Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta has launched its own Emoji app to promote connectivity and city pride  Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms launched the “One Atlanta” Emoji app, a smartphone keyboard composed of relatable emoji characters that highlight residents’ shared experiences while promoting connectivity citywide. Bottoms has also partnered with Pandora to share her favorite Atlanta-themed songs in a personal playlist. The One Atlanta Emoji app offers more than a dozen Atlanta-themed images, which foster a sense of collective culture and community pride. The animated icons of figures, objects and symbols celebrate the common experiences of diverse Atlantans, while highlighting popular sentiments and familiar attractions…

DeKalb County began installing new water meters on April 2 as part of the New Day Water Meter Exchange and Upgrade Initiative, a three-year program to replace 102,000 aging and potentially defective water meters. “DeKalb County has worked tirelessly to address the long-festering problems in our water and sewer billing and meter reading processes,” said CEO Michael Thurmond. “With new state-of-the-art meters, water customers can expect accurate billing and meter reading, increased customer service and restored trust.” All 194,000 DeKalb County water customers have received a letter from  Thurmond announcing the initiative and results to date of the New Day…

Antioch-Lithonia AME recently celebrated its 150- year anniversary, or sesquicentennial, with a classical gospel concert held at the Lithonia church on March 31. The memorial concert was held in honor of the church’s ancestors and founding members. The extravaganza, led by Antioch’s Pastor James C. Ward, included the inaugural performance of an original composition entitled “The Heritage Hymn,” scheduled to be published Fall 2019. Pastor James C. Ward, who has a background in classical music, leads the chorale in the rendering of the inaugural performance of “The Heritage Hymn.” The South DeKalb pastor is an accomplished songwriter and 2018 recipient…

By Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Probate Judge I recently had the pleasure of having a Salem High School student shadow me for a day. When I received the request, I questioned whether she would really be interested in the daily operations of the probate court. However, after meeting her, I quickly realized that she had a thirst for knowledge and lots of questions to assist her with making decisions about her future. According to the student, someone recommended me to her as a person she should shadow. Although I am not sure who this person was, I am honored that…

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta has selected State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, District 93, as an honoree in the “Political Advocate” category for the 2019 Dream Catchers Awards. The awards program will be held on May 10 at the Coca Cola headquarters in Atlanta. Kendrick, who is the Chief Deputy Whip of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, serves on the Small Business Development and Job Creation Committee and Juvenile Justice and Judiciary Committee. Kendrick’s district includes 54,000 residents in east DeKalb County (unincorporated Stone Mountain and Lithonia) and South Gwinnett County(unincorporated Snellvile and Loganville.

Loretta Washington, president and CEO of LCW Engineering Inc. in South DeKalb County, has received the “Georgia Engineer of the Year In Construction” Award by Engineering Georgiamagazine. Washington was honored for her work in the construction management and design-build industry. Washington served as project manager for the Interstate 75 widening project in Lowndes County, one of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s first design-build projects. Washington also oversaw the maintenance task order for the I-75 resurfacing project from the Brookwood Interchange to Interstate 285 in Fulton and Cobb counties; and recently, she completed utility relocation services for the I-285/Georgia 400 design-build-finance…

Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host its 2nd Annual Egg Extravaganza on April 13, 2 to 5 p.m., at Exchange Park, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. The event will include vendors, face painting, a bounce house, giveaways and photos with the Easter Bunny. Participants should bring their own basket. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free to attend. Egg hunters will be split into the following age groups: Ages 1 to 3 Ages 4 to 6 Ages 7 to 9 Ages 10 to 12 Ages 13 to 14 Ages 15 and up The event is…

The City of Clarkston has passed a sweeping nondiscrimination ordinance to protect LGBTQ people, making it only the third city in Georgia with such protections. “This ordinance is an important step for our city to truly codify our stance as welcoming to all, and is critical to our ability to safeguard our neighbors civil and human rights,” City councilmember Andrea Cervone said. The Clarkston City Council passed the measure 4-1, with one abstention, on April 2. The council meeting was filled with attendees, including Doraville City Councilmember Stephe Koontz and former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard. The nondiscrimination policy…

Join DeKalb County Commissioner, who represents the county’s super District 7, and the Stonecrest Citizens Coalition for a town hall meeting. The meeting will be held on April 25, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Stonecrest. Cochran-Johnson will discuss community issues and address residents’ questions and concerns. Representatives from DeKalb County’s Code Enforcement, Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, Watershed Management, Public Safety, MARTA, and Roads and Drainage also will attend the meeting.

The City of Stonecrest is expanding its Parks and Recreation staff. Director Sean DePalma announced that Brandon Jamil Riley was hired as the new Operations Manager for Parks and Recreation. Riley formerly served as Executive Director of the East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club for three years and was an employee of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta organization for seven years. Sheldon S. Fleming was recently hired as Recreation Lead, DePalma said. Fleming has spent three decades working in the green industry, focusing on public parks, farms, woodlands, community gardens, providing environmental education to the public.…