Author: On Common Ground News

Older ranch-style homes such as the one pictured are being crowded out by newer, high-priced homes. By Mackenzie N. Morgan DeKalb County District Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will hold a community forum to discuss the county’s changing communities and address pressing concerns in the district. The meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Stonecrest. “Many of the residents in District 7 have shared with me their concerns regarding the changing landscape of their neighborhoods,” said Cochran-Johnson. “As a fellow resident of the district, I understand their apprehensions…

Jamie Madden (left) accepted the Best Year-Round Programming Award on behalf of Panola Mountain State Park located in Stockbridge, GA. Archery is one of the many programs offered at the park. Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site managers were honored recently during a statewide conference held recently in Savannah. Panola Mountain State Park was among those lauded as an outstanding destination. Nearly 300 representatives from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and volunteers gathered for the event hosted by the Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. The group spent three days learning how to best…

Windell Davis-Boutté, a DeKalb County dermatologist who caused a bride-to-be to become permanently brain damaged while dancing and singing during a tummy tuck, has been ordered to pay $190,000 in consumer restitution after a slew of malpractice suits against her. Attorney General Chris Carr said that Boutte’ and the practices she owns—Premiere Dermatology & Surgery, LLC, Aesthetic Laser & Boutique, Inc. and Boutté Contour Surgery & Dermatology, P.C.—have entered into a consent judgment with the State of Georgia in response to allegations that they violated the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act by falsely representing Boutté’s medical certifications and failing…

State Rep. Karla Drenner and State Sen. Emanuel Jones Members of the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation, co-chaired by State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), will host a series of town hall meetings beginning in September to help the public become familiar with Senate Bill 7, which will be on the ballot in a special election in November. The meetings will include public hearings on SB 7, which would implement certain changes within the DeKalb County Board of Ethics. SB 7 was passed during the 2019 session and will require ratification by DeKalb voters…

DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department(DCFR) held a graduation on Aug. 14 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur for Fire Academy Class 112. DCFR presented Captain Fred Poole a plaque in honor of his son, Jackson Poole, who died tragically in a car crash earlier this year. Jackson was part of the 42 recruits in the graduating class. Graduates completed field orientation, which included approximately 40 weeks of fire and emergency medical training in addition to learning DeKalb County Government protocols.

OMG! Johnson Park is having a Splish Splash Emoji Party for kids on Friday, Sept. 6, 6 to 8 p.m. ,at Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. Pizza will be served after swimming. Admission for this event is $5 and is open to kids ages 5 to 12 with and without disabilities. Participants should bring a towel and change of clothes. Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, Sept. 4, 9 p.m.

Enjoy a family-fun evening with a movie in the park on Saturday, Aug. 31, 8 to 10 p.m., at Panola Mountain State Park, 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge. A family feature film will play on a jumbo screen while your family relaxes in the park. Bring a blanket and/or chairs. Concessions will be available for purchase from the Friends of Panola chapter. The fee to park is $5 per vehicle.

Johnson Park is welcoming all military veterans and first responders to a free day of play in honor of the 2019 National Day of Service on Wednesday, Sept, 11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. Veterans, active duty personnel and first respondersare invited to take a dip in the pool, play basketball or just explore the facility and its trails free of charge.

Get on the path to health and wellness by joining Ranger Doffice for a guided walk on Monday, Aug. 26, 8 to 10 a.m., at the Davidson -Arabia Mountain Nature Center, 787 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. Enjoy a fun and lively walk and meet new friends. Bring a water bottle.

Get your doggie dressed in their best swimsuit and snap a photo. Jack or Mimi might have a chance at winning a prize. Registration is underway for the DeKalb County Parks’ second annual Doggie Splash Paw-looza, set for Sept. 7. The event, which will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Midway Park Pool, 3181 Midway Road, Decatur, includes a swimsuit photo contest. Photos may be  submitted now until Sept. 5 via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag, #DeKalbPawlooza19. Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. In addition to the swimsuit contest, this year’s event…