Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD will host its inaugural landmark effort to reduce violent crime in local neighborhoods. The first listening session will be held on Thursday, Janu.16, at 8:30 a.m., at Rehoboth Baptist Church, 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker. As announced in December, DKPD is embarking on a new, three-year Public Safety Partnership (PSP) with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The PSP team supports communities by using data to formulate new crime solutions, tailoring assistance in areas like crime analysis, gun violence and technology. Over the course of the partnership, the DOJ will study DKPD’s crimefighting successes and challenges. The DOJ will then offer guidance and resources designed specifically for DeKalb County’s needs. At the end of 2024, DKPD announced a 14% drop in violent crime…

ATLANTA – Today, at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues legislative preview event, Gov. Brian P. Kemp delivered an address announcing some of his top legislative and budgetary priorities for the 2025 legislative session. To ensure Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business, Kemp announced proposals to ensure Georgia is the Top State for Talent; his intention to enact meaningful tort reform; and new investments in key infrastructure projects statewide Below are the Governor’s prepared remarks: Good morning! Thank you, Ed, for that introduction. I’m glad to be here with Speaker Burns, Lt. Governor Jones, our constitutional…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County has restored transportation to warming centers for those who need a ride to the sites. Transportation was suspended due to icy roads as a result of the winter storm that hit last weekend.   Due to move inclement weather forecasted, the following four sites have been activated as 24-hour warming centers for residents until Friday, Jan.17, at 8 a.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road. Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline) Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive (see pickup schedule…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 20, garbage, recyclable materials, and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Jan. 21 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Jan. 20, will be serviced on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Wednesday, Jan. 22 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Jan. 21, will be serviced on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Thursday, Jan. 23 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Jan. 22, will be serviced…

DeKalb County, GA – The NAACP DeKalb County Branch presents its 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, on Saturday, Jan. 18, starting at 10 a.m. from New Black Wall Street Market parking lot in Stonecrest, GA. This year’s parade has a new route.  The new route proceeds from New Black Wall Street Market and concludes in the heart of Stonecrest, GA.  Newly-elected DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is the Grand Marshal. “This year’s theme, ‘Still I Rise,’ captures the essence of Dr. King’s vision and reminds us of the strength within our community to overcome adversity,” said Edwina…

DECATUR, GA— In response to the ongoing cold weather and the urgent need for shelter, Frontline Response has announced the activation of its warming center services from Monday night, Jan. 6, through Monday, Jan. 15, on a 24-hour activation due to the expected cold temperatures in the metro area. Services have expanded to include two warming center locations: Men’s Warming Center: 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta– Open males only; however, a dedicated space  is available to support single fathers with children, who are welcome as well as community partners for alternate location to support all family dynamics. Women and Children’s Warming Center: 4000 Covington Highway, Decatur–…

DECATUR, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that DeKalb County has been awarded $2.8 million through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program. The funding, established under President Biden’sBipartisan Infrastructure Law, will significantly expand the county’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, making sustainable transportation options more accessible for all residents. Johnson, a vocal advocate for equitable transportation infrastructure and the clean-energy economy, provided a letter of support to bolster DeKalb County’s grant application. “This investment in DeKalb County’s electric vehicle infrastructure is a game-changer for our community,” said Congressman Johnson. “Not only will it help combat climate change and…

NORCROSS, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating the death of an adult female. At approximately 6 p.m. today(Jan. 10), officers assigned to the West Precinct responded to a stabbing call in the area of 1200 Hunters Club Lane in unincorporated Norcross. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered the deceased body of an adult female inside her apartment.  Officers secured the crime scene, and homicide detectives, alongside the crime scene unit, responded to the scene. The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office also has been requested. Detectives are conducting interviews and gathering evidence.  Preliminary information indicates this was a…

ATLANTA, GA—The Georgia House of Representatives and the State Senate are accepting applications for interested students who want to serve as Pages during the 2025 Legislative Session. The Page Programs offer students ages 12-18 the opportunity to visit the State Capitol and serve for one day during the 40-day legislative session. The first day of the 2025 session is Monday, Jan. 13. This year’s House Page Program, which will begin on Jan. 27, began accepting Page Interest Forms on Jan. 2. Members sponsor students from their districts and their one-day service as a page is counted as a day present. Students receive an honorarium…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Health TRUST Rockdale, the grant-making division of the Hospital Authority of Rockdale County (HARC), will accept applications Feb. 3-7 for the first grant cycle scheduled for 2025.  Nonprofit or government agencies working to improve the physical and mental health of Rockdale residents are encouraged to consider applying.   Agencies interested in applying for a grant during the upcoming cycle should contact HARC Executive Director Julie Mills at 678-977-9280 or jmills@healthtrustrockdale.org prior to Jan. 31. Potential applicants should carefully review the grant program guidelines by visiting http://healthtrustrockdale.org/grant-program-guidelines.html.   Participation in a pre-proposal conference/orientation session is mandatory for all new applicants. Previous grantees…