Author: On Common Ground News

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.…

In observance of New Year’s Day on Friday, Dec. 31, sanitation service for residential customers will be based on a normal collection schedule. There will be no change to the sanitation service schedule. The Central Transfer Station, North Transfer Station, Seminole Road Landfill and Customer Care call center will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31, and Saturday, Jan. 1, reopening on Monday, Dec. 27, and Monday, Jan. 3, respectively, during normal operating hours. For more information, contact the Sanitation Division’s Customer Care team at 404-294-2900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, visit www.dekalbsanitation.com, or follow the Sanitation Division on Twitter @DKalbSanitation.

The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Corrine R. Joyner, wife of former City of Stonecrest Deputy City Manager Plez Joyner, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 30. Mrs. Joyner passed away at home on Dec. 22, three days before Christmas, after battling uterine cancer. She was 58. Mr. Joyner and their daughter, Corrina, 20, were at home with her when she made her transition. “My daughter has been amazing during this journey. She came home early from college to be with us. She has helped tremendously in planning her mother’s memorial and has been a great support to both…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond announced today(Dec. 29) that the county will begin distributing 5,000 at-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to residents starting on Thursday, Dec. 30, at 9 a.m. at three locations as follows: South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Rd., Decatur 30034 North DeKalb Mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur 30033 Plaza Fiesta, 4166 Buford Hwy., Atlanta 30345. “DeKalb County residents are waiting for hours in long lines to be tested for the COVID-19 virus,” said Thurmond. “This is unacceptable. Our goal is to reduce the frustration and anxiety growing out of the shortage of COVID-19 testing resources…