Author: On Common Ground News

Springfield Baptist Church in Rockdale County is inviting interested high school graduates to apply for its 2019 academic scholarships. Scholarships in the amount of $800 are available for students in Rockdale/Newton and surrounding counties. The deadline to apply is March 30. The following criteria must be met: Applicants must be accepted and enrolled as a full-time student at a two-year or four-year post-secondary institution. The student must have a current cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The student must have demonstrated spiritual leadership qualities and have documented community service experience. The student must be recommended by a teacher or staff…

This year, the historic Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 150-year anniversary with several events commemorating its milestone as one of DeKalb County’s oldest African American churches. The church will kick off its celebration on Sunday, March 24 with two worship services. Pastor James C. Ward, Antioch-Lithonia’s pastor, will preach at the 7:30 a.m. worship service. Pastor Michael Taylor, Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro, will preach at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Pastor Taylor, a native of Greenville, Mississippi, is the senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Jonesboro, the oldest African-American church in Clayton County. Pastor Ward…

Zoning Public Hearing:Tuesday, March 26, 9 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers   Voting Session:Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m.,  Assembly Hall , 901 Main Street, Conyers   Spring Recess:Board of Commissioners meetings scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 9are cancelled   Evening Work Session:Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m., Shoal Creek Elementary School, 1300 McWilliams Road, Conyers   Zoning Public Hearing:Tuesday, April 23, 9 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers   Voting Session:Tuesday, April 23,10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers

  The DeKalb Parks Citizen Advisory Board Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, 6 p.m. at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The meeting will take place on the first floor in room 111. Information will be provided on current park improvements and recreation projects. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, administrative coordinator, at 404-371-2927 or cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is seeking sites to participate in the Summer Food Service Program June 3 to July 19. The Summer Food Service Program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program that partners with agencies to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. To qualify as a site, 50 percent of children served must meet the income guidelines for free- and reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Children who are members of households that receive food stamp benefits or Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC) assistance automatically qualify.…

DeKalb County District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford, M.D. As part of American Diabetes Alert Day, the DeKalb County Board of Health is hosting a Diabetes Alert Day event on Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the T.O. Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way in Decatur. The event is free and open to the public. Activities will include a panel discussion, healthy snacks and testing to measure blood sugar. Individuals with pre-diabetes can learn about and enroll in the Prevent T2 program to avoid developing type 2 diabetes. “Everyone should be aware of their risk for…

Rockdale County Board of Assessors, 981 Milstead Ave., Conyers, is offering extended hours on Saturday, March 30, 8 a.m. – noon, Chairman Will Barkley announced the extended hours at the Boa. “With the deadline swiftly approaching, we want to ensure every effort to give taxpayers the opportunity to file for their Homestead Exemption,” Chairman Will Barkley said at today’s board meeting. The deadline for filing for Homestead Exemption is April 1. To be eligible for Homestead Exemption, you must own and reside in the property as your primary residence prior to Jan. 1 of the tax year. Upon filing, you…

Due to growing demand, Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson announces the relocation and expansion of marriage services in the Magistrate Court of DeKalb County. Beginning April 2, magistrates will be available to conduct wedding ceremonies at a new location, the DeKalb County Magistrate Court Criminal Division Building, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032, on the following schedule: Mondays No weddings performed Tuesdays-Fridays 4 – 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 1 – 4 p.m. “In addition to having a larger space for couples, their family and friends, relocating wedding services will allow judges to perform…

WorkSource DeKalb (WSD) and Georgia Piedmont Technical College have partnered to host Dislocated Worker Information Sessions for DeKalb County individuals who have been laid off. The sessions will take place 10 a.m. to noon at Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s Conference Center, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston on the following Wednesdays: April 10 May 29 June 12 June 26 During the sessions, residents can learn about training programs, funding assistance, and other services that are available to help individuals get back to work. Through successful completion of WIOA training programs, individuals have opportunities to enhance their skills and become more…

In celebration of National Procurement Month, DeKalb County is set to host its third annual Business Opportunity Reverse Trade Show and Procurement Summit. The free event is from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 28, at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department encourages current and prospective vendors and the general public to take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to do business with the county. Participants will have the chance to market their services directly to department representatives and talk with procurement staff.Mini-workshops will…