Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling raised over $21,500 through her annual “Dancing with the DeKalb Stars” a domestic violence resource expo and fundraiser, for local non-profits, Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence and International Women’s House. The event, which was held at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Oct. 20 exceeded fundraising goals through ticket sales, sponsorships and a partnership with the DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts.  “Our goal for this event was to create a fun and safe environment for our community to learn more about the cycle of abuse. We also wanted Dancing…

The Rockdale County Courthouse is getting a new roof. County officials say the work, which was scheduled to begin on Oct. 22, was delayed a week as workers delivered building materials and blocked off nearby streets in preparation for the demolition.   Workers are now scheduled to begin removing the aging roof during the week of Oct. 29. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 12. The courthouse will get an energy efficient “cool roof system,” officials said. “We are making progress in repairing and renovating Rockdale County infrastructure,” said Sue Sanders, director of Rockdale County Recreation and Maintenance…

A bounty of activities throughout the metro-Atlanta area await families and their children now that the weather is a little cooler and the foliage is turning into a riot of colors.  It’s officially the season for families to enjoy dozens of free events featuring treats and activities for the kids and opportunities for everyone to wear costumes, decorate and have fun. Listed here are some of the events planned. If you know of others, please e-mail us at editor@ocgnews.com and we will update the information. Voices of Faith Ministries sets Trunk or Treat Voices of Faith Ministries Rockdale Campus, 1290…

DeKalb County’s public safety workers will get a four percent pay raise in November. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved  DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s pay proposal on Oct. 23.  The $7.1 million salary increase goes into effect the first pay period in November 2018 and applies to approximately 2,100 public safety employees. “Last year, the county took steps to improve compensation for public safety,” said Thurmond. “With the support of the Board of Commissioners, these salary increases will further enhance the county’s recruitment and retention efforts.”    The salary increase applies to police officers, firefighters, E-911 employees, medical…

On Dec. 1, the Rockdale Democratic Party will hold elections for its executive board (chair; 1st vice chair; 2nd vice chair; treasurer and secretary), and for Post 2 Post holders (precinct captains). All of the positions are for two-year terms.  To run for post holder, candidates must live in the precinct for which they are running and have verifiable members of the precinct attend to vote.   To run for the executive board, candidates must be a post holder and have paid their dues for 2018.   Candidates running for precinct captains and the executive board must send their name…

The threat of rain did not prevent over 200 runners from crossing the finish line at the 9th Annual Race Against Violence 5K (RAV), which was held on Saturday, Oct. 20 in Conyers.   RAV has become an annual tradition for many people in the community as the participants, sponsors  and volunteers begin the weekend carbing up at the pre-race party hosted by Mellow Mushroom in Conyers on Friday night and then meeting at the Conyers First United Methodist Church at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday for the start of the race. The Rockdale County Task Force Against Family Violence, chaired…

Priscilla Davenport, breast cancer survivor, stands in front of her adopted MARTA bus stop she has sponsored for the past two years.In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Keep DeKalb Beautiful (KDB) is placing a pink ribbon on every sign adopted during the month of October as part of the Adopt-A-Stop (Marta), Adopt-A-Spot and Adopt-A-Road Programs.  Each Adopt-A-Program aims to reduce litter and blight in a focused area. To remain in good standing, each group is asked to complete and report four cleanups per year.  KDB will provide all the supplies and collect the materials at the end of each…

 THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED Democratic Party of Georgia pushes early voting  By Valerie J. Morgan  The Democratic Party of Georgia is urging voters to go to the polls during the early voting period, in the wake of receiving reports from thousands of voters– 47,00 of them in DeKalb County–who never received the absentee ballots they requested. Rebecca DeHart, executive director for the state Democratic Party, said an estimated 4,700 absentee ballots were unfulfilled by the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections, even though a number of requests were made in early September. DeHart said DeKalb officials now have committed…

Harvest Fire Festival at New Birth New Birth Missionary Baptist Church& Samson’s Fitness Center, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia, will host its Harvest Fire Festival on Saturday, Oct. 27. There will be fun for all generations. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Taste of Health 5K Run/Walk & Health Fair Screenings will be held. From 3 to 8 p.m., there will be outdoor games, sports competitions, bounce houses, a candy drop, food trucks, horse and pony rides, a concert, Drones Technology Demonstration,  bonfire and more. The family fun activities are free of charge.  For more details, visit www.newbirth.org/events. 770-696-9600 Kingdom…

The NAACP, DeKalb County Branch, will host its 62ndAnnual Freedom Fund Awards Gala on Oct. 27 at the Courtyard Marriott Atlanta,130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur.  A VIP reception will be held 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the Awards Gala will begin promptly at 7. This year’s theme is “A New Era, Same Cause…Justice!” Former State Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler, along with Dr. Alduan Tartt and Dr. Sean Tartt are the hosts for this year’s gala. DeKalb NAACP President Teresa Hardy said the Freedom Fund Gala is a major fundraiser for the branch, which formed 63 years ago with the mission…