Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County firefighters will host the 14th Annual DeKalb Fire Safety Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1, at The Gallery at South DeKalb, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur. The family fun event will promote fire safety and prevention, kicking off National Fire Prevention Week. The Southwest DeKalb High School Drumline will kick off the festivities at noon. The free festival will feature Cheddar, a Dalmatian who enjoys teaching fire safety, entertainment, demonstrations, a junior firefighter combat challenge, inflatable gyms, rides and other activities. Participants can practice crawling low in a smoked-filled room in the fire safety house.  Teens can learn about distracted driving on…

Gov. Nathan Deal today issued an executive order reiterating state law which prohibits price gouging. Due to a leak in a critical fuel pipeline in Alabama, which is currently undergoing repairs, Georgia and other states have experienced interruptions in motor fuel supply,” Deal said. There have been recent reports that wholesale and retail gas prices have substantially increased in some markets. In order to remedy this, I’ve issued an executive order reiterating the state law prohibiting price gouging. In addition to this, I’ve sought and received a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency as well as lifted operating regulations for commercial truck drivers…

A DeKalb County jury has found Antione Hood, 31, guilty in the shooting death of his fiance, Candace McGriff, a physical education teacher in Rockdale County. Hood was convicted Monday of felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Hood called 9-1-1 on Feb. 17,  2015 to report that McGriff fatally shot herself. Hood told police that McGriff shot herself because “he was attempting to leave her and she did not want him to leave,” according to the report. A Medical Examiner’s forensic investigator testified during the trial, that evidence showed that McGriff…

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson is reminding DeKalb taxpayers that the due date for the first installment of 2016 real estate and personal property taxes is Friday, Sept. 30. First installment taxes that are not received or postmarked by Sept. 30 will incur a 5 percent late payment penalty, which applies by law. There are drop boxes located on the front and side of the Central Office, located at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur.  These may be used for overnight and last-minute drop-offs.  Another convenient option is payment by electronic check or credit card at: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/taxcommissioner.  There is a…

DeKalb Workforce Development (DWD) has partnered with Dart Container Corporation for a hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at 774 Jordan Lane, Bldg. 4, Decatur. Dart is filling more than 30 full-time inspector packer positions in its Lithonia facility. Successful candidates will earn $12.26 per hour. Dart Container will conduct onsite interviews and provide immediate job offers to qualified candidates. This partnership between DeKalb Workforce Development and Dart Container reflects the continued commitment to provide employment opportunities for DeKalb residents, DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May said. Those who are actively seeking employment are encouraged to attend this…

On Common Ground News (OCG) presented Peabo Bryson in concert at the Lithonia Amphitheater on Sept. 10. Concert goers danced and partied as the R&B artist sang and played some of their favorite hit songs. Although Peabo headlined the event, violinist Brook Alford and Heather Hayes and the Experience put on a great show as well. OCG gifted VIPs with bottles of champagne. Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson honored the newspaper, which celebrated its 22 anniversary, and Peabo during the show. Congressman Hank Johnson and his wife, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, presented a proclamation to Peabo. The concert benefited…

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a new child support app to assist customers with child support cases on their mobile devices. The GA DCSS mobile app allows customers to make child support payments, review payment history, view scheduled appointments, and receive notifications/alerts on important information regarding their cases. “Children need emotional and financial support from both parents,” said DHS Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden. “The GA DCSS mobile app gives parents another avenue to meet their child support obligations. Ensuring children in our state are receiving much needed support from both parents helps build stronger families for…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College hosted its 13th Annual Constitution Day and U.S. Citizenship Celebration in the DeKalb Campus Conference Center on Sept. 15. During the Naturalization Ceremony, GPTC President Jabari Simama and Dr. Tony Nnabue, Immigration Services Officer, presented citizenship certificates to 16 candidates. Some of the students waved tiny American flags during the celebration.

DeKalb County is urging residents to conserve water as many metro area areas are in a Level 1 drought and facing unusually dry conditions this year. Persistent dry conditions have prompted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to declare a Level 1 Drought Response in 53 counties, including DeKalb. “We are asking DeKalb County residents and business to proactively address these drought conditions by doing everything they can to conserve water,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May. The DeKalb Department of Watershed Management urges residents to follow these watering restrictions set forth by the Georgia EPD, which states that outdoor…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Parents will be receiving letters in the mail in the coming months regarding an extensive lead testing initiative being conducted at over 150 DeKalb County schools and facilities. In a news conference on Sept. 13, DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. Stephen Green, joined by the Director of DeKalb County Board of Health Dr. Elizabeth Ford and DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May announced plans to test the schools’ water supply for lead starting Sept. 20. The testing will be completed by Summer 2017. District officials said there is no evidence of water quality issues…