Author: On Common Ground News

Head to Gwinnett County’s ‘Shelter Pets Rock’ event on June 12  LAWRENCEVILLE, GA-Gwinnett County is hosting an event this weekend to seek forever homes for shelter pets. On Saturday, June 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement will host “Shelter Pets Rock” at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center, 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. “We’re excited to help people expand their family and save pets’ lives,” said Animal Welfare and Enforcement Manager Alan Davis. “Shelter animals make great pets with their companionship and unconditional love.” Officials said approximately 7,000 lost, stray and surrendered animals are…

Suspect test drove car and never returned   SNELLVILLE—The Gwinnett County Police Department is working to identify a man who stole a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria from ZAM’S Used Cars, 3393 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville. The incident occurred on May 27 shortly before 2 p.m. The man received the keys to test drive the car down the street and never returned, investigators said. The car had no registration tag. The male is described as a black male with dreadlocks, approximately 5’8” to 5’9” in height, heavy set with a gap between his front teeth Detectives are asking anyone with information that…

DECATUR, GA– Starting Monday, June 14, the DeKalb County Board of Health will modify hours of operation at its Doraville vaccination sites. The vaccination sites in Doraville and Stonecrest will operate on the following schedule:   Doraville MARTA Station Vaccination Site Stonecrest Vaccination Site (former Sam’s Club) Monday CLOSED 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. –…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson, a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, unveiled the list of five projects included in the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act. The INVEST Act is a five-year, $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill that is being marked up and voted out of the Transportation Committee (T&I) this week. Johnson’s projects will bring nearly $20 million in transportation improvements to Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District that will improve safety, equity, and help respond to the climate crisis by investing in transit…

Pictured left: Director Bettye Davis directs visitors at the Lou Walker Senior Center during a COVID-19 vaccination event on Jan. 13, 2021. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com   STONECREST, GA—DeKalb County’s Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road Stonecrest, has earned the distinction as a Nationally Accredited Senior Center of Excellence by the National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) offers the nation’s only National Senior Center Accreditation Program. There are nine standards of excellence that senior center operations must meet to obtain this accreditation and the Lou Walker Senior Center…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with DeKalb’s Roads and Drainage Division and the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library, has successfully installed two StoryWalks® and a story scavenger hunt located in the Mason Mill Park, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA, 30033. For DeKalb County families looking for socially distanced, self-guided activities, Mason Mill Park, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur  is a great place to start. The community can enjoy two StoryWalks® that will include picture books installed on signposts along popular walking routes throughout the park and engage in a story scavenger hunt…

Decatur resident Maurisia Stancil has created a lovely, peaceful oasis where she can relax. Her culinary container garden offers sunflowers, basil, thyme, rosemary and tomatoes—all the ingredients needed for a summer sunset dinner—just steps from the kitchen. Photo By Mackenzie N. Morgan

Redan High senior Justin Whitening leads the pack as academic and youth leadership standout  By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist Ten athletes and one coach in the DeKalb County School District have earned honors as Atlanta/DeKalb Regional Positive Athlete winners for the 2020-21 school year from the Georgia Branch of Positive Athlete. Positive Athlete recognizes athletes for overcoming adversity, giving back to their school and communities in significant ways and for their infectious positive attitudes that makes those around them better on and off the field. Athletes are nominated by their coaches, parents, teachers, family members and fans. The organization…