Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA. – Rockdale County Department of Water Resources (RWR) has received a $155,000 grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA).for the Lead and Copper Program. The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), established in 1991 and revised in 2021, ensures that community drinking water maintains its safety. The LCR program requires water systems to regularly test drinking water in homes and other locations to identify and address elevated levels of lead and copper. The GEFA granted funding will go to Rockdale Water Resources to carry out tests and solutions if higher levels are found. Resolutions come in various…

ATLANTA– Georgia Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) was appointed to serve as a member of the Senate Study Committee on Truck Driver Shortages by Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Georgia is the center of a vital shipping and logistics industry that must be nurtured in order for our economy to keep growing,” said Jones. “With decades of professional experience in the motor vehicle sector, I am well-prepared to contribute effectively to this esteemed study committee. I am eager to work with my Senate colleagues on both sides of the political aisle in addressing the current worker shortages afflicting the truck…

The Chi Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority recently partnered with Georgia Sen. Anderson Tonya Anderson to provide sanitary products to four school in the sorority’s coverage area. C.J. Hicks Elementary and Edwards Middle schools in Rockdale County received some of the products, along with Porterdale Elementary and Indian Creek Middle schools in Newton County. The community service project was supported by a grant secured by Anderson, who is also a member of the sorority. The Chi Tau Omega Chapter delivered a pallet of more than 3,000 sanitary products to the schools during National Period Poverty Awareness Week,…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is partnering with the Latin American Association (LAA) to provide small business training and a food distribution for the Latino community in DeKalb County, focusing on Buford Highway and the surrounding area. The small business training will take place on Thursday, June 8, 6 p.m., at the LAA headquarters on Buford Highway in partnership with LAA and DeKalb County. The food distribution with LAA and partners, Hosea Feed The Hungry and Plaza Fiesta, will be held on Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m. The partnership continues the work needed in Latino and immigrant…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA –Gwinnett Police Department is seeking the public’s help locating a 14-year-old girl who is believed to be endangered. Ashley Bell, of Stone Mountain, was last seen on Wednesday, May 24, at approximately 10:32 a.m. in the parking lot of Parkview High School (998 Cole Drive, unincorporated Lilburn). She was last seen walking toward the student parking lot after taking an exam. Bell’s cell phone was turned off a few hours later. Bell has had no activity on social media. She does not have access to money or a car. These circumstances are outside her normal behavior, as she…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced a $1.8 million plan to reopen Intrenchment Creek Park on Bouldercrest Road Southeast. The funding will finance the construction of new amenities in Intrenchment Creek Park, which will include a pavillion, trailhead, remote control airplane runway and walking trail. “I thank the Board of Commissioners for supporting our request to fund the redevelopment and reopening of Intrenchment Creek Park,” CEO Thurmond said. “We are excited about the investment in the new amenities and will work to expedite construction.” The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners allocated funding for the project from the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Armor Health of Miami, Florida is the new contractor that will provide medical and mental /behavioral health services to inmates of the DeKalb County Jail. The contract became effective June 1, 2023the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release. Under the contract, the agency will provide comprehensive coverage for the agency’s more than 1,600 inmates. “Armor addresses a priority area of inmate care in today’s jail environment: a collaborative, holistic approach to medical and behavioral/mental health needs,” said Sheriff Melody Maddox, whose office oversees the DeKalb County Jail. “Arrestees have a right to privacy concerning…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr.has been named as the 2023-2024 chairman of the Federal Policy Committee for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG). The Federal Policy Committee studies issues at the federal level and develops a targeted advocacy strategy to position Georgia counties as a resource on local government issues nationally. Nesbitt will lead the Federal Policy Committee with Henry County Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell, who was named vice-chair. Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams was named as the 2023-2024 chair of the Health and Human Services Policy Committee for ACCG. The Health and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson kicked off the District 3 Concert Series: Thriving Thursdays at the Rainbow Park Amphitheater, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The June 1 event was dedicated to celebrating DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, and DeKalb County employees. The electric evening event welcomed an intergenerational crowd of more than 1,400 people. Hosted by Christopher Cornell, also known as “Cocktails,” the community gathered to hear live music from Atlanta saxophonist Ryan Kilgore and friends. Kilgore is a fourth-generation saxophone player, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a graduate of a District 3 High School (Southwest DeKalb). Ryan…

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold a public budget presentation and millage rate hearing to solicit feedback from the public regarding the 2023-2024 school system’s budget on Monday, June 12, 2023. The public presentation and hearing is in-person and will be held in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. 10:30 am 1st PUBLIC BUDGET PRESENTATION 1st MILLAGE RATE HEARING COMMUNITY INPUT SESSION The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as…