Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– In partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, the DeKalb County Board of Health has now received monkeypox vaccine to begin offering appointments at its health centers and to conduct large vaccination clinics. Limited vaccination appointments will be available at the following regional health center locations: Richardson Health Center (for established or new Early Care Clinic patients only), 445 Winn Way, Decatur, beginning Tues., July 26. T.O. Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur, beginning Tuesday, July 26. Clifton Springs Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur, beginning Friday, July 29. North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Rd.,…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced today that the county’s Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit for 2022 will provide $137 million in property tax relief for property owners with homestead exemptions. The EHOST has generated more than $454 million in tax relief for DeKalb property owners since 2018.  Qualified homeowners receive an EHOST credit that reduces or offsets property tax liability. The amount of property tax relief received by a qualified homeowner is based on the assessed value of the homesteaded property and sales tax revenue generated by EHOST.  On average, the EHOST credit will generate a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– This Saturday (July 23), the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is hosting a Back-to-School Rally to welcome new and returning families to the school system. The free event will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College Ave. Clarkston, rain or shine. The event will feature live entertainment, a Fun Zone for children, school supplies, family resources, health screenings, testing, vaccinations and more. For more information, see: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/students/2022-back-to-school-rally/ The media is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

CONYERS, GA – The clear bookbags that Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students in grades 1-12 are required to carry beginning with the 2022-23 school year will be distributed after Labor Day, school officials said today(July 21). School officials said the distribution of the free bookbags will happen a few weeks after the school year begins on Aug. 1 due to a delay in delivery. “We were recently informed of a delay in the arrival of our shipment of clear bookbags. Unfortunately, we are not immune to the global supply chain issues causing delays in almost everything, particularly with transport and…

DECATUR, GA– the DeKalb County Board of Health this week received lab confirmation that four of its mosquito surveillance traps tested positive for mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus (WNV). These positive traps were stationed in the following ZIP Codes: 30316 – East Atlanta/Unincorporated DeKalb County 30341 – Chamblee 30345 – Unincorporated DeKalb County 30360 – Doraville Due to COVID-19 contact precautions, the Board of Health is not performing its usual door-to-door canvas of the affected areas. To date this year, there have been no human cases of WNV infection confirmed in DeKalb County. To monitor for diseases that mosquitoes can…

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is urging college students who are moving into rentals this Fall to strongly consider purchasing renter’s insurance. Purchasing renters insurance is crucial to protect your property in the event of theft, fire, or other unexpected disasters. Although landlords have their own policies for the property, that does not mean your belongings are covered. Additionally, some landlords may require tenants to have renters insurance. “While moving away from home is exciting, I highly recommend that college students take steps to protect themselves and their belongings as they move closer to campus this Fall,” said…

DECATUR, GA – It’s almost that time. In the coming weeks, the school bell will ring once again for students in DeKalb County, with the City Schools of Decatur starting Aug. 2 and the DeKalb County School District starting Aug. 8. Beginning Monday, July 25, the DeKalb County Board of Health will kick off the upcoming school year with a rotation of combined and extended clinic hours to help parents make sure their children are first day ready for required health services. Services will include immunizations, vision, hearing, dental and nutrition screenings. Centers Closed for Combined Clinic highlighted in YELLOW  |  Extended Hour Center…

ATLANTA—In the wake of an unprecedented housing crisis and growing gun violence locally and nationwide, DeKalb County District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is urging elected officials in neighboring counties to introduce legislation to find solutions. Cochran-Johnson recently introduced two resolutions in DeKalb to implement tenant protections and gun control measures. “Housing and gun violence issues are not unique to DeKalb,” said Cochran-Johnson. “It’s time metro Atlanta counties unite in a cross-jurisdictional approach to address these important problems, as the solutions to these issues do not change from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.” Several commissioners and councilmembers have answered the call: Commissioner Marvin…