Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County author Leslie Royal celebrated her 50th birthday and the launch of her new book How to Write and Self-Publish Your Book for FREE with Amazon’s CreateSpace on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Don Janelle Unisex Hair Salon in Decatur. The event, hosted by her husband Tony Royal, former Chick-fil-A owner, was attended by over 50 guests. The event included a catered dinner, games, door prizes and a series of panels featuring local media professionals. Leslie’s new book, written for novices as well as seasoned writers, gives readers practical step-by-step instructions on how to write and self-publish a book…

Join The House of Hope Greater Travelers Rest Church for its Veterans’ Forces of Hope event on March 3 at the church, 4650 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur The free event will feature an informational resources fair for veterans from noon to 2 p.m. Representatives from the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office will provide information on various topics concerning military benefits and resources. A concert featuring Angie Stone and the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus will take place at 3 p.m. The community is invited. For more information, call 404-243-9336.

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority are hosting two free notary training sessions on Friday, March 8. The first session is 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the second session is 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. This training workshop is open to the public and highly recommended to anyone who is a notary public in the State of Georgia or would like to become one. It is important to remember that a notary public should perform their duties to the utmost extent of…

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon kicked off a month-long food drive to help DeKalb residents who are in need. Gannon is partnering with District Attorney Sherry Boston, Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling, Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson to promote donations. The food will be distributed by the Atlanta Community Food Bank to help restock their pantry, which serves citizens in DeKalb and surrounding metro areas. This year’s event began on Feb. 13 and will run through March 5. Last year, DeKalb donated nearly 3.5 tons of food, which converts to 5,855 meals. Gannon has been sponsoring the…

By Rockdale Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. The primary duties and responsibilities of a guardian for an adult ward include, but are not limited to, managing the ward’s healthcare, general well-being, place of residency, care and support needs, and at all times, act as a fiduciary in the ward’s best interest. Additionally, within 60 days after appointment, and within 60 days after each anniversary date of appointment, the guardian must file with the court and provide to the ward and to the conservator, if any, a personal status report concerning the ward. In the absence of a conservator, the guardian…

By Ed Williams The more things seem to change, the more they seem to stay the same.  Another mass school shooting has occurred. This time, 17 people were killed at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Florida is a pivotal Electoral College state and many of the politicians will be paying attention to the protests.  It was just over four months ago that there was a mass shooting in Las Vegas where 58 people were killed. What is it about this school incident that will make the difference? Recently, many states have passed Stand Your Ground laws and other laws…

The funeral service for Frank John Lovelace will be held on Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m., First Baptist Church, Reverend Norman Thomas, Jr., 2394 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. The funeral reception (Repass) will be held in the fellowship hall at the church. The visitation hours are at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home on Friday, March 2, 2018, 10 a.m.  to 8 p.m. and family hours are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home is located at 4347 Flat Shoal Pkwy, Decatur, GA, 30034. The final resting place is Kennedy Memorial Gardens, 2509…

Registration is now open for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia’s (SCFG) Southeastern Sickle Cell Conference for patients and their families. The conference will be held on Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Morehouse School of Medicine, National Center for Primary Care, 720 Westview Drive, Suite 300, Atlanta. The event brings patients together with the nation’s foremost authorities – including health care providers, researchers, and pain specialists. Held in partnership with Morehouse School of Medicine at its National Center for Primary Care, the conference features panelists and exhibits from the Centers for Disease Control, Emory University, the…

A DeKalb County Grand Jury has indicted two nurses and an aide in connection with the death of an elderly patient. Former licensed nurse practitioner Loyce Pickquet Agyeman of Snellville is charged with felony murder and neglect to an elderly person. Wanda Nuckles of Buford, also a former licensed nurse practitioner, is charged with depriving an elder person of essential services, while Mable Turman, a certified nurse assistant from College Park, is charged with neglect to an elder person. All three women were also indicted on a single count of concealing the death of another in the five-count indictment returned…