Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb families living with dementia and their caregivers are invited to attend a forum on April 24, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. The Human Services Department, in partnership with the Dementia Spotlight Foundation, is presenting the forum to gain firsthand knowledge about the community’s need for resources for people living with dementia. This event will conclude a series of dementia focus groups that have been held by the Human Services Department over the last two months in Decatur, North DeKalb and South DeKalb with a combined participation of 30 people.…

Join DeKalb County Commissioner , who represents the county’s super District 7, and the Stonecrest Citizens Coalition for a town hall meeting. The meeting will be held on April 25, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Stonecrest. Cochran-Johnson will discuss community issues and address residents’ questions and concerns. Representatives from DeKalb County’s Code Enforcement, Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, Watershed Management, Public Safety, MARTA, and Roads and Drainage also will attend the meeting.

Bring a sandwich, bring a friend, and enjoy some history. The DeKalb History Center announces the return of “High Noon History,” a walking tour highlighting the history of the downtown Decatur Square. Organizers say the 45-minute tour is perfect for anyone wanting to get a bit of history in during their lunch break. “High Noon History” tours will be held every Friday in May and will start at 12 p.m. The tour will begin on the south steps of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Reservations are not required.

DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host “Herbalicious-Herb Garden” as part of the 2019 Gardening in Georgia Series.  The class will be held on April 25, 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. During this class, attendees will learn practical tips for selecting, growing, harvesting, using and sharing herbs. The cost is $10 per person. To register, call the DeKalb County Extension Office at 404-298-4080, or email yc42298@uga.edu.

DeKalb County Solicitor-General  will discuss her office’s work as advocates for victims during the DeKalb Cultural Exchange, hosted by DeKalb County School Board Member Vickie Turner and Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner. The monthly breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 20, 9 to 11 a.m., at the House of Hope in Decatur. Coleman-Stribling was selected as keynote speaker to recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is nationally recognized during the week of April 7, but we have chosen to raise awareness about the rights of victims, as well as the services available to…

One DeKalb County School District (DCSD) senior has taken her love for science nationwide, earning $25,000 from one of the most prestigious science and math competitions in the United States. Lakeside High School senior Zoe Weiss was named a top 40 finalist in the annual Regeneron Science Talent Search. As a finalist—the first from Georgia since 2014 in the competition—Weiss will receive $25,000. Weiss was recognized for creating an algorithm to detect rare cell types from single-cell gene-expression data, which can help detect early disease diagnosis. In all cases that were examined, her algorithm was able to detect rare…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all students, teachers and parents to a day filled with strategy, tactics and deep thinking at Stone Mountain Middle School, 4301 Sarr Parkway in Tucker. The school will host the seventh annual DCSD Chess Club Fair on Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. until noon. The event will feature chess gameplay, door prizes, recognition, refreshments and special guest speakers. One special guest will be local nonprofit founder and public speaker Orrin Hudson. In 2001, Hudson founded Be Someone, an organization that uses chess to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and critical thinking among children in…

Rockdale Constitutional Corner By Ruth A. Wilson Clerk of Courts We, in the Clerk of Courts Office, take great pride in offering high quality customer service each and every day. That requires us to be good listeners, to keep a good sense of humor and a positive outlook. Some days are harder than others, but we always smile and offer to help no matter what the issue is: Need to find a Notorious Republican so I can have some papers witnessed Where do I file this Affidavid? Is that down there where you file your Plack? Is…

Six Rockdale County Public Schools seniors and a local humanitarian were honored for their community service accomplishments in Rockdale County at the 9thannual John K. Morgan Scholarship Reception hosted by the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families (RCCF) on March 21 at the Rockdale Career Academy. The recipient of the $4,000 John K. Morgan Scholarship was Faith Shamley, a senior at Heritage High School. Heritage High School senior Jazmyn Flakes was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Rockdale County and the remaining finalists were recipients of $500 scholarships. The 2019 F. William Hughey Community Service Award was…

State Court Judge Kiesha R. Storey will host the Spring Traffic Violators Impact Program (TVIP) presentation on Thursday, April 11, 5:30-7 p.m., in Courtroom A of the DeKalb County State Court Traffic Division, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur. Judge Storey hosts quarterly TVIP presentations to raise awareness of the dangers of risky driving behaviors for young drivers facing traffic citations. Teen and young adult drivers charged with offenses including, but not limited to, high speeding tickets, texting while driving, or causing an accident by violating the rules of the road, will gather to hear and watch stories of…