Author: On Common Ground News

A Stone Mountain student’s Morehouse College debt is wiped out by billionaire, his older brother recovers from brain tumor  Front L-R: Brandis and Andrew Green pose with their parents, Andrew and Rachel Green, outside their home. Andrew, the Morehouse graduate, beams proudly. Right Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News: Mom Rachel Green poses with sons Andrew (left) and Brandis (right).  By Valerie J. Morgan Rachel Green knows the power of faith and power. The Stone Mountain resident says her family has witnessed two major blessings in the last six months and she gives all the glory to God. In May, Rachel…

Diocese of Atlanta to commemorate 400 years of African American History   ATLANTA –Bishop Robert C. Wright has asked Episcopal churches, schools and ministries of the Diocese of Atlanta to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619 by tolling their bells on Sunday, Aug. 25. Wright, whose diocese includes 118 worshiping communities in middle and north Georgia, said he is joining faith leaders from around the United States calling for a commemoration and remembrance of the landing of the first enslaved Africans by ringing bells on Aug. 25 at 3 p.m.…

Kingdom Stand Up gospel concert this Saturday The Kingdom Stand Up Gospel Concert is taking place Saturday, Aug. 24, 2 to 10 p.m., at the Voices of Faith Rockdale Campus, 1290 Sigman Road NW, Conyers. The family-friendly gospel event will offer guests a diverse lineup of gospel artists ranging from Gospel R&B, Gospel Rap/Hip Hop, Gospel Reggae and Gospel Soul. Food will be available for purchase on site. The lineup includes Koryn Hawthorne, Jekalyn Carr, Papa San, Canton Jones, Bizzle, Kelontae Gavin, Mr. Gallimore, Princess Rouche, Tasan. The outdoor concert will also include vendors and food. Tickets can be…

The DeKalb County Sanitation Division, in partnership with the Tire Management Unit of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, will host two Tire Amnesty Day events on Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.The events provide an opportunity for residents to dispose of car and light-duty truck tires, and will be held simultaneouslyat the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office parking lot, 4380Memorial Drive, Decatur, and the Seminole Road Landfill, 4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood. DeKalb County residents also will have an opportunity to dispose of small tires from wheelbarrows, golf carts and bicycles. Event participants will be limited to 10 whole…

Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful is hosting a free recycling event on Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. Rockdale residents and businesses are invited to bring items for paper shredding and a variety of electronics including computers, mobile devices, TVs, printers, game consoles and more. Participants must have proof of residency and are permitted to bring a maximum of four banker boxes of paper per vehicle. For the full list of accepted items, visit rockdalecountyga.gov. For more information, call 770-278-7052 or email kcrb@rockdalecountyga.gov.

DeKalb County District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon says the Metro South CID is continuing to partner with DeKalb County government to file court cases to fight blight. Gannon applauded the CID for its commitment to wipe out eyesores in the district during a recent meeting where she addressed the Conley Area Business Association. The Metro South CID is monitoring 22 properties cited for code violations.  The trouble spots include 11 parcels in Conley and several other parcels in the Moreland Avenue/Fleetwood Drive area. In addition to fighting blight, the CID is working with Keep DeKalb Beautiful to clean up…

In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Sept. 2– Labor Day observed. No sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Sept. 3 –Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Sept. 2, will be serviced on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Wednesday, Sept. 4 –Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Sept. 3, will be serviced on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Thursday, Sept. 5 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Sept. 4, will be serviced on Thursday,…

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) parents will have another opportunity to earn their General Education Diploma (GED) through a free program. DCSD’s Family IMPACT Hub, headed by the Department of Parent & Family Engagement, is partnering with local higher education institutions to continue offering a free GED program throughout the 2019-2020 school year. The program will begin with an information and orientation session on Saturday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m., at the DeKalb Early College Academy auditorium, located at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain. Attendance is mandatory for the GED Tutorial Class. Participants must also be a parent or guardian of…

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) recently began issuing new, more secure driver’s licenses and identification cards at its 67 customer service centers.  The cards have a modern design and feel with the most secure credentials the State of Georgia has ever issued. All previously issued Georgia licenses and ID cards will remain valid until expiration. At that time, customers will be issued a newly designed card whether visiting in-person or via the DDS 2 GO mobile app. The new cards are made of premium polycarbonate to reduce document forgery and protect against identity fraud. Perhaps the most dramatic…

Representatives from DeKalb County’s Department of Planning will begin presenting ideas and conceptual ideas this evening as a freeform workshop that looks at the future of the Memorial Drive corridor wraps up. The workshop was scheduled today,  Aug. 21, from 1 to 8 p.m., at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. Representatives from the county’s Department of Planning and Sustainability and POND consultant planning teamspent today working in real-time to develop conceptual ideas for the future of the corridor based on citizens’ feedback. Here’s what’s scheduled for the remainder of the session: 5–7 p.m., Open…