Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County is making recreation centers and libraries throughout the county available as cooling centers due to a heat advisory. As defined by the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City Forecast Office, a heat advisory is issued when “feels like” temperatures are expected to reach or be greater than 103 degrees, or when the actual air temperature is expected to be at 105 degrees or greater. Most DeKalb County libraries and recreation centers will be available as cooling centers, during the location’s normal business hours. For a list of DeKalb County recreation centers, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Recreation Programs…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the overall economy continues to rebound from the pandemic, many workers most adversely affected – particularly women, people of color, people with disabilities, lower-wage workers and workers from other historically marginalized communities – continue to face challenges in finding quality jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor announced today (July 6) that it is making available $140 million in Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy and Training(QUEST) grants for states to provide jobs and employment training and services for America’s unemployed and underemployed workers. Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, QUEST National Dislocated Worker grants will support…

CHAMBLEE, GA—A 15-year-old female, associated with an Amber Alert from Jupiter, Florida was found unharmed by Chamblee Police at an apartment complex on Plaster Road. The Chamblee Police Department was contacted by FBI-Atlanta, advising a missing juvenile female from Florida was reportedly located in an apartment complex in Chamblee, Georgia. Investigators and officers were able to determine her exact location due to recent communication between the missing 15-year-old and her case worker in Florida. Chamblee Police located her with a 19-year-old male, reported to be Oliver Ramos, who transported her from Jupiter, Florida to Chamblee, Georgia. Ramos was arrested without…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced that he secured the inclusion of more than $15 million for 13 community projects in Georgia’s Fourth District in the FY23 appropriations – Congress’s annual spending plan. The inclusion of this funding in the Appropriations Committee bills is the first step in the budgetary process. The funding will make a critical difference in throughout Georgia’s Fourth District, including projects for MARTA, workforce development, affordable housing, resources for foster youth, education, PATH walking and biking trails, victims of domestic violence and legal aid for constituents who cannot afford an attorney, Johnson said.…

STONECREST, GA– The City of Stonecrest voted to rollback its millage rate for the second consecutive year at a July 6 Special Called meeting. The City Council’s adopted millage rate of 1.257 mills represents a decrease from 1.336 mills in 2021. The City of Stonecrest maintains a solid fund balance, officials stated in a news release. Each year, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by state law to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property within the county. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicate there has…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a Gateway to Fishing Program, July 9, 8 a.m. to noon, at Wade Walker Park, 5585 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain. The event will take place at the fishing pond. The free event is designed to encourage fishing in metro and suburban parks and other public waters that are easily accessible to home for Georgians. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources strives to partner and host youth fishing classes and improve accessibility for communities to enjoy. The event will also include…

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CONYERS, GA—Don’t head to the kitchen for dinner. Take a break. Sankofa House, Inc. is inviting families to bring their children to enjoy a sit-down dinner July 5- 29, Monday through Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. Sankofa House is located at 1240 Sigman Road N.W., Conyers (in the plaza next to Voices of Faith Ministries in Conyers. Children must be present for parents to eat free. For more information, call Miselinda Agbaka at 678-524-1971.

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs’ Friends of Flat Shoals Park will host its annual “Book it to the Park” book drive on Saturday, July 9 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flat Shoals Park, 4522 Flat Shoals Pkwy. Decatur. The Friends of Flat Shoals Park began hosting the “Book it to the Park” event shortly after the installation of the new book box in 2017. Officials say the book box has been a success and is heavily utilized by youths in the community. In an effort to support literacy and reach the goal of receiving 300 books,…