Author: On Common Ground News

by Mackenzie N. Morgan The rangers at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in the city of Stonecrest wrapped up the holiday season with a free community hike at Arabia Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 29. Attendees were greeted by rangers and a warm, welcoming fire – accompanied with conversation, hot chocolate and everyone’s favorite camping treat: s’mores.  After a leisurely chat at the nature center’s fireplace, guests followed rangers on a short, guided hike in the woods. During the hike, visitors were invited to use their senses to explore and discover the diverse species that make up Arabia Mountain, including the observation…

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia is inviting families and supporters from around the state to Sickle Cell Day at the Georgia Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The event will provide an opportunity for state legislators to hear concerns and challenges from those affected by sickle cell. Organizers say this year’s message will focus on access to care in rural Georgia, Medicaid expansion and prescription waivers for from those impacted by the debilitating disease. Sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait are genetic blood disorders that affect nearly all populations, but are disproportionately found among…

The DeKalb History Center’s Jan. 15 Lunch and Learn will focus on Grady Health System. Howard Mosby, vice president, Grady Health System, will be the guest speaker. The Lunch and Learn will be held noon to 1 p.m. at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur (second floor).    Grady has been a critical part of the fabric of Atlanta, and particularly DeKalb County, for more than 125 years.  Regardless of resources or privilege, Grady has treated everyone who crosses its threshold with exceptional care. Nearly 90 percent of all Grady patients are Fulton and DeKalb county residents. …

  South DeKalb County resident Calvin Stevens has been elected Region IV Council President of Blacks In Government, Inc.  BIG’s mission is to promote equity, excellence, and opportunity through training and education for African Americans in local, state, and federal governments.  Stevens will provide leadership to 28 local chapters in the eight Southeastern states. He will oversee the Region IV Conference Planning Committee in hosting its  annual training conference, which will be held in Atlanta, May 16 – 18. BIG members from throughout the region will convene in Atlanta to enhance their professional development.  Stevens previously served on the Region…

By Ruth A. Wilson, Clerk of Court  Now that the 2018 mid-term elections are over, let’s see how we did. Georgia had a great turnout at 61.44% but Rockdale’s participation was even greater at 63.01%. This is democracy at work and we should all be grateful to live in a country where we have the right to vote. That right has been paid for with the lives, blood, sweat, tears and hard work of many a patriot. Our vote and an effective and fair election system can never be taken for granted. It must be protected and regularly inspected by those…

The Rockdale County High School (RCHS) Debate Team competed and returned home with medals – including top speaker for the entire tournament  at the Atlanta Urban Debate League (AUDL) Tournament. The event hosted more than 350 middle and high school students from Atlanta metro area school districts including Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Calhoun, Cobb, Decatur City, Douglas County, Drew Charter, and more. The RCHS Debate Team placed 6th, 7th, 10th, and 12th place in team competitions. RCHS individual winners include: Tyla Harris 1st Place Speaker (over the entire tournament), Jackie Gomez Villa 5th Place Speaker, Aaron Gill 11th Place…

If De’onte Brown could’ve somehow seen into the future on his first day of class at Georgia State University in 2017, he would’ve been very surprised by his transformation. In what felt that day like a fast-paced new world has become a place that feeds his creativity. “Once you get used to campus and used to the teachers, then you start to do better,” De’onte said. He is a student of film and video production in Georgia State University’s Inclusive Digital Expression and Literary program, known as IDEAL. The post-secondary education course of study is for students with intellectual disabilities,…

ATLANTA, GA – The Office of Attorney General Chris Carr filed a lawsuit on Jan. 3 in the Superior Court of Gwinnett County against opioid manufacturers and distributors* to seek justice for their alleged role in fueling the opioid crisis and its catastrophic effects on Georgia citizens. “No Georgia community is a stranger to the devastating effects of the opioid crisis,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We are bringing this lawsuit quite simply to seek justice for the citizens of Georgia. It is imperative that we recover for the widespread damage that has been caused by this epidemic.” The lawsuit…