Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is inviting the public to join her in the fight to end domestic violence. On Saturday, Feb. 24, the District Attorney’s Office is hosting the third annual Love Run 5K to raise money and awareness about domestic violence issues. The event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. from the Decatur Square, located at 101 E. Court Street, Decatur. The 5K coincides with Teen Dating Violence Awareness month, which is observed during February. “We are excited to once again partner with the public in a fun and healthy way to focus attention on a…

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, “Master Motivator Teacher and Mentor,” will hold his annual Spring Break Leadership Chess Camp April 2-6 in Stone Mountain. The week-long leadership camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early drop-off and late pickup available. Hudson will use his signature chess skills and abilities as he offers information, insight and advice on the importance of making every move in life count. Hudson has trained more than 55,000 students and his goal is to reach one million youngsters as he continues to train new teachers/motivators to spread the positive life lessons learned through…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Former DeKalb County student Connor Owens’ career as a Navy pilot is finally taking flight this month. Owens’ accomplishment as a first-generation pilot comes during the national celebration of Black History Month. After years of training and dedication, the 23-year-old was commissioned into The United States Navy on December 15 as a Naval Aviator and reported for duty on Thursday, Feb. 8 in Pensacola, Florida to continue rigorous flight training for the military. “I’m definitely excited and looking forward to starting pilot training. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a very long time and it’s…

By Travis Hudgons DeKalb County leaders are seeking to improve employment opportunities for those with minor arrests. At a Feb. 8 press conference, held at Saint Philip AME Church, officials gathered to announce DeKalb’s first record restriction summit and job fair. A record restriction, formerly known as expungement, is for those who have been arrested by DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Marshals or Police but never convicted or pled guilty. Additionally, those who have successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program are also eligible to apply. The press conference featured DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, Saint Philip Pastor, the Rev. William D. Watley,…

Men in DeKalb County will now have one less barrier to getting preventative health care, thanks to the DeKalb County Board of Health and health partners who have launched a new initiative. The board is opening a health and wellness clinic to provide free preventive care to low-income men who live in DeKalb. The clinic will open on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Board of Health’s T.O. Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur. Patients will be served on Wednesday and Thursday evenings by appointment. Officials say the evening hours are being held to accommodate men who work during the…

By Valerie J. Morgan   The city of Stonecrest has hit a snag in conducting an analysis of its roadways—the preliminary work that is needed for the city’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) transportation projects that will get underway. The City Council deadlocked on Stantec Consulting’s proposal to provide a detailed analysis of the city’s roads, after council members raised a number of questions at the Feb. 7 special called meeting. The council questioned how the firm’s work would fit into the city’s overall SPLOST projects plan and ultimately, the motion failed 3-3. City officials said they now…

The Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast, hosted by Stonecrest City Councilmember Rob Turner and School Board member Vicki B. Turner,  will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 to 11 a.m., at the House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. The meeting will be held in the church’s atrium. Come here updates from community leaders. The meeting is open to the public.

By Dr. Toni G. Alvarado In March 2015, I received an email from a 4th grade school teacher in Houston, TX asking me if I would be available to speak with the family of one of her students who had been removed from the school for psychological evaluation after raising her hand in class and announcing that she was planning to commit suicide because she did not like the color of her skin. You can imagine the emotions that gripped me after reading this email. I immediately connected to this story because of my own childhood struggle with being dark…

The DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is accepting applications until March 30 for seasonal summer employment opportunities such as food monitors, camp counselors, recreation assistants and bus drivers. Lifeguard and pool manager positions are available and applicants must be 16 or older to apply. Additional requirements include American Red Cross certification or certification from a nationally-recognized aquatics training program. Applicants for summer positions, excluding lifeguard or pool manager, must be 18 or older to apply. All applicants will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check prior to employment. To view available positions or complete an application,…

Rockdale County Public Schools is hosting teacher job fairs on March 10, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., at Rockdale County High School, 1174 Bulldog Circle, Conyers, and April 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. RCPS is seeking candidates for teaching positions in the 2018-2019 school year. All 22 RCPS schools will be represented and may provide on-site interviews. Bring several copies of your resume. To pre-register, please visit www.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair RCPS has 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, three traditional high schools, a virtual campus and four non-traditional schools (Rockdale Career Academy and…