Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA — On Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting his annual “Unsung Heroes Awards” program to honor everyday citizens and community leaders who go above and beyond to make their communities better places to live, work and play — and lead with integrity. Congressman Johnson will honor 27 people for improving the lives of residents in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District and moving DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton, and Gwinnett counties forward in 2021. Tuskegee Airman Val Archer and Newton County civil rights pioneer Forrest Sawyer, Jr. will be honored posthumously. The program is free and…

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta announced the opening of two emergency warming centers in anticipation of frigid temperatures. The centers will open tonight, Friday, Feb. 18, 11 p.m. and will remain open through Saturday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m. The warming centers are located at the former Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Lane N.W., and the Central Park Recreation Center, 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta. Transportation will be provided at 11:00 p.m. from the Gateway Center, 275 Pryor St. S.W., Atlanta.

DECATUR, GA – To honor Black History Month, the DeKalb County Board of Health will host a week-long series of events from Mon. Feb. 21—25, including in-person activities at the T.O. Vinson Health Center, located at 440 Winn Way in Decatur and a virtual speaker series. Staffed informational tables promoting the Board of Health’s various programs and services that address disparities in our community will be available throughout the week from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. daily.  COVID-19 vaccines will also be available. Everyone aged five years and older is eligible for COVID vaccination, and booster doses of COVID vaccine…

DECATUR, GA—Veteran community activist Teresa Hardy has been suspended as president of the NAACP DeKalb County branch, a national official of the civil rights organization confirmed today (Feb. 17). Lance L. Hammonds, who was 1st vice president, has assumed the duties of president.  Edwina Clanton has assumed the position of 1st vice president and Troy Vincent is now 2nd vice president. The ascensions occurred as stipulated by the organization’s bylaws when a branch president’s seat is vacated. DeKalb’s new leadership became effective on Feb. 10, Hammonds said. Edward Dubose, who serves on the National NAACP Board of Directors and as an administrator…

ATLANTA–The Ahmaud Arbery Foundation (AAF) will host a private, invitation-only event in honor and memory of the late Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed on Feb. 23, 2020, while jogging in Brunswick, GA. The event will be held 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta. The AAF, founded by Ahmaud’s mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, is hosting the event to ensure that Arbery’s spirit and legacy live on. The AAF stated in a news release that this inaugural event will include an announcement fostering positivity from unimaginable tragedy. Rep. Sandra Scott…

DECATUR, GA. – Due to decreased vaccination volume, the DeKalb County Board of Health will close the vaccination site located at the Doraville MARTA station on Feb. 19. COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be available at all DeKalb County Board of Health centers and at mobile unit stops. Anyone 5 years and older is eligible for a COVID vaccination, and booster doses of COVID vaccine are recommended for individuals 12 and older. Vaccines are free and do not require insurance. A complete list of health centers and mobile unit stops can be found by visitingdekalbhealth.net. To find additional vaccination providers…

DORAVILLE, GA– DeKalb County School District (DCSD) officials, staff, students, and families celebrated the new Doraville United Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 17. The ceremony featured speeches and music by students. Doraville United Elementary is one of DCSD’s newest facilities. The 118,911-square-foot building was built to relieve the overcrowded Carey Reynolds, Hightower, and Dresden Elementary schools. The design of Doraville United Elementary is a state-of-the-art facility focusing on creating the best environment for students to learn and teachers to teach. “This new facility, this staff, community, and most importantly, Doraville United scholars, are the essence of who we are…

DULUTH, GA–– Are you interested in starting a career with competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and more? Attend the Gwinnett County Government’s “Career From Here” hiring event on Friday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Gas South Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Attendees will be able to meet and network with current employees from several departments. During the event, you can also have your resume reviewed and apply onsite for available positions in a variety of fields including accounting and finance, administrative and clerical, engineering, information technology and public safety. Free parking is…

ATLANTA– Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), today announced that economic development projects secured in every region of the State of Georgia resulted in record-breaking job creation for the first half of the fiscal year (July 1 and December 31, 2021). These 160 locations or expansions supported by GDEcD’s Global Commerce division will result in the creation of nearly 24,400 jobs and $9.8 billion investment in the state. “Companies of all kinds are finding a welcome home in Georgia as they choose the Peach State to create thousands of new jobs…

DORAVILLE, GA – DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites community members and stakeholders to join district officials and the DeKalb County Board of Education in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Doraville United Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. The new school is located at 3630 Shallowford Road NE, Doraville. Doraville United Elementary is one of DCSD’s newest facilities. The 118,911-square-foot building was built to relieve the overcrowded Carey Reynolds, Hightower, and Dresden Elementary schools. The design of Doraville United Elementary is a state-of-the-art facility focusing on creating the best environment for students to learn and teachers…