Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA—State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host her sixth annual “Go Red for Women” event on Friday, Feb. 4, 12 – 2 p.m., at SeaQuest at the Mall at Stonecrest, 8020 Mall Pkwy. Participants may attend in person or virtually via Zoom by registering in advance here. “I have hosted this event every year as a way to show my appreciation to God for allowing me to live after my heart attack,” said Rep. Carter. “Since I have been fortunate enough to live, aside from hosting advocacy events, I also participate in various heart-related studies. I want to…

New shuttle service launches in Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton on March 1   ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is hosting a virtual workshop for “MARTA Reach,” a six-month pilot rideshare shuttle service designed to connect riders to-and-from MARTA bus and rail. The virtual workshop will be held Feb. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m. In partnership with Georgia Tech, MARTA Reach will test how on-demand shuttles can be used to make it easier and faster for customers to get to their destinations using MARTA and help minimize waiting and walking. “Exploring first- and last-mile connectivity options is important in…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) is implementing higher starting salaries for Police Officers and Protective Specialists, in addition to a three percent raise for all employees beginning in March 2022. Protective Specialist starting pay has been increased to $20 per hour from $15, and Reserve Officer pay has been increased to $30 per hour. In addition to annual salary increases, Police Officers will receive a two percent pay increase in July 2022 and a five percent increase in July 2023. “MARTA has an outstanding police force and it’s important we make salary and…

Georgia families looking for a Mother’s Day gift on the wild side can treat mom to two days of camping and paddling May 6-8 as Georgia River Network hosts a special adventure on the Yellow and Alcovy Rivers The statewide river advocacy organization has pegged this Mother’s Day weekend of camping and paddling as an adventure geared to families with special programs for youth throughout the event. “Georgia River Network loves getting families on rivers,” said Joe Cook, Paddle Georgia Coordinator. “Electronic devices don’t mix well with water, so parents and children alike are assured of each others’ undivided…

ATLANTA—Sen. Elena Parent (D – Atlanta) will host a collaborative virtual town hall on Monday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m., alongside Rep. Bee Nguyen (D – Atlanta), DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, and Atlanta Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari. As legislators share initiatives and updates on this year’s Legislative Session, participants are invited to ask questions and connect with neighbors via Zoom video conference. The video conference is open to the public online and questions may be submitted in advance at: https://bit.ly/Jan31-Questions. WHO: Sen. Elena Parent Rep. Bee Nguyen Commissioner Larry Johnson Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari WHAT: Collaborative Town Hall WHEN: Monday, Jan. 31, 6 p.m. WHERE: Registration for…

ATLANTA – Teens interested in learning more about the field of emergency management are encouraged to apply for s Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). The 2022 YPC application period is open now through March 6. FEMA’s YPC was formed in 2012 and is in its 10th year. The council brings together young leaders from across the country who want to strengthen preparedness in their communities and help FEMA build a culture of preparedness. Selected council members will have the opportunity to present their ideas to FEMA, grow their leadership skills, and support resilience in their communities through emergency preparedness projects. There will…

Participants will receive free admission to SeaQuest, $100 gift card   STONECREST, GA–DeKalb County District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Stonecrest Resorts principal and developer Vaughn Irons are sponsoring their second free COVID-19 vaccination event to include great incentives for DeKalb County residents. The COVID-19 vaccination event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium at the Mall at Stonecrest, 8020 Mall Pkwy., Suite #1000, Stonecrest, Ga. 30038. Individuals who receive a COVID-19 vaccine will get free, same-day admission to SeaQuest at Stonecrest, as well as a $100 gift card. Children…

DECATUR,GA–  On Tuesday, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson announced a joint town hall, in partnership with Commissioner Robert Patrick. All DeKalb County citizens who wish to meet the new officials in the DeKalb County Department of Voter Registration and Elections are encouraged to attend the virtual meeting. The virtual town hall meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 3,  6:30-7:30 p.m. The virtual meeting will be livestreamed on Commissioner Davis Johnson’s and Commissioner Patrick’s Facebook pages, along with live coverage from DCTV. “I am proud to cohost this town hall meeting with my colleague, Commissioner Patrick as we present…

LITHONIA, GA–Martha H. Calloway, longtime executive director of the City of Lithonia Housing Authority, has passed away. City officials said that Mrs. Calloway died on Saturday, Jan. 22. Funeral arrangements are still being made by her husband and family members, said Mayor Shameka Reynolds. “We will provide more information as it becomes available,” said Reynolds. ” The city and Housing Authority plan to have a memorial service to honor her memory in the near future.” Mrs. Calloway was a resident of Macon, Georgia.   Photo: Martha H. Calloway is pictured as the hostess of a high tea that she held for…

Story updated Jan. 26, 2022, 4:14 p.m. ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA –The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office has charged and arrested a teacher at Salem High School in Conyers with simple battery after a thorough investigation involving the assault of a 14-year-old male student. On Jan. 21, Marquette Thinn, 44, of Lawrenceville, was seen on video pushing a 14-year-old male student to the ground in a classroom filled with other students during a verbal altercation in which he cursed at the student. The student complained of wrist pain resulting from the assault by the male teacher. Thinn was a teacher in the…