Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Expanding on its commitment to strengthen health care resources in the Gwinnett region, Northside Hospital held a ceremonial crane christening and groundbreaking event on June 7 to mark construction of a new patient tower on its Northside Gwinnett campus in Lawrenceville. Hospital leadership joined representatives from the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, Hospital Authority of Gwinnett County, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and the local community to celebrate the continuing, rapid growth of the region’s health care resources. “This is another great milestone for Gwinnett County,” said Northside Hospital Gwinnett/Duluth CEO and President Debbie Mitcham. “Northside’s mission in Gwinnett County…

NEWTON COUNTY, GA—80 Acres Farms, an industry-leading vertical farming company, will create 150 new jobs in Newton County. The $120 million investment in Covington, Georgia, will help the company meet growing consumer demand for local, fresh produce. “We are excited to welcome 80 Acres Farms to Georgia as we continue finding new, exciting ways to support and grow our state’s No. 1 agriculture industry,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “I look forward to seeing the difference that 80 Acres Farms will make in Covington as they employ hardworking Georgians and pour into in the local community and surrounding region.” The 80 Acres Farms…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest wanted in connection with a fatal shooting on June 12. Police said the incident occurred on June 12 at 7:35 p.m. at the Kroger shopping plaza at 4919 Flakes Mill Road. The two individuals were in a dispute with another vehicle that ended up with one victim dead and another shot, in critical condition. The individuals then fled the scene in a white sedan, southbound on Flakes Mill Road. Anyone with information is urged to call the DeKalb Police Homicide Assault Unit at 770-724-7850 or…

ATLANTA– Georgia Medicaid recipients will soon receive one or more text messages from the Georgia Department of Human Services asking them to update their account information and communication preferences. This outreach is crucial to ensuring recipients do not miss letters or notifications once the Biden Administration ends the federal public health emergency (PHE). The timeline for expiration remains uncertain, but Medicaid recipients are strongly encouraged to review and update their information now.Due to changes in federal law to address the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people in the U.S. – including hundreds of thousands in Georgia – have had continuous Medicaid coverage…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Juneteenth on Monday, June 20, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will run one day late as follows: Monday, June 20 – Juneteenth observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, June 21 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, June 20, will be serviced on Tuesday, June 21.  Wednesday, June 22 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, June 21, will be serviced on Wednesday, June 22. Thursday, June 23 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, June 22, will be serviced on…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Early voting for the runoff elections has begun and Rockdale County elections officials reported the county’s turnout so far for the June 21 Democratic Primary and non-partisan runoffs is 841. Rockdale Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham stated in her report that the county currently has 60,582 active voters on its rolls as of April 25, 2022. More statistics on the turnout is provided in the gray box below and the Sample Ballot information follows the voter turnout. What you need to know about Early/Advance Voting in Rockdale:  The early voting period runs Monday through Thursday, June 13-16, 8 a.m.…

PENSACOLA, FL– Hospitalman Raquel Shanks, a native of Grayson, Georgia, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pensacola operating out of Naval Air Station Pensacola. Shanks joined the Navy four years ago. “I grew up with everyone in my family being a Marine and I knew the Navy would be my branch,” said Shanks. Growing up in Grayson, Shanks attended Beaufort High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Shanks relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Grayson to succeed in the military. “Family is what you make of it,” said Shanks. “While…

ATLANTA– Georgia District 53 Rep. Sheila Jones along with several state lawmakers and local commissioners will gather to recognize June 12 annually as Women Veterans Day in Georgia as decreed in State House Resolution 978. To kick off this observance, an inaugural celebration honoring women veterans will take place on Monday, June 13, 10 a.m. at the Georgia State Capitol, Room 341, 206 Washington St. SW, Atlanta. “Nearly 93,000 women veterans call Georgia home,” said Rep. Jones. “Many states already recognize these truly heroic and brave women annually and it is time Georgia acknowledge them officially with a day worthy…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, June 16, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493.  Agenda Adoption of Agenda Approval of the Minutes of May 12, 2022 III.            Administrative Items Nomination and Election of Board Officers Board Chair Board Vice Chair Board Secretary Update on Status of newly hired Ethics Officer Public Comment Executive Session to Discuss Legal Matters Motion to Convene an Executive Session Motion…