Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA –The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announces that during Memorial Day Weekend, all interstate lane closures will be the suspended beginning Friday, May 22, at 12:00 p.m. noon through Tuesday, May 26, at 5:00 a.m. to reduce anticipated travel delays, and increase safety for travelers.   Important Reminders for Motorists: While lane closures are suspended, construction crews may be still working near roadways, and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related lane closures may still occur at any time, as needed. Stay alert, move over one lane, when possible, and reduce speed…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb Human Services Department announces the beginning of its 2026-2027 Human Services Grant cycle.  A Virtual Public Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, May 28, at 10 a.m. to provide details regarding the Human Services Grant Application process. The Human Services Grant Program provides opportunities for community partnership with local organizations that can successfully address identified service needs for the citizens of DeKalb County. Eligible non-profit organizations may apply for a grant utilizing the County General Fund and Victim Assistance Funds. Agencies that receive Victim Assistance Grant Funds must meet the County’s eligibility criteria and must also be certified to provide…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed measles in three members of a metro Atlanta family. The family was not vaccinated and traveled internationally. While they were not infectious during travel, DPH is working to identify people who may have been exposed to measles through contact with these individuals once they returned home and developed symptoms.     Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. Measles…

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council on Monday (May 18) approved a resolution 11-1 for a feasibility study to evaluate whether security screening operations should be privatized at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.   As the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield processes an estimated 100 million travelers annually through security screenings, city officials say. The critical role of  employees at the Transportation Security Administration  has been on full display as 34-36 percent of metro Atlanta’s staff members stopped reporting to work after going without pay for several weeks during a federal funding lapse from February-March 2026.  Hartsfield, like many other airports around the nation, experienced backups of long lines…

CONYERS, GA—Since being sworn in on Jan. 7, Mayor Connie Alsobrook has maintained a demanding and hands-on schedule centered around community engagement, citizen accessibility, economic development, youth involvement, and regional collaboration. While many citizens often see the ceremonial side of the office—ribbon cuttings, proclamations, festivals, and public appearances, Mayor Alsobrook says her first 100 days reveals just how much work happens behind the scenes to keep the city connected and moving forward. “The ceremonial side of the office still serves a purpose,” Mayor Alsobrook said. “Those events help support businesses, nonprofits, schools, youth programs, and community organizations. They create relationships,…

DECATUR, GA – The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) announced that DeKalb County has awarded a $200,000 Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) Grant for the Candler Rd./Flat Shoals Parkway Area Plan Update.  The county will update the original 2007 LCI plan to identify new recommendations and investments that will align with MARTA’s upcoming major transit investments in the South DeKalb area. All major stakeholders, including key Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and MARTA, will come together to create a refreshed multimodal blueprint for the Candler Road/Flat Shoals Parkway area. Through the LCI plan update, the Candler Road/Flat Shoals Parkway neighborhood, greater South DeKalb area, and key stakeholders will…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man accused of gunning down a man who gave his ex-girlfriend a ride home from work.      A jury found Aaron La Var Beckles, 49, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon stemming from the murder of Isaac Jackson, Jr., 47, on Dec. 4, 2024.  According to the investigation, Beckles had been involved in a tumultuous romantic…

ATLANTA— The Develop Fulton Board of Directors has unanimously approved a bond inducement resolution supporting up to $70 million in financing for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association to advance a comprehensive modernization of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The project will be financed through a combination of bonds, primarily federally tax-exempt, to be issued by Develop Fulton. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, and will support the renovation, enhancement, and modernization of one of college football’s most historic venues, ensuring it remains competitive at…