Author: On Common Ground News

The Stone Mountain-Lithonia Tau Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the DeKalb Pan Hellenic Council will host a forum for candidates running for office in the city of Stonecrest. The forum will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m., at the Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia. Citizens will be allowed to submit questions for the candidates to answer. There are 12 candidates running for City Council seats and three running for mayor. Election Day is March 21. Residents who live within the boundaries of the new city may find out which…

The Governor’s Commission on the City of Stonecrest has cancelled its meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16, at the DeKalb Medical at Hillandale Oncology Center Auditorium, as there are no business items to consider this week or updates to report. The Commission is currently engaged with monitoring the activities of the Community Committees and guiding the work of the citizens serving on them. The Commission has published the RFQs for city positions and city services at the www.glga.org website as well as on the www.stonecrestcity.com website. We are currently receiving responses, which will be reviewed by the Governor’s Commission and Community Committee…

Join the South DeKalb Family YMCA on Thursday as it celebrates improvements to the Wellness Center including new exercise equipment and the renovation of existing space, which will provide specialty classes for teens and seniors. A computer lab has been added to offer STEAM and STEM classes for participants in the Y’s afterschool program. The facility enhancements were made to ensure that the Y continues to be a place where people are empowered and transformed through programs that support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. WHO:         Curtis Winston, branch executive director, Debra DeBerry, board chair,…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) announces that hydrant water meter rental operations are suspended immediately in most cases in response to the Level 2 Drought declaration. This suspension applies to all residential and recreational use such as filling swimming pools, events and video production. Construction for new development, which is exempt under the Level 2 drought, is the only exception to this suspension. “We are asking DeKalb County residents and businesses to keep water conservation in mind and be aware of the restrictions that must be put in place while these drought conditions persist,” said DWM Director…

“Michael Flynn’s resignation in the wake of stunning allegations calls on us to raise more questions and demand more answers from the current administration. We need to determine what the president knew and when he knew it. Flynn’s overnight resignation is no substitute for answers. The American people deserve to know the full extent of Russia’s financial, personal and political grip on President Trump. As constituents call my office, I echo their statements: I join my colleagues in demanding that Speaker Paul Ryan and the Republican majority in Congress authorize a bipartisan, independent, outside commission to fully investigate Russia’s influence…

State Representatives Renitta Shannon (D-Decatur) and Howard Mosby (D-Atlanta) will host two joint legislative town halls this Thursday at 6 p.m. and this Saturday at 10 a.m. The legislators will provide updates on Georgia’s 2017 legislative session, address audience questions and concerns, and outline ways for their constituents to become involved at all levels of government. Thursday, Feb. 16 6-8 p.m. Where: Lutheran Church of the Messiah 465 Clairemont Ave., Decatur Saturday, Feb. 18 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Where: Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence 3595 Linecrest Road, Ellenwood Georgia Resists is a political organizing tool launched by the…

Two men believed to be responsible for robbing Dollar General, 1265 Iris Drive, Conyers, are in police custody following information given to Conyers Police by an alert witness. Jahii Ellison, 21 of Conyers, was charged with robbery and Quentin Bussell, 32, Jonesboro, was charged with making false statements in connection to the robbery that took place on Thursday, Feb. 9. One suspect entered the Dollar General around 6:00 p.m. and brought something from the Valentines area to the register. The suspect jumped across the counter pushing the employee out of the way and took an undisclosed amount of money from…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) and Clark Atlanta University (CAU) have agreed to offer dual admissions and joint enrollment for qualified students at both institutions. The two schools plan to announce the launch of the historic partnership on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. in the Robert W. Woodruff Library Exhibition Hall at Clark Atlanta University, 111 James P. Brawley Drive, SW, Atlanta. The partnership program entitled “Access 4 Achievement” will begin in late spring and will offer students the opportunity to strengthen academic rigor, program-specific transfer agreements and joint faculty and teaching opportunities for graduate students and faculty at both…

Lowe’s has donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund’s 37 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to award emergency student aid to financially needy graduating seniors.  The emergency aid will help students with unanticipated circumstances such as the loss of a parent’s job. More than 200 seniors received aid during the 2016-17 academic year, allowing them to stay in school and on track to graduate. “College is quite expensive, but it is an investment that is certainly worthwhile,” said Quentin Perkins, a senior majoring in computer science at Florida Memorial University. “My parents are not able to pay for…

Rockdale County Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten is set to perform about a dozen weddings on Valentine’s Day, Feb.14, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., in the Magistrate Courtroom located at 948 Bank Street, Conyers. “So far, we have 11 weddings confirmed and two pending requests. I am not looking to turn away anyone who has their heart set on marrying on the most romantic day of the year,” said Judge Aten. In recent past years, the Magistrate Court has performed between five to eight weddings for this occasion alone. The Court pre-schedules free wedding appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays after a…