Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Heritage High School Principal LaTonya Richards has named Ryan Andrews as the new head varsity football coach for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Coach Andrews is no stranger to leading a football team.  In 2013, Andrews took over as head coach at Banneker High School. Under his leadership, Banneker made the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Eight of 12 seniors signed college scholarships from that team. In 2014, Andrews went to Marietta High School, where he coached cornerbacks, and in 2015, Andrews became the head coach at Shiloh High School. In his four years as…

DECATUR, GA– A Decatur man charged in a string of unsolved rape cases in DeKalb County has pleaded guilty to the crimes. Dionte Mapp, 39, pleaded guilty as indicted to Kidnapping (three counts), Rape (three counts), Aggravated Sodomy (two counts), and Aggravated Assault (two counts) in connection with sexual assault crimes against three women dating back to 2006 and the violent assault of a fourth woman in 2015 that led to a break in the previous cases. June 28, 2006 A 17-year-old female met the offender near her South DeKalb home and agreed to go on a date later…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County is launching Opening Doors to Recovery (ODR), an intensive care management program designed to reduce repeated psychiatric hospitalizations of the mentally ill who have been incarcerated. Championed by Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams, the Rockdale program is the first county in Georgia to launch ODR. Under the new program, funded by a grant from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, mentally ill inmates who have been released from jail back into the community will receive wrap-around services to help them succeed and stay on track. ODR will provide the individuals a team…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is now accepting applications for numerous summer employment opportunities such as pool managers, food monitors, camp counselors, recreation assistants and bus drivers.  Applicants must be ages 18 or older to apply for recreation positions. All applicants selected will be required to successfully complete a drug and alcohol screening and criminal background check prior to employment.  To view available positions or complete an application, Employment Opportunities |DeKalb County GA, select Click to View DeKalb County Opportunities.  For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host several Easter Egg Hunt events at various recreation centers on April 16.  All events are free and will include face painting, games, and giveaways. Saturday, April 16  ·       Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur,2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Adult Easter egg hunt will also be included) ·       Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340-B McConnell Drive, Decatur, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ·       N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. ·       Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia, 12 p.m. – 4…

STONECREST, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host a hiking stick workshop on Saturday, March 26, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center,3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA. Participants ages 13 and up are encouraged to join Ranger Rick for a hands-on workshop to learn how to carve their very own hiking stick to use on the next adventure to the preserve. All tools and materials will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at 404-371-3643 or…

DECATUR, GA– The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will host a job fair on Thursday, March 17, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center. DJJ is currently recruiting for juvenile correctional officers, detention counselors, teachers, mental health providers, food service workers, housekeepers, and general support staff. Individuals interested in applying are asked to bring their valid driver’s license and proof of a high school diploma or GED. A special military salary incentive of up to 10 percent will be available for the juvenile correctional officer positions based on years of active duty. Contact the…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is partnering with the City of Decatur to host the popular Touch-a-Truck Event in the North Lot at East Lake rail station on Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents are invited to bring the kids out to to see, touch, and explore their favorite trucks or heavy equipment on wheels. The event is returning after a two-year hiatus due to COVID and will feature City of Decatur and DeKalb County fire trucks, dump trucks, tractors, police cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. MARTA will have a New Flyer electric…

CONYERS, GA—Isabella Powell, a junior at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST) in Rockdale County Public Schools, has successfully completed the rigorous NatStuCo Student Leaders Program. Powell has earned certification and  recognition as a National Student Council Distinguished Student Leader. She is one of approximately 800 students in the nation to achieve the recognition. “Throughout the process of completing my portfolio, I learned so much about myself as a leader. I would encourage younger students to find a way to make a difference,” said Powell. “The project I’m proudest of is The Morning Daily Watch, which was…

STONECREST, GA—Kirby Frazier, a U.S. veteran who has a background in business administration, is running for mayor of the City of Stonecrest. Frazier, 58, filed qualifying papers on Wednesday, March 9. He is one of four candidates seeking to fill the unexpired term of Jason Lary, who resigned as mayor. The special election will be held on May 24. In a news release, the former paratrooper and sergeant stated that he was a member of the 1st Infantry, serving during the COLD War era, and the U.S. Army Europe and the Gulf War eras. As a service-connected disabled COLD…