Author: On Common Ground News

Vaughters’ Barn, a former dairy farm that is part of Panola Mountain State Park and the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA), is currently undergoing renovations to stabilize the historic building. The project began at the end of October. Water damage, structural factors, and general wear and tear have led to some structural instability. Upon completion of the project, the barn will offer increased opportunities for education about county history. DeKalb County was at one point the biggest dairy producer in the state of Georgia, and S. B. Vaughters was one of the many dairy farmers in the area.…

Local organizations are warming hearts and filling bellies this Thanksgiving through several initiatives. DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and The Women in NAACP, DeKalb County branch are hosting their annual “Day of Service” turkey giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the Gallery of South DeKalb mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur. Hundreds of turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first served basis (one per household). Johnson said helping make the holiday special is something he looks forward to doing every year. “This is another opportunity for us to bless families…

Military veterans were the focus of Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams’ fourth mental health forum, which was held on Nov. 15. Williams hosted the “Community Conversations on Mental Health: Focus on Veterans” at the Rockdale Career Academy in Conyers, four days following Veterans Day. Veterans were provided a free dinner, a special gift recognizing their service and several vendors were on hand to provide information about  services for veteran families and discounts for military men and women. The speakers for the event included James Adkins, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Behavioral Health, PTSD and Addiction; Shy Armstrong from Congressman Hank…

Sheri Akinniyi, a student at DeKalb Early College Academy, won both a ‘superior’ rating and ‘Best in Show’ at the 2018 Georgia Student Media Festival, earning state level recognitions. Akinniyi’s website project, “The Albany Movement: March Toward Racial Unification,” received a perfect score of 100. Akinniyi was among nine students from three DeKalb County schools who participated in the festival. The schools included Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology, DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA), and DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment. The students competed in “new media,” which provide the building blocks of modern entertainment, business and government…

Monday, Nov. 26, 6-8:30 p.m. Dual Enrollment Information Session Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Dr., Conyers; Receive information on taking Dual Enrollment classes to earn free college credit while in high school. For more information, email:  tpatton@rockdale.k12.ga.us Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. DMS band Winter Concert and Art Show Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, 3375 East Fairview Rd. SW, Stockbridge. Enjoy the concert, art show, artist holiday market. Free. For more information, email: jwilliams1@rockdale.k12.ga.us Thursday, Dec. 6-7, 7:30 p.m. DMS theater musical Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, 3375 East Fairview Rd. SW, Stockbridge, presents “Junie B. Jones JR…

Flat or drum? Dry or wet rub? Hot, medium or mild? Sweet or sour? Traditional or creative? These are just a handful of questions culinary students from DeKalb County School District (DCSD) answered on Friday, November 2 as part of the district’s second annual DCSD Wingfest, sponsored by the Career Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) department. For the entire month of October, culinary students at 10 high schools—Warren Tech, Miller Grove, Clarkston, Columbia, Tucker, McNair, Arabia Mountain, Lakeside, Redan and Towers—have fired up grills, mixed spices, and worked as creative units to concoct the perfect chicken wing. On November 2,…

  City of Conyers Chief Financial Officer Isabel Rogers and Finance Manager Yvonne Glumb received their Municipal Revenue Administration Certificates from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) on Nov. 2. GMA’s Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate program is designed to strengthen the understanding of city managers, city clerks, finance officers, customer service staff, elected officials and other city employees on different municipal revenue sources and applicable laws of the administration and collection process. In order to receive the certificate, recipients must complete all six program courses: Ad Valorem Tax 101, Delinquent Tax Collection, Governmental Fund Revenue Sources 101, Occupation Tax and Regulatory…

Rockdale Emergency Relief (RER) will present the 21st Annual Christmas Tour of Homes featuring historic homes in the Olde Town Conyers historic district.  The candlelight tour with carolers will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. The tour will be held on Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1- 5 p.m. The annual event is the primary fundraiser to support RER in providing food, clothing, and utility assistance to those in need during emergencies. RER also supports several programs for housing stabilization for the homeless and provided over 14,300 lunches to children during summer breaks. Advance tickets for the tour are…

The Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will hold a public hearing on Nov. 27, 6 p.m., at Rockdale County Fire Rescue Station 7, 1496 Rockbridge Road, Conyers. The purpose of the hearing is to introduce the 2018 draft update of the Rockdale County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and to start a 45-day public review process. Following the meeting, the draft plan will be available at www.RockdaleCountyGA.govfor public review and comments. Citizens are invited to attend the hearing and to participate in the review effort. Comments on the draft plan will be taken at the public hearing  or can be e-mailed…

Giving back and spreading happiness through dancing is the mission of the Redan Soul Line Dancers. The group held its second annual extravaganza on Oct. 13, raising $2,000 for Booster Club children and adult mentoring programs. The director, Portia Perry, thanked the group, saying she was grateful for the contribution.  The Redan Soul Line Dancers host free classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. For more information, call the Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia, Georgia, at 770-492-5434.