Author: On Common Ground News

The mission of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is “to ensure student success, leading to higher education, work, and life-long learning.” On Tuesday, April 26, the DeKalb Board of Education (BOE) by a vote of 4-1, voted to terminate the contract of our seventh School Superintendent in nearly 12 years. The question remains, does the actions of April 26 truly uphold the mission of the DCSD? For the past week there has been and will continue to be vigorous debate over the recent actions of the DeKalb BOE. As the DeKalb Pastors Christian Alliance (DPCA) we are not here…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb Human Services Department has scheduled a virtual public meeting for Wednesday, May 18, 10 a.m., to provide details regarding the 2022-2023 Human Services Grant application process. The Human Services Grant Program provides opportunities for community partnership with local organizations that can address identified service needs of DeKalb County residents. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to be awarded a grant utilizing county general fund and victim assistance funds. Agencies that receive victim assistance grant funds must meet the county’s eligibility criteria and be certified to provide victim assistance programming through the State…

DECATUR, GA – May of each year has been recognized as a time for law enforcement agencies throughout the county to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families.  In keeping with this honorable tradition, the DeKalb County Police Department acknowledges its fallen officers and their family members with the Fallen Officers’ Memorial Service. The service will take place on Monday, May 9, 10 a.m. at the DeKalb History Center (old courthouse courtyard), 101 East Court Square, Decatur, Ga., 30030. Chief Mirtha V. Ramos invites the community to join the police department as to honor all those who…

STOCKBRIDGE, GA– The Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort’s (AWARE’s) 5K Run/Walk fundraiser returns on May 7, taking place at Panola Mountain State Park. A virtual option is also available. Funds from the Night Owl 5K go to support AWARE’s work with native wildlife rehabilitation, conservation and education throughout the year. This event is sponsored by the Rebecca Kay Sapp Law Firm. Event prizes include medals for the top three finishers in each time group, as well as T-shirts and goodie bags for participants. “There’s no other event where you can walk, jog, or run through a Piedmont forest with…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Be Someone Inc., the Stone Mountain-based youth development organization that has taught more than 88,000 young people how to make the right moves in their lives by learning how to play chess, has been named to the lineup of virtual summer camps offered by DeKalb County. Registration is now open for the eight-week “Chess for Success” program, which will be held every Saturday from 11a.m. to 12 noon., June 4—July 23. Classes are designed for ages 8 – 18 and are free. Be Someone’s founder, chief trainer and strategist, Orrin Hudson, who has traveled the world teaching his program,…

STONECREST, GA—THE Stonecrest Citizens Coalition will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Thursday, May 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.  at First Afrikan Church, 5197 Salem Road, Stonecrest. Andrew Wells, vice president of the Stonecrest Citizens Coalition, will serve as moderator. There are four candidates in the race and listed in alphabetical order: Dr. Diane Adoma Jazzmin Cobble Kirby Frazier Dr. Charles Hill Face masks are required at the forum.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Tired of the “systemic” violence plaguing South DeKalb gas stations, several community groups held a “Stop the Violence” rally on Saturday, April 30, at the Kroger parking lot located at Redan and S. Hairston roads. The anti-violence demonstration was held where two homicides occurred days part last December at the local BP and Chevron gas stations. The rally was organized by the Rockbridge Coalition, NAACP DeKalb, Greater Hidden Hills Civic Association and DeKalb Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “In 2021, DeKalb County hit a homicide record for the second year in a row,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “Our law…

***Work Session: Tuesday, May 3, 10 a.m. – MEETING CANCELLED** Link to the Agendas: https://rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-board-of-commissioners-meeting-agenda/ Voting Session: Tuesday, May 10, 10 a.m. – Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers Work Session – Capital Improvement Planning (CIP): Tuesday, May 10, 1 p.m. – Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers Work Session – Capital Improvement Planning (CIP): Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012 Work Session – Capital Improvement Planning (CIP): Thursday, May 12, 10 a.m. – Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers **Work Session: Tuesday, May 17,…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month, Congressman Hank Johnson has launched a website – COURTREFORMNOW.COM – to highlight his extensive portfolio to reform and modernize the federal courts and The Supreme Court. “The justice system of our country has worked well over the centuries, but today public approval and confidence in our judiciary is down to historically low numbers,” Johnson said. “The time has come for Congress to take action to build public confidence in our judiciary. That is why I have a comprehensive plan to reform our courts and restore justice, accountability and trust.” Visitors to the website COURTREFORMNOW.COM can learn more about the…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Five of the 30 Georgia NFL draftees for 2022 hailed from three DeKalb County Schools football programs including Cedar Grove (3), Towers (1) and McNair (1). Towers graduate Devonte Wyatt (6-3, 315) was the first from DeKalb taken as the Green Bay Packers tapped the Georgia defensive tackle with the 28th pick of the first round on Thursday. Wyatt became the seventh former DCSD player to be a first-round pick. He is just the third Towers alum to be drafting joining Da’Norris Searcy (2011, Buffalo, 4th round) and Jimmy Poulus (1974,…