Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Community members are holding a candlelight vigil in memory of Kenny A. Johnson, Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor. The 62-year-old collapsed and died this week after testifying before a panel of state lawmakers about the toxic BioLab chemical fire and the impact the Sept. 29 toxic plant explosion has had on the community. The outdoor vigil, which is open to the public, will be held on Oct. 15, 6 p.m., at the home of Rockdale community activist Josie Dean, 1524 Flat Shoals Road, S.W., Conyers. “Kenny died fighting for the community. He knew a lot…

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has approved a waiver to allow for mass replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to Georgians hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. Georgia SNAP recipients in 58 counties will soon automatically receive reimbursement of 75% of their September 2024 SNAP benefits for the food they lost during power outages caused by the storm. No action is needed by SNAP recipients. The replacement benefits will be automatically uploaded to the SNAP recipient’s EBT card. Timing of issuance will be posted on the Georgia DHS website when available. Households that have already received…

Disaster-area taxpayers, military members+ families may have more time to file  WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers to file their 2023 tax year federal income tax return on or before the upcoming Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, deadline to avoid possible late filing penalties. Convenient electronic filing options, including IRS Free File, are still available. MilTax is a free online service that members of the military and qualifying veterans can use to file their federal income tax returns and up to three state income tax returns. Disaster-area taxpayers, military members, and their families may have extra time to file. Those with an IRS…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA- -Due to the cleanup at BioLab and its environmental impact, Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will continue Independent Learning / Virtual Learning Days through Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.  The Georgia Department of Education has allowed RCPS to serve meals during this unanticipated school building closure under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.   RCPS School Nutrition, in partnership with RCPS Transportation, will implement 10 mobile meal routes and 2 stationary locations to provide bagged meals for RCPS students. RCPS must continue to count and claim meals by students and schools. Students will receive breakfast and…

ATLANTA, GA– In areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene, Georgians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can now temporarily use their benefits to purchase prepared or “hot foods” from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved retailers. These customers are approved until Nov. 7, 2024, to do so. SNAP recipients are typically not approved to purchase hot foods and instead must use their benefits to buy food they can prepare at home. However, weeks after Hurricane Helene came through Georgia, thousands of Georgians still lack power and/or water. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Family & Children…

ATLANTA—The U.S. Postal Service’s Atlanta Local Processing Center, located at 3900 Crown Road SW, will have a scheduled power outage for maintenance on Saturday, Oct. 12, beginning at 20 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. During the outage period, retail and P.O. Box service at this location will be temporarily unavailable. Retail services will be available on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the following location. Retail Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri .           9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Sat.                    9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Sun.                   Closed The USPS stated: “We anticipate this planned outage will be brief and regular hours of operation will resume.”

ATLANTA – State Rep. Sharon Henderson (D-Covington) will hold a press conference to discuss the BioLab Chemical fire on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. on the South Wing Steps of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. WHO:             Rep. Sharon Henderson (D-Covington) WHAT:          Press Conference WHEN:          Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 10 a.m WHERE:       Georgia State Capitol South Wing Steps 206 Washington Street S.W. Atlanta, GA

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Gwinnett County voters have a dozen locations available where they may cast their ballots in person ahead of the Nov. 5 General Election, including two new locations. Advance voting will be available Oct. 15–Nov. 1,7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations: from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Gwinnett County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections Beauty P. Baldwin Building 455 Grayson Highway, Suite 200, Lawrenceville George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee Lenora Park Gym 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville Mountain Park Activity Building 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain Gwinnett County Public Library — Five Forks…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) will host the “Imagine a Day Without Water” Open House event on Thursday, Oct.17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, 4830 Winter Chapel Road, Atlanta. The free, family event invites the community to learn about the essential role water plays in our daily lives and how the county ensures clean, safe water for all. With fun, educational activities for both children and adults, the event will offer participants the opportunity to: Meet DeKalb County’s dedicated Watershed Management professionals. Explore how water is treated, tested, and made safe for…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Maloof Auditorium located at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.  Agenda Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda III. Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of September 19, 2024 Board of Ethics Committee Chairs Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report Preliminary Cases 2024-12: Megan Shell v. Sergeant Floyd of DeKalb Police Department 2024-13: Asher Haig v. Derrick Cain 2024-14: Asher Haig v. Demetrius Brown 2024-15: Asher Haig v. Alisa Dawson Public Comments Comments from the Board…