Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA –Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted a free vaccination event on Saturday (June 26) in conjunction with the White House and DeKalb Board of Health at the First-Class Barbershop at the Centre at Panola. More than 20 people – many of them 12 to17 years old – received either their first or second vaccination at the event. As part of President Biden’s call for a “National Month of Action” to mobilize all of America to vaccinate as many people as possible by July 4, Congressman Johnson used the…

New Birth’s food distribution goes on hiatus during the month of July STONECREST, GA–New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s food pantry and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond are partnering to provide corn, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes and watermelons to families on Saturday, June 26 at 10 a.m. The upcoming free food distribution takes place on New Birth’s campus located at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest and marks the final food distribution before the church’s planned sabbatical throughout the month of July. “Looking back over the last year of the pandemic, I think we can all agree that…

County surpasses federal and state standards   DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has released the 2020 Drinking Water Quality Report, also referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). DWM continues to surpass all federal and state drinking water quality standards, providing DeKalb County customers with high-quality drinking water. The CCR provides detailed information on monitoring data gathered from water quality testing during 2019. DWM serves more than 700,000 customers and is responsible for treating and distributing drinking water and collecting and treating wastewater throughout DeKalb County. By law, tap water is tested for various water…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office unveiled its newly- renovated Career Learning Center for DeKalb Jail inmates with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 19. DeKalb Sheriff Melody M. Maddox hosted the event with the agency’s new corporate partners and longtime supporters of the jail’s inmate education programs. “We are grateful for contributions from Delta Air Lines, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation, and the Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. which helped make the new Career Learning Center a reality,” said Sheriff Maddox. “With the updated technology and classrooms made possible by their participation, we can now accommodate…

Virtual event set Saturday, June 26 DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, in partnership with Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, will host a virtual Homeowner Association (HOA) Boot camp on June 26,  at 10 a.m. “I look forward to hosting this event each year to ensure our residents are equipped and empowered with the knowledge and tools to help them be successful,” Commissioner Larry Johnson said. “This will be our second year hosting virtually, due to the pandemic, but we need to continue to provide access and service to our constituents. This is a free…

ATLANTA—Amber Jackson, a college graduate and dental hygienist who underwent surgery to repair a broken clavicle after an Atlanta Police Department officer body-slammed her last year, is holding a press conference with her attorney on Friday (June 24). The press conference is set for 1:30 p.m. at the of Davis Bozeman  Law Firm in Decatur. Jackson was reportedly bodyslammed by Officer C.J. Swanger on May 29, 2020 outside of Lenox Mall. The incident happened on the first day of the Atlanta uprisings, which were sparked over the death of George Floyd. Police said Jackson moved a barricade and…

ATLANTA—To help ease congestion, the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) will suspend construction-related closures on interstate highways starting Friday, July 2. Additionally, Georgia DOT will limit lane closures on state routes that directly serve major tourist and recreation centers. The holiday schedule will be in place from noon Friday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 6, 10 p.m. “This particular holiday weekend is considered to be one of Georgia’s heaviest travel times,” said Georgia DOT State Construction Engineer John D. Hancock. “By restricting lane closures, we hope drivers heading to holiday festivities or vacation destinations will encounter fewer delays and less…

DECATUR, GA– On July 1, fee increases will be implemented for Abandoned Motor Vehicle filings in Magistrate Court. The filing fee will be increased to $44 for each action. The increase brings fees into compliance with civil filing fee collection for Georgia Magistrate Courts. The efileGA efiling fee will become a one-time $14 per party, per case fee for Magistrate Court. For more information regarding the new fees, contact the DeKalb State and Magistrate Court Clerk’s Office at 404-371-2261.

Grassroots event part of  President Biden’s national “Month of Action” STONECREST, GA – On Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. to noon, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting a free vaccination event in conjunction with the White House and DeKalb Board of Health at the First-Class Barbershop located at the Centre at Panola, 3051 Panola Road, Stonecrest. The event, which will provide free Pfizer, Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccines, is part of President Biden’s national “Month of Action.” President Biden kicked off the “Month of Action” on June 4 to reach millions of Americans who still have not received protection from COVID-1. The national…