Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA–DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson joined First Lady Jill Biden during her visit today (Sept. 15) at Emory University to announce a renewed, more ambitious “Cancer Moonshot” program, an initiative aimed at reducing the rate of cancer in the U.S. by at least 50 percent over the next 25 years. First Lady Biden’s visit highlighted the program as the first project funded under the Biden Administration’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The agency aims to accelerate better outcomes for society’s most challenging health problems. The $1.8 billion Cancer Moonshot program, initially approved by Congress in 2013, is being  reignited to mobilize efforts toward…

ATLANTA –The city’s Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is offering assistance to Atlanta residents in need of cleanup and/or remediation following   heavy rain that flooded several areas across Atlanta on Thursday, Sept. 14. City officials said the heavy “rain event” originated in the city’s northwest region but progressed across Atlanta, causing flooding in many areas. Parts of downtown Atlanta, including the Atlanta University Center and Peoplestown community, experienced as much rainfall in 15 minutes as typically would be seen in a three-hour spa, city officials said. DWM has made and is continuing to make investments in its collection and stormwater…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Health received notification on Sept. 13, confirming its first human case of West Nile virus infection in the county for the year. The patient, a male in his twenties, resides in the southwest area of Atlanta, within DeKalb County. Additionally, the Board of Health officials are also investigating two additional, yet unrelated West Nile cases in the Lake Claire and the North Druid Hills areas of the county. Currently, no additional information is available, as the investigations are still ongoing. No human case of West Nile virus in DeKalb County has been confirmed…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA— Detectives have arrested five adults and one juvenile in connection with the death of a female they believe was subjected to beatings and malnourishment for weeks. Detectives charged the following suspects with Felony Murder, False Imprisonment, Tampering with Evidence, and Concealing the Death of Another: Eric Hyun (age 26, Suwanee) Gawom Lee (age 26, Lawrenceville) Joonho Lee (age 26, Lawrenceville) Juoonhyum Lee (age 22, Lawrenceville) Hyunji Lee (age 25, Lawrenceville) Junyeoug Lee (age 15, Lawrenceville) Detectives believe Eric Hyun was the driver of the silver passenger car that contained the body of the victim in the trunk.…

STONECREST, GA – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced an additional $81,000 grant for Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC). The grant will be used to recruit and enroll qualified students from underserved communities in the college’s Commercial Driver’s License program. The funding comes on the heels of the Congressman securing $1 million for the school’s Regional Transportation Training Center in South DeKalb that broke ground last month. “I have long been a champion of leveling the playing field for underserved and underprivileged communities,” said Rep. Johnson, whose office provided GPTC with a letter of support for the grant. “This grant is a testament to…

DEKALB COUNTY—-An Atlanta man has been sentenced to life plus 15 years for his role in the fatal shooting of a driver who then crashed into an elderly woman’s apartment, injuring her. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on June 29 against Gary Davis, 24, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, and three counts of Aggravated Assault. On Tuesday, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie, who presided over the trial, sentenced Davis to life in prison plus 15…

THOMSON, GA—You’re invited to celebrate blues, jazz, R&B and gospel — and a Georgia-born musician who gained popularity playing them — at the 29th Annual Blind Willie McTell Music Festival on Sept. 22–23, 2023, in Thomson. Named for Georgia native Blind Willie McTell, a 12-string guitar pioneer and influential musician best known for writing “Statesboro Blues,” the Blind Willie McTell Music Festival in Thomson, GA, is a can’t-miss event for fans of blues, gospel, jazz, or just great music! The festival kicks off Friday evening with a free concert in historic downtown Thomson, featuring Sugar Ray and the Bluetones. Saturday, the celebration continues at the…

DECATUR, GA. – DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, in partnership with STAND Inc. Executive Director Charles Sperling, is hosting the fourth annual National Opioid Summit. With a focus on continued education, proactive solutions and increasing advocacy to help with what may be America’s worst drug crisis, community stakeholders, youths, policymakers, and citizens are invited to attend the Opioid Summit. The summit will be held Thursday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The event, which will feature guest speaker Commissioner Kevin Tanner, Georgia Department of Behavioral…

ATLANTA—Eugene Jones, director of the Atlanta Housing Authority, tendered his resignation on Tuesday, Sept. 12, marking the end of his nearly four-year tenure overseeing housing initiatives in the city of Atlanta. Mayor Andre Dickens praised Jones’ contributions and said he would request that the Atlanta Housing Authority Board launch a national search to find a successor. Jones’ last day will be Dec. 31, 2023, officials said.  Jones, a seasoned housing professional, assumed the role of Atlanta Housing Director in Oct. 2019 under Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms after serving as head of the Chicago Housing Authority. Throughout his tenure in Atlanta,…