Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA— Gov. Brian P. Kemp on today(May 4)  signed SB 332, also known as the Inform Consumers Act, which prevents criminals from selling goods stolen from retail stores on any online marketplace platform. The legislation establishes financial and contact information requirements for high-volume sellers to online marketplaces and requires that such platforms establish an option for consumers to report suspicious activity. It also requires sellers to provide their contact information to consumers when their annual revenue on the marketplace exceeds $20,000. Sellers who do not comply will be prohibited from using the online marketplaces further, and the Attorney General is now…

DECATUR, GA.—DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is encouraging all elected officials, civic leaders, clergy and community members to join Pastor Quincy Lavelle Carswell II for The National Night of Prayer in DeKalb County. on Thursday, May 5, at 7 p.m., at The Covenant Church, 1700 Corey Boulevard Decatur, GA. The National Night of Prayer will bring together elected officials in solidarity and fellowship as they seek God’s divine wisdom. “The church plays a direct role in cultivating healthy communities,” said Pastor Carswell II, lead pastor of The Covenant Church. “The church has been at the core of community development and meeting…

COVINGTON, GA– State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will co-host the 2022 Mother’s Day “Brunch & Learn” on Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Founders Hall in Covington. To register for this free event, please click here. Rep. Carter is co-hosting this event with Newton County Commissioner Alana Sanders and Ashley Leyva, an Atlanta area realtor. Ms. Tracey Thurman, housing outreach coordinator for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, will serve as the special guest speaker. Participants will receive information on how to purchase a home in Georgia. This event will also include a discussion on financial planning, budgeting,…

The mission of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is “to ensure student success, leading to higher education, work, and life-long learning.” On Tuesday, April 26, the DeKalb Board of Education (BOE) by a vote of 4-1, voted to terminate the contract of our seventh School Superintendent in nearly 12 years. The question remains, does the actions of April 26 truly uphold the mission of the DCSD? For the past week there has been and will continue to be vigorous debate over the recent actions of the DeKalb BOE. As the DeKalb Pastors Christian Alliance (DPCA) we are not here…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb Human Services Department has scheduled a virtual public meeting for Wednesday, May 18, 10 a.m., to provide details regarding the 2022-2023 Human Services Grant application process. The Human Services Grant Program provides opportunities for community partnership with local organizations that can address identified service needs of DeKalb County residents. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to be awarded a grant utilizing county general fund and victim assistance funds. Agencies that receive victim assistance grant funds must meet the county’s eligibility criteria and be certified to provide victim assistance programming through the State…

DECATUR, GA – May of each year has been recognized as a time for law enforcement agencies throughout the county to pay tribute to fallen officers and their families.  In keeping with this honorable tradition, the DeKalb County Police Department acknowledges its fallen officers and their family members with the Fallen Officers’ Memorial Service. The service will take place on Monday, May 9, 10 a.m. at the DeKalb History Center (old courthouse courtyard), 101 East Court Square, Decatur, Ga., 30030. Chief Mirtha V. Ramos invites the community to join the police department as to honor all those who…

STOCKBRIDGE, GA– The Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort’s (AWARE’s) 5K Run/Walk fundraiser returns on May 7, taking place at Panola Mountain State Park. A virtual option is also available. Funds from the Night Owl 5K go to support AWARE’s work with native wildlife rehabilitation, conservation and education throughout the year. This event is sponsored by the Rebecca Kay Sapp Law Firm. Event prizes include medals for the top three finishers in each time group, as well as T-shirts and goodie bags for participants. “There’s no other event where you can walk, jog, or run through a Piedmont forest with…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Be Someone Inc., the Stone Mountain-based youth development organization that has taught more than 88,000 young people how to make the right moves in their lives by learning how to play chess, has been named to the lineup of virtual summer camps offered by DeKalb County. Registration is now open for the eight-week “Chess for Success” program, which will be held every Saturday from 11a.m. to 12 noon., June 4—July 23. Classes are designed for ages 8 – 18 and are free. Be Someone’s founder, chief trainer and strategist, Orrin Hudson, who has traveled the world teaching his program,…

STONECREST, GA—THE Stonecrest Citizens Coalition will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Thursday, May 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.  at First Afrikan Church, 5197 Salem Road, Stonecrest. Andrew Wells, vice president of the Stonecrest Citizens Coalition, will serve as moderator. There are four candidates in the race and listed in alphabetical order: Dr. Diane Adoma Jazzmin Cobble Kirby Frazier Dr. Charles Hill Face masks are required at the forum.