Author: On Common Ground News

Local civic groups are mobilizing recruitment efforts for National Voter Registration Day, which is Tuesday, Sept. 26. Antioch AME in Stone Mountain has is hosting a training session tonight (Sept. 25) for those who want to learn about voter registration drives. The church’s Social Action Committee is hosting the training from 7 to 8 p.m. at Antioch A.M.E., 765 S. Hairston Road, Stone Mountain. The training is open to those who have done voter registration before and those who are not trained on electronic registration. All materials will be provided. The DeKalb NAACP is seeking volunteers to help register voters…

In order to recapture precious instructional time lost due to Hurricane Irma, DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will extend its school day by 20 minutes, Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, Oct. 2, through the end of the first semester on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. DCSD schools and offices will also remain open on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 7) as the district ensures that students don’t miss out on lessons vital to their academic achievement. Superintendent/CEO R. Stephen Green and his leadership team emphasized the need to regain opportunities for students to make progress, rather than use the four inclement weather…

The Prime Minister visited the new city of Stonecrest on Sept. 20 to learn more about tourism and economic development. Cape Verde, which is located off the northwest coast of Africa, garnered its independence in 1975 from the Portuguese. The African nation’s officials said they were interested in Stonecrest, which has a population of 53,000, because its residents sought and attained self-governance and because of the city’s focus on economic development. “The two cities are similar in makeup and size. The visit was a learning experience for both of us,” said Mayor Lary. Silva visited the Startup Factory, which…

Pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.G.G.A. § 50-18-71(b) this is public notice that the City of Stonecrest has designated the City Clerk as the official records officer pursuant to the Open Records Act.  All Open Records Request must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk directly.  Such written request may be submitted in person, via mail or by sending an email to bjames@stonecrestga.gov.

  The City of Stonecrest is inviting residents and neighbors for a weeklong festival Oct. 2-8.  The seven-day experience will include an assortment of cultural events at various locations throughout the city including food, shopping, entertainment, art, nature, history and more. Stonecrest Fest Kickoff The Stonecrest Fest kicks off on Monday, Oct. 2, 4 to 7 p.m. at the This Is It! Restaurant, 2853 Panola Road. Patrons are encouraged to ask for the “Stonecrest Fest” special to get a discount on your meal and find out what is in store for the week at this exclusive kickoff event. Talent Showcase…

Georgia residents who receive food stamps now have additional time to report food lost due to power outages during Hurricane Irma. Recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) who were affected by Hurricane Irma have until Oct. 2 to file forms requesting a replacement for food lost during storm-related power outages. The Oct. 2 deadline allows recipients of SNAP, traditionally known as food stamps, 10 additional days to request a replacement of their benefits. The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services sought the deadline extension to help low-income families–many of whom were displaced from their homes for several days–feed their families as…

Young people in metro Atlanta are raising awareness to bullying and other violence, thanks to Angie’s House and its Healthy Relationship Training (HRT) Academy. The HRT Academy kicked off this month with participants from Rockdale, Newton and DeKalb counties. The new initiative will provide educational and skills-building training for young people, caregivers and organizations that provide services to young people. “Since 2012, Angie’s House has been educating the community about the effects of domestic and family violence on children,” said Angie’s House Executive Director Elaine Davis-Nickens. “To this end, the Healthy Relationships Academy will work to ensure that young…

Nine longtime residents were honored at this year’s “Mother’s Legacy Hometown Country Cookout,” held earlier this month in the Kirkwood community in East Atlanta. Alleah and Ayana Salone, who are 22 and 19 respectively, founded Mother’s Legacy in 2010 as a way to honor their grandmother, Leila Johnson, who devoted her life to helping others, beginning with missionary work at the age of 12. The Salone sisters say the celebration, held every other year, has evolved into a family-friendly block party where residents come together for food, fellowship and children’s activities. This year, the nonprofit provided school supplies to those…

Antioch African Methodist Episcopal in Stone Mountain, 765 S. Hairston Road, is celebrating its 149th anniversary this month and it will honor the oldest members of the church as part of the festivities. Pastor Vandy Simmons will pay tribute to five members who are 100 years old and older at the 10 a.m. worship service. The centenarians include Peggy Baker, Relda Mackins, Mary Randall, Tabitha Reid and Elizabeth Simon. A homecoming dinner will follow the worship service. The community is invited to attend the 10 a.m. service or the early morning worship service , at 7:30 a.m. Pastor Simmons…

DeKalb’s District 5 showers Hurricane Harvey seniors with gift cards DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Bettye Austin Davis, director of the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia, thanked the community for the successful community gift card drive to assist seniors impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Johnson and Davis said the donations were sent to St. Johns United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, which is serving as a base of operations for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. During the week-long drive, residents dropped off gift cards at the Lou Walker Senior Center. Some of the cards donated included Home Depot,…