Author: On Common Ground News

 ATLANTA— The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Cooling Program, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS), will be available April 3, through July 31 or until funds are exhausted. The federally-funded program assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Georgians with cooling bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Beginning Monday, April 3, Georgia residents aged 65 years of age and older or those who are medically homebound may apply. Applications will be taken for all other eligible residents beginning May 1, 2023. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) on a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Education is urging the community and school district employees to attend one of three town hall meetings to introduce Dr. Devon Horton, sole finalist for superintendent of the DeKalb County School District.  The public will have a chance to hear from Dr. Horton and provide feedback on his candidacy. The meetings are set for 6 p.m. and are expected to run about two hours. Here are the locations for the town hall meetings:   Wednesday, April 12, Chamblee High School, 3688 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee Thursday, April 13,  Ronald E. McNair Middle School, 2190 Wallingford Drive, Decatur Friday, April 14, DCSD Administrative &…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission will meet Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in person at the Manuel J. Maloof Center,1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Free parking is available at the DeKalb County Courthouse parking lot. The hearing also will be livestreamed and can be viewed at this link: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. The public can leave comments for the Charter Review Commission at: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/form/charter-review-contacts. AGENDA Call to Order Roll Call Minutes From Previous Meeting of March 9 Introduction of Invited Guests: Any elected officials Report from Chair Unfinished Business Discussion on timeline and process New Business…

ATLANTA — City Council members Michael Julian Bond and Andrea L. Boone announced tonight (April 12) the passing of Carolyn Long Banks, acclaimed civil rights activist and the first Black woman to serve on the Atlanta City Council. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by her family. “Our community has lost a true trailblazer. Carolyn Long Banks will forever be known as a catalyst for extraordinary change in our city and across the nation. This is a somber moment for us all and I send my deepest condolences to her family. Throughout her life, she had an unwavering…

ATLANTA –MARTA has launched its new Breeze Mobile 2.0 app, an updated way to pay for your ride with your smartphone. The new app was designed to address customer feedback during the testing of Breeze Mobile 1.0 and delivers new features to make paying fares easier. Customers may still use other Breeze fare media, including Breeze cards and tickets. The previous Breeze Mobile 1.0 app is being replaced. Starting April 14, customers will no longer be able to purchase any products on this app and all remaining products must be used. The Breeze Mobile 1.0 app will no longer be active after…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA: DeKalb County native Dionne McGee is kicking off her campaign for DeKalb County State Court Judge on April 13 at Wahoo! Grill in Decatur.  McGee will run for the open seat that will be vacated by retiring Judge Wayne Purdom in 2024. McGee has more than 22years of practicing experience, serving in criminal defense, criminal prosecution, personal injury, and family law.  McGee currently is a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, serving as a member of the Crime Strategies and Community Partnerships Unit in South DeKalb. “I believe judges should have extensive trial…

CONYERS—This month, the Mayor’s Reading Club Storytime will feature Sue Troff, president of the Conyers Civil League and retired educator. The storytime and crafts program for children will be held on April 15, 11 a.m., at the Nancy Guinn Library, 864 Green St., in Conyers. The monthly program features community leaders and aims to improve literacy skills and overall success with early reading among children and youth in Georgia. The next Mayor’s Reading Club Storytime will be held in May.

CONYERS, GA—Nature enthusiasts and bird watchers will be thrilled with a new feature, a dedicated bluebird trail, at the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center (BHCNC). The 173-acre wildlife conservation area is located at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. Twenty bluebird houses were built, designed, and installed just in time for male bluebird “scouts” to find residency for their new mates. These beautifully, ornate houses can be found dotted along parts of the blue and orange trails throughout Bald Rock Meadows, a section of BHCNC that boasts open fields ideal for nesting habitats. The goals of this project are…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a Gwinnett County Police officer-involved pedestrian fatality that occurred on Sunday, April 9. The pedestrian has been identified as Ramon Perez, 48, of Lawrenceville. Shortly after 3:30 a.m. on April 9, an officer assigned to the West Precinct was traveling on Brook Hollow Parkway near the intersection of Mitchell Road.  His vehicle struck a male pedestrian who was walking in the roadway.  Following the collision, the officer immediately began to render aid. The pedestrian later died as a result of his injuries. Georgia State Patrol (GSP) was requested to investigate the collision.…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson introduced a resolution on April 11 designed to establish a Business Code of Conduct that will make it mandatory for vendors and contractors to report any pending litigation or violations of federal, state and municipal laws, as well as any material changes in their corporate structure within 14 days of the change. The proposed ordinance was heard on April 11 in the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee. The policy is designed to make effective governance possible by enforcing a responsible procurement policy to ensure the DeKalb Governing Authority is fully aware…