Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Throughout the month of February, the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners invites citizens to present the “Black Church Experience,” highlighting unique stories, insights into the historical significance of the Black Church within Rockdale. The county kicks off February with a 3-part docuseries on Rockdale 23 (Comcast cable channel 23) and will be shared on all Rockdale social media platforms with the handle: “RockdaleGov.” Viewers can watch the videos on demand at: vimeo.com/RockdaleGov or on Rockdale 23 YouTube. The docuseries will  feature brief conversations with black clergy, community leaders and citizens sharing their unique stories and insights into what…

ATLANTA– The Georgia Lottery Corp. today announced it generated $376,513,000 in profits for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, bringing the total transferred to the State Treasury’s Lottery for Education Account since inception to more than $24.6 billion. “With their largest Q2 transfer ever, the Georgia Lottery continues to make an immeasurable impact on the lives of Georgia’s students and their families,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “By continuing to invest in our state’s most important asset, its children, Georgia is raising a generation of leaders capable of keeping our state the best place to live, work, and raise…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold a job fair for bus operators and journeyman bus technicians on Saturday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m. until noon at MARTA headquarters on Piedmont Road N.E. MARTA is offering a $3,000 sign on bonus and will train all Permit and Class C license holders for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). WHAT:           Bus Operator and Journeyman Bus Technician Job Fair Pay starting at $17.39/hr. for operators and $23.44/hr. for technicians MARTA will train all Permit and Class C holders for their CDL $3,000 sign on bonus COVID-19 vaccination required for employment…

STONECREST, GA—Stonecrest City Councilman Rob Turner and Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble will host a virtual town hall meeting on Feb 8, 6:30 p.m., to discuss economic development in Stonecrest.  The “Economic Development Checkup: How is Stonecrest business holding up amid COVID19?” forum will be held via Zoom and by telephone. Speakers include Jonathan Bartlett, Economic Development Director; Gia Scruggs, City of Stonecrest CFO; James Tsismanakis, CEO Discover DeKalb; and Shelbia Jackson, DeKalb Film Commission. Join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84414449233 Meeting ID: 844 1444 9233 One tap mobile: +16465588656,84414449233# U.S. (New York) +13017158592,84414449233# U.S. (Washington DC)

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The second annual Black Lives Matter at DeKalb Schools Week of Action kicked off today, Jan. 31, and will be held virtually through Feb. 4, in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). The week-long event features daily Black Lives Matter school-based instructional activities, including a social media celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and a celebration of Black-owned businesses in DeKalb County. An array of dynamic speakers and topics has been curated around this year’s theme, “Celebrating Black Contributions to America.” The virtual symposium will include speakers and topics for individuals to engage in and…

ATLANTA—The City of Atlanta announced the opening of two emergency warming centers in anticipation of frigid temperatures. The centers will open tonight, Monday, Jan at 11 p.m. and will remain open through Tuesday, February 1 at 7 a.m. The warming centers are located at the Grant Park Recreation Center at 537 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, 30312 and the Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta 30308. Transportation will be provided at 11 p.m. from the Gateway Center, located at 275 Pryor St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Additional transport to the centers will be provided as needed.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has a vacancy on its Audit Oversight committe., Commissioner  Mereda Davis Johnson announced the vacancy  in her Jan. 28 online newsletter and encouraged interested DeKalb residents to apply. Candidates should review the qualifications listed  below and email resumes to district5@dekalbcountyga.gov.

DECATUR, GA– The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) announced that Anthony B. Kinnel was named 2022-2023 DJJ Teacher of the Year. Kinnel, a mathematics and science teacher at the Martha K. Glaze Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Clayton County, GA was recognized for his achievement during a special presentation at the DJJ Board Meeting on Jan. 27. Additionally, Brandi Blackmon, a Special Education English language arts teacher at the DeKalb RYDC, is the DJJ Teacher of the Year runner-up. Blackmon has been with DJJ for four years and has 13 years of teaching experience in Henry, Fulton, and…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with county leaders and partners to commemorate the opening of the new tax office located in Chamblee.  Expanding to nearly 5,400 square feet, the newly constructed office is a substantial upgrade from the previous space of 1,200 square feet. Parking capacity has doubled to 60 spaces for customers and employees, and service windows now include 10 stations to better serve property tax and motor vehicle customers. “I am honored to recognize the dedication, support and hard work of everyone involved in the project,” said…

Be sure to sign up for CodeRED, DeKalb’s emergency notification system DECATUR, GA– With temperatures forecast below freezing through the weekend, county officials have shared the following tips for winter weather: Exercise safety and use proper ventilation when operating alternative heat sources, such as fireplaces and electric heaters. Do not use an oven as a heat source. Do not bring grills, generators, kerosene heaters, and other outside heating devices inside to heat a home, as they emit poisonous carbon monoxide. Keep pets inside. If animals must remain outside, ensure their food and water is not frozen. Disconnect and drain…