Author: On Common Ground News

  The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Office is inviting families to attend its inaugural Rainbow Party Youth Healthy Eating Expo. The carnival-type event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Rockdale County Government Complex, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers.  The expo is designed to teach children how to make healthy eating choices from a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.  Event highlights include a food demonstration at 11:30 a.m., interactive food stations based on the colors of the rainbow along with fruit and vegetable giveaways (while supplies last). For more information, call 770-278-7373.…

Bibliophiles, mark your calendars. The Friends of the Salem Panola Library will host its annual fall book sale, on Friday, Sept. 14, noon to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Salem library, located at 5137 Salem Road, Stonecrest. More than 3,000 donated books, CDs, DVDs as well as concessions will be available for purchase. Most hardcover and large paperbacks will be available for $1 and paperbacks at 50 cents.  Membership to the Friends of the Library can be purchased during the book sale for $10/year for individuals and $20/year for families. The Friends’…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb has named a new executive director. Sharon Steele has taken leadership of the organization. Steele most recently served as director of development for DeKalb County’s senior services provider, Senior Connections. Steel’s resume also includes stints in construction, mortgage origination and interior design, all experiences that officials say will help Steele guide the 30-year-old organization and raise awareness about Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb. “DeKalb has had Habitat for Humanity since 1988, yet I have found so many people are unaware of our existence,” said Steele. “My first priority as executive director is to re-establish our brand…

The streets of Olde Town Conyers will come alive for a two-day Re-Imagine Commercial Street festival. Commercial Street will close to through-traffic on Friday, Sept. 14, at 3 p.m. and will re-open to pedestrian traffic starting at 6 p.m. through Saturday evening, Sept. 15.  Enjoy music, games and dining at local restaurants. For more information, call 770-602-2606.

The next regular meeting of the Rockdale County Board of Elections will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13, 4 p.m., at the Rockdale County Board of Elections Office, 1400 Parker Road, Lobby C, Conyers. The agenda will include a discussion on weekend voting for the Nov. 6 General Elections. There will be an opportunity for the public to make comments during the meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.  

DeKalb County elections officials will share information about the November General Election at the Cultural Exchange Breakfast, hosted by Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner and his wife, DeKalb School Board member Vicki B. Turner.  The breakfast will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 9 to 11 a.m., at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church (House of Hope), 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.  Updates concerning the city of Stonecrest, DeKalb County School Board and other community issues will be provided.   The community is invited to enjoy a free breakfast and get important updates. For more information, email:  thedekalbexchange@gmail.com.

The Southeast DeKalb Concerned Citizens Coalition (SEDCCC) will host a Meet and Greet political forum to hear how elected and county officials plan to address the community’s concerns and share their vision for a better DeKalb. The forum will be held on Wednesday, Sept., 19, 6 p.m., Hairston Crossing Library meeting room, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. The public is encouraged to attend.    Important Dates: Nov. 6: Election Day Oct. 9: Last Day to register to vote Oct. 15: Early voting begins 

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent R. Stephen Green invites the community, staff and stakeholders to the first “On The Scene with Dr. Green” event of the 2018-2019 school year on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Marbut Elementary Traditional Theme School, 5776 Marbut Road, Lithonia. Green will give a brief statement about the state of DCSD before answering questions from the audience. “On The Scene with Dr. Green” is an opportunity to learn more about your schools and to have your concerns addressed. Throughout the 2018-2019 school year, Green will visit seven…

  By Sheriff Eric Levitt “Walk it like I talk it” is not only the famous hook for a song by the Migos, but also a catchy phrase we are using at the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office to meet people in the community, answer questions and get exercise at the same time. My office plans to provide educational information to the citizens by emphasizing proactive problem solving in a systematic and routine fashion. Rather than responding to crime only after it occurs, we will use community policing to proactively develop solutions to the immediate underlying conditions contributing to public safety…

The Cedar Grove Saints bounced back from a season opening loss to Stephenson to snap the defending Trail to the Title champions Tucker Tigers’ regular season win streak at 31 games with a 16-8 middle school football victory at Godfrey Stadium on Saturday. Cedar Grove’s Barry Jackson was named Born to Compete’s Player of the Week (8th Grade Division) after scoring two touchdowns (1 receiving, 1 rushing) and making a big fourth down stop out of his linebacker spot on defense to secure the Saints’ big win. Naeshawn Parsons helped set up Jackson’s touchdowns with key runs in…