Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA – Soul Food is perhaps the most misunderstood cuisine in American culinary history. For a long time, African Americans called chitlins, collards, and hog maws survival food. Join the DeKalb History Center as it presents it kicks of its 2022 Black History Month celebration with Adrian Miller, James Beard Award Winner. Chef Asata Reid and culinary historian and community health educator Akila McConnell also will make presentations at the event on Thursday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, second floor, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. The  speakers will discuss the places,…

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ATLANTA – The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in December totaled $2.98 billion, for an increase of $582.9 million, or 24.3 percent, compared to December 2020 when net tax collections totaled $2.40 billion. Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections totaled $14.85 billion, for an increase of $2.28 billion, or 18.1 percent, over FY 2021 after six months, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. The changes within the following tax categories account for December’s overall net tax revenue increase, latest statistics show: Individual Income Tax: Individual Income Tax collections for December increased by $297.1 million, or 23.9 percent, compared…

LITHONIA, GA– New Bethel AME Church (NBAMEC) in partnership with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) will host a vaccine event on Sunday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 8350 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia. Vaccines will be provided free of charge. Anyone in need of a second dose or booster shot should bring bring their vaccination card.  COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place and masks are required.  

DeKalb County opens three warming centers   DeKalb County will open three warming centers for residents to use overnight. Warming centers will be open in the following DeKalb County Fire Stations tonight, Jan. 18, beginning at 8 p.m.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check. City of Atlanta to…

DEKALB COUNTY– Due to inclement weather expected on Jan. 17, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division may experience commercial sanitation service delays for Monday customers. Collection teams will begin servicing Monday customers at 10 a.m. Normal commercial collection schedules should resume on Tuesday. The Sanitation Division apologizes for the inconvenience and appreciates commercial customers’ patience as teams work toward safely completing this week’s collection schedule. For more information on services offered by the Sanitation Division, contact the Customer Care team at 404-294-2900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, visit www.dekalbsanitation.com.

Vickie B. Turner was re-elected for a second term as chair of the DeKalb County School Board and Diijon DaCosta was re-elected vice chair for the second consecutive year. The board unanimously returned both, Turner and DaCosta, to leadership roles on Jan. 10 after Turner and DaCosta nominated one another. The terms are for one year. The board is comprised of seven members. Turner said she welcomes the opportunity to continue to work with fellow board members and the community. “I look forward to ongoing positive collaboration with my colleagues on the board, as well as our community partners,”…

DeKalb County will distribute thousands of COVID-19 tests on Monday, Jan. 17, beginning at 2 p.m. at the following locations: The Gallery at South DeKalb, 2801 Candler Rd., Decatur, Ga. 30034. North DeKalb Mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur, Ga. 30033 Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, Ga. 30345 Residents will be able to remain in their vehicles when receiving at-home test kits, and walk-ups are welcome. The number of test kits will be limited to one per person.