Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and City of Lithonia Mayor Deborah A. Jackson held their Third Annual Old School/New School Fish Fry & Block Party on June 30 at Lithonia Amphitheater. There were health screenings, a petting zoo and a variety of vendors. The crowd was also entertained with dance performances by Lou Walker Dancers, Smooth Sophisticated Gents and Beulah Boys. Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson of the Be Someone mentoring program provided one-on-one training on how to get in the game.” Photos by Travis Hudgons

Motorists receiving a traffic citation in unincorporated DeKalb County now can sign up to receive text and email notifications of fines and upcoming court dates.  The system also will send notifications if a court date in the Traffic Division of DeKalb County State Court is missed, and inform the motorist of an option to immediately correct their default with the court before sanctions are imposed. Drivers can access the court’s notification system using smartphones, tablets or computers. They can also research how much they may owe in fines and costs. Anyone can opt-in to this program at www.courtinnovations.com/GADCSC.  “People expect…

Stonecrest City Hall staffers are training the next generation, offering summer internships to two local college students.  The intern initiative is offered through Jacob’s, a worldwide engineering company that is engaged in a public-private partnership to staff and run the city’s operations.  Jacob’s recently purchased CH2M.  Thirteen interns are a part of a four-city program, which also includes the Jacob’s regional headquarters located in Sandy Springs. This summer marks the first time that the year-old city has had interns.  Stonecrest has two interns who were selected by Jacob’s: Courtney McGinty, a rising sophomore  at East Georgia State College and Kolby…

DeKalb County has implemented a plan to continue senior services after the longtime provider, Senior Connections Inc., closed its doors on June 30. For more than 10 years, Senior Connections Inc. contracted with Deto to provide congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home services and senior center management in DeKalb County. Beginning July 1, Open Hand Atlanta will provide congregate and home-delivered meals. In-home senior services now will be provided by Jo Jo Home Healthcare Providers Inc. and Rem-Kits Health Care Services, Inc.  Adult day care and respite services will be provided by Rem-Kits Adult Day Care Services Inc. Senior center management…

Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, marched on the frontlines with thousands of peaceful protestors in Atlanta to denounce the Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.  Johnson kicked off the rally at the Atlanta Detention Center. The demonstration was among hundreds of  “Families Belong Together” rallies that were held across the country on June 30. Marchers called for an end to the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border.  Rallies were held in all 50 states after 2,000 children and parents at the southern border were televised and heard through audio tapes that surfaced about…

Rockdale County State Court Judge Nancy Bills was elected to serve as president and DeKalb County State Court Judge Ronald Ramsey was elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Council of State Court Judges at its annual meeting.   As president, Judge Bills is also a member of the Judicial Council, which is the governing body of the state-wide Judicial Branch of Georgia. “When 129 of your peers ask you to serve, it’s an honor.  I deeply appreciate it and accept this honor on behalf of the people of Rockdale County. Without their faith and support, I wouldn’t…

North Goddard Road, between Rockland and Klondike Roads, will remain closed intermittently to through-traffic until Friday, Aug. 31. The county is replacing a sewer main and traffic will continue to be detoured onto Klondike and Rockland Roads. Lane closure signs will be in the area alerting motorists and residents about construction work and local traffic restrictions. For more information, visit the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) website at www.dekalbwatershed.com, call the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or email projectinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Voices of Faith sets Back-to-School Bash in Rockdale Voices of Faith Ministries, 1290 Sigman Road, N.W., Conyers, will host a back-to-school bash on Saturday, July 28, noon to 3 p.m., 1290 Sigman Road, Conyers.   Community residents are encouraged to come and enjoy free food, music, health fair and get school supplies for their children, while supplies last.  Anyone who would like to donate school supplies for the event should contact Voices of Faith Ministries at 770-498-5850.   Springfield Baptist Church to host Back-2-School Bash, food pantry Springfield Baptist Church will hold its annual Back 2 School Bash and…

Stonecrest City Councilman Rob and his wife, DeKalb School Board member Vicki Turner will host the DeKalb Cultural Exchange community breakfast on Saturday, July 14, 9 a.m., at The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church (House of Hope), 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. The Cultural Exchange is partnering with the DeKalb County School District to host a mini career fair at the breakfast. The district is still in need of over 350 teachers.  “We are excited to partner with the District and to utilize our platform to inform stakeholders about employment opportunities.  The Districts/Regions that are being targeted are: 4; 5;…

Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road S.E., will host Workforce Wednesday, on July 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. DeKalb County residents can learn about Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act eligibility requirements, meet with eligible training providers and learn about high demand careers. The event will equip DeKalb County residents and employers with resources to assist individuals in overcoming barriers to employment, education and economic development. Interested candidates must register at www.workforce-wednesday.eventbrite.com.