Author: On Common Ground News

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Georgia broke records again in August – posting all-time highs in jobs and employment. Georgia added 20,800 jobs in August, pushing the total to 4.64 million jobs – a new record for the state. That number is up nearly 85,000 from the same time last year. Georgia had even more positive news in the August preliminary numbers. The state added to its labor force for the first time in six months and saw new unemployment claims fall. “August was the type of month I like to see for Georgia,” Butler said. “We…

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling has unveiled this year’s teams who are participating in the third annual Dancing with the DeKalb Stars, a domestic violence fundraiser and resource expo. The dance competition features nine teams, comprised of a dance professional and a notable member of DeKalb’s legal, public safety, business or civic community. This year’s participants are: David Moody, founder of Moody Construction, Inc.Paired with Brentney J., MAD, LLC DeKalb Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Paired with Tiffany Anderson, Dancers Unleashed Dr. Sandra Ford, executive director of DeKalb County Board of Health Paired with Grayling Walker, Dance…

The Friends of Salem Panola Library will host a community dialogue session on Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting will be held in the community meeting room of the Salem-Panola Library, 5317 Salem Road, Stonecrest. The meeting will give city of Stonecrest residents an opportunity to discuss several issues including what makes for thriving communities, sustainable employment, economic diversity, continued education, extracurricular activities and library programming. Attendees also will have a chance to speak with community leaders. “Meeting with people to listen and talk about quality of life issues is so important,” said Joyce Lindsey, president…

The Stonecrest Citizens Coalition, First Afrikan Church Community Action Team and South DeKalb Improvement Association Education Committee will host the Stonecrest Mayoral Race Debate on Monday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the First Afrikan Church, 5197 Salem Road, Stonecrest. For more information, contact the coalition at 770-484-1652 or email sccga0118@gmail.com.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston More than two-dozen elected prosecutors from across the country met in Atlanta on Sept. 17 with law enforcement leaders to discuss criminal justice reform and how to work together to address racial disparities, shrink the footprint of the justice system and build safer, healthier communities. The symposium focused on how to promote practical strategies and solutions that address longstanding issues around racial equity. The group also discussed a shared vision for justice in the 21st century and how reform-minded criminal justice leaders can support each other in advancing that vision, even in the…

Fieldstone Precinct to be relocated  The Rockdale County Board of Elections regular meeting scheduled has been rescheduled to Sept. 19, 4 p.m., 1261 Commercial Drive, S.W., Suite B, Conyers (drive around to the back of the building). The Board of Elections will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m., for the purpose of hearing public comments regarding the relocation of the Fieldstone Precinct to Chief Cornerstone Community Church, 2900 Salem Road. “If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to provide comments regarding this polling place change, please send your comments via email to me…

The family of Shali Tilson has released videos of Tilson’s final agonizing hours in jail leading up to his death. Tilson, 22, died of dehydration in the Rockdale County Jail on March 12, nine days after he was arrested for disorderly conduct due to a mental health crisis he was experiencing Attorney Mawuli Davis, who  is representing the Tilson family, said a whistle blower recently provided a copy of the video to the Davis Bozeman Law firm.  Davis said that while the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office has had the video in its possession for the last 16 months, it was…

Jordan Lane, between North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard, will be closed to through-traffic between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from Thursday, Sept. 19, to Thursday, Oct .31, to install a new water main. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area to advise motorists of traffic restrictions. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Department at 404-294-2878.

There is a new route that contains no hills for DeKalb County’s fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk. This year’s route, which still begins and ends at Northlake Mall and features a one-mile fun run, is easier because it has no hills. On Saturday, Oct. 19, DeKalb County, along with Susan G. Komen and Northlake Mall, will host the event at Northlake Mall, located at 4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE in Tucker, at 9 a.m. The early registration discount for the 5K and one-mile fun run/walk has been extended through Sept. 27 and is $5 for DeKalb County employees and…

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp is encouraging all qualified Georgians who want to serve in the U.S. Senate to submit their applications online. U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson announced his decision on Aug. 28 to resign from public office at the end of the year. There is no vacancy until Isakson’s formal resignation on Dec. 31, 2019. Under Ga. Const. Art. V, § II, Para. VIII and Ga. Code. Ann. § 21-2-542, the goveron will make a temporary appointment where such person will serve until a special election is held on Nov. 3, 2020. “To ensure an open and transparent appointment…