Author: On Common Ground News

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, will be available Nov. 1. The federally-funded program assists low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with heating bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Beginning Nov. 1, residents aged 65 and older or those who are homebound can apply for assistance through LIHEAP. All other eligible residents may apply for assistance beginning Dec. 3.  Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. In 2018, the LIHEAP program spent over $48 million to assist…

Conyers Mayor Vince Evans presented Rockdale County Fire and Rescue officials a proclamation in honor of National Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial Day on Oct. 7.  Honor Guard members  from Rockdale County Fire and Rescue traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the national memorial weekend in which firefighters lost in the line of duty each year are remembered and honored.

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary announced the creation of  the Citizens’ Stonecrest SPLOST Oversight Committee.  The committee will consist of Stonecrest citizens from each of the city’s five districts and will represent the interests of the residents by assuring that the city is accountable for the funds generated by the 1% sales tax. The committee will also ensure that SPLOST projects are completed on time and within budget.   The SPLOST Oversight Committee will be comprised of 12 members.  Recommendations for appointees will come from each council member and the mayor.   The mayor said that priority preference will be given…

Stonecrest City Councilman Jimmy Clanton accepted to  Leadership DeKalb’s 2019 Class  Stonecrest City Councilman Jimmy Clanton, Jr. has been accepted to Leadership DeKalb’s class of 2019. Leadership DeKalb convenes current and emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds, informs them about vital issues for a thriving and forward-looking DeKalb County and engages them to lead in ways that improve quality of life for all who live and work in DeKalb. The 55-member class includes: Dr. Stephen Green, Superintendent/CEO DeKalb County School District; Ted Terry, Mayor of the  City of Clarkston; Craig Medlin, Major of DeKalb County Police Department; Andre Moorer, Senior Manager…

A man considered to be a suspect in a Stone Mountain murder in March of this year has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit. Investigators apprehended 19-year-old Quintylas Octavious Trammel of Decatur without incident on Oct. 3 on a warrant issued on Sept. 20, 2018.  Trammel was indicted by the Grand Jury on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Theft by Taking, and two counts of Armed Robbery. He is in custody at the DeKalb County Jail.

Rockdale County Animal Care and Control Shelter (RCACCS) has received a $5,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Dog and Cat Reproductive Sterilization Support Program. The grant provides financial aid to animal shelters and rescue organizations for the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. “We are excited about receiving this grant funding from the Dog and Cat Reproductive Sterilization Support Program in order to set-up a spay/neuters procedures in Rockdale County,” said Sue Sanders, Rockdale County Director of Recreation and Maintenance Department. “This outreach effort is a win for both the animals and the county residents.” According to…

In recognition of Disability Awareness Month, WorkSource DeKalb and the One-Stop Disabilities Committee will host a disability awareness forum and career expo on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 774 Jordan Lane, Bldg. No. 4, Decatur. The forum will educate the community, service providers and job seekers about accommodations and services for persons with physical and mental disabilities. Several business professionals and organizations that have a vast amount of experience in disability awareness will be on hand. Presenting agencies include the Georgia Department of Labor, Goodwill of North Georgia and disABILITY LINK. A recruiting event will begin immediately…

Young people ages 16 to 24 who are unemployed or not in school are invited to attend a job and resource event on Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Goodwill of North Georgia’s career center, 2201 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur.  Opportunity ATL and the Metro Atlanta Chamber are partnering on the event, which will offer mock interviews, résumé assistance and training resources in addition to a pool of employers looking to hire new talent.   Youths are encouraged  to come dressed professionally.  Goodwill is providing gently-used blazers at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis for those who don’t…

  A citizens’ Bond Referendum Review Committee, appointed by the Rockdale Board of Commissioners (BOC), has begun developing a plan for a new courthouse. The 27-member committee has been tasked with submitting its plans to the BOC by January 2019. The BOC said it selected a diverse group of community leaders to address the $140 million bond referendum proposed to fund the project.  During the committee’s first meeting, which was held on July 24, Sue Sanders, one of the county’s directors who is overseeing the project, discussed the process and timeline the county has outlined for a plan. The committee…

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent R. Stephen Green invites all students, parents, staff and stakeholders to the second “On The Scene with Dr. Green” event of the 2018-2019 school year on Thursday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. The event will be held at Tucker Middle School, 2160 Idlewood Road in Tucker.  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 total locations.…