Author: On Common Ground News

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is redefining “Black Friday” with the inaugural Kwanzaa Plaza event beginning Nov. 29, at the church’s family life center, 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest. The Kwanzaa Plaza will feature approximately 100 minority-owned and small businesses during a three-day event geared at highlighting local entrepreneurs and fostering commerce within the African-American community. Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of the African-American culture that is marked by week-long acknowledgment of heritage, unity, creativity, faith and cooperative economics. While Kwanzaa is typically observed Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, New Birth’s Kwanzaa Plaza was established to take a new…

The graduation rate for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students involved in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs has reached 96.37 percent, closely aligned with the state-wide rate which rose to 96.54 percent for 2019. This rate applies to students who complete a Career Pathway. “Students are more engaged in their learning when they see the relevance and can relate it to real life experiences,” said Superintendent. Terry Oatts. “We have expanded our Career Pathway offerings to provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to connect with a pathway of their interests. We have also expanded our Work…

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter, Inc. has elected Debra Curtis as its new president and Kianna Lawson as 1st vice president of programs and planning. Both women have served in the chapter for over 10 years in various leadership roles. Delois Grizzle, who has served as president since 2015, said she is passing the torch to devoted and capable community servants. “I have passed the torch and I know that this chapter will be in outstanding hands,” said Delois Grizzle, who has served as president since 2015. Both Curtis and Lawson received the NCBW Chapter’s…

A Rockdale County UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent MaryBeth Hornbeck was honored at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 85th annual session. Hornbeck received the First Place National NEAFCS Family Health and Wellness Award at the conference held September 30 – October 3, 2019 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The theme was “Nurturing the Richness of Lifelong Learning”. In receiving the award, Hornbeck was recognized for the #RockdaleEatsARainbow Fun with Fresh Food program. She developed the Fun with Fresh Food Rainbow Nutrition program for families to improve attitudes and behaviors around fruit and vegetable…

Connie Alsobrook toppled incumbent Jacob Bailey for the Conyers City Council District 2, Post 2 seat in the Nov. 5 election. Alsobrook received 109 votes (57.67 percent) while Bailey received 79 votes (41.8 percent). In District 3, incumbent Gerald Hinesley was reelected with 63 votes. He was unopposed. In the District 4 race, Valyncia Smith held a commanding lead—78 votes  (75 percent)—over Demetrius Myatt, who received 26 votes (25 percent). Smith succeeds Councilman John Fountain, who did not seek re-election. The votes reflect early voting results and must be certified by Rockdale Elections officials.

DeKalb County voters rejected a referendum restructuring the county’s ethics board on Tuesday night. Early results showed that 61.33 percent of voters (33,555) opposed the proposal.  The measure received  21,160 yes votes (39 percent. Proponents said the referendum was needed to change the makeup of the board to more fairly reflect the diversity of the community and replace the ethics director position with an administrative position, among other things. Their stance was bolstered by a Georgia Supreme Court ruling that the way the Ethics Board members are selected was unconstitutional.  Critics said, however, the referendum would have reduced some of…

Shameka Reynolds swept the Lithonia mayoral race Tuesday, soundly defeating challenger Cindy Thomas. Reynolds, who served on the City Council for eight years, won the election with 245 (60.95 percent) votes while Cindy Thomas garnered 157 (39.05 percent) votes in the two-way race, according to early results which must be certified. The crowd cheered at Reynolds’ victory party, which was held at the Stone Manor event center. “I feel great. I thank God for the victory. The Devil tried it, but he didn’t win. I want to thank the city of Lithonia for supporting me. We are about to make…

Pictured: Mayor Jason Lary and his wife, Debbie, at his victory celebration. Tammy Grimes, Dave Marcus headed for run-off in District 5 City Council race Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary scored the winning touchdown Tuesday in his bid for re-election, defeating Charles Hill, II and Diane Adoma. Lary won with 3,049 votes (55.48 percent), while Hill placed second with 1,294 votes (23.54 percent) and Diane Adoma came in third place with 1,131 votes (20.58 percent), according to early results from the DeKalb County Elections office. Lary dominated the playing field, leading four of the city’s 17 precincts early…

The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will deploy 46 new automated side loader (ASL) sanitation collection trucks by December 2019. Operated by a single driver, the technologically advanced garbage trucks increase efficiency, reduce costs, and allow the county to service a growing number of customers. “With the support of the Board of Commissioners, DeKalb County’s sanitation division fleet now includes more efficient, cost-effective trucks that will help to reduce workplace injuries,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. DeKalb County’s Sanitation Division will deploy new automated side loader collection trucks. In the past 10 months, the cities of Pine…

State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will serve as a guest speaker at the Veterans Day Breakfast at Ousley United Methodist Church, 3261 Panola Drive. The program will be held on Saturday, Nov.  9, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. The Veterans’ Day breakfast will provide a free breakfast to honor veterans ahead of the holiday. The event is free, but seating is limited. To register and for more information about the event, click here.