Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—The Conyers City Council approved a plan providing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the first 250 residents and 50 businesses that apply and meet certain qualifications. The city will receive more than $6 million in total ARPA funds. The first half of the allocation was received by the city in May 2021 and the second half is expected in May 2022. The city has allocated $250,000 in assistance to go to residents and another $250,000 to local businesses. Individuals who qualify will receive $1,000 each and businesses that qualify will receive $5,000,…

ATLANTA– Breanna Thomas has been appointed as Georgia’s new Deputy Commissioner of State Programs, Human Resources for the  Department of Human Services (DHS). DHS Commissioner Candice L. Broce announced a change to the Department’s Executive Leadership team on Dec. 14. Thomas, who has served as the Department’s Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Operations since October, succeeds Tanguler Gray, who has been appointed to serve in a new position as Commissioner for the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. “I would like to thank Tanguler Gray for her more than 25 years of outstanding service at DHS,” said Commissioner Broce. “Tan’s leadership, passion…

  DECATUR, GA– After an early morning fire claimed the lives of five people on Dec. 14, DeKalb County Fire Rescue officials are reminding residents of fire safety tips. Ten people were inside the home at 1932 Janet Lane, located off of Glenwood Road in Decatur, when a fire broke out around 12:20 a.m. Five people perished, including two little girls, their mother and two of the children’s great uncles who were trapped inside the home, authorities said. Three others were injured and two escaped without injuries, authorities said. The victims who died were identified by family members as 3-year-old Angel and 6-year-old…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is formally exploring the expansion of the Office of School Safety with the creation of a Public Safety Division. After years of researching the merits of establishing a Public Safety Division and School Safety Officers within RCPS, Superintendent Terry Oatts, in consultation with the RCPS Office of School Safety and the Rockdale County Board of Education, announced the district is moving forward in reviewing such an arrangement. “The time has come to seriously explore establishing our own RCPS Public Safety Division,” said Superintendent Oatts. “We value our longstanding partnership with our local…

On Saturday, Dec. 18, DeKalb County Government is partnering with local faith leaders to celebrate the 2021 holiday season by distributing 4,000 boxes of food. Along with a 10-pound bag of chicken hindquarters, residents will receive one 20-pound box of food that will include oranges, red apples, collards, shelled pecans, celery, snap beans, squash, zucchini, cabbage, sweet potatoes, yellow onions, pears, candy canes and a dozen eggs. “We recognize that many families are still struggling to keep food on their table due to rising food costs,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb County Government is grateful to…

  Beginning Thursday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m., the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will upgrade its Driver Record and Integrated Vehicle Enterprise System (DRIVES). During the upgrade, the processing of vehicle registrations and titling services, including e-Services and tag renewal kiosks, will be unavailable through Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. All vehicle owners with expiration dates in late December and early January are encouraged to renew before Dec. 30 to avoid delays. What to expect: Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 through Jan. 3, 2022: The tax office and the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division will be unable to process transactions.…

LITHONIA, GA—The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) will host its monthly luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Occasions on Main St., 6957 Main St., Lithonia. State Sen. Tonya Anderson will be the guest speaker. Admission is free for members who register in advance, $20 in advance for non-members and $25 at the door. Registration can be made by clicking here. Masks are required. Register for the Chamber Luncheon: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eixhspwvc31accbb&oseq=&c=&ch=

CONYERS, GA—Springfield Baptist Church will give away hams and groceries for 1,000 families ahead of Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, or until the food supply has been exhausted. Pre-registration is not required. However, this will be a drive-thru food pantry and all participants are asked to remain in their vehicles and wear face masks. All are welcome to attend. Food is distributed on a  first-come, first-served basis at the church’s campus – Springfield Baptist Church, 1877 Iris Drive SE, Conyers, GA 30013. For more information, visit www.sbcgrowth.church or 770-929-1111.

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Residents can now recycle glass at a second location in Gwinnett. Gwinnett County and Waste Pro USA, Inc., are expanding their drop-off glass recycling program to Pinckneyville Park, 4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Peachtree Corners. The site opened on Friday, Dec. 10. This is the second drop-off glass recycling location that the County is offering through its pilot program. The first site, located in the parking lot of OneStop Norcross, 5030 Georgia Belle Court in Norcross, opened in October and has already diverted 4.2 tons of mixed glass from landfills, officials said. “After the County…

Rockdale County families gathered in Atlanta on Dec. 11 to receive free bikes and helmets. Organizers said 238 children were given an opportunity to select their own bikes. This effort was made possible through Community Action NOW!’s (CAN) partnership with Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) Atlanta and numerous private donors. “We are so thankful for this partnership with FB4K Atlanta for making this possible. We look forward to making this an annual initiative for families in Rockdale. Most of our bike recipients were children between the ages of 6-17. These donations have lessened the financial burden on many parents…