Author: On Common Ground News

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist The DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Towers Titans track teams brought home seven gold medals while qualifying 10 (5 boys, 5 girls) for the Class 2A State Track Sectional B at Gordon Central High in Calhoun on Saturday, May 1. Towers Jamelia Simmons was on top of her game at the Region 6-2A Track and Field Championships bringing home four gold medals. Simmons won the 200-meter dash (25.97), 400-meter dash (58.49), long jump (17-03.50) and triple jump (36-06.00) to lead the way for the Lady Titans. Catherine Forbes captured three medals…

Two more Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) eighth grade students embarked on a life-changing journey as the district’s newest cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars – Stephens Boubert of Edwards Middle School and Alyssa Morrison of Memorial Middle School. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon completion of the REACH Georgia program and high school graduation. Each REACH Georgia Scholar, their parents, and administrators signed letters of commitment to the five-year program during a virtual ceremony held online March 26, 2021. RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts, RCPS Foundation board members, school leaders, counselors and academic coaches along with family…

ATLANTA – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) has sold its building located at 1382 Peachtree Street NE in Midtown Atlanta. The building, which was purchased in 2011, has grown considerably in value due to its location at the corner of 17th and Peachtree Streets, officials stated in a news release today (May 4). The building has been sold to Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, a global leader in the investment, development and management of high-quality rental housing properties headquartered in Charleston, SC. BBBSMA will immediately begin buildout on a new headquarters office at The MET Atlanta, an industrial…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Human Services Department will mark Older Americans Month this May with a variety of virtual programs, classes and entertainment. ” src=”cid:clip_image001.jpg” alt=”clip_image001.jpg” align=”left” hspace=”12″ v:shapes=”_x0000_s1026″ apple-inline=”yes” class=”Apple-web-attachment Apple-edge-to-edge-visual-media Singleton” style=”opacity: 1;”>Older Americans’ Month, a national celebration sponsored by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration on Community Living, commemorates the achievements and contributions of individuals 55 years and older within their communities. This year’s theme, “Communities of Strength,” recognizes how many seniors have become resilient and strengthen through the successes, failures, joys and difficulties of living.  This month is a celebration of…

CONYERS—The 2021 Walk of Heroes/Veterans War Memorial ceremony will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 11 a.m., at Black Shoals Park Memorial, 3001 Black Shoals Road. Organizers want people to mark their calendars and plan to attend. Last year’s program was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but those who are planning this year’s event are inviting the public to attend in person. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order on April 30 lifting most remaining COVID-19 restrictions on businesses while gatherings while “strongly encouraging” the public to continue wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.…

DECATUR – DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host “May Gardening” virtual classes for free. The “Herb Gardening” class will be held May 11, 6 to 7 p.m. The “Invasive Species” class will be held May 19, 6 to 7 p.m. The “Things that Bug Me Inside and Outside the home” class will be held May 25, 6 to 7 p.m. Registration is required. Register at https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b7OC9zuiTSvWTt4 or email yanyu.chen@uga.edu to register.  For more information, contact the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Office at 404-298-4080, or visit our website at https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/dekalb.html.

DECATUR, GA– Due to forecasted severe weather, the DeKalb County Board of Health  is making the following modifications to its hours of operations on Tuesday: All Offices and Health Centers:                                              Opening at 10:00 a.m., Closing at 2:00 p.m. Doraville MARTA COVID-19 Vaccination Site:                    CLOSED Stonecrest COVID-19 Vaccination Site:                                 Opening at Noon, Closing at 4:00 p.m. Greater Piney Grove Testing Site:                                          CLOSED (previously scheduled) The Stonecrest COVID-19 vaccination site will still accept individuals with or without appointments on Tuesday. Anyone who had a vaccination appointment at the Doraville MARTA vaccination site on Monday, may go to the…

DECATUR, GA– This summer, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are hosting the 2021 DeKalb Virtual Career Academy (DVCA), the county’s fifth annual summer jobs program, run by WorkSource DeKalb. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make it difficult for DeKalb County youth to find summer jobs and internships,” said Thurmond. “Again, this year, DeKalb County will fill this training and financial gap by offering our summer jobs program as a virtual career academy.” Applications will open on May 5, 9 a.m, and close on May 11, 5 p.m., for the five-week program, which runs from…

ATLANTA – In recognition of Older Americans Month, Attorney General Chris Carr is encouraging older consumers to protect themselves from fraudsters by becoming familiar with common scams and scam tactics. “We are proud to celebrate Older Americans Month and pay tribute to the achievements, sacrifices and innovations of our older Georgians,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We must also do all we can to protect those who are most vulnerable. As con artists invent new ways to perpetrate crimes, our office wants to take this time to urge all Georgians to avoid and report scams that target our older adult…

Approximately 8,000 customers impacted by outages, fallen trees, downed power lines   ATLANTA –As waves of severe weather continue to cross the state, Georgia Power crews are facing recurring damage from high winds, heavy rain, lightning and tornadoes that have led to fallen trees, damaged equipment and downed power lines. As of late afternoon, crews were in the field working to restore power to approximately 8,000 customers impacted by the storms. As crews work to assess damage and make repairs, they are finding broken poles, broken wire, damage caused by lightning strikes and limbs on lines. Crew have been forced…