Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host the Summer Food Service Program from June 4 – July 27 to provide nutritious meals to students during the summer. Applications and full program site participation requirements can be found at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks under “Programs/Events” or picked up Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA. Agencies interested in becoming a program site should call Rose Myrick at 678-698-1114 with questions. Current program sites for summer meals are listed below. June 4 – July 27   Allgood UMC Church…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) and Bread of Life Development (BOLD) Ministries partner this summer in the fifth annual “Be Bright, Eat Right Rockdale” Summer Feeding Program to ensure Rockdale County’s children receive healthy, balanced and delicious meals throughout the summer. If your child (up to age 18) lives in one of the neighborhoods served, they can receive a free lunch Monday through Friday during the summer (see locations and times below). Servers will be wearing bright blue “Be Bright, Eat Right Rockdale” T-shirts. RCPS will deliver bagged lunches and books via school bus to locations in several neighborhoods across…

As part of the Operation Spring Clean Sweep 2018 campaign, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division will offer free residential bulky item curbside collection every Friday and Saturday in June.  Residents have an opportunity to place bulky items, including furniture and appliances, curbside for collection by the Sanitation Division. Collection schedules are based on residents’ designated sanitation collection service day as follows: Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday will be serviced on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9.  Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday will be serviced on Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16.  Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday will be serviced on Friday, June 22,…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all educators, administrators and support personnel to a Region V Job Fair on Tuesday, June 5, 9 a.m. until noon. The event—scheduled to take place at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood—will provide attendees with information about working in the Cedar Grove, Columbia, McNair and Towers high school clusters, which make up more than 20 DCSD schools and facilities. Other schools with open positions in Region 5 include DeKalb High School of Technology South, Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers, DeKalb Alternative School and Elizabeth Andrews High School. Participants are instructed to bring…

The DeKalb County Human Services Department announces the beginning of its 2018-2019 Human Services grant cycle.  Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the grants funded by the county general fund and Victim Assistance fund. Those who are interested can attend a meeting on June 20, 10 a.m., at the Central DeKalb Senior Center, 1346 McConnell Drive, Decatur. Designed to supplement existing programs and activities, the grant program provides opportunities for partnerships with local organizations that can successfully address identified needs of DeKalb County residents. The Human Services Grant Program is competitive and the total number of awards allotted…

A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can help. Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid classes March 17 – June 21, for community members and employees. Register by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/YMHFA18 This free, one-day course teaches participants the risk factors and warning signs of a variety of mental health challenges common among adolescents, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, ADHD, disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorders. Participants do not learn to diagnose, nor how to provide any therapy or counseling – rather, participants learn to support…

The Stonecrest City Council will meet on Wednesday, June 6, at 9 a.m. The agenda is below.

By Valerie J. Morgan Community activists are uniting to hold a march on June 9 to demand justice for Shali Tilson and Jamie K. Henry.  Tilson, 22, and Henry, 40, died while in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail. The deaths occurred less than three months apart.  “Clearly something is going on in this jail that the citizens of Rockdale County should be alarmed and concerned about,” said Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the families of Tilson and Henry.   Davis, who held a news conference outside of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office on May 31, called the…

By Valerie Morgan Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary touted a “fully operational City Hall” and administration that is on track financially, during his state of the City Address on May 31. Lary said the city, which turned a year old in May, finished 2017 with a surplus of $200,000, thanks to CH2M, now known as Jacobs, which set up the administration of the new city. Lary said the city expects to see a surplus of $800,000 in this year’s $6.2 million budget.   “It’s been a banner year for building the city: No tax increase and operational excellence,” Lary said. About…

In celebration of Homeownership Month during June, Morningstar Urban Development is presenting the Free Super Saturday Homeownership Education & Resource Fair on Saturday, June 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at New Life Community Ministries, 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur.  The workshop is for first-time homebuyers seeking to qualify for the best home loans and down payment assistance programs available. Participants will be able to get firsthand knowledge about mortgage products, qualifying, resources to increase credit scores, health and homeownership, the current real estate market and more. Free lunch will be provided to those who register. Walk-ins are OK.  Free…