Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA– The Northside Hospital system and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia today announced a new agreement that provides access to care at Northside for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s members. “Northside Hospital has an unwavering focus on patients and their families, and that always is our mission,” said Scott Wade, vice president of Northside Hospital. “The outcome of our discussions is great news for our partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and our patients.” Northside Hospital and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia have enjoyed a partnership for more than 30 years.…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) today announced its intention to adopt a 2022 millage rate, which will require an increase in property taxes by 45.42 percent. This tentative increase will 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 with a fair market value of $275,000 is approximately $713.13. Each year,…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, in his role as the District 3 Commissioner and president of the National Association of Counties (NACo), today attended an event at the White House for passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Commissioner Johnson has been selected as part of an esteemed group of influential civic leaders convening in person to join President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the celebration of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The $13 billion law includes millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs and incentives for states to include juvenile records in…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA–Voices of Faith Ministries kicked off its Vacation Bible School on July 11, welcoming dozens of children and 104.7 The Fish radio station to its Stone Mountain campus at 2500 Rockbridge Road S.W. The first day of Vacation Bible School was filled with activities, music, bible study, and giveaways by 104.7 radio station. This year’s theme is “Created In Christ Designed for God’s Purpos”e by SPARK Studios. The Vacation Bible School, which runs July 11-15, from 9 a.m. until noon, is open to rising kindergarteners through rising sixth graders. The church is providing a bus to transport children…

DeKalb County, GA—DeKalb County Police are seeking a white Honda sedan in connection with the murder of a 43-year-old man who was shot in the parking lot of a Publix located at 2155 N. Decatur Road. Police said the man was identified as Lewayne Terrell. The shooting took place on July 6 around noon at the Emory Commons shopping center. The Honda sedan police are searching for has a black front bumper and a gray hood and a sunroof. Anyone with information on where this vehicle can be located or who is the owner of this vehicle is asked to…

The Rockdale County Judicial & Administrative Task Force will hold a meeting on Thursday, July 14, 4 p.m., at the Rockdale County Courthouse, 922 Court Street, Conyers. The meeting will take place in Superior Court Room 225C . This meeting is open to the public. The agenda is listed below:

DECATUR, GA– The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will host a Career on Tuesday, July 12, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., in DeKalb County at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center. DJJ is looking to hire juvenile correctional officers, detention counselors, teachers, mental health providers, food service workers, housekeepers and general support staff. Individuals interested in applying should bring their Social Security card, valid driver’s license and proof of a high school diploma or GED. The juvenile correctional officer position has a new starting salary of $37,730 with a special military salary incentive of up to 10 percent for…

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers Police Department responded to reports of a person who had been shot at the Georgia International Horse Park on July 6, around 5:15 p.m. The victim, 18-year-old Marcus Shaffer of Conyers, suffered a single gunshot wound that resulted in his death. Shaffer was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rockdale County Coroner’s Office. Police received a 911 call from a friend of the deceased who was present at the time of the shooting. The 911 caller, also an 18-year-old male from Conyers, is considered a witness to the event at this time. The victim and witness…