Author: On Common Ground News

  A youth helps to repair a sidewalk during last year’s DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program. Officials say 400 youths will be hired for summer jobs through the 2019 DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program. More than 2,700 youths applied for the positions. The program, in its third year, has provided approximately 1,100 jobs for DeKalb residents ages 14-24. “We are pleased with the overwhelming response to this youth employment and empowerment program,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “In addition to receiving a paycheck, these youth are being introduced to job skills and a…

L-R: Al Franklin, the city’s Community and Cultural Affairs director and DeKalb Police Officer G.T. Karabeika By Sarita Mason Intern, On Common Ground News Authorities say police presence will be greater to direct traffic and monitor the 2019 Atlanta DeKalb Caribbean Festival, which will be held on May 25 at The Mall at Stonecrest. DeKalb police said during a community informational meeting on May 15 that they plan to have 98 police officers, 38 security officers and two code enforcement officers to ensure adequate coverage of the Memorial Day weekend event.  Last year, 70 officers worked the festival, which…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the alleged beating death of an Atlanta man. Warrants received in the sheriff’s office on May 12 accuse Jordan Thornton, 21, of punching Anthony Concepcion Allen, 23, in the head repeatedly, causing bleeding and swelling of the brain that ultimately led to Allen’s death. The incident took place on May 8 at a Hemingway Road residence in Stone Mountain. Thornton turned himself in to authorities at the DeKalb County Jail without incident on May 13.  He is charged with aggravated battery and murder.

Pictured: DeKalb Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson Abel Beyene, director and founding member of The Great Franchise Expo   DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is inviting entrepreneurs and others interested in becoming franchise owners to attend The Great American Franchise Expo featuring more than 120 top franchises, including national and emerging businesses and chains. Cochran-Johnson is partnering with the Great American Franchise Expo to present the event on May 18-19 at the Cobb Galleria. DeKalb County attendees are encouraged to visit the Super District 7 booth on Saturday, May 18, to receive resources and literature from local lending and service partners.…

Suspect Trevor Bohannon                                                                                                           Jose “JuJu” Salas Morales/Photo via Facebook Baby’s memorial event set for May 18 The charges against Trevor Chase Bohannon, 21, of Conyers, have been upgraded to murder after one of the two toddlers left in his care was pronounced deceased on Mother’s Day following a…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is inviting parents to learn more about summer day camp programs during an orientation on Thursday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. Summer day camp programs are offered for youths ages 5-15 and information sessions will be held at all recreation centers, except Redan Recreation Center. DeKalb County Recreation Centers ·       Browns Mill Recreation Center: 5101 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 ·       Exchange Recreation Center: 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30034 ·       Gresham Recreation Center: 3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 ·       Hamilton Recreation Center: 3263 Chapel Street, Scottdale,…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, in partnership with Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Jr. and the HOA Alliance, will host the annual DeKalb Home Owners Association (HOA) Boot Camp on June 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The event is designed to help HOAs around DeKalb network and learn best practices for managing and operating their HOAs. Constituents will enjoy a day filled with helpful information including their rights as homeowners and residents. Representatives from various agencies will be onsite to answer questions and provide information including BB&T, DeKalb…

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m., in the Bohan Auditorium, located in the Richardson Health Center at 445 Winn Way, Decatur.   The public is invited to attend. Agenda items for the meeting include: The approval of minutes from previous meetings Consideration and approval of the proposed Board of Health FY2020 Budget; The District Health Director’s Report Consideration of the transfer of unrestricted fund balance to the restricted fund balance (reserve) Consideration for use of unspent FY 2019 funds in support of FY 2010 CIP projects Contracts for…

Flat Rock Elementary School class photo, circa 1947-48. Courtesy of Flat Rock Archives Every Wednesday during the month of June, form 1 to 2 p.m., the DeKalb History Center will offer guided tours of “Deep Roots in DeKalb: the Flat Rock Story of Resilience,” an exhibit located in the DeKalb History Center, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Tours will be conducted in collaboration with Flat Rock Archives and led by Johnny Waits, the archives’ president and co-founder. A of the Flat Rock community, Waits will provide an insider perspective into the community he grew up in and discuss the…

The Rockdale Community Ambassadors is hosting its first “Trash Bash” cleanup on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The group is recruiting volunteers in the community to help clean up illegal signs and litter along the gateways to Rockdale County along I-20. Volunteers will meet at the Rockdale County Department of Transportation Office, 2570 Old Covington Highway S.W., Conyers. In the event of inclement weather, the cleanup will be held on Saturday, June 15. Rockdale County’s Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr., created the Rockdale Community Ambassadors as a volunteer board to help promote Rockdale in…