Author: On Common Ground News

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Talk show host and global media celebrity Oprah Winfrey came to Georgia to rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Winfrey fired up a packed crowd at DeKalb County’s Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur,telling them she wanted to be part of Abrams’ historic bid for governor of Georgia. “Nobody told me to be here. Nobody even asked me to be here.  I called her (Abrams) three days ago. I told her I wanted to come here and give my support and that is why I’m here,” Winfrey told the cheering audience.…

First FDA-approved drug made from cannabis now available in US The first cannabis-derived medication to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration is officially available in all 50 states via physician prescription. Epidiolex, which was approved this past June, is a pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age or older. Both conditions are rare forms of epilepsy that begin in childhood that cause debilitating seizures. “We are delighted to announce that Epidiolex is now available by…

DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs encourages residents to join in the fight to combat hunger in the community by donating nonperishable food items. Citizens are asked to drop off donations at the Gresham Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham Rd. SE, Atlanta. All items will be accepted now until Saturday, Nov. 17. For more information, contact Wannetter Terrell, Gresham Recreation Center director, at 404-244-4890.

Applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.The federally-funded program assists low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with heating bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Beginning Nov. 1, 2018 residents aged 65 and older or those who are homebound can apply for assistance through the Department’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. All other eligible residents may apply for assistance beginning Dec. 3. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. In 2018,…

Christopher Antonio Florence,      Kenneth Jackson, Marco,  Fernando Watson Hit ordered from prison Two high-ranking Georgia members of the ‘Bloods’ affiliated ‘Sex, Money, Murder’ gang are scheduled to be sentenced by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams, on Nov. 13 for their part in a deadly Stone Mountain home invasion where a 9-month-old baby was murdered and three women were shot while trying to protect the baby. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Oct. 29 against Kenneth “K.G.” Jackson, 33, and Christopher “Trillz” Florence, 33, on charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, violation of the Street Gang…

Representatives from the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, DeKalb County government, contracting firm F. H. Paschen, the City of Stonecrest and others gathered on Oct. 30 to announce the beginning of the project to stabilize the oldest homestead in DeKalb County. Work on the $225,000 project should be completed by March 2019. The Lyon Farmhouse, part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in Southeast DeKalb, will undergo renovations to secure the aging structure. The Lyon Farm has been identified as a future site for tourism and youth education around DeKalb history. Connected to the broader Arabia Mountain National Heritage…

DeKalb County has taken another step to improve countywide emergency ambulance service by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Dunwoody mayor. “The lives and safety of our citizens are our number one priority,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Mayor Denis Shortal and I have worked cooperatively to ensure the highest level of countywide emergency ambulance service.” “My main objective is to get Dunwoody citizens to the hospital on time and to make sure they receive an enhanced level of Emergency Medical Services. I have worked closely with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond to come up…

The Toney Valley Civic Association in South DeKalb is offering rides to residents who need transportation to the Toney Elementary School polling precinct, 2701 Oakland Terrace, Decatur on election day.  Those who need a ride on Nov. 6 may call 404-573-1238 before Election Day schedule  pick-up.  Riders will be provided a sample ballot as well as a “Know Your Candidates” card, provided courtesy of The People’s Agenda.  The volunteer drivers will be available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Election Day to respond to calls for rides to the poll. In addition to the organized free rides, the…

The Legacy Program of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter, Inc. is partnering with Atlanta Gas Light Company to present a free community STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics event. High school students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to attend the event, which will be held on Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. There will be a panel discussion with the community, students and  STEM professionals from Atlanta Gas Light Company promoting the importance of careers in STEM and encouraging academic excellence.

The DeKalb County Human Services Department and DeKalb County Public Library will host a caregiver workshop entitled “You Are Not Alone: Support and Resources for Care Partners” on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6 to – 7:30 p.m. at the Avis G. Williams Library, 1282 McConnell Drive in Decatur. The workshop is open to 45 attendees. Dinner will be provided. The Dementia Spotlight Foundation is a supporter for the event. The month of November is nationally recognized as Family Caregivers Month. The session will feature DeKalb resident and author, Nancy Kriseman, a  licensed clinical social worker, as the presenter and she will…