Author: On Common Ground News

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…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the National Take Back Initiative on Saturday, April 30, to provide a safe and convenient way to drop off unused and expired medications at various collection sites. Tablets, capsules, patches, and other forms of prescription drugs can be dropped off at police headquarters and its six precincts from 10:00am to 2:00pm for proper disposal. Liquids, syringes, sharps, and other drugs will not be accepted. To find a collection site, visitGwinnettPolice.com.

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is accepting applications for General Administrative Transfers and Georgia Special Needs Scholarship transfers Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 25. Georgia’s Public School Choice law allows residents of the city of Atlanta to attend a public school outside of their zoned APS school, if space is available. Students who live outside the district (non-residents) and want to attend an Atlanta Public School may do so if space is available. Non-resident students are required to pay tuition. The current tuition rates for non-resident students are: General Education: $10,347 Special Education: $15,198 plus costs for additional services based on individual needs Evening High School: $744…

CONYERS, GA–Damien Lane, a senior at Salem High School (SHS), was named the Atlanta Falcons’ “High School Man of the Year” for 2022. He was selected out of more than 500 nominations state-wide. This prestigious honor mirrors the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, recognizing football players who have exhibited excellence on and off the field and whose character and passion to impact lives extends beyond the game. Lane overcame great obstacles and a torn ACL injury to become an honor roll student with a 3.5+ GPA,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY—The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office said today that it has received several reports concerning a toy gun known as the “Splatter” gun and is warning parents to be aware of the dangers and consequences of their use. The battery-operated semi-automatic toy guns are posing serious safety concerns and   an increasing number of reports have come from the Rockdale County School District   Students are bringing the toy guns to school and putting students and staff at risk. Young people also are using the toy guns in TIK TOK challenges, a rising trend, the Sheriff’s Office said. The toy guns…

DECATUR, GA—Eddie Dubose, 56, of Lithonia, has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a female relative who was 13 years old. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on March 10 against Dubose on charges of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office stated. The charges against Dubose date back to August 2016 when the female victim was staying with her mother at Dubose’s Lithonia home for a family reunion. Dubose assaulted the victim while others in the house were asleep. Two days later, the victim disclosed the assault to her mother, who…