Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announces the opening of its popular Fresh MARTA Markets, including the expansion of the program to provide greater food access in DeKalb County with new markets at Doraville and Kensington rail stations.   Fresh MARTA Markets open for the 2022 regular season beginning on Tuesday, April 12 at West End Station, Wednesday, April 13 at H.E. Holmes and Bankhead Stations, Thursday, April 14 at College Park and Doraville Stations, and Friday, April 15 at Five Points Station. The new market at Kensington opens this summer. All markets are open one day-day…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA –  The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in solving a fatal shooting case. The incident occurred on Salem Road at the intersection of Golfview Drive on May 24, 2021, Conyers. The victim, who was shot multiple times while riding his bike, was identified as Kelvin D. Battle, 34, of Covington. Battle succumbed to his injuries several days later, authorities said.  The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have any information about this incident to contact Investigator J. Figueroa at 770-278-8044 or 470-606-7073. Pictured above  is the victim Kelvin D. Holmes. Photo provided by the Rockdale County…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. David Scott (GA-13), Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Nikema Williams (GA-05) announced today that three organizations in DeKalb County, Decatur and Atlanta will receive a total of more than $2.1 million in Public Health AmeriCorps funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The grants will support 87 Public Health AmeriCorps members in Congressional Districts 4, 5 and 13. Public Health AmeriCorps, a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders. Supported by a five-year, $400 million…

STONECREST, GA—Freedom Plasma officially opened its Stonecrest location on Monday, April 4, hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the community to learn more about the need for plasma donations and incentives for giving. The new facility, located at 3140 Turner Hill Road in the former Rite Aid pharmacy building, will have an economic boost of approximately $5 million per year for the Stonecrest community, officials said. And beginning today (April 5), donors—who must be ages 18-65 and have a verifiable home address and provide other identification—will receive bonuses. “We are glad to be here in Stonecrest…

ATLANTA—To celebrate 404 Day, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens collaborated with Pandora to curate his own personalized playlist and 404 Mode on The ATL: Atlanta Hip Hop station. The annual celebration of Atlanta is observed on April 4—a reference to the city’s 404 area code. 404 Day highlights Atlanta’s music, arts, food and sports scene. “404 Day is for Atlanta’s shared culture,” said Mayor Dickens. “Thank you to Pandora for the opportunity to remind the world that Atlanta influences everything. I hope you all enjoy the amazing artists in this playlist as much as I do.” Dickens’ Pandora playlist and Mode include songs from Atlanta…

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The U.S. Small Business Administration issued four final rules to modify revenues-based small business size standards in 16 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors that will increase small business eligibility for SBA’s federal contracting and loan programs for approximately 59,000 additional firms. The final rules are part of the second five-year review of size standards, as required under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. As part of the review process, the SBA received more than 1,100 public comments during the proposed rule stage of the four rules.  As a result, the SBA will increase 229 size standards across…

DECATUR, GA – Registered voters in DeKalb County looking to cast an absentee ballot for the Tuesday, May 24, primary election are encouraged to begin the process now by visiting www.dekalbvotes.com. The application is the first step in obtaining an absentee ballot and voters who plan to vote absentee are highly encouraged to apply right away. An application for an absentee ballot can be submitted in several ways: Print and fill out the application online at www.dekalbvotes.com, sign the application, take a photo or scan and email to voterreg@dekalbcountyga.gov. Remember to include ID information. Print out the application from…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb History Center will present a Lunch & Learn entitled “Restoration of the Smith-Benning House” on Tuesday, April 26, noon to 1 p.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court St., Decatur. In this presentation, author Robert M. Craig, reviews the 21st century restoration of the Smith-Benning House with an emphasis on the competing preservation philosophies determining the “proper” way to restore a historic home. In the restoration process, is it preferable to introduce obviously non-historic elements or install similar historic elements in order to preserve visual compatibility? How can we preserve the context and compatibility…

ATLANTA, – Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Robin Folsom, the former director of external affairs for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), has pleaded guilty to one count of Identity Fraud and three counts of False Statements. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Office of the State Inspector General (OIG) following a request from the GVRA regarding Folsom’s use of Family Medical Leave. “Those who work for the taxpayers of Georgia are expected to uphold high ethical standards and to fulfill their roles in an honest and transparent manner,” said Carr. “State employees who break this…