Author: On Common Ground News

Stonecrest, GA –A 10-year-old boy who was shot in the face in a drive by shooting in early December was given a Merry Christmas, compliments of SeaQuest Stonecrest – an interactive aquarium known as the ultimate land and sea adventure. Georbrand Jackson, a student at Murphy Candler Elementary school, lost two teeth and part of his jaw in the Dec. 3 attack, which is still under investigation. DeKalb County Police said someone fired two rounds around 8:10 p.m. into the Jackson family’s home, which is located in the 4200 block of Chestnut Lake Avenue, striking the child. The…

The City of Stonecrest is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Mayor Jason Lary City Address Time: Jan 4, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87813252962 Meeting ID: 878 1325 2962 One tap mobile +13126266799,,87813252962# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,87813252962# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 878 1325 2962 Find your…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will hold a Committee of the Whole, Special Called Meeting and Executive Session, Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the Maloof Auditorium located at 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030. The tentative agenda follows: Committee of the Whole A.Committee Reports B.Public Health Director – COVID – 19 Update C.Review of the Proposed Executive Agenda for January 11, 2022 D.Review of Commissioners’ Preliminary Agenda for January 11, 2022 Special Called Meeting A.Executive Session B.Other Matters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the award of more than $8 million in contract investments to four national Industry Intermediaries to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship in sectors affected by the pandemic. The department is seeking to develop apprenticeship opportunities for all U.S. workers, in particular those from under-represented and underserved populations. Industry Intermediaries are organizations in an industry or sub-sector that serve as liaisons to employers, other industry partners and the department’s Office of Apprenticeship to determine skill needs and workforce trends and work with employers to increase apprenticeship opportunities. Expanding this proven workforce strategy…

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council will hold a remote organizational meeting in conjunction with the 2022 inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m., at Bobby Dodd Stadium on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, 177 North Avenue NW. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the meeting will recess for two hours, and following the v, the meeting will reconvene remotely due to the telework protocol activated for City Hall. The public can access the meeting using the conference bridge by dialing 404-902-5066 and entering ID number 151945. The meeting will be simulcast on the Council’s website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter pages,…

STONECREST, GA–New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will welcome parishioners and guests for two virtual Watch Night services on Dec. 31, with the first beginning at noon and the second, which will feature contemporary gospel group Mary Mary, starting at 10:30 p.m. The services will stream live on WeAreNewBirth.org and New Birth’s YouTube channel. With the spike in COVID-19 cases, New Birth cancelled plans to host the service inside its main sanctuary, which has not opened since early 2020. “Despite our best efforts to create a safe worship experience to usher in a new year, we are obligated to evaluate the facts…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Republic Services and Waste Management/Advanced Disposal customers in unincorporated Gwinnett County will experience delays in their trash and/or recycling pickup, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Staff issues have caused operational challenges that have disrupted solid waste service. Both, Republic Services and Waste Management/Advanced Disposal, use a technology-based system to notify residents of delays via text or phone. Customers who wish to receive these notifications can call Republic at 678.963.2800 or Waste Management at 678.684.1493 to update their contact information. The County and the haulers apologize for the service disruption and appreciate customers’ patience during this…

DECATUR, GA– In support of the third phase deployment of automated side loader (ASL) collection trucks, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division will continue its 95-gallon garbage roll cart curbside exchange project, starting Jan. 24. During the fall of 2020, 43,000 households within the Central, East, and South service areas received 95-gallon garbage roll carts. As this phase continues, 14,000 more households on select East DeKalb ASL garbage service routes within the cities of Stonecrest, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain, will be issued a larger capacity 95-gallon garbage roll cart in exchange for their existing 65-gallon garbage roll cart. The 95-gallon…

CONYERS, GA – Due to the current spike in COVID-19, Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Terry Oatts announced that all students will return to a virtual/remote learning environment on Tuesday, Jan. 4 following the Winter Break. In-person learning is scheduled to resume on Monday, Jan. 10, he said. Teachers and staff will work  virtually beginning Monday, Jan. 3. Staff, students, and families are urged to get tested for COVID-19 before the return to in-person learning. RCPS continues to offer free COVID-19 testing for students, staff and their families at 954 N. Main Street, Monday-Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.…