Author: On Common Ground News

Front row(left to right): DeKalb Superior Court Judges Mark Anthony Scott, Clarence Seeliger, Asha Jackson, Linda Hunter and Gregory Adams. Standing(left to right): Stacey Hydrick, Courtney Johnson, Tangela Barrie, LaTisha Dear Jackson and Shondeana Morris. Judge Mark Anthony Scott, presiding judge over the Stone Mountain Circuit’s four accountability courts, announced that the circuit has achieved a participation milestone by having all 10 of its judges voluntarily preside or serve in one or more of the Accountability programs. The Stone Mountain Circuit has created and continues to successfully administer Drug, Parent Accountability, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment court programs for…

Cyclomedia vehicles have started collecting data, including photos of all properties in unincorporated DeKalb. The DeKalb County Community Development Department is surveying unincorporated areas of the county in an effort to eradicate blight and revitalize properties. Last week, the county began collecting data for the Comprehensive Property Conditions Survey, which will provide a detailed inventory of property conditions within unincorporated DeKalb. “The survey is an additional tool to revitalize DeKalb,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “The data collected from the survey will help to create an interactive database that will track and record blighted properties in the county.”…

By Candice Guthrie For On Common Ground News Browns Mill Recreation Center is set to open new pickleball courts to the public on Jan. 28. There will be four courts ready for use with a fifth one set to be available by the first week of February, said Sean DePalma, City of Stonecrest’s director of Parks and Recreation. Pickleball combines components of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is played with a paddle and plastic ball with holes, much like a wiffle ball. It can be played inside or outside and with doubles or singles. “It’s a really…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, in his role as the 2nd vice president of the National Association of Counties Organization (NACo), recently represented the county on a national level. Johnson attended a leadership and executive directors meeting in Washington,D.C. and engaged with the Administration in a panel discussion on mental health, deregulation, immigration and community revitalization. Johnson raised an issue regarding the Community Mental Health Act of 1963. The act was the first of several federal policy changes that helped spark a major transformation of the public mental health system by shifting resources away from large institutions toward community-based…

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host the third annual “Tech for All” Day of Action on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 8a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Suite 514 18 Capitol Ave. Atlanta. The event will focus on cybersecurity and protecting Georgia citizens from cyber security crimes. The event includes breakfast and a guest panel discussion with area experts on cyber security. After the guest panel, participants will have an opportunity to view a 2020 legislative day in the House Chamber Gallery. Additionally, Rep. Kendrick and Attorney Roy E. Hadley, Jr. will be recognized on the floor…

Jared’s Heart of Success, Inc. will host a summit for youths and teens on Feb. 1, 1:15 – 3:15 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library Auditorium, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The “Prevention of Violence through Creative Art” Summit will feature performances by youths and teens through spoken word, poetry, and creative arts and dances. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary will bring greetings and remarks at the program. Major K.D. Banks, of the DeKalb County Police Department, will serve as the keynote speaker. Stonecrest resident Sharmaine Brown, founder of Jared’s Heart of Success, said she is encouraging parents to…

PSC chairman to discuss utility rate hikes   The DeKalb NAACP will have its general membership and community breakfast meeting on Jan. 25, 10 a.m., at Salem Bible Church, 5460 Hillandale Drive, Stonecrest. Georgia Public Service Commission Chair Lauren “Bubba” McDonough is the guest speaker for the meeting.  McDonough will discuss his role and the PSC’s recent approval of rate hikes for Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light customers. New rates took effect this month.  According to a news release from the Public Service Commission, Georgia Power will collect $1.77 billion of a proposed $2.2 billion increase from 2020…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw’s Quarterly in the Fourth January community breakfast meeting will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m., Stephenson Middle School, 922 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain. DeKalb County department representatives will be available to respond to questions and special guest speakers will provide updates, in addition to a demonstration on the new voting machines. There will be a meet-and-greet with DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos.

Join Arabia Mountain Rangers for s’mores and hot cocoa by a campfire on Feb. 8,  5:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The campfire event will be followed by a short hike to the rock outcrop during the twilight hours to see the moon rise. Food and drink supplies are limited Register online by emailing ArabiaRanger@gmail.com(Subject: Campfire). 770-484-3060.

Registration is under way for the Flat Rock Culture and Volunteer Day. Explore the places and history of the historic Flat Rock community with Park Rangers and Johnny Waits of the Flat Rock Archives on Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m. Participants will meet at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. Learn about our rich African-American history in South DeKalb and then volunteer in the historic slave cemetery clearing vegetation and preserving the site. All tools and gloves will be provided. Please dress in long pants, closed-toe shoes, and bring plenty of water and snacks. Register online…