Author: On Common Ground News

State lawmakers are establishing a House Study Committee on School Security in the wake of the massacre at a South Florida high school. Meanwhile, Rockdale County elections officials announced last week it was eliminating school-based voting precincts. Elections supervisor of Elections Cynthia Welch said the Rockdale Board of Elections and a citizens committee began looking at making the moves last summer. Welch said about 43,000 voters will be assigned new precincts ahead of the May 22 elections. State lawmakers moved to establish a committee to study school safety as growing national attention is focused on the Parkland, Florida massacre. “In…

The first four days of qualifying have yielded challengers vying for seats in DeKalb and Rockdale currently held by veteran incumbents. Here’s a look at the incumbents and challengers as of Thursday, March 8, (qualifying for the May 22 election end on Friday, March 9, at noon): DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson will face challenger Felton Wright. District 43 State Sen. Tonya P. Anderson, Democrat, will face Joel Thibodeaux, also a Democrat. State Rep. Howard Mosby, District 83, will face Becky Evans. Both are Democrats. State Rep. Michelle Henson, District 86, will face Joscelyn C. Oneil. Both are…

An 11-year-old boy was bitten by a rabid dog on Feb. 27 near Stone Mountain after two Rottweilers escaped from a residence in the Rivercliff subdivision near Anniston Road and showed up at the home of a nearby family. The boy was bitten when the two Rottweilers attacked his dog, which was on a leash, as he was moving it from a kennel to the garage. Shortly afterward, one of the Rottweilers was fatally injured by a car. Subsequent tests show the deceased Rottweiler had rabies. The boy’s family identified the rabid dog as the one that bit him. The…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Beasley Drug Company knows what it takes to keep customers coming through the door – a good recipe, a smile and a perfect health score. The downtown Conyers pharmacy and restaurant recently earned perfect health inspection marks. The eatery offers a smorgasbord of inexpensive breakfast and lunch items in a relaxed setting reminiscent of a 1940s lunch counter. The historic pharmacy and restaurant is owned by Ora Bailey, whose grandfather purchased the store in 1934.The restaurant, which opened in 1942, started out with just one soda fountain and a hamburger machine. Popularly known for their house…

Twenty children who attend the after-school program at Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia recently had the opportunity to attend the stage drama, “Cobweb Dreams.” What made the outing so special? The kids got to see the Champion Middle School Drama Club perform the play at the ART Station in downtown Stone Mountain, thanks to the South DeKalb Rotary Club. The Drama Club, under the direction of Drama Instructor Rwanda J. Hammond, performed “Cobweb Dreams, which was written by playwright Lindsey Price who sets the fun-filled fantasy that runs parallel to the events of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. South…

Keep DeKalb Beautiful will host a rain barrel workshop on Saturday, March 24, 2 to 3:30 p.m., located at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur. Participants will learn how to build rain barrels and leave with a completed project. Rain barrels harvest roof runoff, which can be used to irrigate landscape plants or gardens. Just 1 inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof provides 623 gallons of water. The rain barrel workshop is $25 per household and limited seating remains. All proceeds will benefit Friends of Frazier-Rowe Park. To register, call Keep DeKalb Beautiful at 404-298-4080.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann and Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry are hosting VOICES, A Free Women’s History Month event on Saturday, March 24, 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Porter Sanford, III Performing Arts & Community Center 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The guest speaker will be Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, also known as the “Historian In Heels.” Panelists will include Ciera Allen, M.D.; Commissioner Kathie Gannon; Yolanda Lee, First Lady, Berean Christian Church; Sarah-Elizabeth Langford Reed, Former First Lady, City of Atlanta; Gabrielle Maddox, realtor; Robin Morris, Ph.D.; and DeKalb School Board Member Vickie B. Turner. Panelists will discuss…

To improve services and guide the future development of programs and facilities, Rockdale County is conducting a strategic parks and recreation master plan. The master plan is a comprehensive approach to outlining goals, identifying new opportunities, determining project phasing, and setting the framework for development and maintenance of facilities, offerings and services. A major component of this process is public input, which includes a community survey. Rockdale County is using the consultant team of Lose & Associates, Inc. to prepare the proposal. The planning process included staff interviews, discussions with county officials, community needs, and two public information sessions. “The…

LifeLine Animal project presents its DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week, Kali.  This sweet girl arrived at the shelter with a broken leg, but thanks to the veterinary staff, and her foster home, she can finally bounce and play again.  Kali is a sweet, playful gal with soulful brown eyes and a love for all things fun. Her foster parents say she’s the best-behaved dog they’ve ever seen. She’s also already potty trained and knows some commands, including “sit” and “lay down.” Kali has a great sense of humor and is sure to make you smile. She’d love…

Rockdale County Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. One of the primary functions of the Probate Court is to resolve estate matters. If the deceased person (“decedent”) had a valid Last Will and Testament (“Will”), the estate will generally proceed through the probate process. If not, estates are resolved through administration. Because the probate and administration processes can be more complex than the issues addressed in this article, you are encouraged to seek legal counsel prior to proceeding with estate matters. The probate process involves determining the validity of a Will. As a part of this process the Court must…