, GA –A celebration of the life and legacy of Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. An international figure, purpose-driven philanthropist and celebrated civic leader, Mr. Dortch led a storied career that propelled him to leadership roles as a trustee at a number of the nation’s leading historically black colleges and universities(HBCUs) and chairman of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Dortch, 72, at the time of his passing, also held a number of local, national and global…