Author: On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– As a sign of Gwinnett County’s deep respect and admiration for THE men and women wounded or killed in defense U.S., the Board of Commissioners proclaimed Gwinnett County as a Purple Heart County. Commissioners unanimously approved the proclamation in July announcing the designation, which was presented to Lou Zayas, commander of Chapter 465 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Zayas was accompanied by veterans with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and volunteers from the Gwinnett County Veterans Memorial Museum. “This distinction means so much for our community,” said Commissioner Jasper Watkins, a retired Army lieutenant…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (VRE) is reminding voters that absentee ballots can be requested beginning Monday, Aug. 16, for the November General Election. To request an absentee ballot, DeKalb voters must complete an absentee ballot application, which is available online at DeKalbVotes.com under the Absentee Information tab. Since the passage of Georgia State Bill 202, DeKalb VRE has worked to educate voters of key changes that may impact how they cast their ballots, said DeKalb Elections Director Erica Hamilton. “We want to strongly encourage voters to understand the changes this election cycle and be…

DECATUR, GA—NBA Legends Dikembe Mutombo and Dominique Wilkins will be at The Gallery at South DeKalb on Saturday, Aug. 14, to encourage people to get COVID-19 vaccinations.  “The Atlanta Hawks and DeKalb County Government are running a full-court press against the deadly COVID-19 virus,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “We are encouraging all eligible residents to take the winning shot to protect themselves and their families.” Atlanta Hawks players Clint Capela and Jon Collins and NBA legend Dominique Wilkins joined CEO Thurmond in a radio ad campaign which began Aug. 10 to urge residents to…

DECATUR, GA—MedCura Health Center (formerly Oakhurst Medical Centers) and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Taylor hosted their open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 11. The new facility is located at 1706 Candler Road in Decatur. Congressman Hank Johnson, State Rep. Becky Evans (District 83), DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, and Pastor William Flippen, Sr. of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church were among the dignitaries who attended the event. Photos by Kelly Jordan To watch the video of the ceremony, click here: https://www.facebook.com/RepHankJohnson/videos/2992928080923503. Video by Joshua Smith    

NORFOLK, VA—Petty Officer 2nd Class Lars Evans, a native of Covington, GA, is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered submarines. Evans, a 2013 East Side High School graduate, joined the Navy over five years ago. “I wanted a change of pace and a change of lifestyle,” said Evans. “I was in college but decided to pursue other career opportunities with the military.” Evans says his family values prepared him to serve. “My family taught me respect and understanding, good morals and values, and these traits helped…

Free COVID-19 testing will be available DECATUR, GA—Eligible residents will receive $100 prepaid debit cards during a COVID-19 vaccination and testing event on Saturday, Aug. 14. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., DeKalb County Board of Health and DeKalb County Fire Rescue will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents 12 years of age and older at The Gallery at South DeKalb, 2801 Candler Rd., Decatur. All persons receiving a vaccination also will receive a $100 prepaid debit card. Residents will be able to remain in their vehicles when receiving vaccinations, and walk-ups are welcome. “We are in the midst of…

ATLANTA—District 4 City Council member Cleta Winslow is hosting a free music festival on Saturday, Aug. 14, 3 p.m. at The Wren’s Nest, 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard S.W. Free parking will be available next door behind West Hunter Street Baptist Church. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 protocols will be encouraged. The schedule of featured performers is below: 3 p.m. Gritz and Jelly Butter 4:15 p.m. America’s Songbird Myrna Clayton 5:30 p.m. Gary Harris and Friends featuring Al, keyboardist who has played with internationally-known Usher, Broadway star Jennifer Holiday and new artist Maysa of Incognito…

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677. Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda Adoption of Agenda Approval of the Minutes of the July 15, 2021, Meeting III.         Administrative Items County-wide Employee Ethics survey Proposed EEO Personnel Policy Change of date for September 2021 Meeting Discussion of potential in-person meeting for 2021 Public Comment Comments/Questions from Board Members Adjournment

DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha V. Ramos has announced that she has withdrawn her name from consideration to be the next police chief in Austin, Texas. Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk had named Ramos and Atlanta Police Department’s Deputy Chief Celeste Murphy among the top seven candidates for the Chief of Police position out of a field of 46 applicants. Austin’s Police Chief will oversee 1,809 sworn officers and 734 non-sworn professional staff and has a FY 20-21 budget of $240.8 million. Ramos issued the following statement today (Aug. 11): “I have officially withdrawn my…

For some, a summer hiatus means taking a break, but not for the Chi Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® The sorority was busy with community outreach projects, which included distributing school supplies in Rockdale and Newton counties, as well as promoting a COVID-19 vaccine event for residents in both counties. In July, the chapter partnered with Voices of Faith Church’s Conyers campus to distribute books during the church’s Back2School Book Bag Give Away. Members also supported Newton High School during the Newton County Sheriff Department’s Annual Back2School…