Author: On Common Ground News

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, as the nation watches Fair Fight Founder and Chair Stacey Abrams respond to the State of the Union, Fair Fight is hosting watch parties in Georgia and around the nation.

 Notable leaders are expected at some of the events.   Rep. Hank Johnson #AbramsAddress D.C. Watch Party 8:30 p.m. – 11p.m. Local 16
1602 U Street NW
Washington, D.C.   Rep. Park Cannon #AbramsAddress Atlanta Watch Party 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Noni’s
357 Edgewood Ave. SE, 
Atlanta Richmond County Democratic Party President Jordan Johnson
 #AbramsAddress Augusta Watch Party 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. 1101 Greene Street
, Augusta,…

Valentine’s Day is a perfect day for couples to say ‘I do’ or ‘I still do,’ and they can take the plunge or renew their vows Thursday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the historic Isaac Adair House, 15 S. Clayton St. in downtown Lawrenceville. The annual Valentine’s Day wedding and vow renewal event is co-hosted by Gwinnett Parks and Recreation along with Chief Magistrate Kristina Hammer Blum and Probate Court Judge Christopher Ballar, who will be performing the ceremonies. Couples who are getting married must obtain a valid marriage license prior to the ceremony and bring the…

DeKalb for Seniors, Inc. will host its 5th Annual Business and Community Expo. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. DeKalb For Seniors, Inc. is the nonprofit that serves as the fundraising and advocacy arm for the Lou Walker Senior Center, an award winning multi-purpose facility for seniors 55 and older. The center serves as a model for senior centers across the nation and serves over 3,000 members throughout the year. On a daily basis, approximately 300 seniors attend the center.…

The Kiwanis Lithonia-Stonecrest Foundation is hosting a community summit, “Follow the Money,” on Saturday, Feb. 9, 9 to 11:30 a.m., at the Lithonia Woman’s Club, 2564 Wiggins St., Lithonia. The community is invited to learn why it is critical that everyone in the community is counted in the U.S. Census. In advance of the 2020 Census, Richard A. Oden, former chairman of the Rockdale Board of Commissioners and one of the organizers of the community, said stakeholders will learn about how statistical data is tied to funding, economy, education, economic development and other resources. “If you want to know why…

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, District 93, announced that she has six available slots for students who are interested in participating in the House Page Program. Kendrick represents unincorporated areas of Stone Mountain and Lithonia in DeKalb County and unincorporated areas of Snellville and Loganville in Gwinnett County. The House Page Program is open to students 12 to 18 years old. The program, which has been in existence over 50 years, offers students the chance to serve members of the House of Representatives at the Georgia Capitol during the legislative session. The experience of serving as a legislative page has…

Hundreds of homeless people were bussed to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest today for worship service and a Super Bowl celebration. The church provided meals, haircuts, hairstyles and other resources to help those who are disadvantaged. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, the mega church’s new leader, said the “Soup and Souls” event is part of a larger initiative New Birth launched during Super Bowl 53 weekend to combat homelessness. Today’s event also includes entertainment. On Saturday, the church gave out bags of canned soup to those in need. More photos at On Common Ground News (Official) FaceBook by OCG News’ Glenn…

13 low-performing schools remain on Governor’s list The NAACP DeKalb County Branch is issuing an urgent plea for volunteers to come forward and assist the 13 DeKalb schools on the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement’s Turnaround List. The civil rights organization said in a news release on Saturday, Feb. 2, that the principals of Stone View, Peachcrest, Stone Mountain, Panola Way, Flat Rock, Farrington, and McNair elementary schools have sent out a  “Save Our Schools (S.O.S.)” request for tutors to help them prepare for the upcoming standardized testing in the spring. Volunteer tutors are needed in the subjects…

Walgreens to pay feds $60M for overcharging for prescriptions    Walgreen Co. (“Walgreens”), the nation’s largest retail pharmacy, has agreed to pay $60 million to settle allegations that it knowingly overcharged government healthcare plans such as Medicaid for prescription drugs. The decision comes after a six-year investigation prompted by whistleblowers. The law firm of Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP said in a news release that  Walgreens resolved allegations that the company defrauded the U.S. government, Georgia and 38 other states by submitting false and inflated prices for prescription drugs to increase its government reimbursements. The groundbreaking settlement…

DECATUR– Simpson Drive, between Fern Drive and Montreal Road, will be closed to through-traffic to repair the storm drainage system, beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 4, through 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area to advise motorists of traffic restrictions. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Department at 404-294-2878.

The DeKalb Board of Education will hold the following meetings on Monday, Feb. 4: 1:00 p.m.         Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a student appeal, personnel & legal matters Board Office Conference Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 2:00 p.m.         Work Session & Committee of the Whole Cabinet Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 5:45 p.m.         Community Input Session David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 7:00 p.m.         Business Meeting…