Author: On Common Ground News

By Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4 It’s simple, the people of South DeKalb are no less deserving of high-quality public transportation than anyone else. And despite public commitments to expand MARTA’s heavy rail system into South DeKalb, there has been no progress. It is time to recommit ourselves to expanding MARTA’s heavy rail transit line to serve our community. This is the only sensible option to congested roads, pollution that disproportionately impacts Black and low-income communities, and to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are warming our planet and dangerously changing our climate. Heavy rail transit is also…

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Lt. Jeanelle Carmen Seals, a 2013 graduate of Decatur High School and 2017 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, is serving aboard USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21). She is giving back to the community where she is based by serving as a community volunteer during Minneapolis Navy Week, Sept. 26 – Oct. 2. She is pictured preparing meals for those in need. Seals is a Weapons Division Officer in charge of 40 sailors and a Surface Warfare Officer that navigates the ship. Seals’ brother was an inspiration for her to join the Navy four years ago. “My brother is a Captain in the Marine…

Authorities arrested Aqontise Phanique Glenn, 31, without incident on Sept. 24. Glenn is accused of shooting 36-year-old Christopher Copeland of Stockbridge, Georgia in the leg and head on Sept. 8 at an apartment complex on Columbia Drive in Decatur. Glenn is awaiting extradition to Georgia, where he will be held in the DeKalb County Jail.

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA –The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Activities League (SAL) has received a donation of $1,524, thanks to Kaleb’s Kause of Covington and Shelby’s Helping with Hot Wheels of Conyers. The two nonprofit organizations sponsored the “Hot Rods for Kids” car show, which was hosted on Sept. 25 by Rockdale County Parks and Recreation at 1370 Parker Rd., Conyers. Kaleb’s Kause and Shelby’s Helping with Hot Wheels are two not-for-profit organizations that give back to the community by raising money for good causes. Sheriff Eric J. Levett and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office thanks both organizations for their donation…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – Gwinnett County property owners may pay property taxes online using debit or credit cards without incurring added convenience fees, Tax Commissioner Tiffany P. Porter announced today(Sept. 28). “It’s safer for people to pay online, so it makes sense to cover the convenience fees,” Porter said. “Gwinnett County commissioners wisely appropriated federal American Rescue Plan funds to encourage more residents to skip the trip and pay securely online from the safety of their homes.” Allocated funds are limited and could be depleted prior to the Oct. 15 due date. Taxpayers who want to pay with a…

DECATUR, GA.—vDeKalb County will give a $100 prepaid debit card to everyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday, Oct. 2. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., DeKalb County Board of Health, Emory Healthcare and DeKalb County Fire Rescue will administer voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone 12 years of age and older at The Mall at Stonecrest, 2929 Turner Hill Rd., Stonecrest, GA 30038. All persons receiving a vaccination also will receive a $100 prepaid debit card. MedCura Health also will offer free COVID-19 tests. Persons will be able to remain in their vehicles when receiving vaccinations, and walk-ups are…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is honoring the 66 students recently named 2021 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars – including two AP Capstone Diploma recipients – for their outstanding performance on the 2020-2021 exams. RCPS Superintendent Terry Oatts praised the students and teachers for their academic excellence. “I heartily commend the scholars recognized by the College Board and their teachers for their excellent performance in Advanced Placement exams and in the advanced academics that are the precursor to such exams. Not only did they excel in rigorous college-preparatory coursework, but they remained focused despite the challenges of a global…

 ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Power presented the Latin American Association (LAA) with a $100,000 donation during its ACCIONA Business Center ribbon-cutting ceremony. The donation will help support ACCIONA, a key component of the LAAs Latina Entrepreneurship Program. The sole purpose of ACCIONA is to help Latina entrepreneurs upscale their businesses and stimulate job growth. In August, Georgia Power and the Georgia Power Foundation provided a $65,000 donation to the LAA to support its  civic engagement and advocacy services programs. Georgia Power Area Manager for North Fulton and North DeKalb Misty Fernandez was named chair of the Latin American Association. She began her two-year…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is holding an event on Monday, Oct. 4, to ensure all voters are ready for the upcoming Municipal General/Special Election. The event will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the VRE’s main office 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. The “Registered and Ready” event offers DeKalb residents with onsite resources to ensure they have information pertaining to voter registration, polling locations and more. “Our ‘Registered and Ready’ event is a great way to get prepared for the upcoming election,” said Twyla Hart, interim director of DeKalb County VRE. “We…

Rental assistance program to continue until funds exhausted   DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County’s eviction moratorium is set to end tomorrow, Sept. 29, but the county will continue to distribute rental assistance funding until monies are exhausted.  DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Asha Jackson signed an emergency judicial order on July 30, 2021, creating a 30-day eviction moratorium for the county following the expiration of the CDC moratorium. That emergency order was later renewed for an additional 30 days. “This moratorium has given thousands of residents facing eviction the opportunity to apply for and receive assistance to alleviate their housing insecurity…