Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– In collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health, the DeKalb County Board of Health has received more monkeypox vaccines to offer appointments for an additional vaccination event. The  vaccination event will be held on Friday, Aug. 5,  9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the North DeKalb Health Center, located at 3807 Clairmont Rd., NE, in Chamblee. A total of 240 appointments will be available for this date only. Appointments are required due to limited vaccine availability and can be obtained by visiting the Board of Health website. Individuals may experience issues with the appointment link: your internet connection, the volume…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve water service capacity throughout DeKalb County will continue on Thursday, Aug. 18, with the launch of the North Shore Road Water Main Replacement Project. Crews will replace 11,200 linear feet of crumbling water lines with new 8-inch-diameter, ductile-iron water lines along North Shore Road. This line repair project is expected to last approximately 4 months (Aug. 2022 to Dec.2022), barring any weather delays. Normal construction hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. An increase in construction-related noise and traffic during work hours should be expected.

STONECREST, GA– The City of Stonecrest is reviewing the results from a community survey to help determine the best use of funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA is an economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law on March 11, 2021. The Act provides approximately $1.9 trillion in assistance to help the country recover from the economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Stonecrest has been allocated $9.7 million in ARPA funding. In total, Stonecrest garnered 840 responses to the survey. The city has a population of more tan 50,000…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Dozens of citizens gave the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners an earful at two public hearings held on Aug. 2 concerning the county’s proposal to raise the property tax millage rate by 45.42 percent. County officials stated in a news release that the increase would result in a millage rate of 20.758 mills, an increase of 6.483 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 14.275 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $250,000 is approximately $551.06 and the proposed tax increase for non‐homestead property…

ATLANTA– As schools and childcare programs across the state prepare for the start of the 2022-2023 school year, Gov. Brian P. Kemp and Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs have announced that all eligible childcare teachers and staff in Georgia will receive a second $125 “Back-to-School Supply Supplement” through the American Rescue Plan. A previous supplement was distributed in Spring, 2022. “As we head into a new school year, we will not stop working to provide our educators with the tools they need to set their students on successful paths of lifelong learning,” said Kemp. “We hope this Back-to-School Supply Supplement will…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners on Tuesday (Aug. 2) adopted the same general fund millage rate as last year—6.95 mills. Prior to the vote, the Board held three public hearings and accepted comments through the county’s website. “At the root, today’s decision will allow the county to operate keeping the Gwinnett Standard in mind, while reducing the use of reserves,” said Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “Most homeowners in Gwinnett benefit from the Value Offset Exemption, which means they will not see an increase in the county government portion of their tax bill.” Property taxes are based on millage rates…

Glenn Morgan and his wife, Valerie, returned to Atlanta on Sunday evening (July 31) after a four-day family reunion in New Orleans, where several family members call home. As a child, Glenn spent summers with his cousins—the Denson family—in New Orleans and has fond memories of the times he shared with their large family. He was looking forward to this year’s reunion and was not disappointed. Not even the rain showers dampened the fun. During the reunion, family and friends—who came from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and New York—had a dress-up-in-White Night, T-shirt Day, and a Mardi Gras-style  banquet. The family…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Candice Broce today announced a new statewide marketing campaign to help recruit and retain more foster parents for youths in state custody. “My administration has taken great strides to support foster parents in the critically important mission of caring for Georgia children in need,” said Gov. Kemp. “Our state believes in protecting life at all stages, and we’re committed to achieving this goal. We hope this new campaign reaches more who are ready to answer this call.” “Our state appreciates the generous families and…

COLUMBUS, OH – One of the nation’s largest discount retailers continues to expose employees to the risk of injuries by flagrantly ignoring workplace safety regulations, this time with hazardous conditions found at two Ohio locations, in Maple Heights and Columbus. Since 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and state OSHA programs have conducted more than 500 inspections at Family Dollar and Dollar Tree – operated by their parent company, Dollar Tree Inc. – and found more than 300 violations. During these inspections, OSHA routinely find exit routes, fire extinguishers and electrical panels dangerously obstructed or…