Author: On Common Ground News

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal is expanding his emergency declaration to include 24 additional counties, with a total of 30 counties now included in a state of emergency in preparation of Hurricane Irma, which is being called the strongest Atlantic storm in recorded history. Deal also issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas east of I-95, all of Chatham County and some areas west of I-95 that could be impacted by potential storm surge from Hurricane Irma. The executive order also authorized up to 5,000 Georgia National Guard members to be on state active duty to support Hurricane Irma…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary announced the city is adopting Port Arthur, Texas in response to the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey. He said the city is also preparing for relief efforts that might be needed as Hurricane Irma heads toward Florida and Savannah, Georgia. Lary and a team of Stonecrest officials were on the phone with Port Arthur officials at press time (Sept. 7) planning relief efforts for Port Arthur, where nearly 30 percent of those left in homes are reported without power and 600 were in crowded shelters. Thousands of displaced evacuees have been airlifted to Dallas, Texas via…

DeKalb County Government is working with internal departments and local agencies to ensure readiness and response to Hurricane Irma. This includes reviewing department plans, verifying continuity of operations and conducting assessments on infrastructure throughout the county. DeKalb citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED, a system used to call, email or text in the event of an emergency or severe weather warning. Notifications are based on the location registered in the system. All information is kept private. Citizens can sign up at www.dekalbcountyga.gov by clicking CodeRED at the top of the home page. DeKalb County Emergency Management…

Parent Academy returns to Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) on Saturday, Sept. 23, for its 13th semester of improving lives and instilling a love of life-long learning. The half-day event offers free classes for parents, teens and tweens at Rockdale Career Academy (RCA), 1064 Culpepper Road, Conyers, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Online registration is available at www.rockdaleschools.org/parentacademy. Paper registration forms are available at each RCPS school. Class topics range from improving computer skills, financial planning, helping your kids with today’s math, CPR, exercise, art creation, de-stressing, preparing for standardized testing and more – all focused on helping parents and…

ATLANTA—MARTA is inviting those in technology and design to put on their creative hats to develop innovative solutions during MARTA’s Third Hackathon event this weekend at the Garage on Tech Square. The upcoming Hackathon will run for a 24-hour session and provide an interactive and collaborative opportunity to assist MARTA’s technology department in finding meaningful ways to enhance the ridership experience. All coding and programming enthusiasts, regardless of technology familiarization, are welcome to participate. Additionally, this series installment will focus on ways to increase MARTA ridership and improve overall customer satisfaction. “We’re truly excited by the energy and creativity that…

Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner, District 2, recently celebrated Mission Day at Panola Gardens Senior Housing. Turner opened with a prayer, which was followed with a scripture reading by his wife, School Board member Vicki Turner. Property Manager Tracey O’Neil called the Aug. 25 event successful, saying residents are rejoicing after a successful fundraiser to purchase shopping carts for the mid-rise apartment complex to provide residents an easier mode of transporting goods and groceries to their apartments. O’Neil, said organizers were able to meet $700 of their $1,000 goal through T- shirt sales and donations. She said they will be…

Stonecrest City Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble will not face a challenger in the November municipal elections. Cobble’s only challenger, Alecia  L. Washington, said today (Sept. 6) that she has withdrawn her candidacy for the seat. “I want to focus more on my nonprofit,” said Washington, who is the founder of  The City of Hope Safe Haven Inc.,  which provides transitional services for those in need. Washington said she filed the paperwork to withdraw from the race on Tuesday. Washington, 65, is a 9-year resident who lives in the Glencroft community. She is a native of Chicago. Cobble and Council members Diane…

Rashad Richey and WAOK Radio is holding a diaper and baby wipe drive for survivors of Hurricane Harvey, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson said. “We will continue to stand with our sisters and brothers of Houston, Texas and all those who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Johnson. Johnson said Richey held a live broadcast from 10 a.m. to noon at the Gallery @ South DeKalb, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur.

Officials at Piedmont Healthcare have signed an asset purchase agreement with LifePoint Health, the owner of Rockdale Medical Center, to make Rockdale the eighth hospital to join Piedmont’s Atlanta-based health system. The move comes nearly three years into a clinical affiliation between Rockdale Medical Center and Piedmont that has enabled Rockdale to open a new heart and vascular center and interventional cardiology program in partnership with Piedmont Heart. This program has allowed patients in the Conyers community to receive advanced cardiology treatment in their community instead of traveling elsewhere for care. “Through our clinical affiliation with Rockdale, we’ve seen the…

Pastor Lee May and First Lady Robin May will officially launch their Transforming Faith Church on this Sunday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.  The worship service will be held at Southwest DeKalb High School. May said he is excited about the launch, having held several “previews” to introduce the new church to the community. He said in a statement today the church is one that will transform lives: “Have you been disconnected from church for a while or looking for more than just a Sunday morning experience? If you desire to connect to something fresh and different, join us…Lee and Robin…