Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA– The Rockdale County Board of Education (BOE) was recently recognized by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) with the third Leading Edge Award, which highlights school districts that are leading the way in ensuring students are competitive in an ever-changing global market. The Rockdale County BOE was recognized for its innovative partnership with Kids’-Doc-On-Wheels (KDOW) for school-based telehealth and mobile medical services and was honored during the Georgia School Boards Association / Georgia School Superintendents Association Annual Conference, December 2-3, 2021. “We are honored to be recognized for the third consecutive year with the GSBA Leading Edge…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will offer a Winter Break Camp, Dec. 20 – 23, Dec. 27- 30 and Jan. 3 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost of the camp is $10 per day for children ages 5-12. Each participant must provide his or her own breakfast, lunch and snack. To register, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Online” button. Residents can also register in person at any of the locations listed below: Park staff will meet campers outside all recreation centers for curbside drop-off and pickup. Parents will not…

ATLANTA– As the holiday season kicks off, Georgia Power is inviting customers to show off their light displays and festive decorations on social media for a chance to win weekly prizes including home energy saving kits, and tickets to top Georgia holiday attractions and sporting events. The sweepstakes runs through Dec. 24, 2021.     Entering the sweepstakes* is easy:  Step 1: Follow Georgia Power on Instagram and “Like” Georgia Power on Facebook. Step 2:  Take a photo of how you are celebrating the holidays with festive decorations and lights at your home with friends and family. Step 3: Share your photo on Instagram…

Shooter leaves victim to die while hanging out at hookah bar   DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man accused of killing his cousin and later shooting a friend. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Dec. 3 against Jamal Rashad Kerns, 25, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the shooting death of Keschon Kerns,18, and the shooting of Malik Golar, now 24. The incident…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA) and Jamie Raskin (MD) re-introduced The Bivens Bill, legislation that allows citizens to recover damages for constitutional violations committed against them by federal law enforcement officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal prison officials. The lawmakers first introduced the Bivens Bill in 2020. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) introduced a companion in the Senate. The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Alex Padilla (CA), Ed Markey (MA), and Ron Wyden (OR). After the Civil War, Congress enacted…

LITHONIA, GA–The community engagement event to help shape the future of the historic Bruce Street School, DeKalb County’s first black school, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 12, 1-4 p.m. at 2449 Bruce Street. The meeting was moved to Sunday due to expected inclement weather on Saturday, Dec. 11. This event is the second in a series designed to gather community feedback and direct the historic preservation of the former school site. The event will be led by Martin Rickles Studio, an Atlanta-based interdisciplinary design studio, staff members from the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance and volunteers. Anyone interested…

STONECREST, GA—City officials said today that an interim director would be named to replace Brandon Riley, who has resigned as the city’s Parks and Recreation director, as the city reorganizes and creates a new Leisure Services Department. Riley’s last day with the city is Friday, Dec. 10. He will start a new managerial job on Dec. 13 with Operation Hope, a nonprofit that offers financial programming and coaching to empower and uplift communities. City officials said  the interim director, along with other department contacts, would be listed on the city’s web site for the public who may…