Author: On Common Ground News

12-foot puppet, symbol of hope, journeys across America   ATLANTA – MARTA’s public art program, Artbound, in partnership with Flux Projects, Center for Puppetry Arts, ​and Decatur Arts Alliance, welcomes “Little Amal’ to Atlanta as she continues her journey across America. Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child who has become an international symbol of human rights and delivers a message of hope for displaced people. She has already trekked more than 6,000 miles across 15 countries for a project called “The Walk.” Little Amal arrives in Atlanta looking for a stuffed animal to keep her company…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–A partial lane closure will occur on Clifton Springs Way, between Clifton Church Road and Clifton Springs Road, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The closure, which is part of the Alameda Trail Water Replacement Project, will be in effect Monday through Friday for approximately four weeks. Signs and flaggers will be in the area during the road closure to advise motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. For more information, visit the Department of Water Management at www.dekalbwatershed.com, call the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or email…

STONECREST, GA—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will host a free performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Kirk Franklin on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at New Birth, 6400 Woodrow Rd. in the city of Stonecrest. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The pop-up performance comes on the heels of the release of “Father’s Day,” Franklin’s critically acclaimed studio album. “We are beyond thrilled to host this special pop-up performance and listening experience featuring one of the most internationally acclaimed and revolutionary artists of our time,” said New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant. “Kirk’s unique ability…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County saw a 79 percent drop in sewer spill volume from 2020 to 2023. The year-to-date total spill volume dropped from 24 million gallons in 2020 to 5 million gallons in 2023, which is 19 million gallons less, or a 79.23 percent decrease, the county stated in  a news release. “This significant decline in spill volume is the result of a comprehensive effort to repair, upgrade and maintain DeKalb’s sewer system,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Residents have also contributed to this decrease by pouring less fats, oils and grease down drains.” Since 2017, the county…

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…