Author: On Common Ground News

An outpouring of prayers and support for Georgia Congressman John Lewis swept tv stations and social media after his office announced on Sunday that he is undergoing treatment for stage four pancreatic cancer. Among those supporters was Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and local U.S. Congressman Rep. Hank C. Johnson. “John Lewis is a national treasure and the embodiment of the spirit of Atlanta. He has spent his entire life on the front lines of the fight for equality, peace, and justice. As he now takes on his next fight, as a community of faith, we stand in agreement with…

Bennice Lovelace and her 8-year-old daughter received an outpouring of support from her church family, Voices of Faith Ministries, after the congregation learned that rats had destroyed all of her furniture at People Self Storage on Salem Road in Covington. Lovelace put her furniture in storage for six month after losing her home when her hours were cut at UPS, where she worked. When she got back on her feet, she found that her furniture was ruined while in storage. Three days before Christmas, congregation members at the church’s Stone Mountain and Conyers campuses showered Lovelace with an abundance…

DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson served more than 500 needy children this holiday season through his annual Tree of Love celebration, and honored community champions who are making a difference in the lives of others. Johnson’s program, in its 21styear, assists children in foster care, as well as low-income and single-parent households. Community residents and others buy Christmas presents for the families after picking their names from the Tree of Love. The gifts are presented to the families on the Saturday before Christmas during a holiday program that includes music, entertainment and greetings from elected officials. The program,…

Interested in becoming a firefighter with DeKalb County Fire Rescue? The next open application period begins Dec. 29. The hiring process with DeKalb County Fire Rescue consist of the following steps: Initial Application Demonstration of Aptitude – Candidates can demonstrate aptitude by providing any of the following: Currently licensed by National Registry orState of Georgia Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) or above Completion of an Associates Degree or higher from an accredited college or university Submitting standardized test scores, taken within 36 months of application, that meet the minimum scores accepted by DeKalb County Fire Rescue (see below) SAT: Verbal/Critical Reading – 430 and…

For the second consecutive year, DeKalb County government retirees and beneficiaries could receive a two-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). “After 14 years with no cost of living increases for DeKalb County retirees, we commend the CEO and the Board of Commissioners for recognizing this problem,” said Janice Henck, vice president of the DeKalb County Retired Employees Association. “We appreciate the funds being included for the second year in a row in the proposed 2020 budget.” Approximately 11,000 retirees and beneficiaries would benefit from the increase, which is included in DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed fiscal year 2020 budget submitted…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary will be sworn into office for his second term on Tuesday, Jan. 7. A meet-and-greet reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the swearing-in ceremony at 7 p.m., in the small chapel at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest. DeKalb County State Court Judge Ronald B. Ramsey will administer the oath of office. Remarks will be brought by New Birth’s senior pastor, Jamal Bryant; Union First Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Edward L. Randolph, Jr.; State Rep. Vernon Jones, District 91; and others. The community is invited to attend.

Lithonia Mayor-elect Shameka S. Reynolds and city council members-elect Darold P. Honore’ and Vanneriah Wynn will be sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m., at Lithonia Middle School, 2451 Randall Ave., Lithonia. Chief Judge Tunde Akinyele will administer the oaths of office. Reynolds moves up to the city’s top leadership position after serving on the City Council for eight years. She is the granddaughter of the late W.G. and Ammer Reynolds, founders of historic Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Lithonia, which she now owns and manages with her parents and brother. Reynolds, who will turn 44 on Jan. 30.…

Cameron McWhirter, historian, author and reporter for The Wall Street Journalwill keynote the DeKalb NAACP’s Jubilee Celebration on Jan. 1, 10 a.m., at Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur with Steven Dial, senior pastor.    McWhirter will discuss his book, “Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of BlackAmerica,” which examines the horrificsummer of 1919 when anti-black race riots broke out in more than 33 cities across the country. DeKalb NAACP President Teresa Hardy is encouraging the community to come out and support the celebration, which is intended to not only be a celebration but an…

Former State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler and 15 other women on New Year’s Day are launching a collection of heart-felt messages to inspire, encourage and empower a new generation of young women in the wake of a murdered Clark-Atlanta University student. The book, entitled “A Message to Our Daughters: Turning Trials into Triumphs,” was compiled by Dawkins-Haigler and will launch on Jan. 1 at www.amazon.com. “After the murder of Clark Atlanta University student Alexis Crawford at the hands of her roommate and the roommate’s boyfriend, we felt compelled to share our stories of faith, perseverance and the ability to overcome all…

The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a community meeting to review upcoming park improvements for Hairston Park, Stone Mountain. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m., at the DeKalb Watershed Management Building, 4572 Memorial Drive,Decatur. The meeting will take place in conference room A. Information will be provided on current park improvements and recreation projects. For . information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at 404-371-3643 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.