Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Health is gearing up to make sure children in DeKalb are ready for the first day of school by ensuring they’re current on their recommended vaccines, such as Tdap, meningitis booster, HPV vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screenings. The DeKalb County School District will begin the new school year on Monday, Aug. 2. City Schools of Decatur will follow the next day on Tuesday, Aug. 3. All DeKalb County health centers will have extended hours on the highlighted days, as indicated below: Sunday 7/25 CLOSED…

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following virtual meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021: 10:00am        VIRTUAL CALLED MEETING BOARD RETREAT/EXECUTIVE SESSION for the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding personnel and legal. The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for the meeting agenda/information.  The virtual meeting can be viewed at the following link on DeKalb Schools TV (DSTV) by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org/communications/dstv. The agenda is as follows:

STONECREST, GA—On Common Ground News’ youngest reporter, Amelia Luna Brown, 5, was on the scene on July 22 to cover the groundbreaking of the botanical garden at the Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road. Luna, 5, had the chance to learn about bees, butterflies, birds, and edible plants while participating in an array of activities during the free event. She was on special assignment for her grandfather, Glenn L. Morgan , who is recovering from knee surgery. On Common Ground News thanks DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnsonfor the invite to the event. https://youtu.be/fG5iFPihqXU

NORCROSS, GA– Gwinnett County hast a Back-to-School Day on Saturday, July 24, 9 a.m. until noon, at Best Friend Park, 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd. Family fun includes a chance for the kids to sit inside a firetruck, meet-and-greets with various county departments and free food. The county will give 50 lucky kids backpacks stuffed with school supplies to help them prepare for the start of the school year. The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments also will be at Best Friend Park to administer COVID-19 vaccines.  No appointments are necessary. “This event presents a great…

ATLANTA – Former Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck was convicted today (July 22) of fraud and money laundering in a scheme against an insurer that he managed.  Jurors returned a guilty verdict on all 37 counts of fraud and money laundering against Beck in the federal trial in Atlanta.  According to news reports, Beck is accused of stealing more than $2.5 million from the state-chartered Georgia Underwriting Association (GUA), funneling money to himself through a series of companies. He was indicted months after he took office in 2019 as insurance commissioner. Beck had managed GUI for…

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) was arrested today (JULY 22) around 1 p.m. along with a group of about 12 black male voting rights activists protesting Senate inaction on voting rights legislation and filibuster reform. The protest, which took place outside of the Hart Senate Office Building, was also in response to voter suppression bills and laws throughout the country, including Georgia, that target students, the elderly and people of color. Johnson’s office said in a statement: “In the spirit of his dear friend and mentor – the late Congressman John Lewis – Rep. Johnson was…

DECATUR, GA — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, announced more than $6 million for local Head Start programs.  Rep. Johnson helped secure the grant funding as part of the American Rescue Plan. “This investment will help our local Head Start programs continue preparing Georgia kids for success and help parents get back to work growing our economy knowing their kids are safe and cared for,” said Johnson. CDI Head Start/Dekalb and Rockdale Counties – $263,230 Easter Seals North Georgia, Inc. – $2,394,197 Georgia…

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a suspect in the murder last month of a Covington man. Atlanta resident Aushun Lavoris Price, 35, was taken into custody without incident on July 21 on Metropolitan Avenue in Atlanta on a warrant accusing her of Malice Murder. According to sheriff’s investigators, Price shot Frank Hosey, 40, of Covington on June 19, 2021 in a hotel room on Glenwood Road in Decatur. Hosey died later from his injuries. No motive was given for the shooting. Price was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, where she is being held without…