Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR—Smart technology is helping the visually-impaired to get around city buildings in Decatur. Foresight Augmented Reality (FAR) has teamed with the city of Decatur to provide smart technology for seven locations within Decatur’s city limits, making Decatur the first official city to implement the technology. The FAR-accessible locations provide directions for the blind and vision-impaired. FAR-accessible buildings include the installation of a Bluetooth beacon, that when paired with the FAR Vision mobile app, provides users with descriptive information such as entrances and exits, restrooms, hazard warnings and more. “This project opens a lot of doors for the visually impaired community…

The Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, was arrested and released in Washington, D.C. on July 18 after peacefully protesting budget cuts proposed by President Trump. Warnock and the Rev. Cynthia L. Hale, senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, were among a group of clergy who called on Congress to reject President Trump’s deep cuts to healthcare, education and other programs, saying the cuts were “immoral” and would negatively impact millions of Americans. Warnock and others in the group were singing and praying in the rotunda Russell Senate Office Building when they…

Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson welcomed millennials to the city for a meet-up mixer on July 20. The Lithonia Young Adult Alliance, organized by Amelia Inman, met up for a reception on Main Street to bring business owners together to network. The mayor said she is excited about getting young people involved in the city. “I am impressed by the initiatives taken by Ms. Inman to make a difference in the community,” said Jackson. “The city can benefit from the energy and ideas of our millennial residents. I hope her enthusiasm spreads to others.”

DeKalb County officials and Lifeline Animal Project staff members will host a grand opening for DeKalb’s new animal shelter on Wednesday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m., 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee. The 33,440-square-foot facility sits on 5.3 acres of land in Chamblee and can accommodate more than 400 animals. The shelter includes 12 adoption rooms and several play yards. The facility also features a 1,300-square-foot clinic that includes a surgery prep and surgery room, lab area, secure pharmacy storage and holding areas for animals scheduled for surgery. The shelter will provide spay-and-neuter services for animals adopted from the shelter.

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced that Rockdale County will receive a grant of more than $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help tackle drug abuse in the community. “I applaud Rockdale County for their continued work to reduce recidivism and help people overcome their mistakes and circumstances,” said Johnson. “This federal funding allows programs like Rockdale’s to touch more people who need treatment, encourage them to make the right choices and change the direction of their lives.” The grant funds will be dispersed to Rockdale County…

I recently had the opportunity to attend opening night for the new hit play, Blackberry Daze. Directed by award-winning writer/director Thomas W. Jones II, the play is a musical adaptation of the novel, Blackberry Days of Summer, by Ruth P. Watson. The stage play made its debut last September at the MetroStage in Alexandria, Virginia and will run at Horizon Theatre Company in Atlanta until Aug. 27. Set post-World War I in small town Virginia, the audience can feel the sweltering heat of the summer the moment the town gambler, Herman Camm (TC Carson), walks onto the stage. Sly, charming…

Children and parents in the Gresham Park community were full of smiles as DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and other county officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently for a new playground at the Gresham Park Recreation Center. The completion of the project was part of the $1.2 million parks bond investment by Johnson, who represents District 3. Johnson said he is proud of the new playground because it is historic. It is located next to the first DeKalb school named after the nation’s first black President, Barack Obama. A nearby trail, when completed, will be named after First…

DeKalb County youths ages 14 to 18 are invited to join the South DeKalb Police Precinct for the 16th Annual National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Youth Leadership Conference. The conference will be held July 31 to Aug. 2, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road, Atlanta. Workshops will include “The Importance of Financial Responsibility;” The Law and Your Community; Strategic Planning for Youth; Community Service: How to Serve Better; What Kind of Leader Do You Want to Be?; Strategies to Scholarships; Understanding Your Political Landscape. A memorial march and community service…

The 8th Annual Community Day with DeKalb County Law Enforcement agencies will be held Wednesday, Aug. 2, starting at 8 a.m. at Stars and Strikes bowling center, 1741 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. The annual event brings together more than 100 DeKalb County youths and law enforcement representatives for a morning of bowling and words of encouragement to start the new school year. In addition to free bowling, pizza and soft drinks, all youth participants receive a packet of back-to-school supplies. According to Tom Walker, Sr., who began the program with former Sheriff Thomas Brown, the objectives are to present…