Author: On Common Ground News

Pictured: RCA Instructor Brett Creel and RCA CEO Bennett McCumber with some of the many third-year RCA construction students who donated their time and skills to design and build a 12-foot tall, 64-square-foot shed for a Habitat for Humanity Conyers/Rockdale family. Rockdale Career Academy (RCA) students in the Construction Career Pathway recently helped a Conyers family in need by building a shed to accompany the family’s new home by Habitat for Humanity Conyers/Rockdale. The shed will provide storage space for the Habitat home, which is the sixth home constructed in Habitat’s Olde Town Village community. About 30 students in…

The official portrait of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal was unveiled on Jan. 3 at the Georgia State Capitol, a tribute honoring Deal as Georgia prepares for his successor, Gov.-elect Brian Kemp, to be sworn in on Jan. 14. Both, Deal and Kemp, are Republicans.  The portrait, painted by Thomas Nash, will be displayed outside the governor’s office on the second floor of the Capitol.  Deal and his wife were joined on Jan. 3 for the unveiling by chief of staff Chris Riley and House Speaker David Ralston.  “We should all be mindful that the accomplishments…

  Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary will take on a new leadership role in the New Year, serving as president of the DeKalb Municipal Association. Lary, who serves as mayor of DeKalb County’s largest city with 53,000 residents,  was elected president by members of the 12-city association. Lary’s appointment is for one year. “I am honored that the other 11 mayors elected me as their leader for 2019. My goal is to strengthen the unity amongst the DeKalb cities and make sure we are serving the constituents at the highest level,” said Lary. Bill Floyd, who serves as executive director of…

DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson and the South DeKalb Police Precinct are inviting the community to the Officer and Community Appreciation Awards, which will be held this year in memory of DeKalb County Police Officer Edgar Isidro Flores. The awards program, which is open to the public, will be held on Jan. 9, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., at the South Precinct 2842 H.F. Shepherd Drive, Decatur. The balloon release in memory of Flores will follow the awards program.       Flores died in the line of duty in December after he was shot during a routine traffic…

By Travis Hudgons Rainy conditions didn’t prevent community members, supporters and elected officials from packing out the staging area in front of Macy’s at The Gallery at South DeKalb on the evening of Jan. 3 to witness the swearing-in of DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson.  Johnson overwhelmingly defeated Felton Wright during the primary last May with more than 80% of the vote and ran unopposed in the November general election. Johnson has served 16 years on the Board of Commissioners.  The ceremony featured musical performances, pastor-led prayers and remarks from various people including Johnson’s wife, Tanisha Johnson.  DeKalb…

  Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is accepting applications for new and returning providers of Georgia’s Pre-K Program for the 2019-2020 school year. Providers of currently funded classes can request expansion classes via DECAL’s PANDA web site while new providers can receive information about the application review, award process, and grant funding at www.decal.ga.gov. The deadline for all applications is Friday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m. EDT. Georgia’s Pre-K Program is an educational program funded by the Georgia Lottery. To attend Georgia’s Pre-K in the 2019-2020 school year, a child must be 4…

Rob and Vickie B. Turner will host their first meeting of the New Year for the DeKalb Cultural Exchange breakfast on Jan. 12, 9 a.m., at the campus of the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church(House of Hope), 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. Rob Turner serves on the Stonecrest City Council and Vickie Turner serves on the DeKalb County School Board.  “We are hosting our first prayer breakfast,” the couple said in a news release. “Given the culture and the climate of our nation, our state and our county, we felt it appropriate to convene our faith-based leaders along with the…

Springfield Baptist Church of Conyers recently donated $20,000 to the Newton County Boys & Girls Club, which is expected to open this spring.  The check was presented on Dec. 30 to the Newton County Boys & Girls Club Advisory Committee: Officers Michael Geoffroy, chair; Keith Curry, vice chair; Jeff Benzon, treasurer; Board Members: Nita Thompson, Bob Furnad, Steve McWilliams, Betsy & Sandy Morehouse, Shakila Henderson-Baker, Nancy Schultz, Binford Bramblett, Amber Bennett, Tyrone Oliver, Roderich Sams and Kimberly Wilber. The new facility will serve up to 100 teens, officials said. The Boys & Girls Club programs focus on three priority outcomes…

by Mackenzie N. Morgan The rangers at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in the city of Stonecrest wrapped up the holiday season with a free community hike at Arabia Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 29. Attendees were greeted by rangers and a warm, welcoming fire – accompanied with conversation, hot chocolate and everyone’s favorite camping treat: s’mores.  After a leisurely chat at the nature center’s fireplace, guests followed rangers on a short, guided hike in the woods. During the hike, visitors were invited to use their senses to explore and discover the diverse species that make up Arabia Mountain, including the observation…

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia is inviting families and supporters from around the state to Sickle Cell Day at the Georgia Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The event will provide an opportunity for state legislators to hear concerns and challenges from those affected by sickle cell. Organizers say this year’s message will focus on access to care in rural Georgia, Medicaid expansion and prescription waivers for from those impacted by the debilitating disease. Sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait are genetic blood disorders that affect nearly all populations, but are disproportionately found among…