Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA– MARTA, in partnership with Retaaza, announces the kick-off of the MARTA Market 2025 regular season.  Each MARTA Market farm stand operates one day per week, Tuesday through Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning this week through mid-December. Markets are open at the following rail stations beginning on the dates listed below:  Tuesday, June 24 – Kensington Station  Wednesday, June 25 – West End and Bankhead Stations  Thursday, June 26 – College Park and Doraville Stations  Friday, June 27 at H.E. Holmes Station A reminder that due to construction, the MARTA Market at Five Points will be closed for the 2025 season.  MARTA Markets source locally-grown produce from farmers affiliated…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is reaffirming the County’s commitment to both immediate and long-term public safety solutions following a spate of violence this month in South DeKalb that claimed the lives of three people including 7-year-old Dior Scott, and her 29-year-old aunt, Tomeka Pullins, who were gunned down by the woman’s estranged husband on Friday, June 13.  The following weekend, the Hairston Square Shopping Plaza was the scene of two separate shootings that broke out in broad daylight —one on Friday, June 20, around 3:30 p.m., the other on Saturday, June 21, around 3:30 p.m.  Antionne Ryan, was fatally…

ATLANTA, GA — Walmart and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) hosted the 2025 Walmart “Road to Open Call” on Tuesday, June 24, with a pitch event in Atlanta.  More than 30 small businesses and entrepreneurs applied to pitch their American-made, shelf-ready products directly to Walmart at RICE as part of the retailer’s annual Open Call. The Walmart Road to Open Call series of events is a nationwide initiative designed to connect small businesses with Walmart’s sourcing team and help them prepare for the retailer’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, AR.  The Atlanta event was the last of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has announced that the county’s Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit for 2025 will provide $206.3 million in residential property tax relief for those with homestead exemptions. The EHOST credit is included in the proposed resolution to adopt the 2025 millage rates that is being considered by the Board of Commissioners.  “DeKalb County is the only county in the state with a one penny sales tax that’s dedicated 100 percent to property tax relief, “ said CEO Cochran-Johnson. ”All residents with a homestead exemption will receive the EHOST credit. Taxpayers have until…

SNELLVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Denise Mitchell, working with Intellectual Technology Inc., has added a 24-hour kiosk at the tag office located at 2845 Lenora Church Rd., Snellville.  The new location brings the total to three kiosks that are available 24 hours a day for motorists Mitchell said she is continuing the kiosk expansion to add convenience and accessibility to all residents of Gwinnett County and to cut down on wait times. This addition offers the convenience of completing the less complex tasks through this self-service option, Mitchell added.  “The latest 24-hour kiosk tag renewal will aid the Gwinnett County…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—In the wake of two separate shootings that occurred last weekend at the Hairston Square Shopping Place, the DeKalb County Police Department is offering some sage advice to the public.  “Regarding the Friday shooting, we are seeing more incidents of violence that stem from arguments getting out of control. There is no harm to be done if all parties can just walk away from an argument. There can, however, be lifelong and life-ending consequences the moment someone pulls out a weapon. Violence is not the answer. It has a destructive ripple effect, hurting many more people besides those in…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The GBI Child Fatality Review Unit has selected the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office Child Fatality Review (CFR) Committee as the CFR Committee of the Year for 2025.  The Gwinnett CFR Committee was recognized for its collaborative approach, strong community partnerships, and tireless work in leading the oversight of child fatalities to identify risk factors and recommend systemic adjustments. “We are profoundly appreciative of the collaborative spirit of our partners and are deeply honored to have received this award,” said Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “This acknowledgment underscores the significance of the efforts we undertake to protect children, provide assistance…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Each year during property tax season, unsuspecting homeowners potentially lose money to businesses offering tax saving programs. DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson is warning property owners to beware of costly services. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve reminded property owners by phone, social media, community presentations and our website to beware of costly services targeting seniors and unsuspecting homeowners,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson. “My office has recently received an increased number of calls from concerned homeowners about businesses offering to file a homestead exemption or an assessment appeal for a fee.” “Unfortunately, this has caused confusion…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –This week, DeKalb County School District (DCSD) students interested in pursuing careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) are learning about fire and emergency medical services careers at the district’s Fire Science and Public Safety Career Exploration Camp.  The one-week camp, which began on Monday, June 23, runs through Friday, June 27. Campers are participating in activities from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Stephenson High School through Thursday and will wrap up the camping program on Friday at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Academy. The camp allows students to connect what they have learned in their STEM classes with…