Author: On Common Ground News

Hundreds of homeless people were bussed to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest today for worship service and a Super Bowl celebration. The church provided meals, haircuts, hairstyles and other resources to help those who are disadvantaged. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, the mega church’s new leader, said the “Soup and Souls” event is part of a larger initiative New Birth launched during Super Bowl 53 weekend to combat homelessness. Today’s event also includes entertainment. On Saturday, the church gave out bags of canned soup to those in need. More photos at On Common Ground News (Official) FaceBook by OCG News’ Glenn…

13 low-performing schools remain on Governor’s list The NAACP DeKalb County Branch is issuing an urgent plea for volunteers to come forward and assist the 13 DeKalb schools on the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement’s Turnaround List. The civil rights organization said in a news release on Saturday, Feb. 2, that the principals of Stone View, Peachcrest, Stone Mountain, Panola Way, Flat Rock, Farrington, and McNair elementary schools have sent out a  “Save Our Schools (S.O.S.)” request for tutors to help them prepare for the upcoming standardized testing in the spring. Volunteer tutors are needed in the subjects…

Walgreens to pay feds $60M for overcharging for prescriptions    Walgreen Co. (“Walgreens”), the nation’s largest retail pharmacy, has agreed to pay $60 million to settle allegations that it knowingly overcharged government healthcare plans such as Medicaid for prescription drugs. The decision comes after a six-year investigation prompted by whistleblowers. The law firm of Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP said in a news release that  Walgreens resolved allegations that the company defrauded the U.S. government, Georgia and 38 other states by submitting false and inflated prices for prescription drugs to increase its government reimbursements. The groundbreaking settlement…

DECATUR– Simpson Drive, between Fern Drive and Montreal Road, will be closed to through-traffic to repair the storm drainage system, beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 4, through 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area to advise motorists of traffic restrictions. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Department at 404-294-2878.

The DeKalb Board of Education will hold the following meetings on Monday, Feb. 4: 1:00 p.m.         Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a student appeal, personnel & legal matters Board Office Conference Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 2:00 p.m.         Work Session & Committee of the Whole Cabinet Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 5:45 p.m.         Community Input Session David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 7:00 p.m.         Business Meeting…

WorkSource DeKalb announces its Mobile Career Center schedule for February. The center will be stationed at locations throughout DeKalb County to help put DeKalb County citizens back to work. The mobile unit brings job assistance to residents of DeKalb by conveniently traveling all over the county. Residents have access to services like job search assistance, workshops, training and resume writing and interviewing tips. Businesses may also use the mobile unit for interviewing, training, pre-employment screenings or recruiting. The Mobile Career Center is also aiding residents interested in applying for the DeKalb year-round internship program. The program provides short-term internship opportunities…

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Board of Directors has appointed Jill Savitt as chief executive officer effective March 11. Savitt, a genocide prevention expert, will resign as acting director for the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Interim CEO, Brian Tolleson, will step down but continue serving on The Center’s board. “Jill Savitt has the distinct caliber and experience to lead The Center. Throughout last year, Brian has catapulted our operational and financial health, and Jill begins her tenure at a fantastic moment for us,” said Shirley Franklin, former…

Story Updated Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant New Birth hosts huge Super Bowl Party for homeless By Valerie J. Morgan On Super Bowl Sunday, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is sending a caravan of buses into Atlanta to pick up the city’s homeless. The DeKalb County mega church, located in the city of Stonecrest, is bringing those who are homeless to its worship service and a star-studded Super Bowl party that will follow with food and entertainment. The “Soup and Souls” event is part of a larger initiative New Birth’s newly-appointed senior pastor, Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, has launched to help combat homelessness…

The Center for Civil & Human Rights Museum pays homage to the American Civil Rights Movement through historical exhibits and explains the role the center plays in protecting the rights of all people, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1 to 2 p.m., Scott Candler Public Library, 1917 Candler Road, Decatur.

Stonecrest Councilman George Turner received a Certificate of Recognition from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Mayors’ Day Conference in Atlanta on Jan. 27.  Turner is the current mayor pro tem on the City Council. Councilwoman Diane Adoma also received a certificate of recognition from the institute for completion of training. Adoma served as the city’s first mayor pro tem. The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally-recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. …