Author: On Common Ground News

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…

Photos by Glenn L. Morgan

Photos by Kelly Jordan

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– For the third year in a row, the Gwinnett County Solicitor-General’s Office is responding to concerns for public safety by announcing that recommendations for sentencing for any person convicted of reckless celebratory discharging of firearms in Gwinnett County will be: 12 months confinement and/or a $1000 fine Confiscation of the offender’s firearm Firearms safety class Psychological evaluation Celebratory discharge of a firearm is reckless conduct. In previous years, such actions have caused deaths in metro Atlanta. The Solicitor-General’s Office will continue its efforts to ensure Gwinnett citizens feel safe and secure through aggressive and innovative…

Brookwood High School junior Niheer Patel, a junior at Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County, has been named the winner of the 2021 Congressional App Challenge, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition showcasing the value of computer science and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education by encouraging students to learn how to code through the creation of their own apps. “Science and technology are transforming our world and I’m proud of the students who go above and beyond their school’s curriculum and other every-day tasks to compete in…

ATLANTA—As the positive cases of COVID-19 continue to surge, the City of Atlanta today announced the cancellation of the New Year’s Eve Peach Drop. “In consultation with public health officials, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the Peach Drop,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “As positive COVID-19 cases rise, I encourage everyone to be safe, get vaccinated and follow CDC guidelines.” According to the CDC, Fulton and DeKalb counties remain areas of high transmission for the COVID-19 virus. In Fulton Countyalone, the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases has surged to 1,430 from the previous seven-day average…

Mayor Vince Evans CONYERS, GA—The city of Conyers Mayor’s State of the City Address scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at Cherokee Run Golf Club, has been postponed due to the rising number of COVID cases in Conyers and Rockdale County. The State of the City Address is an event held annually in which the mayor shares highlights and accomplishments in the city from the previous year. This year’s event was also to include a tribute to Council Member Cleveland “Coach” Stroud for 28 years of service on the city council, and the administering of the oaths of office…

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King  is seeking the public’s help in locating Marino Sanchez-Nava, who is wanted in connection with a Loganville fire.  The fire, which occurred on Nov. 16, moderately damaged a 47-year-old, 1848-square-foot residence located on Highway 20. “The suspect is being charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree, Arson in the 1st Degree, Criminal Damage to Property in the 1st Degree, and Possession of Tools for Commission of a Crime,” said Commissioner King. “At this time, we have been unable to locate Mr. Sanchez-Nava and are asking for help from the community in…

DECATUR, GA — DeKalb County residents, commuters and visitors are urged to sign up for the county’s CodeRed emergency notification system to stay informed about COVID-19 alerts and messages as New Year’s Day approaches. DeKalb County activated the CodeRed Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) warning system on Dec. 23 to alert residents and visitors of the spiking Omicron variant of COVID-19 in metro Atlanta. “We want everyone to have a safe and healthy holiday, but we must be vigilant because of the surge in cases fueled by the COVID-19 Omicron variant,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. DeKalb…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr announced that Nourolzaman Tucker has pleaded guilty in DeKalb County Superior Court to one felony count of Medicaid Fraud. Superior Court Judge Shondeana C. Morris accepted the plea on Dec. 17, 2021, and sentenced the defendant to five years to be served on probation. The Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $5,681.86 and imposed a fine of $5,000. Tucker is now excluded from practicing as a provider of healthcare services under Medicaid and Medicare. “We will not tolerate the abuse of Georgia’s Medicaid program as a means to steal from our citizens in…