Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is seeking sites to participate in the Summer Food Service Program June 3 to July 19. The Summer Food Service Program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program that partners with agencies to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. To qualify as a site, 50 percent of children served must meet the income guidelines for free- and reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Children who are members of households that receive food stamp benefits or Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC) assistance automatically qualify.…

DeKalb County District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford, M.D. As part of American Diabetes Alert Day, the DeKalb County Board of Health is hosting a Diabetes Alert Day event on Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the T.O. Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way in Decatur. The event is free and open to the public. Activities will include a panel discussion, healthy snacks and testing to measure blood sugar. Individuals with pre-diabetes can learn about and enroll in the Prevent T2 program to avoid developing type 2 diabetes. “Everyone should be aware of their risk for…

Rockdale County Board of Assessors, 981 Milstead Ave., Conyers, is offering extended hours on Saturday, March 30, 8 a.m. – noon, Chairman Will Barkley announced the extended hours at the Boa. “With the deadline swiftly approaching, we want to ensure every effort to give taxpayers the opportunity to file for their Homestead Exemption,” Chairman Will Barkley said at today’s board meeting. The deadline for filing for Homestead Exemption is April 1. To be eligible for Homestead Exemption, you must own and reside in the property as your primary residence prior to Jan. 1 of the tax year. Upon filing, you…

Due to growing demand, Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson announces the relocation and expansion of marriage services in the Magistrate Court of DeKalb County. Beginning April 2, magistrates will be available to conduct wedding ceremonies at a new location, the DeKalb County Magistrate Court Criminal Division Building, 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur, GA 30032, on the following schedule: Mondays No weddings performed Tuesdays-Fridays 4 – 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 1 – 4 p.m. “In addition to having a larger space for couples, their family and friends, relocating wedding services will allow judges to perform…

WorkSource DeKalb (WSD) and Georgia Piedmont Technical College have partnered to host Dislocated Worker Information Sessions for DeKalb County individuals who have been laid off. The sessions will take place 10 a.m. to noon at Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s Conference Center, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston on the following Wednesdays: April 10 May 29 June 12 June 26 During the sessions, residents can learn about training programs, funding assistance, and other services that are available to help individuals get back to work. Through successful completion of WIOA training programs, individuals have opportunities to enhance their skills and become more…

In celebration of National Procurement Month, DeKalb County is set to host its third annual Business Opportunity Reverse Trade Show and Procurement Summit. The free event is from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, March 28, at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department encourages current and prospective vendors and the general public to take advantage of this opportunity to learn how to do business with the county. Participants will have the chance to market their services directly to department representatives and talk with procurement staff.Mini-workshops will…

The DeKalb Criminal Justice Treatment Coalition, Inc. will host its second annual “Full Court Press Basketball Fundraiser” on April 27-28 at Decatur Active Living, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. The coalition, which is the advisory council to the DeKalb Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMHC), helps to provide funding to assist MMHC participants with transportation, medication/treatment, clothing and hygiene items, housing, utilities, education and food. Derek Johnson-Cage, the coalition’s board chair, said the event is the nonprofit’s most critical fundraiser of the year, helping the mentally ill who are incarcerated for misdemeanors have a better quality of life. Said Johnson-Cage:…

The city has issued a Notice of Violation to property owners where the new cell tower was erected off of Evans Mill Road. The conditions of the property are in violation of the International Property Maintenance Code, according to Dakarta Richardson, a city code enforcement officer. Richardson cited the property owners for several dilapidated structures on the property, unmaintained grass and weeds and an uncovered pool.  The notice is similar to a warning that gives the property owner 45 days to comply with the city’s codes or face fines of up to $1,000 per day for each violation. “We are…

Councilman Rob Turner said the new city of Stonecrest is now poised to attract the film industry, creating economic development opportunities, jobs and tourism. Turner, who heads the city’s film advisory commission, said the city developed its strategic plan in 2018 and is now implementing some of the goals.  He said the city plans to host job fairs for those interested in the film industry, educational workshops and networking mixers, including a mixer that is scheduled March 29. The mixer, which will feature industry professionals, will be held 6:30 to 9 p.m. at AEI Startup Factory, 7310 Stonecrest Concourse, outside…

Mayor Jason Lary attended an African American Churches Transforming Society (AACTS) conference on Wednesday at Salem Bible Church and presented a proclamation to the Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., pastor emeritus and conference host. AACTS was founded by Williams in 2014 after the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri.  The organization was founded to address the breakdown in the African American family, according to Williams, who told conference attendees, mostly clergy, that he intends to provide socio-economic and spiritual support to revive black families and restore their position in society. Williams referred to research indicating that more black men have been…