Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA — The Better Business Bureau has issued a consumer alert regarding hundreds of complaints filed against “Ultra Right Beer, LLC,” also known as “Conservative Dad’s.” The company, established in 2023 according to Georgia Secretary of State records, has garnered significant attention due to issues with delivery and refunds. Consumers have reported paying for beer, clothing, merchandise and other collectible items that never arrived, with some going months without receiving updates. Ultra Right Beer, LLC currently holds an “F” rating with BBB Atlanta & NE Georgia. This rating is based on the 406 complaints filed, of which 395 remain unanswered, and the company’s failure to voluntarily address the pattern of complaint upon…

WASHINGTON, D.C.– On Wednesday, President Trump issued an executive order ending federal programs promoting fair hiring, inclusive workplaces, contracting for minority-owned businesses, other underserved groups, and federal grant preferences programs promoting fair contracting and spending. The President’s order terminates what it calls illegal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) discrimination in the federal workforce, and in federal contracting and spending, according to the White House.  The order revokes Executive Order 11246 contracting criteria mandating affirmative action. It bars the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs from pushing contractors to balance their workforce based on race, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, or religion. Congressman Hank Johnson,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–In response to unprecedented winter weather conditions, DeKalb County has declared a state of emergency effective immediately. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and county officials are urging all residents to stay off the roads and shelter in place as temperatures remain dangerously low, creating hazardous icy conditions across the region. County road crews have worked throughout the night, applying more than 500 tons of salt, sand, and calcium chloride to treat roads. Despite these efforts, the extreme cold, which dropped below 14°F, rendered these treatments largely ineffective. Conditions remain perilous, with many roads, including Rockbridge Road, River Road, and others, severely impacted by ice.…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–The Gwinnett County Police Department responded to nearly 2,000 service calls during the first 24 hours of the icy winter storm that hit Georgia this week.  As predicted by weather forecasters, snow flurries began falling in the metro Atlanta area late Tuesday afternoon, blanketing streets, vehicles, homes and buildings as temperatures dropped below freezing.   The Police Department said 1,819 service calls came in between 3 p.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 21) and noon today (Jan. 22). Of these, 572 calls were related to traffic accidents, the department said. Two officers sustained minor injuries while addressing weather-related incidents. A total…

DEKALB COUNTY,  GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will continue asynchronous independent learning for a third consecutive day on Thursday, Jan. 23, in response to hazardous road conditions continuing to affect metro Atlanta, leaving many DCSD employees unable to leave their homes safely. This decision ensures the continued well-being of students, staff, and families while preserving instructional continuity, officials stated.  Asynchronous learning enables students to complete teacher-provided assignments at their own pace without live instruction. This flexible model allows students to stay on track academically from the safety of their homes. All DCSD employees should report to work on Thursday if…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Due to continued hazardous road conditions and refreezing overnight, Superintendent Dr. Oatts has made the decision that tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 23, is a Synchronous Virtual Learning Day for teachers and students. This means that students will be in class online with their teachers.  All extracurricular and school activities will be canceled or rescheduled for a later date. “Our operations team has consulted with county government officials and has carefully driven throughout the county to assess road conditions. We have significant ice remaining in many of our neighborhoods, school entrances and parking lots. We do expect the temperatures tomorrow to become high enough for…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County offices, senior centers, libraries, recreation centers, the Sanitation Division’s customer service desk and the Planning Department’s One Stop Shop will remain closed through Thursday, Jan. 23 due to hazardous road conditions.  DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson declared a State of Emergency on today, Jan. 22. The executive order follows Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of Emergency, which was announced statewide ahead of the winter weather storm that hit Georgia on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Residents are urged to shelter at home until the ice melts and officials give the greenlight to operate as normal.      Public safety and other…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – Due to continued lingering effects from yesterday’s winter weather, including anticipated hazardous travel conditions, all DeKalb Public Health regional health centers and offices will be closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Clients with health center appointments will be contacted and rescheduled.

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Due to the potential for hazardous road conditions, SuperintendentTerry Oatts announced today that students will have a second consecutive  Virtual Learning Day (students attend classes online with their teachers) and staff will work remotely on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Buildings remain closed. All Wednesday extracurricular or school activities will be canceled and/or rescheduled for a later date.