Author: On Common Ground News

Roderick Laraymond “Rock” Russell, Sr.., a physical education/health teacher at Tucker Middle School, has passed away. Mr. Russell  died on May 23 at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. He was 47. The cause and the circumstances regarding Mr. Russell’s  death were not provided.  The family announced funeral services in a link to his obituary.

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County’s  Department of Water Resources has partnered with Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity to provide plumbing and septic repair assistance to Gwinnett residents through the Water Resources Assistance Program(WRAP). Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds were awarded to Gwinnett County in the amount of $4 million for home plumbing repairs and septic system conversions and repairs. The County has allocated up to $1 million to Habitat for Humanity in 2022 in partnership with WRAP. Future funds will be allocated to the program on an annual basis. Qualified Gwinnett residents can apply for home plumbing repairs associated with damage…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and the Foresite Group will hold a second public meeting Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. The community is invited to participate and offer guidance for future county park improvements  via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/89112537122  To join the meeting by phone, dial 888-270-9936, and use 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.

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta(ULGA), in partnership with the Pepsico Foundation, is launching the Restaurant Resilience Program in response to the disruption the foodservice industry has faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant industry has faced numerous challenges ranging from restrictions to staffing shortages to supply disruption since COVID-19. ULGA’s 8-week virtual is designed to help foodservice business owners start and grow their business. Click the More Information link at the bottom of the post below:

ATLANTA – State Representatives Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) today issued the following statements in recognition of Pride Month during the month of June: “At this time in our nation, we are witnessing the intentional dismantling of human rights,” said Rep. Schofield. “Now more than ever, this is the perfect time for legislation to protect gay rights, transgender rights, gay youth, marriage equality, health care, housing, workplace and incarceration issues that impact the LGBTQIA community on a larger scale. We are committed to taking action and finding solutions. The most important thing we must do…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– Summer Break is in full swing, and once again, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is providing free summer meals to students. Better known across the district as the Seamless Summer Option Program, all children aged 18 and younger can get nutritious breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to parents or guardians now through July 22. “Studies show that nutritious meals impact a student’s well-being and academic performance. Those needs don’t end just because the school year does,” said Connie R. Walker, DCSD’s Executive Director of School Nutrition Services. “We see the faces of the families…

DECATUR, GA—After multiple days of hand counting of ballots, DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) has completed initial efforts to count the ballots cast in the DeKalb County District 2 Commission race. Issues related to initial election results prompted DeKalb VRE, in coordination with the Georgia Secretary of State, to take necessary steps to identify accurate results of the Commission District 2 contest. These unofficial results preliminarily show that Lauren Alexander received 4,737 votes, Marshall Orson received 3,928 votes, and Michelle Long Spears received 6,651 votes. Donald Broussard, who officially withdrew from the contest, received 133 votes. Final…

DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections (DeKalb BRE) has voted to delay certifying the May 24 General Primary Election after a series of technical issues were confirmed in recent days. Since the election on May 24, DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) has coordinated with the Georgia Secretary of State to identify the cause of identified technical issues and determine a course of action to accurately tally votes and produce results specifically for the Commissioner District 2 race. During a DeKalb BRE Special Called Meeting on May 31, board members voted to postpone certifying the election results. Following the…

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $57 million in grants to organizations that help veterans experiencing homelessness find meaningful employment and assist them in overcoming barriers to transition back successfully into the workforce. Ending homelessness among veterans is a priority for the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, which is chaired by U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge and vice-chaired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. Upholding our sacred obligation to our veterans is also a key part of the Unity Agenda President Biden laid out in his State…