Author: On Common Ground News

KES, Inc. will host its 15th Annual Community Day of Inclusion on Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips road.  The family fun-filled event will provide enrichment resources for families of special needs individuals, as well as those who are physically, mentally and developmentally challenged.    There will be health screenings, information and fun activities that will integrate the individuals and families with special needs in a community-wide celebration.   KES Day Inc. is a nonprofit that provides housing and support services for people with disabilities. Traditionally, many of the disabled have limited access…

Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta has announced a new program to help local women and men dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis.  As part of the organization’s Bold Goal to reduce current breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026, Komen Atlanta is launching the Komen Atlanta Treatment Assistance Program, which will provide financial assistance for local patients.   “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and getting the treatment they need to save their life. Yet we know that there are many barriers that often prevent breast cancer patients from accessing the…

  Family and friends are mourning the loss of the Rev. T.A. Bryant, Jr., a board member of the historic Flat Rock Archives in the city of Stonecrest(formerly Lithonia). Rev. Bryant, who was the grandfather of comedian and actor Chris Tucker, passed away on June 22. He was 96 years old. Rev. Bryant’s body will lie in state from 4 until 8 p.m. at Flat Rock Community Church, 4542 Evans Mill Road. His homegoing service will be held on Saturday, June 30, noon at Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist, 3800 Big Miller Grove Way, Stonecrest. Both churches are located in…

By Valerie J. Morgan There were a lot of questions and concerns about Georgia’s new hands-free law at the June 27 panel discussion hosted by State Rep. Doreen Carter, whose House District 92 includes parts of DeKalb and  parts of Rockdale counties.  Carter, in partnership with Pastor Eric Lee, Sr. of Springfield Baptist Church in Rockdale County, said she held the forum to inform the community about the new law, which becomes effective July 1.  Carter served on Georgia’s Distracted Driving Committee. She conducted the panel discussion with State Rep. Pamela Stephenson, who is a defense attorney; DeKalb State…

By Valerie J. Morgan Senior Connections is shutting down after 45 years of delivering meals and other programs to senior citizens throughout metro Atlanta.  DeKalb County officials say, however, the county government is contracting with vendors to ensure DeKalb seniors continue receiving services effective July 1.  Open Hand Atlanta will manage congregate and home-delivered meals. Jo Jo Home Healthcare Providers Inc. and Rem-Kits Health Care Services Inc., will handle in-home senior services. Rem-Kits Adult Day Care Services Inc.  will handle adult day care and respite services. The county’s Department of Human Services Office of Aging will provide senior center management…

The DeKalb County State Court Traffic Division is offering an amnesty program to individuals facing penalties for delinquent traffic tickets.  This waives contempt fees for failure to appear in court for individuals facing penalties due to delinquent traffic tickets. The registration period for this program ends on July 9. “The goal of our citation amnesty program is to provide individuals with open or delinquent citations an opportunity to efficiently resolve their matters and restore their driving record,” said Presiding Judge Shondeana Morris. The program is available to any individual with citations issued from January 2010 to December 2017. Court sessions…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) congratulated four Redan High School graduates from the winning team for this year’s 2018 National SIFMA Capitol Hill Challenge’s Stock Market Game at his Washington, D.C. office. “These young minds deserve to be recognized and celebrated,” said Congressman Johnson, who hosted the students on June 13. “We must continue to foster all of our students’ interests in the financial market and support their efforts to become self-sufficient with their finances and their understanding of the global markets.”  The Stone Mountain team competed against thousands of students from across the country to bring the first place honor…

The DeKalb County Board of Education approved the adoption of the DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) proposed $1.832 billion budget—including $1.097 billion for the General Fund—for the 2019 Fiscal Year on June 26 at two concurrent meetings. The proposed budget focuses DCSD’s financial resources toward transportation; an increase in school resource officers; new textbooks; the new DCSD Early Learning Academy; and two new administrative regions, among other items. Also, DCSD employees will receive a total 2.5 percent pay increase during the fiscal year and a new salary step structure for both classified and certified employees will be instituted. Salary steps…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is reorganizing the leadership of its schools increasing the number of academic regional superintendents from five to seven in order to provide more support to underperforming schools.    Sean Tartt, who served for 12 years as principal of Narvie J. Harris Elementary School, and Bernetta Jones, principal of Clarkston High School, have been appointed as the two new superintendents. DeKalb’s five regions were reorganized into smaller regions and Superintendent R. Stephen Green has appointed the following leaders to the new regions: Sherry Johnson, Region 1 Superintendent;  Trenton Arnold, Region 2 Superintendent;  Sean Tartt, Region…

Avondale Estates Avondale Estates will host its Fourth of July celebration on Independence Day. The schedule of events are as follows: 9:15 a.m. –  Parade lineup at DeKalb School of the Arts, located at 1192 Clarendon Ave. 10 a.m. –  Parade begins and ends one hour later at the intersection of Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale Road Dusk – Fireworks at Lake Avondale Conyers Kick off your Fourth of July festivities on Saturday, June 30, with Conyers’ second annual Celebrate Community Parade at Conyers First United Methodist Church on Main Street at 10 a.m. Awards will be given to…