Author: On Common Ground News

Troop 1833’s U.S. Flag Drop Box is first location in East DeKalb County LITHONIA, GA—U.S. flags worn beyond repair have a new drop box where they may be officially retired, thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Darold Honore,’ III of Troop 1833. The drop box is the first in East DeKalb County to accept American Flags that are no longer in condition to be displayed. Honore’, 17, presented his community service project on Aug. 21 at Kelly Park, located across from Lithonia City Hall. The Lithonia resident built drop box for retired American Flags, which will be placed…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host “September Gardening” virtual classes for free. The September schedule is as follows:  “Seasonal Color,” Sept. 2, noon “Gardening on a Budget,” Sept. 7, noon “Testing for Water Quality,” Sept. 9, noon “Water Quality and Treatment,” Sept. 16, noon “Hot topics In and Outside the Garden,” Sept. 14, 6 p.m. and Sept. 23, noon. “Protecting your Landscape from Pesticides, Petroleum Products and Organic Chemicals,” Sept. 20, noon “Radon in Georgia: How to Prevent Radon Induced Lung Cancer,” Sept. 22 at noon. All classes are virtual via Zoom. Registration is required and can…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A big fourth quarter defensive stand helped the Columbia Eagles pick up their first win of season with an 18-13 victory over the Arabia Mountain Rams on Friday night at Avondale Stadium. The Sept 3 game marked the third week of action for high school football teams in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). The previously undefeated Rams (2-1) had struggled throughout much of the game with costly penalties and turnovers to fall behind the Eagles (1-1) in the early going. Arabia forced the Eagles to punt…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement regarding Labor Day: “We come to this second Labor Day of the ongoing pandemic having made great progress, and at the same time, acknowledging our continued losses. We honor the workers who, at great personal peril, have carried us this far. And we know that the dual project of defeating the coronavirus and rebuilding the economy is far from complete. “This Labor Day, we reflect on what it means to honor the sacrifices of millions of essential workers and their families. Both in terms…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr is cautioning Georgians who are planning a move to look out for fake change-of-address websites. “This is another example of a government imposter scheme where bad actors are trying to trick consumers into paying large fees for free or low-cost government services,” says Attorney General Carr. With the change-of-address scam, fraudsters have created websites that look very similar to the legitimate U.S. Postal Service (USPS) website.  Even more insidious, they have purchased ads on Google linking to their sites, which appear at the top of a search listing…

DECATUR, GA– In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 6, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised schedule as follows:  Monday, Sept. 6 – Labor Day observed. No sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Sept. 7 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Sept. 6, will be serviced on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Wednesday, Sept. 8 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Sept. 7, will be serviced on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Thursday, Sept. 9 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday,…

Students to temporarily learn online, pickup breakfast + lunch provided daily STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – DeKalb County School District announces the closing of Oak View Elementary School due to COVID-19. The school building will be closed effective Sept. 3, and reopen on Sept. 13. The school has had 18 students test positive for COVID-19, which has impacted more than 90 students and 13 staff members, who have had to quarantine and isolate. The grades impacted include pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 5th. No cases have been reported thus far in grades 3rd and 4th. Students will…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County School District (DCSD) said it will close Oak View Elementary for 10 days due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases at the school.   The school has had 18 students test positive for COVID-19. That number, however, has impacted over 90 students and 13 staff members who have had to quarantine and isolate, the school district said in a statement.  The grades impacted include pre-K, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and5..   No cases have been reported thus far in grades 3 and 4t. The school district said that it is closing Oak View “out of abundance…

General election ballot includes municipal elections and E-SPLOST DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections announced eight advance voting locations for the upcoming November general municipal and special election. The advance voting locations align with newly established state mandates as a result of SB202. Advance voting for the Nov. 2 election will take place Oct. 12-29, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Weekend advance voting days are Oct. 16 and Oct. 23 with available 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. “We are pleased to announce our advance voting locations as we continue to work to ensure elections are…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The victim in Wednesday’s  fatal hit-and-run  has been identified as 15-year-old Quartez Mender. The person responsible has yet to be identified, the DeKalb Police Department said in a statement today(Sept. 2) Mender was killed on Sept. 1 around 2 a.m. on Flat Shoals Parkway near Wellington Court. His family members said he snuck out of the house. Investigators say they believe he was struck while walking  near the entrance of Orchard Walk Apartments. The driver of the vehicle did not remain on the scene, police said. Family and friends held a candlelight vigil…