Author: On Common Ground News

Recent DeKalb County School District (DCSD) graduates can learn more about college entry, military enrollment, and entering the workforce courtesy of the Department of Student Advancement’s Summer Transition Centers (STC). STCs are scheduled to open June 3 at locations throughout DeKalb. The free centers offer assistance in finalizing college paperwork, receiving financial aid, answer questions about what to do after high school, college application, and reviewing other options. “When a student graduates from a DeKalb County high school, we make sure they have the tools needed to succeed at the next level available,” said Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “The…

DeKalb Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson, center, hosts law students from China. Earlier this month, the Magistrate Court of DeKalb County hosted four students from China who recently completed their Master of Comparative Law Program at Emory Law. The students volunteered for a three-day “internship” where they had the chance to take a tour, observe court, and shadow judges within the Criminal, Ordinance and Civil divisions of the DeKalb Magistrate Court. “My court was honored to host these law students from China,” said DeKalb Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson. “Our judges and the students had a…

Rockdale Constitutional Corner By Sheriff Eric J. Levett We have all received irritating unsolicited phone calls from people we don’t know. They always have horrible timing, too, calling at the most inconvenient moment, like when your family is about to sit down for dinner. Some of these calls aren’t just annoying anymore. They’re also malicious. There has been a rash of phone calls making the rounds lately where scammers try to trick victims into giving them sensitive data that could lead to massive financial losses. Several citizens have contacted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office over the past year after receiving…

DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs announces the Metro Athletics Network, on behalf of the Lithonia Lions, has been awarded $9,730 to fund the NFL Flag Football program. The program is managed by Dennis Allen, vice chair of the DeKalb Park’s Citizen Advisory Board and has been recognized by the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation and the Georgia Shape Initiative. Both organizations have partnered to provide a two-year grant to help fund youth football leagues. Funding will assist after-school providers and schools to start new NFL Flag Football leagues and enhance existing programs. The organizations are also interested in increasing participation…

Rockdale County is hosting the 2019 Rockdale Employment Summit on Friday, June 7,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,at Salem High School, 3551 Underwood Road SE, Conyers. The job fair will include a mobile career lab that will assist with resume building and job training. The event also offer services for veterans as well as training and employment information concerning Rockdale Works. The summit will offer record restriction services. Persons who have been arrested in Rockdale County, but were not convicted, may be eligible to have their arrest record restricted and potentially sealed by the courts for free. All applicants who pre-registered…

Human Services Department and Community Development Department will partner with local YMCAs to launch an aquatics program for seniors. The program will provide seniors with water safety education, water fitness and water aerobics classes. The program will be available for one year and will offer seniors classes every week Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Aquatics classes will vary at each location. Transportation will be provided to and from locations. Participating YMCA locations include: Cowart Family YMCA, 3692 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta Decatur Family YMCA, 1100 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur East Lake Family YMCA, 275 Eva Davis Way SE,…

DeKalb County’s pools will open Memorial Day weekend starting on Saturday, May 25. Residents can splash into summer by visiting a neighborhood pool. The official season runs May 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 2. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs also offers various programs including swim lessons, water aerobics and more. For more information, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parksor contact (770) 414-2119. Pool locations and hours of operation Browns Mill Aquatic Facility, 4929 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m. Exchange Splash Pad, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur Hours: Monday, Wednesday…

By Sarita Mason | OCG News Intern Rose Simmons will never forget the chilling call she received on June 17, 2015. That was the day she learned her father was among nine people—all black—who were gunned down during bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. Two days after the massacre, the families sat face to face in court with white supremacist Dylann Roof, 24, ultimately forgiving him and praying for mercy, shocking the nation. Roof was sentenced to death in 2017 for the murders and is now awaiting execution on federal death row in Indiana. “Forgiveness is…

Learning and adventure go hand-in-hand with the new Junior Ranger program offered by Georgia’s State Parks. Just in time for summer, the free quest will get kids exploring Georgia’s natural areas and history, earning badges along the way. The new program features activity books specific to 59 state parks and historic sites. After finishing each one, participants earn wooden collectible badges, plus up to five embroidered stickers for activities such as fishing, camping, biking and volunteering. While designed for a third-grade level, any age can become a certified Junior Ranger. Free Junior Ranger books can be picked up at Georgia’s…

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, Inc. is preparing to host its annual Casino Royale Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 265 Peachtree St., Atlanta. Casino Royale, the 100 Black Men of DeKalb’s largest fundraiser, supports its Leadership Academy by providing mentoring and leadership training to students in grades 6-12 who are enrolled in the program. Last year, the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, Inc. served approximately 100 students through the academy. Casino Royale chairman, Naim Shaheed, M.D., said the organization is seeking sponsors to partner and support the worthwhile event.…