Author: On Common Ground News

Grady Memorial Hospital has added a new mobile emergency department unit to help treat flu patients. Like other hospitals across the region and nation, Grady is experiencing high patient volumes this flu season and new initiatives were added to expand quality care and prevent the unnecessary spread of the flu. The facility, Carolinas Med-1 Mobile Emergency Department, is the only state-of-the-art medical trailer complex available in the United States. Stationed near the hospital’s emergency room, the unit includes a two-bed operating room and up to 14 extra beds. Additional flu treatment initiatives include temporarily limiting hospital visitors under the age…

The public is invited to meet DeKalb County’s new deputy chief operating officer of public safety, Joseph “Jack” H. Lumpkin, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Residents will have an opportunity to discuss neighborhood safety concerns and share ideas on how to unite the county and improve community relations efforts. Lumpkin will oversee police, fire rescue, animal control, emergency management, E-911 and medical examiner services. He will begin his tenure on Jan. 28 and will be responsible for leading approximately 1,600 employees with a total 2018 annual budget of…

North Parkwood Road, between Coventry Road and Scott Boulevard in Decatur, will be closed to through-traffic for infrastructure repairs. The road is expected to be closed through 9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14. Repairs are underway at 757 North Parkwood Road. Road closure signs will be posted advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Division at 404-294-2040.

Meet African-American cosplayers at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2 p.m., in the library’s auditorium. Cosplay is an art of costuming as a favorite character from a movie, book, or video game, especially manga and anime. The cosplayers willl discuss why they love cosplay, how they prepare for events and the role of science fiction, fantasy and futurism in shaping the black self-image. The program is geared for those ages 12 and older.

  The Leadership Team USA is hosting its College Scholarship Academy program, “Hope After High School,” on Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia. Youths and their parents are invited to come out and receive information on scholarships and jobs. Speakers include John Meadows Infinite Scholars, Courtney Dillard The Leadership Team, Descatur Potier Georgia State LIFT Program, Latanya Lowery WorkSource DeKalb, Representatives from the U.S. Army.

DeKalb County Fire Rescue investigators are seeking the public’s help in finding Coleman D. Reid, a person of interest, regarding a Jan. 18 fire at the Oak Tree Villas Apartments, 3548 Clubhouse Circle East in Decatur. DeKalb County firefighters responded to a structure fire at the apartments and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the three-story multifamily building. “Many families were displaced by this fire, and seeking justice for those responsible would begin the healing process for those that were severely impacted,” DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum said. Fire investigators are asking anyone with information regarding this fire…

During its Jan. 25 awards luncheon, Georgia Piedmont Technical College announced  Crystal Wright, a nursing student,  as the college’s 2018  Student of the Year.  In addition, paralegal instructor, Kye Haymore, was announced as Instructor of the Year. “Ms. Wright and Ms. Haymore are both high achievers, and I am inspired by the respective journeys that brought them to our institution,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama.  “These women will represent the college well as they compete for regional and state titles. I am enormously proud of them.” Each year, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) administers the Georgia Occupational Award for…

Wintry weather may have shut down roads, businesses, and school buildings recently, but Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) teachers and students didn’t miss a beat as they continued teaching and learning online and at home with Independent Learning Days the week of Jan. 17-19. Rockdale students will notbe required to make up the days since instruction continued during that time online and at home. During designated Independent Learning Days, when inclement weather prevents students from being safely transported to school, teachers use online learning platforms to give assignments and communicate with students via regular methods such as itslearning, Remind101, ClassDojo,…

DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw is launching “Quarterly in the Fourth” community breakfast meetings for District 4 constituents and other interested parties. Constituents will have an opportunity to discuss various topics and meet representatives from DeKalb County departments. The first community breakfast meeting will be held on Jan. 27, 9 a.m., at Clarkston High School, 618 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The focus of the meetings is to provide information and resources and to address the concerns of Commissioner Bradshaw’s constituents. Constituents will have an opportunity to discuss various topics and meet representatives from DeKalb County departments “It…

The Stonecrest City Council will hold its work session on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m., at City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. The council’s regular voting meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., at City Hall.