Author: On Common Ground News

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA –More than 50 college interns convened this week at the Partnership Gwinnett Intern Mix to build professional connections and explore career opportunities in one of metro Atlanta’s most dynamic communities.  Sponsored by Primerica and PBK Architects, the annual event showcased Gwinnett’s commitment to cultivating its future workforce through strategic talent development. This year’s Intern Mix brought together students from a range of industries for a high-energy evening of networking, employer recognition, and career-focused conversations. The event served as a critical touchpoint in Partnership Gwinnett’s broader workforce strategy, aiming to retain emerging talent and bolster the region’s economic…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Conyers-Covington Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has released a new video showcasing its growing footprint in Rockdale and Newton counties. The video highlights the chapter’s 2024 Kappa Coffeehouse Political Forum series and broader efforts in mentoring, civic engagement and community service.  “Our chapter is committed to making a meaningful impact in Rockdale and Newton counties through mentoring, civic engagement, and community service. Our mission is to empower youth, strengthen community bonds, and inspire responsible citizenship by leading programs that uplift, educate, and connect,” Polemarch Derek Carson said. Elder J.B. Brockman, who chairs the chapter’s…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) announces early voting details for the July runoff between Democratic candidates Peter Hubbard and Keisha Sean Waites, who are seeking their party’s nomination for the District 3 Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) seat.   Early voting will be held Monday through Friday, July 7-11, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at three DeKalb County locations.  Election Day for the runoff is Tuesday, July 15. Early voting sites include: *DeKalb VRE Office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur *Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road, Lithonia *Denotes drop box locations. Voters…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—In Rockdale County, Keisha Sean Waites finished with a strong lead in the Democratic primary race for Georgia’s District 3 Public Service Commission seat, outdistancing two other candidates on June 17.  However, since Waites did not receive more than 50 percent of the vote statewide, she will face challenger Peter Hubbard, who came in second. Waites earned 60.37% (914 votes) in Rockdale, while Hubbard received 22.59% (342 votes).  The third contender, Robert Jones, received 17.04 percent (914 votes).  The runoff between Waites and Hubbard will be held on July 15.  Early voting will be held July 7-11, 7 a.m. to 7…

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…