Author: On Common Ground News

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA  — Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, “Master Motivator Teacher and Mentor,”, will hold his annual Spring Break Leadership Chess Camp April 4-8 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The five-day leadership camp will be from 9 a.m. to noon. with early drop-off and late pickup available. Hudson will use his signature chess skills and abilities as he offers information, insight and advice on the importance of making every move in life count. Hudson has trained more than 88,000 students and his goal is to reach 1 million youngsters as he continues to train new teachers/motivators to spread the positive life…

DECATUR—DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host a Voter Registration Rally and Vaccination Clinic today at 5:30 p.m. The event is being held in celebration of Women’s History Month and will take place at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections Office parking lot, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. March is recognized as Women’s History Month to honor and celebrate women’s achievements.  The event will be hosted by radio personality Sasha the Diva. Participating organizations include the Divine 9 Greek Organizations, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, National Council of Negro Women, 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, DeKalb…

Atlanta, GA – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS), begins accepting applicants today (April 1). The federally funded program assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Georgians with cooling bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been expended. To qualify, a family’s income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County High School has been named a 2022 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School by Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods. The distinction is one that the  Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) has achieved for more than 12 consecutive years. Rockdale County Superintendent Terry Oatts applauded students and staff for the accomplishment. “I am extremely proud of the work of our students, teachers, administrators, and support staff for making this AP Honor School list in four different categories,” said Oatts.  “They understand the importance and the benefits of advanced learning opportunities which will be invaluable for the…

ATLANTA– Former DeKalb County CEO Lee May, pastor  of Transforming Faith Church, is partnering with United Mega Care and Clark Atlanta University(CAU) students to provide hygiene kits and essential items to the homeless on Saturday, April 2. Transforming Faith Church, located in DeKalb County, United MegaCare, a community organization founded by Bishop TD Jakes, and CAU students are teaming up to distribute 1,500 backpacks filled with hygiene kits, socks, beanies and ponchos to assist the homeless. The community outreach is in response to the pandemic that continues to disrupt lives locally and across the nation, said Pastor Lee. “Our…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a woman accused of killing a man in a hotel room following an argument over money. Jurors returned guilty verdicts Monday afternoon against Shauntae Taylor, 30, on charges of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of Miguel Munoz, 28. A housekeeper at the Courtyard by Marriott on Executive Drive in Brookhaven discovered victim’s body on the floor of a hotel room on Sept. 4, 2019. Munoz had been shot in the upper abdomen,…

ATLANTA – A warrant has been issued for Moronda Howard, 45, of Sugar Hill, for Insurance Fraud. Howard was charged in connection with a DeKalb County case. “The suspect submitted a claim with Liberty Mutual stating she was forced off the road by a transfer truck,” said Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King. “During the claims process, it was discovered that Ms. Howard gave the insurance company misleading information and a false police report number to support her claim.” Anyone with information on this case should call the Criminal Investigations Division’s warrant line at 404-463-6363. The warrants were issued…

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced a $5 million fine—the largest in the agency’s history—against Blue Cross Blue Shield. The action follows a months-long Market Conduction Examination into  violations of state laws and Agency rules and regulations by the insurance carrier. Blue Cross Blue Shield also may be subject to additional significant fines, if the carrier misses certain benchmarks in the corrective action plan agreed to between the Agency and the carrier. “As Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner, my number one priority is protecting Georgia consumers,” Commissioner King stated in a March 29 news release. King said he instructed staff…