Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of North Georgia are recognizing Nov. 16 as Utility Scam Awareness Day by warning consumers and businesses to watch out for scammers posing as utility company representatives in an attempt to steal your money. “Criminals will often use scare tactics in an attempt to pressure consumers into turning over their hard-earned money before they have a chance to think things through or verify the supposed claims,” said Carr. “Unfortunately, since utilities are such an essential service, these tactics are often successful. Knowledge is key, and we encourage…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office announces its operating schedule for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. Customers are reminded that online service and kiosk options are available after business hours and on weekends year-round. Holiday schedule: Nov. 23, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Nov. 24-25 Dec. 23, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Dec. 26 Dec. 30, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Jan. 2 “With the holiday season upon us, we are reminding customers that most property tax and motor vehicle services are available online daily,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson. “Taxpayers…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Health will hold its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference on Nov. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. Public access to the video conference can be established through the following methods: Zoom Video: https://zoom.us/join | Meeting ID: 815 0858 4721 / Passcode: 248661 Zoom Audio: 301-715-8592 | Meeting ID: 815 0858 4721 / Passcode: 248661 Agenda items for the meeting include: Call to Order Approval of Minutes Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2022 COVID-19 and Monkeypox Presentation District Health Director’s Report for September 2022 – October 2022 Financial Status Report Public Comments Board Comments Adjournment Anyone who would like to bring an issue before…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Department of Transportation is holding a ribbon cutting for the newly replaced Rockbridge Road/Lake Capri Bridge. The ribbon cutting will take place on Dec. 9, 10 a.m. on Rockbridge Road and Lake Capri Bridge. The Lake Capri Bridge project used SPLOST dollars for its completion; approximately $1.8 million of SPLOST funds went to completing the bridge. “Rockdale Department of Transportation is proud to celebrate the completion of this eagerly anticipated project,.”  Director of Transportation Brian Kelley said. “The reopening of the Rockbridge Road Bridge is a great example of “Your SPLOST Dollar at Work”…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Today, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s plan to provide a one-time, $1,500 retention bonus for non-sworn frontline employees was unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. The $1,500 retention bonus will be provided to frontline employees in multiple departments, including, but not limited to, Watershed Management, Sanitation, Library, Parks and Roads and Drainage. All other employees will receive a $1,000 retention bonus. “I would like to thank the Board of Commissioners for their unanimous approval of these incentive bonuses that will help us retain our most loyal and valuable employees,” Thurmond said. In April 2022, Public Safety…

STONECREST, GA—During a special-called meeting on Nov. 14, the City Council approved the appointment of the city’s Chief Financial Officer Gia Scruggs to serve as acting city manager. The council deadlocked on the vote 2-2, but Mayor Jazzmin Cobble used her authority under Georgia’s Senate Bill 21, which changed the city’s charter to permit the mayor to vote when there is a tie. The deadlock broke tradition. The City Council, under Cobble’s leadership, has rarely departed from voting unanimously on issues. Councilmembers Tammy Grimes and Tara Graves cast the dissenting votes . Neither stated during the meeting why they made…

STONECREST, GA –City officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m., to celebrate the purchase of its City Hall, located at 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard. The City of Stonecrest’s Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA)  purchased the building from Stonecrest Center LLC for $5.8 million. The 54,000-square-foot building, which housed  City Hall, Strayer University and other tenants, was originally listed at $6.5 million, according to a press release.  The transaction, which closed on Oct. 31, was financed by the URA’s issuance of $6,050,000 in aggregate revenue bonds, the press release stated.  URA Chairwoman and Mayor Jazzmin Cobble said the ribbon…

COVINGTON, GA–Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced that Archer Aviation Inc., an aerospace company advancing sustainable urban air mobility, will create 1,000 jobs. The new plant will invest $118 million over 10 years in a new state-of-the-art electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) manufacturing facility located alongside the Covington Municipal Airport in Newton County. “Georgia has made fostering innovation a priority as we work with companies to bring the jobs of the future to the No. 1 state for business,” said Gov. Kemp. “Our established leadership in the aerospace industry was essential to landing Archer Aviation in Newton County, and we’re…

Flu activity is already widespread in Georgia and state officials are urging the public to get their flu shots for protection. “Every individual over the age of 6 months should get a flu vaccine – not just for their own protection, but to protect others around them who may be more vulnerable to the flu and its complications,” says Kathleen E. Toomey, Georgia Department of Public Healthcommissioner. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so now is the time to get a flu shot.” Flu symptoms and their intensity can vary from person…

DECATUR,GA—DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections announces the risk-limiting audit for the Nov. 8, 2022, General Election. The audit will commence on Nov. 17, 2022, at 8 a.m. in the Stonecrest office of the Department of Voter Registration and Elections, located at 2994 Turner Hill Rd, Stonecrest, Ga 30038, and will continue until completion on or before Nov. 18, 2022, at 5 p.m. The audit is open to the public. For more information, visit www.DeKalbVotes.com or call 404-298-4020 or 1-866-DEK-VOTES.