Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB  Join Arabia Mountain for Junior Ranger Day Help your children discover the great outdoors. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is hosting Junior Ranger Day on Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Panola Mountain  State Park Nature Center, 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge. Kids will participate in hands-on activities where they’ll explore landscapes filled with amazing plants and creatures; learn about nature and history; and work together to protect parks. ctivities are geared toward children ages 8-12, although the entire family is welcome to attend. All Junior Rangers will earn a badge, special prizes and precious memories. Friends from…

The National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), DeKalb Chapter 380, will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1 p.m., at Piccadilly Restaurant, The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur. All active and retired federal employees, their spouses, and surviving spouses who are not currently a member of NARFE are welcome to attend the meeting to learn more about the benefits of NARFE. For more information, visit www.ganarfe.org or contact Chapter President Calvin Stevens, 404-288-3604.

In an effort to provide greater accessibility, the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) will have an evening meeting in south Rockdale at Lorraine Elementary School. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m., in South Rockdale at Lorraine Elementary School, 3343 East Fairview Road, SW, Stockbridge. This meeting is open to the public, and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Jennifer Rutledge, director of Legislative Affairs and County Clerk, at jennifer.rutledge@rockdalecountyga.gov.

The DeKalb County Youth Commission is accepting applications. Members of the Youth Commission discuss pressing youth issues with elected officials and community leaders and serve as spokespersons for youth in the community. The DeKalb County Youth Commission meets twice per month. Applicants must: Be a resident of the DeKalb County Be between 16-18 years of age in the 2017 -2018 academic year; Submit a completed application to the DeKalb County Office of Youth Services; Submit a Personal Statement to include hobbies, social and/or civic affiliations and extra-curricular activities Submit a Recommendation Letter from a Teacher, Counselor, Principal, Pastor/Religious Leader,…

A Conyers Police officer was dragged by a moving Ford pickup truck as he pursued three suspects who sped off after one of them tried to fill a fraudulent prescription at a drugstore. The officer was treated for abrasions, said Sgt. Kim Lucas. Police are asking for the public’s help in locating the men. The incident happened on Tuesday, Aug. 1, around 5:45 p.m., at Beasley’s Drugs, 933 Center St., Conyers. Officers responded to a call from the drugstore and approached the suspect inside. Lucas said the man bolted and jumped into a white 2015-2016 Ford F150 XLT. The officer…

The Conyers Police Department is seeking three suspects involved in the burglary of a liquor store. The suspects broke into Sigman Bottle Shop, 439 Sigman Road, on Aug. 1 about 6 a.m. The suspects smashed the front glass of the store by throwing a brick and swinging a sledge hammer through the door, police said. A 2004-2008 Ford F150 was used during the burglary. The vehicle has uniquely identifying features that include a lifted suspension, wheels and several decals. Any information leading to the arrest of the suspects may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000. Tipsters will…

The Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is ready to help you turn your passion into a business. The Chamber is accepting registration for its 2017 Entrepreneurial Academy, which begins Monday, Sept. 11. The seven-week program offers essential information needed to start and run a successful business. “This entrepreneurial program is a course designed with the small business entrepreneur in mind. Whether you have an existing business or dreams of starting one in the future, the academy has something for you,” said Fred Boscarino, president/CEO of the Chamber. “Experienced business people who have been there, tried that, share their voices of experiences…

ATLANTA— The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board on Aug. 3 approved a resolution to refund $250 million of its Series 2009A bonds, saving the Authority $41.6 million in future interest costs or 16.6%.  MARTA’s average interest savings is anticipated to reach $2.7 million per year. The new Series 2017C bonds, issued by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, reduced the average fixed bond interest rate from 5% to 3.4%. Over the last five years, MARTA’s improving financial condition resulted in bond ratings of AA+ from S&P and Aa2 from Moody’s. “This is a significant saving for the Authority as we…

As DeKalb County students prepare to head back to school, approximately 300 of them will return with work experience and extra income after completing the DeKalb summer youth employment initiative, DeKalb Works. Interns received more than a combined $175,000 in compensation and $40,000 in transportation assistance. DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved $250,000 requested by CEO Thurmond for DeKalb Works in the 2017 budget, the first time county funds were appropriated for a summer youth employment initiative. Administered by WorkSource DeKalb, approximately the youths were paired with more than 70 employers in private and public sector organizations to earn $9…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) will host a Backflow Protection Program Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 17, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., at the Department of Watershed Management, 4572 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Backflow, the unwanted flow of water in the reverse direction, can cause contamination by drawing pollutants such as chemicals into the drinking water. DWM requires commercial businesses to install backflow prevention devices on connections to the county’s water system. The workshop will provide an overview of the program and will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions. The Backflow Protection Program Workshop is limited to 60 participants.…