Author: On Common Ground News

Watchdogs for Justice (WFJ) is sponsoring a “Keeping Kids out of Prison” seminar on Saturday May 26, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. WFJ is a nonprofit organization established to decrease the number of young people entering the criminal justice system.  The seminars are designed to educate youths, their parents, and concerned citizens about the pitfalls that lure young people into behavior that can land them in prison. The community is urged to invite young people and their parents to attend and learn: What to do if stopped by…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is inviting parents to learn more about summer day camp programs during an orientation on Thursday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. Summer day camp programs are offered for youth ages 5-15 and information sessions will be held at all recreation centers, except Redan Recreation Center. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Public Relations Specialist, at (404) 371-3643. DeKalb County Recreation Centers   ·      Browns Mill Recreation Center: 5101 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 ·      Exchange Recreation Center: 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30034 ·      Gresham Recreation Center: 3113 Gresham…

The City of Clarkston will host its Work Session mixer on May 29, 6 to 7 p.m., at Clarkston’s City Hall, 3921 Church Street, Clarkston. Clarkston residents and other stakeholders are invited to mix and mingle with elected officials, City of Clarkston administrative staff and community leaders before the Council’s regularly scheduled City Council Work Session. City Manager Keith Barker said the council’s pre-Work Session mixers are  believed to be the first held in DeKalb County. “Mixers are another forum in which the City will continue to provide opportunities for civic and community engagement,” said Barker. Appetizers and beverages…

The Rockdale Community Ambassadors is hosting its second “Trash Bash” clean-up event on Saturday, June 9, weather permitting. The event will take place in Zone 2, the Windridge and Queenie Woods Neighborhoods, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meet-up location will be at Pine Log Park, 1451 Pine Log Road, Conyers. If weather conditions change, the clean-up will be held on Saturday, June 16. Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. created the Rockdale Community Ambassadors program to promote Rockdale County in a positive light. Within the Trash Bash campaign, there will be four separate community clean-up events, each hosted in four different…

I had no idea when I woke up May 10 I would be flying a plane. It was a regular day and as I headed to my interview, I thought about what I might ask a retired pilot. When I arrived at my subject’s home, I was amazed to find a plane parked in the yard. Before I had time to process how the plane got there, my dad, Glenn Morgan, who is publisher of On Common Ground News, and I were greeted by the plane’s owner, Charles “Chuck” Roberts. Roberts, who will celebrate his 74th birthday in June, recently…

What Georgia race could directly impact your monthly household budget? The most important race you’ve never heard of: Georgia’s Public Service Commissioner. While the Public Service Commission has many responsibilities, it ultimately has the power to regulate utility costs. Impact on the African American Community Atlanta has the fourth highest energy burden in the country. We pay a higher proportion of our income toward utility bills than almost any city in the United States. This energy burden falls heavily on black families in the metro area. Bad decisions by representatives on the Public Service Commission have led to these increased…

Students in WorkSource DeKalb’s Audio/Video and Film Program recently helped United Youth of America film a commercial highlighting the organization’s Culinary Arts Registered Apprenticeship Program. The commercial encourages 16- to 24-year-old DeKalb County residents to explore careers in the culinary arts industry. In the commercial, United Youth of America’s culinary arts registered apprenticeship participants are featured receiving hands-on training from Zaxby’s counter and kitchen staff and store management. The commercial is scheduled to air May through August 2018 on the Viacom networks MTV and VH1 via Comcast cable. For more information about WorkSource DeKalb’s Audio/Video and Film Program, contact Latanya…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all educators, administrators and support personnel to the 2018 Region I Job Fair on Thursday, May 31, 9 a.m. until noon, at Chamblee Charter High School in Chamblee The event will provide attendees with information about working in the Dunwoody, Cross Keys and Chamblee Charter high school clusters. Information also will be available about Kittredge Magnet, Oakcliff Theme, Warren Technical, Margaret Harris Comprehensive and the International Student Center. Participants should bring resumes, certificates, official transcripts, edTPA scores, GACE scores, program admissions, ethics assessments, and content assessments. To preregister for the event or apply…

Spring is a great time to clean out the old cobwebs, dust bunnies and pollen. It is also a great time to clean up that arrest record. If you have been arrested in Rockdale County or the City of Conyers, you MAY be eligible to have those records restricted from public view. If your arrest did not result in a conviction (PLEAS, JURY TRIALS, OR NOLOS) or if you completed a Pre-Trial Intervention/Diversion Program, you may qualify for this free opportunity. The City of Conyers Police and the Rockdale County Sheriff are waiving their fees for this event. You must…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, assisted by the DeKalb County Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol, have arrested Meshon Williams, 17, who was sought in connection with the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy. Williams was arrested on May 10. The victim, Z’Mari Mitchell, was shot while inside his home on Sweetgum Lane in Decatur on Saturday, May 5, after Williams allegedly fired 31 shots at the house. The child, who was hospitalized in critical condition, died May 9 from the injuries he sustained. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office received a warrant for Williams’ arrest on May 5,…