Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—This fall, Sinfo-Nia is making a comeback with exciting things on the horizon. Sinfo-Nia will beginning its school-year session with an open house on Saturday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2569 Tilson Road, Decatur. String students of all ages and expertise are invited to come with their instruments to sit in and play some music celebrating The Little Mermaid motion picture. Halle Bailey, who is featured as Ariel in the film, along with her sister, Chloe, sang with Sinfo-Nia for many years during their childhood. Sinfo-Nia’s student tuition rates have been reduced. In addition, Sinfo-Nia is…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Public Library has launched the Discover More card drive in an effort to sign up thousands of new library cardholders. The drive began on Friday, Sept. 1, and will run through the end of October. The Library will spotlight offerings for all life stages and interests. Some of these include programs to set the youngest patrons on a path to a lifelong love of reading; resources for entrepreneurs; and opportunities for learning and personal enrichment. Cardholders have access to eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, and streaming media for no cost or subscription fees. Chances for personal growth and community…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Former State House Minority Leader and former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Stacey Abrams, announced today that she is endorsing Commissioner Larry Johnson in the race to become DeKalb County’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “DeKalb County needs a progressive champion at the helm with proven experience and the vision to move DeKalb forward,” said Abrams. “Larry Johnson is that champion. In more than 20 years of service on the DeKalb County Commission, he has secured hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade DeKalb’s infrastructure, including a $25 million investment in senior housing, $8 million for the Intergenerational Center…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County Police detectives have arrested the woman wanted for a seemingly unprovoked stabbing. Keareah Mercedes Harris, 24, of Decatur was arrested overnight, police said today, Aug. 30. Harris was charged with  Aggravated Assault and Battery and taken to the Gwinnett County Jail. According to the investigation: On Sunday, Aug. 27, at approximately 11:10 p.m., officers assigned to West Precinct responded to 5535 Jimmy Carter Blvd in unincorporated Norcross in reference to a stabbing. Officers met with a victim who had a laceration to the side of his face. Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators were called to process the scene.…

ATLANTA –Hurricane Idalia entered Valdosta, designated as “Tree City, USA” by Georgia’s Forestry Commission, this morning and is making its way up the state wreaking havoc in its path. Heavy rain caused flash flooding and hurricane-force winds toppled trees damaging power poles and downing electric lines. Since the storm began impacting the state, Georgia Power has restored service to more than 40,000 customers. Currently as of 4:30 PM, 132,396 customers are without power. A small army of thousands of Georgia Power restoration crews, along with partner crews from Alabama Power and Mississippi Power, are in place in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia.…

STONECREST, GA — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) celebrated the groundbreaking of a new $12 million Regional Transportation Training Center that will be built at Georgia Piedmont Technical College(GPTC) in Georgia’s Fourth District in South DeKalb. More than 100 people, including DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, GPTC faculty staff and faculty, students, residents and representatives of all levels of government, attended the groundbreaking, which was held on Marbut Road. “The investments and efforts that are being put into bringing this project to fruition are a testament to what we can do when we put people over…

DECATUR, GA.— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will hold a Special Called Meeting for the purpose of hearing voter challenges on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at 4 p.m. which will be held at the DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections office, lt 4380 Memorial Drive, #300, Decatur. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font of 12 to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov. Comments must be received between 35 and 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of your email must include your first and last name.…