Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb pet owners and their dogs gathered for a day of fun in the sun at the first ever Doggie Splash Paw-looza on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Midway Park Pool in Decatur. The inaugural pool party for pooches, sponsored by DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs, celebrated the close of the summer season by allowing local pet owners to bring their dogs out for a dip in the pool. David Manuel, Interim Deputy Director at DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs as well as executive director of the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, said…

By Valerie J. Morgan Stonecrest officials will consider how the city’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program will be managed when the council and mayor meet on Sept. 17 for the work session and council meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting is critical. The city’s estimated $47.7 million SPLOST program has been in limbo for months, the center of a heated debate between council members and the mayor.  Mayor Jason Lary said at a Sept. 10 “Straight Talk With the Mayor” town hall meeting that he was ready to see the situation resolved.  Although…

MARTA has promoted Chief Wanda Y. Dunham from Assistant General Manager of Police and Emergency Management to Chief of System Safety, Security, and Emergency Management/Police Chief. Dunham made history in May 2006 with her appointment to Chief of Police/Assistant General Manager at MARTA, the country’s ninth largest transit agency. She is the first African-American and woman to hold this position.  “I have had the privilege of serving the customers of MARTA for the last 30 years. I am honored to take on this new role and continue providing a safe riding experience for our valued MARTA patrons,” said Chief…

MARTA and MillerCoors will provide free rides to Falcons fans on Sunday, Sept. 16 (vs. Carolina) and Sunday, Sept. 23 (vs. New Orleans). Miller Lite representatives will hand out free Breeze cards both days between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Indian Creek, College Park, H.E. Holmes, and Lindbergh rail stations. “The safety of MARTA customers is always our top priority,” said MARTA General Manager & CEO Jeffrey Parker. “By providing Breeze cards for Falcons games, Miller Lite is helping us ensure fans will have a great time and a safe ride on our transit system.” Miller Lite has…

Vietnam veterans from DeKalb County and surrounding counties will have an opportunity to take part in a public recognition of their military service at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. at the American Legion Harold Byrd Post 66, 30 Covington Road, Avondale Estates.  The state’s recognition of these veterans is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service created the Vietnam War Certificate of Honor program in partnership with the Office of Governor Nathan Deal in 2015. The honors ceremony is…

Santavious Jerome Hurley, 26, received a life sentence after pleading guilty to several charges including murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault.  DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston  said Hurley entered a guilty plea ahead of his scheduled trial next week.  The charges against Hurley stem from a series of incidents beginning on the night of April 11, 2017. According to the investigation, Hurley approached two men waiting for an Uber driver outside of a gas station in the 2500 block of Gresham Road shortly before10:30 p.m. The Hurley held the men at gunpoint and demanded the victims take off their…

Rockdale County Public Schools congratulates the top three finalists for RCPS 2018 Teacher of the Year: Rockdale County High School’s Amy Baxter, Gen. Ray Davis Middle School’s Carlos Hernandez, Rockdale Career Academy’s Liz McGowan. All three received surprise visits by Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts, Rockdale County Board of Education members, RCPS cabinet members, and leaders for the announcement on Sept.13. Baxter, Hernandez, and McGowan are in the running to be named the district’s 2018 Teacher of the Year. They and all the school-level Teachers of the Year will be honored at the Teacher of the Ceremony on Oct. 16 at…

The Atlanta Art Institute’s Photographic Imaging Department is hosting a closing reception on Sept. 15 for RESCUE, an exhibition featuring their student photos of LifeLine Animal Project shelter pets.  The exhibit will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Institute’s Janet Day Gallery, 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road. The public is invited. All donated proceeds will benefit LifeLine Animal Project.  LifeLine Animal Project provides lifesaving solutions to end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in county shelters. LifeLine manages DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services, where it has increased adoptions by 300 percent and operates a private rehabilitative shelter…

Rockdale County government officials plan to dive into two critical subjects facing the county at upcoming events scheduled in October and November.   The public is invited to attend a Community Housing Forum on Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m., at the J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. The purpose of this event is to showcase the county’s commitment to exploring how everyone in Rockdale County can gain access to healthy lifestyle, high-quality and affordable housing. During the forum, several key members of the Rockdale County housing and real estate industry will be sharing presentations about what the county…

DeKalb County NAACP and Alliant Health Solutions are offering training on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) on Saturday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 3203 Glenwood Road, Decatur.  Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.  The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.   The interactive 8-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders including depression and anxiety and psychotic disorders.  It introduces participants to risk factors and warning…