Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA –MARTA, in partnership with Georgia Tech, announced an expansion of MARTA Reach, a six-month pilot rideshare service designed to connect riders to-and-from MARTA bus and rail. The pilot, meant to test how on-demand shuttles can be used to make it easier and faster for customers to get to their destinations using MARTA, will be expanded to include the neighborhoods of Dixie Hills, Avondale Estates, and the cities of Alpharetta, Roswell, Forest Park, and Morrow. “We have seen significant interest and loyalty from the early riders of MARTA Reach,” said MARTA Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen. “Most of our riders…

GWINNETT COUNTY–The community is invited to celebrate the vibrant cultures and customs that thrive in Gwinnett at the Multicultural Festival. The free, family-friendly event will take place Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gwinnett Place Mall, located at 2100 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. Guests can look forward to musical performances, folkloric and traditional dances and community displays. Kids’ activities include face paintings, bounce houses and obstacle courses. The festival will also serve as a county government open house for residents to explore the many services and programs available to them. Police officers, firefighters and…

ATLANTA— Science Gallery at Emory University will launch its inaugural exhibition, “HOOKED: When Want Becomes Need,” on May 14 at Pullman Yards in Atlanta’s historic Kirkwood district. The free, world-class, interactive experience blends science, art, technology, and design to provide a visually compelling and thought-provoking look at the world of addiction and recovery. “HOOKED” speaks to young people ages 15-25 and all of those with a curiosity for science, art, and the social contexts and consequences of addiction and recovery. The exhibition uses engaging mediums, scientific research, and provocation to educate and inspire guests, encourage them to form their…

The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office issued a notification at 11:20 p.m. advising the public that  Securus Technologies is experiencing a nationwide temporary telephone service outage due to high call volumes. Inmate calls at the DeKalb County Jail are affected.  The service provider has issued an alert to callers that the outage is being investigated and service will be restored as soon as possible.  No other information is available at this time.

ATLANTA– Attorney General Chris Carr is recognizing Older Americans Month and encouraging all Georgians to learn how to recognize, prevent, and report the financial abuse or exploitation of older adults. “The Department of Law is proud to celebrate Older Americans Month and to honor the many achievements and contributions of older Georgians across our state,” said Carr. “We must do all we can to protect those who are most vulnerable, especially with scammers constantly inventing new ways to perpetrate crimes. To help older adults recognize and avoid scams, our Consumer Protection Division offers a number of resources and stands…

ATLANTA—DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is partnering with The Great American Franchise Expo Atlanta to support her efforts in increasing business ownership in DeKalb County. On Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, at the Cobb Galleria, DeKalb residents can gain valuable information on opportunities from some of the area’s top franchises, including national and emerging businesses and chains. DeKalb County attendees are encouraged to visit the District 7 booth on Saturday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., to receive resources and literature from local lending and service partners. “This is my third year partnering with the Great American Franchise…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County and its contractors will continue the water line replacement on Panthersville Road. Work is planned for Monday, May 9, through Friday, May 13, barring any weather delays. As crews connect the new water main, residents may experience periods of low to no water pressure during the work hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. these planned outages are expected to last approximately one to four hours. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the impact to residents. To learn more about the Panthersville Road Water Line Replacement Project, call the DWM Project Information Line at…

SOCIAL CIRCLE, GA- The Georgia Association of Tax Officials (GATO) mourns the death of Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Tiffany Porter. Porter was elected in 2020 and was the first African American to serve in the position in Gwinnett County. “I will always remember Tiffany as being vibrant, energetic and outgoing,” said GATO President and Walton County Tax Commissioner Derry Boyd. “She was an ambitious leader who strived to and accomplished many distinguished and professional successes.” Porter joined GATO in 2021 and served in District 19. “The loss of our colleague is felt by many,” said District 19 Leader and…