Author: On Common Ground News

The Parks of Stonecrest and The Terraces Social Committee sponsored a drive by on Saturday, June 5th to celebrate the Community 2021 Students from High School and College. Thirty-four students were given a graduation card and a gift card.  Dia Taylor coordinated this event. The following students were recognized:  Ashanti J. Lawson, Edgar Lafabian Woods, Amaya Oliver, Talina Powell, Monika Porter, Jalen L. Giles, Courtney Johnson, Jordin Stabler, Evelyn Hardimon, Essence Gilbert, Destinee Gilbert, Kennedy Hayes, Zaniya Stafford, Martin Lucs, Jaida Billingsly, Jaylen Billingsly, Jasimne Keeler, Kristina James, Joshua Gordon, Kevon Cheeke, Kaylyn Harper, Jaylen Drake,…

Gwinnett County, GA—In a special called meeting today(June 28), the Gwinnett County Board of Elections voted to hire Zach Manifold as the county’s new elections supervisor. “Our decision to confirm Mr. Manifold as the new elections supervisor was a thoughtful one,” said Elections Board Chair Alice O’Lenick. “He brings a wealth of knowledge to this position, having served in various election administrative capacities – including leading a bipartisan staff of Democrats and Republicans to conduct a controversy free-election in Columbus.” After graduating from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2004, Manifold’s election-related…

DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has extended the five-year-old water service disconnection moratorium for residential water accounts to Sept. 1, 2021. The moratorium was set to expire on July 1. “While the county has addressed the issues that led to the moratorium in 2016, the extension gives customers more time to pay their outstanding bills in full or make payment arrangements,” CEO Thurmond said. The moratorium was established in October 2016 by Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May. In 2017 CEO Thurmond continued the moratorium and implemented The New Day Project to address decades-old water billing…

The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will hold a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing litigation. This meeting will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). Simultaneous public access to the meeting will be available via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel: https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23 To make a comment, join via Zoom: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/97184078303 Or telephone: US Toll Free: 888 270 9936 Conference code: 171493 Public comments of two minutes or less may be made live via the teleconference. For those joining the meeting by telephone, please be aware…

Register now for the free June 29 Couch Concert, Fitness Fridays and more By Debra Tyler-Horton AARP Georgia State Director In addition to celebrating Father’s Day, AARP recognizes June as a time to recognize Men’s Health and Black Music. When it comes to the men in our lives, we realize there might be obstacles that can often get in the way of proper health management. In fact, a recent survey found that most men—particularly baby-boomers—do not like to discuss their health. We need to change that. It’s time to create a different…

CONYERS, GA—Excel Church, 1151 Flat Shoals Road SE, Conyers, is hosting a free groceries-to-go event on Saturday, July 3, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The boxes will contain fresh meat, produce, personal and household products, organizers said. Anyone who needs a box should park in the front of the church and a volunteer will bring out the box. “It’s a blessing to be able to serve our community amidst a pandemic where people are experiencing economic hardship,” said Pastor K. Francis Smith- Lead Pastor of Excel Church. For more information, email the church at info@excelchurch.tv.

Rendering provided by Gwinnett County government  SNELVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County and the city of Snellville have a new construction project on the books. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on June 22 approved a contract with Reeves Young, LLC, to build a new library in the city’s planned The Grove at Town Center development on Wisteria Drive. Construction on the new library is expected to begin in August 2021, officials said.  Gwinnett County and the city of Snellville are jointly funding the $10,235,000 project using 2017 SPLOST program dollars. “We can…

Peak congestion expected Thursday, July 1, 3 to 5 p.m. ATLANTA, GA— Travel continues to rebound after a year-long pandemic. AAA forecasts travel volumes for Independence Day will be the second-highest on record—nearing the highs set in 2019. More than 47.7 million Americans will take at least one domestic trip this Independence Day (July 1–5). This represents an increase of nearly 40% from last year, yet just 2.5% fewer than the 2019 holiday weekend. Georgia travel figures are also rebounding from last year. Nearly 1.5 million Georgians are forecast to take a trip during the holiday weekend.…