Author: On Common Ground News

By Terri Denison SBA Georgia District Office Director Since the start of the pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered more than $1.1 trillion in COVID-related relief to millions of entrepreneurs. The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is the remaining SBA relief program open to small business owners who still need assistance. The COVID EIDL program, which runs through Dec. 31, offers 30-year loans with fixed interest rates of 3.75 percent for small businesses, including sole proprietors and independent contractors, and 2.75 percent for nonprofits. Many businesses have been able to keep their doors open and retain…

STONECREST, GA—The City of Stonecrest will host its Second Annual Soulful Christmas Tree Lighting event on Dec. 11, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the parking lot of the former Sam’s Club, 2994 Turner Hill Road. Parks and Recreation Director Brandon Riley told the City Council during its work session meeting on Nov. 8 that there will be free entertainment, music, holiday treats and the lighting of the city’s tree.  He said the Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the event and plans to present performances by Step  Stewart’s Chocoletts who will be performing Motown Records’ greatest holiday…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA — Amazon and DeKalb County School District (DCSD) officials today announced that Amazon is funding computer science education and teacher professional development for 30 elementary schools in the district. The funding will impact more than 10,000 students from underserved communities and groups currently underrepresented in technology. DeKalb County School District is part of Amazon Future Engineer’s expansion to more than 6,000 schools, 1,000 of which are elementary schools. Amazon is working with BootUp PD, a nonprofit professional development provider specializing in elementary school education, to bring computer science to each school. BootUp PD’s professional development sessions adapt well to a virtual model and provide teachers with the tools they need to bring engaging…

DECATUR, GA—Antonio Taylor, 56, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend Aisha Dixon, 37, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced today (Nov. 8). Taylor was convicted by a jury on two counts of Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery. The incident occurred on the evening of April 28, 2019 at the Spring Valley Apartment complex on Misty Waters Drive in Decatur, where Taylor and the victim lived. Taylor returned from spending the weekend away and discovered that Dixon had another man over while he was gone. He…

STONECREST, GA—The Stonecrest City Council has decided to delay in-person meetings at City Hall.  The council unanimously approved an emergency extension to the city’s ordinance to continue virtual meetings through Jan. 24, 2022.  The council voted on the measure at a special-called meeting on Nov. 4. Mayor pro tem George Turner apologized for the change.  He said the council had previously announced that in-person meetings at City Hall would resume on Nov. 8. However, due to an uptick in DeKalb County’s COVID-19 cases, Turner said it would be best to wait until January 2022. Acting City Manager Janice…

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – DeKalb County School District(DCSD) officials will hold a press conference on Monday, Nov. 8, to announce the roll out of a comprehensive master plan outlining district-wide school and infrastructure improvements to be funded by the recently approved E-SPLOST (Education- Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). The news conference will be held on Monday, Nov. 8, 2:45 p.m. at DCSD’s Administrative and Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain, GA.   SPEAKERS:  DCSD Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris   DeKalb Board of Education Chair Vickie Turner  “As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and engagement, we continue…

Jan. 2, 1936 — Oct. 30, 2021 LITHONIA, GA–Barbara Ann Woods Lester, a former Lithonia City Council member, was laid to rest on Saturday, Nov. 6. Mrs. Lester, 85, passed away on Oct. 30 after a long illness. Lithonia Mayor Shameeka Reynolds, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and former DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis were among the dignitaries who attended the homegoing celebration for Mrs. Lester at the Willie Watkins Event Center in Lithonia. Ellis was among several speakers who provided reflections, as well as Mayor Reynolds, who presented a proclamation on behalf of the city of Lithonia. The Rev.…

Six DeKalb County teams are locked into the high school football state playoffs next Friday and Saturday after this past weekend’s action that included big wins by Southwest DeKalb, Lithonia and Chamblee to end the regular season. Southwest DeKalb secured the No. 2 seed out of Region 5-5A with a 66-0 rout of Northview on Friday night at Hallford Stadium as seven different players scored touchdowns. Billy Johnson ran for a pair of touchdowns and Wesley Brown scored twice on defense on a fumble return (21 yards) and a pick-six (36 yards). Sabian Campbell accounted for two touchdowns with…