Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Mayor Andre Dickens today(May 26) helped Georgia Power crews “Light Up” Terry Street S.E. as part of the “Light Up the Night” citywide streetlight installation and repair initiative. Dickens went up in a Georgia Power bucket truck to assist in replacing an inoperable light with a new LED model. Earlier this week, the mayor received special training required by all Georgia Power installation and repair crews. The replacement completed today is just one of nearly 3,000 streetlights installed, repaired or upgraded to date as part of the “Light Up the Night” project – a unique partnership between Georgia…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr today (May 26)announced the indictment of Marquetta Curry, a former employee with the Jackson County Division of Family and Children Services, on one count each of exploitation of an elderly person, forgery and identity fraud. “We are working every single day to protect Georgia’s older and at-risk adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation of any kind,” said Carr. “This includes investigating healthcare billing fraud and prosecuting those who attempt to steal from our most vulnerable. We are proud of this latest indictment from our Medicaid Fraud Division and look forward to presenting our case in…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit and U.S. Marshal Task Force have arrested two suspects in connection with the Feb. 1 shooting death of a Decatur man. Investigators arrested Azariah Corbin, 19, and Dexter Cooper, 20, both Stone Mountain residents, on May 26, in Decatur without incident. Corbin and Cooper are both accused of shooting 38-year-old Brandon Barnett of Decatur while the victim was in his car. Reports allege Barnett’s car crashed into a rail after he was shot, went airborne and landed on an I-285 median near Lawrenceville Highway. No cause was given for the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Two outstanding students invested in community service in Rockdale County were named finalists for the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families’ 2022 John K. Morgan Scholarship. Of the two finalists, Jaidyn Sawyer, a senior at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, was named the recipient of the 2022 John K. Morgan Scholarship. This is the 12th year the Rockdale Coalition has offered the $4,000 scholarship for a student who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. The scholarship is named for John K. Morgan,…

ATLANTA – Attorney General Chris Carr announced today (May 26) that the State of Georgia has joined a $19.2 million multistate settlement with Ford Motor Company. The settlement resolves allegations that Ford falsely advertised the real-world fuel economy of model year 2013-2014 C-Max hybrids and the payload capacity of model year 2011-2014 Super Duty pickup trucks. As part of the settlement agreement, Georgia will receive $370,706.64. Carr joins 40 additional states in filing the settlement. “We take seriously any allegation of deceptive advertising, and companies that purposefully mislead consumers will be held accountable for their actions,” said Carr. “Today’s…

ATLANTA – Today, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Qcells, one of the largest and most-recognized renewable energy solutions providers, will invest $171 million in a new solar module manufacturing facility in Dalton, creating 470 new jobs in Whitfield County. The new facility is expected to increase the number of Qcells employees in Georgia to more than 1,000. “We are proud that Qcells, like so many other job creators, has chosen to expand its operations here in the No. 1 state for business,” said Kemp. “For decades, Georgia and Korea have enjoyed a strong, prosperous relationship. I purposefully chose to visit…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Families in Rockdale County are invited to register for another free summer enrichment program hosted by Conyers City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook in collaboration with Beyond The Bell and Family Promise of NewRock. The six-week program, open to youths ages 17 and under and their parents or guardians, will be held June 13 through July 21, ending with a Youth Health Fair and school supply give-away. “We had over 40 youths to participant in the summer program last year. Parents were ecstatic the program was free,” said Alsobrook. Alsobrook said this summer, the program’s activities and classes…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Robert Patrick is pleased to announce that Pleasantdale Park was selected as one of multiple sites throughout DeKalb County that will be home to the Fresh on Dek Farmers’ Market. The market provides guests with fresh fruits and vegetables in communities where access to nutritious food options might be limited. The market rolled into Pleasantdale Park on May 25 and runs through July 13. Each Wednesday, from 5 to 7 p.m.  at Pleasantdale Park, guests will be able to receive pre-bagged produce while supplies last. Additionally, those who attend will have access to healthy recipes and…

BROOKHAVEN, GA–Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. welcomed one of its newest chapters, Alpha Beta Lambda Omega, to the North DeKalb County area on May 15. The chartering ceremony and luncheon were held at the Hyatt Regency Villa Christina in Brookhaven and officiated by Carolyn Gause Randolph, South Atlantic Regional Director. Phyllis Mitchell will serve as chapter president and lead its 57 members in its mission of providing service in the North DeKalb County communities of Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and Dunwoody. The mayors of all four cities, as well as other community leaders from across DeKalb County, supported the formation…