Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is participating in the Summer Food Service Program June 2 – July 22. Nutritious meals will be provided to eligible children ages 18 and under.  Many children who eat free or reduced-priced meals during the school year miss out on nutritious meals in the summer. The Summer Food Service Program was designed to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. The following sites have agreed to serve meals this year: Site Complete Site Address 1st Meal 2nd Meal…

BONAIRE, GA – On Tuesday, April 26, Gov. Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, other members of the Georgia General Assembly, and more, signed the largest income tax cut in state history into law (HB 1437). “Because of Governor Kemp and the General Assembly’s bold leadership, Georgia taxpayers will directly benefit from this historic tax cut,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “I applaud the Governor and my colleagues for working to deliver fiscally conservative policies while prioritizing the needs of our growing state.” “Today, we have enacted the largest income tax cut in state…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 27, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will be chairing the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet hearing titled: “Building Confidence in the Supreme Court Through Ethics and Recusal Reforms.” Members will consider the impact of the Supreme Court’s lack of a clearly applicable code of ethics and examine other reforms that could promote transparency and accountability for the highest court. Witnesses at the hearing: Gabe Roth, Executive Director of Fix the Court. Roth has extensive experience investigating and publicizing judicial conflicts of interest and the need for judges to recuse themselves.…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect for killing a young man and leaving his body in the bushes of a Stone Mountain residential community. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit located Aurion Johnson, 22, of Stone Mountain at a Brockett Road apartment in Clarkston, where he was arrested without incident today (April 26). Johnson was charged with the Malice Murder of David Hayman, 20, also of Stone Mountain. According to the arrest warrant, Johnson had an altercation with Hayman, who was walking to his home on Watson Bay on March 31. The warrant alleges that Johnson…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – At tonight’s virtual board called meeting, the DeKalb County Board of Education voted to approve a separation agreement with Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris effective immediately. Board members voted to name Dr. Vasanne Tinsley as the interim superintendent, citing its full confidence in  Tinsley’s ability to operate the day-to-day activities of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). Dr. Tinsley brings a wealth of experience to DCSD, formerly serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Student Support & Intervention in the district. “We appreciate Mrs. Cheryl Watson-Harris for her service to the DeKalb County School District and wish her the best…

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is recruiting for Driver Examiners statewide. These customer service-focused team members are responsible for evaluating applications for all classes of driver’s licenses, conducting testing and identifying potential identity theft or fraud. The salary for a Driver Examiner 1 begins at $30,000 with the potential for increases at six months, 12 months, and 18 months. In addition to a competitive salary, Driver Examiners have a host of benefits including: 12 paid holidays each year; health, dental/ life insurance and a student loan forgiveness program, among others. “Driver Examiners are an important asset to fulfill our…

ATLANTA – MARTA’s public art program, “Artbound,” announces the return of MARTA Jazz Mondays and unique spoken and musical performances from the Atlanta Opera Company Players and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre at rail stations in May and June.  MARTA Jazz Mondays, in partnership with the Atlanta Jazz Festival put on by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, feature live jazz performances from 4– 6 p.m. on the following dates: May 2 – College Park Justice Michael  Justice Michael | Musician (@justicemmusic) • Instagram photos and videos May 9 – Five Points Milkah  🧚🏽‍♀️ ☥ MILKAH ☥ 🧚🏽‍♀️ (@ankh_prana) • Instagram photos…

DECATUR, GA—W. Burrell Ellis, III of Stone Mountain, Georgia, has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to scouts, the Eagle Scout Award.  Ellis was recognized iduring a ceremony on Sunday, April 24, in downtown Decatur. A member of Troop 106, chartered at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, Ellis is one of approximately four percent of all Scouts who attain the Eagle rank.  An Eagle candidate must earn 21 merit badges, highlighting accomplishment in specific subject matter areas, and successfully complete a community-related service project. For his project, Ellis planned, developed and led a…

CONYERS, GA — The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library’s Friends of the Library will have a pre-opening sale on Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., during the Unidos Latino Association Citywide Community Health Fair in the Conyers- Rockdale Library parking lot. The event is the kickoff to the Friends’ grand opening book store sale, which will be held on May14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. After two years of being closed, the Friends Book Store will reopen its doors into the newly-renovated Computer Center just past the computer classroom. The book sale will include gently-used nonfiction textbooks, young…

DECATUR, GA – On April 19, Congressman Hank Johnson hosted his 2022 Congressional Art Competition in a virtual award’s ceremony on April 19. | TO WATCH AND VIEW THE ART, CLICK HERE | The competition recognized student artists from around the district and awarded four college scholarships totaling $35,000. Each year, the national competition calls upon high school students of all backgrounds and skillsets to submit their art for the chance to showcase their winning pieces in their congressional district as well as in the U.S. Capitol. Participating students win scholarships and other prizes. “Our event has been virtual for the past two…