Author: On Common Ground News

                                                                                      Dec. 6, 1930- Sept. 12, 2020 Family and friends will celebrate the life of Nesby Thomas, Jr., DeKalb County’s first black courtroom bailiff, on Saturday, Sept. 19. Mr. Thomas, who lived in Avondale Estates, passed away on Sept. 12. He was 89. Mr. Thomas was remembered by his son, prominent DeKalb County Attorney Dwight Thomas, who expressed…

The City of Stonecrest’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Youth Entrepreneurship Academy Sept. 26 through December. The academy will be facilitated by Dr. Shatrela Washington-Hubbard, who has owned multiple businesses, directed entrepreneurship programs and currently coaches entrepreneurs. Participants in the academy will attend virtual sessions in which they will receive live instruction and guidance on entrepreneurial concepts. They will learn how to support the development and growth of their business and they will have access to resources and mentors to assist in the process. Participants also will have opportunities to interact with youths who currently run their own…

Ayana Moore, a senior who is in the Class of 202 at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST), has successfully completed the rigorous NatStuCo Student Leaders Program. Earning national recognition as a National Student Council Distinguished Student Leader, Moore is one of more than 1,100 students in the nation to achieve this highly sought-after recognition. Moore said she was very excited to receive the recognition. “As a senior, this is a big accomplishment – to know that a national organization has recognized my work,” Moore said. I’m really thankful for Mrs. Powell for helping me along the way to…

ATLANTA –The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (LCCR) Under Law has awarded Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms the Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award in recognition of her equity-driven leadership to help guide and protect marginalized communities before and during one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history. Named in honor of legendary Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., LCCR’s Higginbotham Corporate Leadership Awards event is one of the largest gatherings in the civil rights and legal community. “Our Administration’s vision for One Atlanta – an affordable, resilient and equitable city—drives each and every decision we make,” said Bottoms.…

As part of DeKalb County’s 2020 Census efforts, DeKalb County is conducting onsite census registrations at three locations and will have a vehicle caravan traverse throughout south DeKalb. On Saturday, Sept. 19, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., residents can complete their census at the following locations and receive a census swag bag: Kroger Supermarket, 4919 Flat Shoals Pkwy., Decatur Kroger Supermarket, 2385 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Rd., Atlanta Social distancing guidelines will be followed and the wearing of masks is mandatory. DeKalb County continues to encourage residents to complete the 2020 Census. Currently,…

Due to the threat of inclement weather conditions from the remnants of Hurricane Sally, the DeKalb County Board of Health will close its COVID-19 testing locations on Thursday, Sept. 17. Anyone scheduled for an appointment on Thursday has been moved to Friday. COVID-19 testing is free and open to all individuals who wish to be tested. A driver’s license or identification card is not required, however registration in advance is strongly encouraged.  For current testing site hours of operation and online appointment scheduling for all DeKalb County Board of Health testing sites, visit dekalbhealth.net, or call the COVID-19 Call…

The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man who forced his way into the fenced backyard of a home in the Lullwater Road area on Sept. 7. The man walked to the garage port and then left the residence. The incident occurred around 3:40 a.m., police said. The man also is wanted for questioning in an automobile break-in that occurred on the same day, police said. Police released a video of the suspect. The video shows a black male with slim build who was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, black shoes and a…

STONECREST—Beginning Oct. 5, kids and their families can embark on a six-week journey, exploring the nature and history of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA) to earn a Junior Ranger Badge. The Junior Ranger Ramble program has been reimagined to feature an online, weekly series of videos and activities that bring kids and their families out of the house and into the natural world. A virtual swearing-in of the junior rangers will be held in mid-November. The free program introduces children of all ages to the historic and natural significance of the AMNHA, a 40,000-acre landscape located just outside…

STONECREST—City officials say approximately 1,400 people have received COVID-19 tests at the new drive-though testing site, which opened on Sept. 2. The DeKalb Board of Health partnered with the city to open the new site in the parking lot of the former Sam’s Club building at 2994 Turner Hill Road. The building is slated to become the new Stonecrest City Hall. The City Council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement(IGA) with the DeKalb Board of Health on Sept. 14 to operate the drive-through testing site through Dec. 11, 2020. Chief of Staff Iris Settle said the city is pleased with the…

The Conyers City Council is expected to consider six applications for liquor stores/licenses (three of them transfers to different managers at existing stores where they are already permitted) at the Sept. 16 City Council meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 1194 Scott St., Conyers. The council is expected to vote on a special use permit to establish a package store at the former Folks restaurant, 1081 Iris Drive S.E. The council voted to table a decision on the application at its Aug. 19 meeting after Councilmembers Connie Alsobrook and Valyncia Smith voiced…