Author: On Common Ground News

Pictured left to right: STS Vice President of Operations Suzanne Moon, Rebecca Hill, and Bill Hardman, past president and CEO of Southeast Tourism Society.   Georgia International Horse Park Assistant Director Rebecca Hillhas completed the three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College and earned certification as a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP). Hill has been an employee of the Georgia International Horse Park, owned and operated by the city of Conyers, for 16 years. She was named assistant director of the facility in 2018. Hill was among 62 STS Marketing College graduates who were announced at the STS Connections…

The DeKalb History Center will present “Hops at the History Center: Atlanta Beer: A Heady History of Brewing in the Hub of the South” featuring authors and beer enthusiasts Ron Smith and Mary Boyle.. The event, which includes beer sampling and a book signing, will be held on April 17, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur.  The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Smith has studied artisanal beer for over two decades, sampled local brews from across the U.S. and Europe and runs the Beer Guru Atlanta Blog. Co-host of several beer…

Rockdale County Government and the Rockdale County Public School Systems are partnering to host a community bonfire for high school juniors and seniors in Rockdale County. The bonfire will be held Friday, April 5, 6 to 9 p.m., at the field at 1400 Parker Road. County officials and community leaders will be on site to share in the festivities as well as provide information on the importance of civic engagement. Representatives from the Rockdale County Fire-Rescue and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will share opportunities in public safety with the youths.  Students of all ages are welcome, but those who…

Students at DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will not have to miss a school lunch during Spring Break 2019 thanks to School Nutrition Services. On April 1 and April 2, DCSD will offer daily hot lunch service, on-the-go breakfast and snacks, and other services to all DCSD children who can attend at Indian Creek Elementary and Snapfinger Elementary beginning at 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Additional resources will also be available at certain locations on specific dates. Menu items on April 1 will include BBQ chicken, squash casserole, sweet potatoes, and assorted beverages. On April 2, students can enjoy…

Constitutional Corner   By Rockdale Slow Down Driving through our School Zones! School zones are put in place to ensure the safety of children in and around schools. While class is in session, drivers are responsible for maintaining safety and awareness on the streets surrounding schools. All children should be able to walk or bike to and from class without fear of being hit by passing vehicles. As drivers, we must not be careless around school zones. We must respect every school zone speed limit and understand the traffic laws for these locations. We must follow them…

By Ariel J. Allen To begin my  “start-to-finish” design series I will make a plan for the client through moodboards and virtual design and track it through the design process into completion with photography of the transformed space. I want to take the On Common Ground News’ readers on a journey as we discover the needs, look and feel my clients desire and how the process goes from start to finish. My blog will hold the blow-by-blow details but, you can see the details of some of the colors, textures and heart that go into my designs…

The family of Shali Tilson is suing Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett and other Rockdale officials over the negligent death of Tilson, Attorney Mawuli Davis announced today (March 27). The 22-year-old mentally ill man died of severe dehydration while in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail on March 12, 2018, nine days after he was arrested on misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct, Davis said.  A year later, Rockdale officials maintain Tilson’s death is still under investigation. “The family cannot wait any longer for answers. This is our legal demand for accountability for those responsible for the tortuous and…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are partnering again with WorkSource DeKalb to launch the 2019 DeKalb Works Summer Youth Employment Program. Applications will open on April 1 for both internship seekers and worksites providers. The six-week program runs from June 3 through July 26. DeKalb residents ages 14 to 24 are invited to apply for the program at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/intern once the link goes live on April 1.Interns will be paid $10 per hour. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions about the internship program should be directed to Jermaine Hampton at jlhampton@dekalbcountyga.gov, or 404-687-3806. WorkSource DeKalb…

Rockdale County Commissioner Post 1 Sherri Washington will host an “Eggs and Issues” brunch on Saturday, April 6, 10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m., at Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green St. S.W., Conyers. Rockdale County School Board Chair and Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) President Katrina Young will be the special guest. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light breakfast, pastries, and refreshments served.

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School Athletics Miller Grove become just the fourth DeKalb County girls’ track team to win three consecutive DeKalb County Track and Field Championships title on Monday at Godfrey Stadium. A strong day on the track with three event wins and four runner-up finishes put the Lady Wolverines over the top with 127 points to 88.33 for Dunwoody in the final standings. Miller Grove joined Southwest DeKalb, Lithonia and Gordon with three consecutive wins. The Lady Wolverines took control of the meet by opening the track finals with a convincing win in the 4×100 meter relay…