Author: On Common Ground News

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…

Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is accepting registrations for the Great American Cleanup (GAC) on Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Pine Log Park Pavilion, 1500 GA Highway 138, Conyers. The half-day event, which KCRB hosts in partnership with the City of Conyers and Rockdale County, encourages citizens to pick up garbage, tires and other debris around the community, and teaches youth about the importance of litter prevention and recycling. This year, the GAC event will also involve the efforts of Rockdale County officials, department directors and staff. In addition to removing debris from several locations, Rockdale County…

DeKalb County Watershed Management repair work is well underway and proceeding as expected to replace the 48-inch water main that broke Wednesday morning near Buford Highway. Crews laid the first 48-inch pipe overnight, and have mobilized additional joints to begin installing today. Work is expected to be complete Friday evening. Yesterday, crews isolated the large water main and water pressure was restored throughout most of the county. A boil water advisory remains in place for DeKalb County Watershed customers until microbiological tests confirm water is safe for consumption. Samples for testing were drawn from 49 sites throughout the county…

Superintendent/CEO R. Stephen Green of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites students, parents, staff and community members to the “On The Scene with Dr. Green” community conversation on Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m., Druid Hills Middle School, 3100 Mount Olive Drive, Decatur. The event will begin promptly at 7 p.m., at Druid Hills Middle School. Dr. Green will give a brief statement about the state of DCSD before answering questions directly from the audience. “On The Scene with Dr. Green” is an opportunity to learn more about your schools and to have your concerns addressed. To learn more, visit…

Lance Hammonds, a chemical sales manager and community activist, has qualified for the DeKalb County School Board District 6. “I am very excited about the opportunity to continue to serve the families of DeKalb County,” said Hammonds.  “I am running because I believe the key to a prosperous community is academically superior schools with achievement outcomes that rival the top schools in the nation. I want to make DeKalb County Schools the destination of choice for young families looking for the best education for their children.” Hammonds said he believes quality education requires a community commitment. Hammonds is a SE…

The upcoming Cultural Exchange Breakfast will feature a discussion on school safety and and safety in the community at large at the upcoming meeting. The community also will have a chance to meet candidates who are running for public offices in May. The meeting will be held on Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m., at Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur (H.F. Shepherd Multiplex Building). DeKalb School Board member Vicki B. Turner, and her husband, Stonecrest District 2 Council member Robert Turner are hosting the free breakfast meeting.

Parent Academy returns to Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) on Saturday, March 10, for its 14th semester of improving lives. This free half-day conference offers classes for parents, teens and tweens at Rockdale Career Academy (RCA), 1064 Culpepper Road, Conyers, from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The community is invited to participate in roundtable discussions on school safety at the beginning of the event. Online registration is available at www.rockdaleschools.org/parentacademy. Paper registration forms are available at each RCPS school. Interim Superintendent Shirley Chesser, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett, and Conyers Police Department Chief Gene Wilson will open the day…