Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Georgia Power is celebrating community service and holiday cheer again this year with its annual “Light Up the Holidays” contest. This year, the company wants to see how Georgia is lighting up the holidays, either through a holiday display or through acts of community service. Now through Dec. 26, Georgians 18 years of age or older are invited to enter Georgia Power’s Light Up the Holidays Contest on Facebook. It’s easy: Follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gerogiapower) Post an original photograph that creatively captures how you are “lighting up the holidays,” either through a holiday display OR through acts…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Robert Patrick and the Board of Commissioners have partnered with tthe DeKalb Library Foundation to continue funding the  DeKalb County Public Library (DCPL) program that is assisting families who don’t have home internet service. The library system’s “Take Back the Internet Initiative,” a free mobile hotspot lending program, began in 2017 with 75 mobile devices at five library branches. . Since the pandemic, the demand for wireless hotspots has increased significantly. Thanks to funding from the DeKalb Library Foundation (DLF), the program was able to expand across all 23 library branches with 300 mobile units now in…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host a virtual “Radon Webinar”  on Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Webinar attendees will receive a free radon in air test kit. Registration is required. Registration for class can be found at https://bit.ly/DekalbRadon2022 Many Georgians spend these cold months huddled inside waiting for a warmer spring. This makes it even more important to test our homes for radon, a colorless, odorless gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. In DeKalb County, about 18.9 percent of homes have elevated levels of the naturally radioactive gas radon. Over…

ATLANTA—Atlanta Public Schools is one of 12 school districts in Georgia , and the only district in metro Atlanta, selected by the Georgia Department of Education to participate in the pilot of a new teacher evaluation system intended to emphasize growth and elevate the teaching profession. APS and 11 other participating districts will pilot the Georgia Leadership and Educator Acceleration and Development System (GaLEADS). This comprehensive educator evaluation system will allow teachers to improve their craft, share strengths, and be recognized for contributions to the profession. In addition, GaLEADS is designed to inform effective instructional practices, promote personalized professional development,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools’ (RCPS) graduation rate for the 2022 five-year cohort increased for the third consecutive year, according to the Georgia Department of Education. RCPS’ five-year graduation rate increased to 87.21 percent, up from 86.12 percent last year. This is above the state’s five-year graduation rate of 85.85 percent for the Class of 2022. The RCPS graduation rate for the four-year cohort, reported in October, was down slightly to 81.24 percent. This means more than four out of five RCPS students are graduating on time and nearly nine out of 10 are graduating within five years, officials…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– On Nov. 21, a portion of the northbound lane along Briarcliff Road, near North Druid Hills Road, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while crews work to replace a broken manhole cover. The construction work requires a lane closure at the intersection of Briarcliff Road Northeast and North Druid Hills Road. Motorists should expect delays stemming from the lane closure. Lane closure signs and traffic flaggers will assist motorists in moving safely around the lane closure. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to motorists. The DeKalb County Department of…

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series has cancelled its Georgia Senate runoff debate scheduled to air live on Georgia Public Broadcasting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21. The decision was made after neither Sen. Raphael Warnock nor Herschel Walker committed to debate before the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Public Broadcasting’s production deadline. “The Atlanta Press Club believes debating is an important part of any election as a way to help voters contrast where the candidates stand on issues important to them,” said Ken Foskett, Atlanta Press Club board chair. “We are disappointed neither candidate confirmed participation in the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Angelo Lenon received three life sentences on Nov. 15 for his role in an armed robbery and shootout that left three people dead in 2019. Jurors returned guilty verdicts against Lenon, 25, on two counts of Malice Murder, three counts of Felony Murder, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, two counts of Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer, and Possession of a Firearm, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office. During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the shooting deaths of 23-year-old Daishone Flagg, 23, and  Jeremie Tyson, 26. A co-conspirator, Andrew…

ATLANTA—Stonecrest City Councilwoman-Elect Alecia Washington was sworn into office today (Nov. 17) at 3 p.m. by U.S. Federal Judge Eleanor Ross at the United States Courthouse in the Richard Russell Federal Building in Atlanta. Washington won the election on Nov. 8 for the District 3 City Council Seat to fill the unexpired term of then-Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble, who vacated the seat to run for Stonecrest Mayor. Councilwoman Washington wanted to be sworn in by Judge Ross, who was the first African-American woman to serve on the federal court as a judge on the Northern District Court of Georgia. Judge Ross was…

ATLANTA – Georgia is mourning the loss of David Ralston, long-time Speaker of Georgia’s House of Representatives, who passed away from an extended illness.  The death of Speaker Ralston, (R-Blue Ridge), comes just 12 days following his announcement that he would not seek nomination for another term as Speaker, citing a “health challenge.”  Ralston was 68. Ralston had announced on Nov. 4 that he planned to serve the remainder of his term as Speaker, which ends in January 2023, and his term as state representative for the 2023-2024 legislative term. He ran unopposed for re-election on Nov. 8. “Serving as…