Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond today (Oct. 6) announced a $10 million comprehensive strategy to address overcrowding at DeKalb County Animal Services Center. “Residents who lack the financial resources to properly care for their pets are fueling the overcrowding crisis at our animal shelter,” CEO Thurmond said. Thurmond’s comprehensive strategy includes: reducing the number of pets released into the community or brought to the animal shelter help families keep pets in their homes, and encourage the spaying and neutering of pets. In September, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved CEO Thurmond proposal allocate the following: $200,000 to establish…

DECATUR, GA— The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 4:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted in person at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one page or less to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov, which must be received between 4:30 and 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The body of the email must include the citizen’s first and last name, followed by the citizen’s address. Abusive, profane, or derogatory language will not be permitted. By…

UPDATE: Oct. 5, 2023– Gwinnett County Police reported that Mos. Kitchen has been located safely. SNELLVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department needs the public’s help in locating a missing 72-year-old Snellville man. At approximately 7:30 a.m. today, Oct. 5, Moses Kitchen was seen leaving the area of Quinn Ridge Drive in unincorporated Snellville and walking toward Everson Road. He is described as a black male, 5-foot-9 inches tall and about 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing light-colored jean overalls. Kitchen requires around-the-clock care. If anyone sees him, he/she is encouraged to call 911. Missing Person: Moses Kitchen, 72.…

STONECREST, GA – More than 300 constituents attended the housing crisis townhall hosted by Congressman Hank Johnson at the Lou Walker Senior Citizen Center in DeKalb County Oct. 3.  The event was the second that Johnson has hosted on the housing crisis. The roundtable discussion included a panel of federal, state, and local experts, who weighed in on the crisis impacting both renters and homeowners nationwide, and notably in Georgia’s Fourth District, which Johnson represents. The roundtable offered solutions for homelessness, escalating rents, home buying challenges, unwarranted foreclosures, and more. “There is no doubt we are facing an affordability crisis in housing, impacting both…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will be honored during the Georgia Advancing Communities Together, Inc. (Georgia ACT) 2023 Fall Conference Oct. 24-25 in Augusta, GA. Cochran-Johnson will be recognized for her affordable housing advocacy, including rental assistance, advancing homeownership opportunities, and innovation in developing faith-based housing. Cochran’s efforts include a Housing Resolution acknowledging affordable housing as a crisis and calling upon the Georgia State Delegation to consider rental rate caps and rental registries. Additionally, she has instituted a program in partnership with Operation HOPE to promote home ownership, which has provided over $20 million…

DECATUR, GA– N. Clarendon Avenue at Church Street will be closed to through-traffic 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4–7 to facilitate the replacement of the railway line at the railroad crossing. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Mike Garvin, project manager, Benchmark Consulting, Inc. at 843-510-4646.

Commissioner Spencer R. Moore, Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), has been named Chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) International Board of Directors. The Commissioner, who has many years of experience in the industry, will bring his expertise to the Board and help guide the organization’s strategic mission and goals. In conjunction with Commissioner Moore’s new AAMVA role, Georgia will host the AAMVA International Conference (AIC) in 2024. AIC will bring hundreds of national motor vehicle experts to the Peach State for a week of collaboration to identify highway safety best practices, emerging technologies, and customer…

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School District Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Region play continues this weekend with key games set for DeKalb County stadiums on Thursday and Friday as DeKalb football fans get their choice of nine games. A big Region 4-5A matchup is set for Friday night at Adams Stadium as Tucker (3-3, 1-0) entertains Chamblee (3-3, 1-0) to see which team can remain at the top of the standings after two weeks of region play. Tucker is coming off a big home 48-39 victory over the Decatur Bulldogs to get their region season off to a good…

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council approved to allocate $11.6 million of the City’s affordable housing trust fund for eviction diversion efforts and to produce affordable housing units. The resolution includes focusing on units reserved for residents meeting or below 50 percent of the area median income (23-R-4167). Other items approved include: A resolution urging the mayor and the Atlanta Police Department to release the August 10, 2023, video recording of the police-related incident involving Mr. Johnny Hollman. The item was approved for immediate consideration and sent to the mayor’s office post-haste. This ordinance amends the Atlanta Housing Code to establish…