Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Now that families are once again hosting reunions and gatherings after pausing for a couple of years due to the pandemic, Discover DeKalb is helping people to reconnect for their celebrations. Discover DeKalb will host its free Family Reunion Workshop on Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta/North Chamblee Dunwoody, 4401 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Chamblee. The free Family Reunion workshop, which will be presented by Reunion Specialist Penny Moore, is an in-depth training experience designed to make planning reunions and family gatherings a success. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn…

DECATUR, GA– Trips through checkout lines at the grocery store are about to become easier and less time consuming for participants in the Georgia Department of Public Health’s WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program. Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 11, participants served by the DeKalb County Board of Health’s WIC locations will begin receiving an eWIC card to purchase approved foods. The eWIC card functions similarly to a debit card, by swiping at the checkout, and entering a PIN. Previously, WIC participants have been issued paper vouchers to purchase approved foods at the time of checkout. As the eWIC card distribution will occur…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson and District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson invite the public to join the fun and excitement at the DeKalb Community Empowerment Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The DeKalb Empowerment Fall Festival will be held at The Gallery of South DeKalb, 2801 Candler Road, Decatur. The event will feature music, entertainment, food, prizes, health screenings, voter information, senior services, COVID-19 vaccines and booster and flu shots. Those receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or a booster will receive a $100 gift card, while supplies last. With the  theme “Winning…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to distribute 5,000 boxes of produce and chicken on Saturday, Oct. 8. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and the Board of Commissioners are extending a special invitation to DeKalb residents who are hosting Hurricane Ian evacuees. “People of goodwill are encouraged to love our neighbors as ourselves,” CEO Thurmond said. “We are helping those who are helping others.” On Saturday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m., food distributions will be held at the following locations: New Birth Missionary Baptist Church,6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, Clifton Springs Rd. Decatur Shy…

STONECREST, GA—ON 6th at 6:30 p.m., DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host an in-person town hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 6,6:30 p.m.,  to discuss heavy rail to the City of Stonecrest. “A Candid Conversation About Heavy Rail to Stonecrest” will be held at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The town hall meeting will feature DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson, Commissioner Larry Johnson, Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, MARTA Interim CEO Collie Greenwood, and DeKalb County Pastor’s Christian Alliance Chair, Pastor Lee May. The meeting is open to the public. Those who…

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Sade Douay, 36, of Norcross, has been charged with insurance fraud and forgery. On Jan. 30,  2021, Douay was the victim of a carjacking incident. She filed a claim with her insurance company for the loss of her vehicle, and a City of Atlanta Police Department (APD) incident report revealed that she only reported her cell phone and purse as lost due to the theft. “Shortly after the incident,  Douay initiated a homeowner’s insurance policy for her apartment,” said Commissioner King. “She then filed a claim nearing $23,000…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—You may qualify for a $30 monthly discount on your home or mobile internet service through the Federal Communications Commission Affordable Connectivity Program. Gwinnett County is encouraging eligible residents to claim this new benefit and start saving on internet service. Visit FCC.gov/ACP or call 877.384.2575 to learn about eligibility and apply. Then, contact a participating broadband provider to start receiving your monthly discount.

ATLANTA — Mayor Andre Dickens renewed his Executive Order to temporarily halt any redevelopment of the 25-acre Atlanta Medical Center site, a necessary step as the Atlanta City Council considers an ordinance to ratify the moratorium. Atlanta City Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet introduced the ordinance which earned the support of 11 additional councilmembers upon introduction. “I appreciate the Atlanta City Council’s full partnership in ensuring that the future of the Atlanta Medical Center property is in line with the needs and vision for the Old Fourth Ward community,” Mayor Dickens said. “This moratorium provides the time and space necessary to work with…

PINELAKE, GA—Pine LakeFest, now in its 20th year, returns to the shores of beautiful Pine Lake in DeKalb County’s smallest city on Oct. 15 and 16. Pine Lake will transform its lakefront into a marketplace featuring handmade work by local artists and crafters, street performers, food trucks and festival treats. There will be live music both days, family games and contests on the beach with prizes, a Kids’ Carnival, a Pet Parade, and LakeFest’s signature wild water parade—Floatzilla. The marketplace will showcase artist vendors from Atlanta, Brookhaven, Decatur, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain and other cities in Georgia, including painters, potters,…

DECATUR, GA – Fisher Trail NE, between Imperial Drive NE and Eldorado Drive NE, will be closed to through-traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12, to facilitate repair on a sanitary sewer line in front of 2102 Fisher Trail NE. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Gabe Cummings, project manager, SAK Construction, LLC at 615-852-0988.