Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Public Safety Director Jack Lumpkin said that staffing levels in police, fire and 911 have increased. For the first time in five years, the county’s 911 emergency center will be fully staffed with 126 employees in October. Additionally, more than 90 police and fire recruits are scheduled to graduate by February 2019.  “Under the leadership of CEO Michael Thurmond, we are hiring more character-based individuals and reducing the attrition rates in our police, 911 and fire rescue departments,” Lumpkin said during the Sept. 4 DeKalb Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting on  DeKalb County CEO Michael…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will conduct a series of public meetings as a part of two upcoming redistricting efforts. The meetings will be held regarding the redistricting of the new John R. Lewis Elementary School and the elementary schools in the Druid Hills Cluster. The redistricting efforts are to address additional capacity created by the new John Lewis Elementary School, as well as the overcrowding of elementary schools in the Cross Keys and Druid Hills clusters. John Lewis Elementary Redistricting: Schools affected may include Ashford Park ES, Dresden ES, John R. Lewis ES, Montclair ES, Montgomery ES, Woodward…

Join DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, District 3, and Kaiser Permanente for the 6th year of The Heart of South DeKalb Festival, Sept. 28-29.   The festival kicks off on Friday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m., at Rainbow Park, 3181 Rainbow Drive, with “A Night Under the Stars with Sasha the Diva.” The radio personality emcee live entertainment and there will be  food vendors selling a variety of foods. Bring your blankets and chairs to the free event.   On Saturday, Sept. 29, The Heart of South DeKalb Festival’s parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at Exchange Park Intergenerational Center on…

The DeKalb History Center’s September Lunch & Learn will be presented by author Mark Pifer on Sept. 18, noon to 1 p.m., on the second floor of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Bring your lunch and hear Pifer’s talk about his new book, “Native Decatur,” which explores the deeper history of this area. The Lunch & Learn is free and open to the public. Pifer’s story begins over a billion years ago with the creation of the current landscape and explains each era of natural and cultural history as a saga of evolution, tragedy, violence, wonder…

  The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Office is inviting families to attend its inaugural Rainbow Party Youth Healthy Eating Expo. The carnival-type event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Rockdale County Government Complex, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers.  The expo is designed to teach children how to make healthy eating choices from a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.  Event highlights include a food demonstration at 11:30 a.m., interactive food stations based on the colors of the rainbow along with fruit and vegetable giveaways (while supplies last). For more information, call 770-278-7373.…

Bibliophiles, mark your calendars. The Friends of the Salem Panola Library will host its annual fall book sale, on Friday, Sept. 14, noon to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Salem library, located at 5137 Salem Road, Stonecrest. More than 3,000 donated books, CDs, DVDs as well as concessions will be available for purchase. Most hardcover and large paperbacks will be available for $1 and paperbacks at 50 cents.  Membership to the Friends of the Library can be purchased during the book sale for $10/year for individuals and $20/year for families. The Friends’…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb has named a new executive director. Sharon Steele has taken leadership of the organization. Steele most recently served as director of development for DeKalb County’s senior services provider, Senior Connections. Steel’s resume also includes stints in construction, mortgage origination and interior design, all experiences that officials say will help Steele guide the 30-year-old organization and raise awareness about Habitat for Humanity-DeKalb. “DeKalb has had Habitat for Humanity since 1988, yet I have found so many people are unaware of our existence,” said Steele. “My first priority as executive director is to re-establish our brand…

The streets of Olde Town Conyers will come alive for a two-day Re-Imagine Commercial Street festival. Commercial Street will close to through-traffic on Friday, Sept. 14, at 3 p.m. and will re-open to pedestrian traffic starting at 6 p.m. through Saturday evening, Sept. 15.  Enjoy music, games and dining at local restaurants. For more information, call 770-602-2606.

The next regular meeting of the Rockdale County Board of Elections will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13, 4 p.m., at the Rockdale County Board of Elections Office, 1400 Parker Road, Lobby C, Conyers. The agenda will include a discussion on weekend voting for the Nov. 6 General Elections. There will be an opportunity for the public to make comments during the meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.  

DeKalb County elections officials will share information about the November General Election at the Cultural Exchange Breakfast, hosted by Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner and his wife, DeKalb School Board member Vicki B. Turner.  The breakfast will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 9 to 11 a.m., at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church (House of Hope), 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.  Updates concerning the city of Stonecrest, DeKalb County School Board and other community issues will be provided.   The community is invited to enjoy a free breakfast and get important updates. For more information, email:  thedekalbexchange@gmail.com.