Author: On Common Ground News

By Rockdale Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr.  Guardianships can take away a person’s rights to decide to marry, make contracts, consent to medical treatment, and establish a residence. Conservatorships allow the appointee to manage the ward’s finances and assets, buy and sell property, and enter into business and commercial transactions. Both the guardianship and conservatorship can also take away a person’s right to bring and defend actions in court. There are several other, less intrusive ways to act on behalf of someone with diminished mental or physical capacity. One or more of the following alternatives may serve the needs of…

A new $7.8 million state-of-the-art senior center that will be constructed on Elam Road in Stone Mountain moved a step closer to reality after a 5-2 vote by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. “This will be an asset that will be used and enjoyed by the citizens of DeKalb County maybe for the next 25 to 30 years,” said DeKalb Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who represents District 4, and pushed for the new senior center. The proposed senior center will be located on a 2.7-acre, county-owned parcel at 4875 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. The location was chosen following a feasibility…

Jason Philpot, 38, of Atlanta, was sentenced to 25 years, eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release Philpot, a 10-time convicted felon, was sentenced to federal prison for the armed robbery of a Waffle House and assault on police officers, whom he led on a high-speed chase and shot at after the robbery. According to U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak, Philpot and his accomplice entered the Waffle House on LaVista Road in Tucker on Sept. 30, 2014, shortly after 10:30 p.m. Philpot wore a black mask and carried an assault-style rifle while his…

The official kickoff to Conyers’ holiday season will take place  this weekend with the Olde Town Christmas Party and the 19th Annual Conyers Christmas Parade. Sponsored by the city of Conyers, the Olde Town Christmas Party takes place in the streets of the historic business district on Nov. 30, 5-8 p.m. Families are encouraged to enjoy free visits with Santa in the Conyers Depot/Welcome Center at 901 Railroad Street. Photo packages will be available for purchase and printed on-site. Visitors can also snuggle up for a hayride or train ride through the streets or roast marshmallows on Railroad Street. A free…

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the establishment of the Center for Workforce Innovation, a jobs training program focused on outcomes-based education for high-demand careers.  The Center, which will be housed at Atlanta Technical College, is the result of a public-private partnership with the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Committee for Progress and Atlanta Technical College. “Atlanta is internationally recognized for its dual focus on commerce and compassion,” said Bottoms. “Our business and civic leaders have a longstanding history of working together to strengthen communities. As we now partner Atlanta’s leading corporations with one of the nation’s best technical college systems, Atlanta…

The public is invited Dec. 1 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Dunwoody becoming a city. The city will host a family-friendly event to mark the occasion from 2-6 p.m. at Pernoshal Park, 4575 N. Shallowford Road, Dunwoody. Activities include a community bike ride, craft stations, giveaways, a photo booth, food trucks and cider and hot cocoa. There will be several community organizations in attendance to celebrate this special anniversary. This is a free event.

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…