Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA –Stonecrest Parks and Recreation and District 3 Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble have planned a day of family fun at Fairington Park from 4– 9 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 2, that also showcases a variety of local entrepreneurs. This event was rescheduled from September due to the forecast of inclement weather. The headlining attraction is the Screen on the Green showing of Toy Story 4 (PG) at dusk. An Entrepreneur Expo will surround the green and feature food trucks, pop-up food carts and tables, plus local artisans, and other vendors. It’s an opportunity for the community to learn…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and The Heart of South hosted the District # Block Party on Sept. 18 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Decatur. Residents brought their lawn chairs to enjoy the free event, which was sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.  Photographer Kelly Jordan captured the event, which showcased an array of local vendors, music, entertainment, prize  and agencies and county departments that provide a variety of community resources.

DECATUR, GA —DeKalb County government is ramping up a new public outreach campaign to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in the county to 60 percent. DeKalb recently hit its initial goal of 50 percent and is pushing for a new goal, officials announced today (Sept. 30). “We have surpassed our initial goal of 50 percent,” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said. “Now our new goal is to get 60 percent of our eligible population vaccinated by Dec. 1 of this year.”   Officials  rolled out the  “Get Vaxxed DeKalb campaign with Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid  . Transit  Authority(MARTA). A bus wrapped with special artwork promoting…

CONYERS, GA–Recognizing the increasingly competitive job market, Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is poised to increase wages for hundreds of classified personnel such as bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and school nutrition personnel. This is in addition to significant, across-the-board step and salary increases already implemented at the start of the 2021-2022 school year through an adjusted certified salary schedule and step increases for all employees. Effective Oct. 1, 2021, RCPS bus drivers and monitors, paraprofessionals and school nutrition personnel will see their salaries increase after Superintendent Terry Oatts directed the hikes in consultation with his Finance and Human Resources Divisions.…

STONECREST—DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Stonecrest Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble are hosting a food distribution event on Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 to 11 a.m., at Ousley United Methodist Church, 3261 Panola Road, Stonecrest. Those in need are invited to receive a food box. Boxes will be filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats will be provided while supplies last. Arrive early to secure your box.

DECATUR, GA—On Tuesday, Oct. 5, the DeKalb County Police Department will join community members and participate in the fall edition of National Night Out (NNO). Residents are asked to to turn on their front porch lights as a sign of unity. Celebrations will held in the following communities: East Precinct: Beacon Mountain Subdivision, 4 p.m., 4661 Lantern Ct., Lithonia Pepperwood Subdivision, 5 p.m., Pepperwood Lane, Stone Mountain Deer Creek Subdivision, 4 p.m., 690 Malvern Blvd, Stone Mountain South Precinct: Cove Lake Estates, 5:30 p.m., 1880 Cedar Grove Rd., Conley Tucker Precinct: Les Chateau, 5:30 p.m., 4113 Rue Antoinette, Stone Mountain San Souci,…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Health’s Doraville MARTA station vaccination site, located at 6000 New Peachtree Road, in Doraville, will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 2. The closure is necessary to provide additional staffing resources to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for the event at The Mall at Stonecrest, taking place from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The DeKalb County Board of Health, along with DeKalb County Government, DeKalb Fire Rescue, Emory Healthcare and MedCura Health are partnering for this event. Everyone will have a choice of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Additionally, those who are eligible and have completed their…

STONECREST, GA—Mayor Jason Lary is urging those who haven’t received their COVID-19 vaccination to get their shot this weekend in the city of Stonecrest. “The only way we’re going to defeat the pandemic is by getting vaccinated,” Lary said. DeKalb County, Emory Healthcare and DeKalb County Fire Rescue will administer voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone 12 years of age and older at the former Sears parking lot at The Mall at Stonecrest on Saturday, Oct. 2, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All persons receiving a vaccination also will receive a $100 prepaid debit card. Lary, a three-time cancer…