Author: On Common Ground News

Two DeKalb County School District schools have earned the title of 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools, courtesy of the United States Department of Education. Kittredge Magnet School and Austin Elementary School were both named 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools on Monday, Oct. 1. As honorees, the schools join more than 8,500 nationwide who have been recognized for academic excellence as well as the closing of achievement gaps in economic and social subgroups. “We are extremely pleased, but not surprised, that both Kittredge and Austin earned this tremendous honor. DCSD is home to excellent schools, and these two campuses are among…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary announced he is battling cancer. In an exclusive interview with On Common Ground News, he discussed his health challenge, his medical regimen in the face of cancer and the future of the city.  Question: What is the status of your health? Answer:  I have prostate cancer. I found out about three months ago. The problem started with painful kidney stones that I could not shake. Further testing and a biopsy revealed that cancer was present.  Question: Were you surprised to learn you had cancer?  Answer: Shocked. Very shocked. No one in my family has had cancer.…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on Oct. 9 on a special use permit for a “Recreational and Vacation Camp” called the Rockdale Art Farm. The proposed art farm, located on 25 acres at 4420 Flat Bridge Road in south Rockdale, has been the center of debate for months, drawing opposition from those who say it will bring noise, traffic and dramatically change the character of the quiet area. Proponents, however, are excited about the possibilities of having a venue that promotes arts and education modeled after Serenbe, a community connected to…

   The City of Decatur invites the community to contribute to a conversation on inclusive and affordable housing, Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.  The day-long summit will establish a shared understanding of Decatur’s housing context, define the often subjective term affordability as it relates to Decatur, explore viable approaches and strategies, and conclude with ways for all participants to be a part of local solutions.  “Through the Housing Summit, we want to define Decatur-driven strategies that reflect community expectations about affordable and inclusive housing,”Mayor Patti…

Helping Hands Outreach Clinic, 2442 Lake Rockaway Road, Conyers, is hosting a series of workshops designed to teach individuals the basics of diabetes, how to self-manage diabetes, how to follow a diabetic-friendly diet, and therapeutic ways to manage stress, which can impact diabetes control. The first workshop, “An Overview-Diabetes 101,” was held on Sept. 18. The remaining five workshops in the series will be held every other Tuesday, through Nov. 27, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Helping Hands Outreach Center. The workshops have been scheduled as follows: Tuesday, Oct. 2 – “Dietary Management” Tuesday, Oct. 16 – “Weight Management…

By Travis Hudgons Stone Mountain High School has a new community garden, thanks to the DeKalb Kids Project, a nonprofit co-founded by DeKalb School Board Member-Elect Diijon DaCosta, his twin brother, Tiijon, and cousin Dawit Willis. About 50 volunteers, comprised of Stone Mountain High School students, parents, faculty and staff, partnered with the nonprofit to create the garden about two weeks ago. The group planted collards, romaine lettuce, cabbage kale, strawberries and red peppers—food they will share with those in need and use in class for cooking projects. Principal Wislene John welcomes the garden, saying the project incorporates lessons students…

The City of Stonecrest’s Development Authority members completed a day-long training recently.  The 11-member panel includes local business owners, Mayor Jason Lary, Stonecrest’s Economic Development Director Sabrina Wright and Doug Stoner, a consultant hired to aid in building and managing the new authority. The statutorily-mandated training equipped the students with the knowledge of how development authorities serve within the city’s economic development process.  Training topics included ethics, conflicts of interest, bonds, incentives, strategic planning, and finance.  Development authority members will play a key role in the city’s economic development process.  According to the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association, the new…

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) and Georgia Piedmont Technical College have teamed up to develop the “No FOG, No Clog” program for the college’s English as a Second Language (ESL) students.  DWM will facilitate six Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) presentations to almost 300 students in the ESL program at the college.  The DWM Public Outreach Department will design and create presentations focused on best management practices for FOG disposal.  In accordance with the campaign message, students will receive the following tools to best dispose of FOG:  Funnels to pour cooled grease into a container Scrapers to remove…

Councilman George Turner will hold a town hall meeting on Oct. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., at Salem-Panola Road Library, 5137 Salem Road, Stonecrest.        The meeting will include information on Mayor Jason Lary’s medical leave, the upcoming Stonecrest Fest, development proposed at Browns Mill and Panola Road intersection, for 5KRun/Walk against hypertension at Arabia Mountain on Oct. 27 and the nest steps for the city’s SPLOST program. The community is encouraged to attend the town hall meeting. For more information, Councilman Tuner can be reached at 404-886-2053 or turnerg1@comcast.net.

The National Sustainable Energy Group (NSEG), a leading African-American-owned HVAC Distributor based in Lithonia, has signed a Master Merchant Agreement with 1st Franklin Finance to provide HVAC loans for borrowers with moderate credit.  The program is designed to allow homeowners with a moderate credit score an opportunity to secure financing to purchase a new HVAC unit based on the mandatory EPA phaseout of the R-22 refrigerant commonly known as Freon.  This will also be a game changer that provides HVAC financing for homeowners who have Freon-based HVAC units that are 10 years or older, outdated and non-functional HVAC units that…