Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta, GA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr have announced the State of Georgia has filed a lawsuitchallenging the Biden Administration’s Head Start vaccine and masking mandate.   As enacted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Nov. 30, 2021, the mandate applies to all programs funded by Head Start, including some programs administered by Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Specifically, it requires all Head Start staff and certain contractors and volunteers be fully vaccinated by Jan. 31, 2022, and that masks be worn by all Head Start children 2…

STONECREST, GA—Kwabena “Cubby” Nkromo, who heads North America Food & Farm PBC Inc (NAF2), is appealing to the community to help launch the Stonecrest Fresh Farmers Market, which will be held on the plaza at The Mall at Stonecrest.  I am raising funds to cover the start-up costs of the market to ensure its success from the very beginning,” said Nkromo. “Even a small donation could help us reach our fundraising goal.” Nkromo said the community’s support of the crowdfunding campaign will not only making farm fresh food available to Stonecrest residents and the community at largest also help participating local farmers thrive. …

Employee incentive provides $300 for COVID-19 vaccinations $200 for flu vaccinations, DECATUR, GA—As of Dec. 1, approximately 58 percent of DeKalb County Government employees have submitted documentation proving that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond told commissioners today Dec. 21.  In November, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Thurmond’s proposal to give DeKalb County Government employees $500 in incentives for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. “These incentives are encouraging our employees to protect themselves, their families, friends and community against this deadly virus,” Thurmond said. “When our employees get vaxxed, this increases the…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County will open three warming centers for residents to use overnight. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s beginning tonight through Thursday, Dec. 23.  Warming centers will be open in the following DeKalb County Fire Stations tonight, Dec. 20, beginning at 8 p.m.: ·      Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 ·      Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 ·      Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols which include wearing a mask, social…

STONECREST, GA— Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) led a two-day tour across Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District on Dec. 16 and 17 to tout the passing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. “This new infrastructure law will create millions of good-paying union jobs with a once-in-a-century investment in rebuilding infrastructure in Georgia: from roads and bridges, transit and rail, to wastewater systems and high-speed broadband,” said Johnson, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This new law marks a generational change and renews investments in a…

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is providing up to $1.5 billion to states and school districts to help school meal program operators deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. With funding made available through USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA will provide $1 billion for schools to purchase food for their meal programs and another $300 million for states to purchase foods to be distributed to schools. An additional $200 million will be used for cooperative agreements to purchase local foods for schools with a focus on…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today the suspension of construction-related lane closures on heavily traveled interstate highways and state routes near major shopping areas and tourist locations. The suspension will be effective beginning 5 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, until 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27 for the Christmas holiday. The same restrictions are also in place for the New Year’s holiday from 5 a.m. Friday, December 31 to 6 a.m. Sunday, January 2. These statewide lane restrictions allow reduced traffic congestion during the holidays.While construction-related lane closures will be suspended, the department reminds travelers to…

STONECREST, GA –– The Stonecrest City Council unanimously passed its fiscal year 2022 budget (FY22) with little fanfare last month, but next year’s budget marks a major milestone for the city as it pivots from contracted services to in-house staff to meet the needs of the community. The $13.7million FY22 budget represents more than a spreadsheet balancing revenue and expenses. It puts actions behind elected leadership’s desire to be a “world class city.” “This budget focuses on residents and the priorities identified and ranked by Mayor and Council to best serve them,” said Acting City Manager Janice Allen…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports that an inmate  custody has died of an apparent suicide while in custody at the DeKalb County Jail. Officers performing security checks at the jail found Elnan Edinson Oganda, 47, of Doraville  unresponsive inside a cell on Dec. 16, authorities said. Emergency medical services were rendered immediately by the jail’s medical staff and DeKalb Fire Rescue but Oganda was pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities said. Oganda was arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office without incident on Dec. 10, 2021 on warrants issued by the Doraville Police Department. He was being held without…

ATLANTA – Members of the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation, co-chaired by State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and State Sen.Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), will hold two virtual town halls regarding the 2022 legislative session, which will convene on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. The event schedule is as follows: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. To register for Zoom access, click here Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, 7 p.m. via Zoom. To register for Zoom access, please click here. Advanced registration is required to participate in the virtual town halls. During the events, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and…