Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will host virtual open house events during October and November 2020 for the 2021-2022 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are encouraged to attend that program’s Virtual Open House. The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 13 through Dec. 11, 3 p.m. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone.  Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus and Rockdale Virtual…

DeKalb County Government will continue to fight hunger by hosting another food distribution event scheduled for this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 3, the county will host three drive-through food distribution events during which 2,500 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 3-pound package of beef, including salisbury steak, meatloaf, and country fried steak. The food will be given away for free. Beginning at 10 a.m., COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, at three locations: Buck Godfrey Stadium,2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College…

CONYERS–Excel Church, 1151 Flat Shoals Road, S.E., Conyers, will provide hundreds of families with free groceries on Saturday, Oct. 3, noon to 2 p.m. The church will practice social distancing by allowing those who need food to remain in their vehicles and open their trunks so that a volunteer can load the groceries. For more information, email info@excelchurch.tv.  

Congressman Hank Johnson, U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock, Senate Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff to greet supporters LITHONIA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is celebrating his birthday this year by giving away gifts, not receiving them. Hundreds of presents to be sure. On Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Johnson (a day after his birthday) will be distributing free Biden-Harris yard signs in Lithonia. The Fourth Congressional District Congressman also will have U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock and U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff on hand to greet voters and distribute their signs as well. Determined that it is a…

ATLANTA – Emory Healthcare and Emory University are partnering with the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI) StartUp Factory to offer a series of virtual panel discussions to the Stonecrest and South DeKalb communities during the month of October. Economic development and public health topics will be discussed by community and health care leaders. The series kicks off today (Oct. 1), 6 to 7:15 p.m. Mental Health Panel Discussion Moderator: DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson Panelists: Nadine Kaslow, PhD, professor and vice chair for Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Emory University in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and…

ATLANTA—Today, Sept. 30, Gov. Brian Kemp signed Executive Order 09.24.30.01, extending current COVID-19 restrictions and the public health state of emergency. The new Executive Order takes effect on Oct. 1 at 12:00 a.m. and runs through Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m., while the public health emergency is extended until Nov. 9, 2020. Under Executive Order 09.30.01, nearly all previous guidelines and restrictions pertaining to the state of Georgia’s COVID-19 pandemic response remain unchanged.  Minimum changes include: ▪ Following CDC guidance, workers at restaurants and bars may return to work once they have been symptom-free for 24 hours following a known…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been contacted this afternoon following the shooting of a murder suspect during an arrest attempt by the sheriff’s office Fugitive Unit, working with the U.S. Marshal’s Office. The officer-involved shooting took place at a Decatur condominium on Kensingwood Trace, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed.  There is a heavy police presence at the scene. Authorities said the suspect’s condition is unknown.  No further details were available.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Scott has denied a group of citizens’ quo warranto petition seeking to remove Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble from the Stonecrest City Council. In the ruling filed on Sept. 28, Judge Scott said Cobble should not forfeit her elected seat due to ambiguity in the city’s charter. “At most, Plaintiffs have shown the Charter is ambiguous as to whether Councilwoman Cobble has met the conditions for ‘forfeiture’ of her office under its provisions. Given the sweeping remedy of removing a sitting elected official, this Court will not remove an elected official based on what is…

The Rockdale County Communications Center is hiring E911 operators. For more information about the job, click this link: https://vimeo.com/380072773 If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please contact Claudette Rancifer in Talent Management at Claudette.Rancifer@RockdaleCountyGA.gov or at 770-278-7582.

The Stone Mountain Action Coalition will host a community prayer on Oct. 6 at the Marriott Evergreen Hotel at Stone Mountain Park. In a news release, the Coalition stated: “The gathering of diverse faith leaders, community activists, citizens and those who are concerned will pray for everybody. This is a humble gathering in which we pray for guidance, healing and softened hearts. We are praying for all people who love this community space. We are praying for our park and peace. We pray for everyone on every side of this issue. We pray for healing, transformation and progress.” The Coalition’s…