Author: On Common Ground News

Report highlights 2021 efforts of advancing trust in the marketplace ATLANTA — Better Business Bureau of Metro Atlanta, Athens & NE Georgia (BBB) released its 2021 Annual Report detailing the organization’s performance related to consumer and business marketplace activities in BBB’s 47-county service area. “The past few years were unprecedented for BBB in many ways. The pandemic accelerated consumers’ reliance on BBB and gave businesses – especially our Accredited Businesses – the opportunity to prove to consumers that they operate with ethics and integrity,” said Brian Catania, president and CEO of BBB. Key Areas of Growth   Verified Customer…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a community meeting to review the renovations of the N.H. Scott Pool on Wednesday, May 25, at 5:30 p.m.   The meeting will provide guidance for future county pool improvements and program development. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom and can be joined at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/82227583820 or by calling 888-270-9936 and using conference code 399422. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist, at 404-371-3643 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is participating in the Summer Food Service Program June 2 – July 22. Nutritious meals will be provided to eligible children ages 18 and under.  Many children who eat free or reduced-priced meals during the school year miss out on nutritious meals in the summer. The Summer Food Service Program was designed to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. The following sites have agreed to serve meals this year: Site Complete Site Address 1st Meal 2nd Meal…

BONAIRE, GA – On Tuesday, April 26, Gov. Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, other members of the Georgia General Assembly, and more, signed the largest income tax cut in state history into law (HB 1437). “Because of Governor Kemp and the General Assembly’s bold leadership, Georgia taxpayers will directly benefit from this historic tax cut,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “I applaud the Governor and my colleagues for working to deliver fiscally conservative policies while prioritizing the needs of our growing state.” “Today, we have enacted the largest income tax cut in state…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 27, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will be chairing the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet hearing titled: “Building Confidence in the Supreme Court Through Ethics and Recusal Reforms.” Members will consider the impact of the Supreme Court’s lack of a clearly applicable code of ethics and examine other reforms that could promote transparency and accountability for the highest court. Witnesses at the hearing: Gabe Roth, Executive Director of Fix the Court. Roth has extensive experience investigating and publicizing judicial conflicts of interest and the need for judges to recuse themselves.…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect for killing a young man and leaving his body in the bushes of a Stone Mountain residential community. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit located Aurion Johnson, 22, of Stone Mountain at a Brockett Road apartment in Clarkston, where he was arrested without incident today (April 26). Johnson was charged with the Malice Murder of David Hayman, 20, also of Stone Mountain. According to the arrest warrant, Johnson had an altercation with Hayman, who was walking to his home on Watson Bay on March 31. The warrant alleges that Johnson…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA – At tonight’s virtual board called meeting, the DeKalb County Board of Education voted to approve a separation agreement with Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris effective immediately. Board members voted to name Dr. Vasanne Tinsley as the interim superintendent, citing its full confidence in  Tinsley’s ability to operate the day-to-day activities of the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). Dr. Tinsley brings a wealth of experience to DCSD, formerly serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Student Support & Intervention in the district. “We appreciate Mrs. Cheryl Watson-Harris for her service to the DeKalb County School District and wish her the best…

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is recruiting for Driver Examiners statewide. These customer service-focused team members are responsible for evaluating applications for all classes of driver’s licenses, conducting testing and identifying potential identity theft or fraud. The salary for a Driver Examiner 1 begins at $30,000 with the potential for increases at six months, 12 months, and 18 months. In addition to a competitive salary, Driver Examiners have a host of benefits including: 12 paid holidays each year; health, dental/ life insurance and a student loan forgiveness program, among others. “Driver Examiners are an important asset to fulfill our…

ATLANTA – MARTA’s public art program, “Artbound,” announces the return of MARTA Jazz Mondays and unique spoken and musical performances from the Atlanta Opera Company Players and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre at rail stations in May and June.  MARTA Jazz Mondays, in partnership with the Atlanta Jazz Festival put on by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, feature live jazz performances from 4– 6 p.m. on the following dates: May 2 – College Park Justice Michael  Justice Michael | Musician (@justicemmusic) • Instagram photos and videos May 9 – Five Points Milkah  🧚🏽‍♀️ ☥ MILKAH ☥ 🧚🏽‍♀️ (@ankh_prana) • Instagram photos…

DECATUR, GA—W. Burrell Ellis, III of Stone Mountain, Georgia, has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to scouts, the Eagle Scout Award.  Ellis was recognized iduring a ceremony on Sunday, April 24, in downtown Decatur. A member of Troop 106, chartered at Greenforest Community Baptist Church in Decatur, Ellis is one of approximately four percent of all Scouts who attain the Eagle rank.  An Eagle candidate must earn 21 merit badges, highlighting accomplishment in specific subject matter areas, and successfully complete a community-related service project. For his project, Ellis planned, developed and led a…