Author: On Common Ground News

The upcoming Cultural Exchange Breakfast will feature a discussion on school safety and and safety in the community at large at the upcoming meeting. The community also will have a chance to meet candidates who are running for public offices in May. The meeting will be held on Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m., at Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur (H.F. Shepherd Multiplex Building). DeKalb School Board member Vicki B. Turner, and her husband, Stonecrest District 2 Council member Robert Turner are hosting the free breakfast meeting.

Parent Academy returns to Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) on Saturday, March 10, for its 14th semester of improving lives. This free half-day conference offers classes for parents, teens and tweens at Rockdale Career Academy (RCA), 1064 Culpepper Road, Conyers, from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The community is invited to participate in roundtable discussions on school safety at the beginning of the event. Online registration is available at www.rockdaleschools.org/parentacademy. Paper registration forms are available at each RCPS school. Interim Superintendent Shirley Chesser, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett, and Conyers Police Department Chief Gene Wilson will open the day…

The Georgia Department of Labor is working with several partners on a job readiness event and accompanying job fair in Rockdale County in March. A job fair will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at at Restoration Storehouse Center, 1400 Parker Road S.E., Conyers. the same location. Partners include the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, WorkSource Atlanta Regional, Restoration Storehouse, Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council, Georgia Piedmont Technical College and The Stellar Consulting Group. Those who attended the readiness event on March 6 will be given early entry to the job fair. Attendees will be able…

    DeKalb County officials will initiate a full-scale investigation into the cause of today’s (March 7) massive water main break, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said this afternoon. The break forced the shutdown of schools, government offices and businesses and flooded streets. “We will determine whether the break was the result of a systematic failure, improper maintenance, wear and tear or physical tampering,” Thurmond said. “I am committed to making sure our infrastructure is protected and maintained in a manner that will ensure quality service to the citizens of DeKalb County.” Thurmond said he was alerted of the water main…

Stonecrest City Councilman George Turner today urged the community to pitch in and help Salem Middle School’s Symphonic Band to cover expenses for their trip to Carnegie Hall this month. Turner said the band is excited about representing the new city of Stonecrest and urged the community to rally around the band by giving a donation. Coordinator Sandra Harris said the band still needs about $15,000 to cover 8 to 10 scholarships for students and road tolls that must be for the trip to New York City. The band will perform on March 26. “We have about 50 students…

After consulting with local government and health officials, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will reopen on Thursday, March 8. “We have been in constant dialogue with our partners at DeKalb County and the DeKalb County Board of Health. Following that consultation, we will reopen our campuses while taking great care to ensure we have a healthy learning environment,” said Superintendent/CEO R. Stephen Green. “We have a good plan that covers sanitation, food service and other aspects of our operations impacted by the water event today. We’ll be ready for our students.” “As importantly, we ask each of our…

Qualifying for the 2018 elections began on Monday, March 5, and ends on Friday, March 9, at noon. Here is a look at how some of the key local races are shaping up so far on the third day of qualifying:   DeKalb County Board of Commissioners District 2 Jeff Rader, Democrat, Incumbent District 3 Felton Wright, Democrat Larry Johnson, Incumbent District 7 Gregory Adams, Democrat, Incumbent State Court Judges Johnny Panos (I) Alvin T. Wong (I) Board of Education, District 2 Candice D. McKinley Marshall Orson (I) Board of Education, District 4 Allyson…

Water pressure has returned to all DeKalb County fire stations after a massive water main break that occurred early this morning (March 7).  The break created havoc, causing traffic jams, the closure of schools and businesses and water shortages throughout the county. Officials said a break in a 48-inch transmission main at 5718 Buford Highway, N.E., between Longmire and McElroy Roads in Doraville was responsible. Eight tankers were being brought into the county to supply water for fire protection and supply chillers at hospitals. The county’s water department is working with other agencies to address low water pressure. DeKalb…

Vending opportunities have closed for the ever popular Parade of Hats Fashion Show and Luncheon. The annual event will be held on March 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Paul AME Church, 1704 Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia. If you have not purchased your ticket, you will need to do so this week. Tickets are $20 per person and include the fashion show, luncheon and special entertainment by the Beulah Boys, Larry Clay and Bridgette Maynor. State Rep. Billy Mitchell will be the special guest speaker and there will be an array of vendors offering unique clothing, hats, accessories,…

  Is your business registered for the Black Business Showcase, which will be held on March 13 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center? Your registration includes several benefits: Recognition on stage during the program; On-site pre-certification for DeKalb County; Participation in the Business Exchange Networking Reception; Information on the County’s Small Business Loan Program; Business expansion through SPLOST; Documented in a preferred list of Black Businesses. Additional Benefits: DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson has invited Ashley Bell, Regional Administrator, for the Small Business Administration, Region 4, to meet and greet              the Black Business owners during…