Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA– Due to required trainings for nursing staff, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s regional health centers will be closed on Monday, Aug. 23 and Tuesday, Aug. 24., except for WIC, Dental, TB/Refugee, Early Care Clinic, and other non-clinical services. Clients previously scheduled for appointments have been rescheduled. During this closure, individuals seeking COVID-19 vaccination may visit the vaccination site at the Doraville MARTA station, located at 6000 New Peachtree Rd., in Doraville, on Tuesday, Aug. 24, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Appointments can be made via the Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Vaccine Registration and Administration…

  DECATUR, GA—The John Lewis Commemorative Taskforce will host a virtual kickoff event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, to celebrate the launch of a campaign to raise funds for a new memorial to Congressman John Lewis. Featured speakers include Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Congressman Hank Johnson, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, former State Rep. Jason Carter and Michael Collins, Congressman Lewis’ former chief of staff. The program will be broadcast live on DeKalb County’s DCTV23. The John Lewis Commemorative Task Force—led by…

If you’re interested in becoming a notary or you’re  already a notary, register now for the upcoming free virtual workshop offered by the Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Janice Morris  in collaboration with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority. The workshop is free.

ATLANTA—Georgia Power crews are responding to scattered outages this morning as a result of heavy rain and gusty winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, approximately 8,000 customers statewide were without power as the weather system continues to move north through the state.    Crews are finding downed wires and broken poles in some areas caused by fallen trees, limbs and debris, and will be working throughout the day to make repairs. Heavy rains and saturated soil mean wind gusts are likely to bring down trees that could cause additional outages.   Customers…

Servicing for all customers to be completed by week’s end   DECATUR, GA– Due to Tropical Storm Fred, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division may experience sanitation service delays for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday customers. Sanitation crews will work through Saturday, if necessary, to ensure all households are serviced. Residents are encouraged to keep their garbage, recycling and yard trimmings at the curb until servicing occur, county officials said. The Sanitation Division apologizes for the inconvenience and appreciates residents’ patience as residential collection teams work toward safely completing this week’s collection schedule, athe county stated in a news release.. For…

STONECREST—Three candidates qualified on Monday, Aug. 16, to run for City Council seats in the General Election on Nov. 2, 2021. The election will be held to fill three seats: District 1, 3, and 5. Monday was the first day for the five-day qualifying period, which ends on Friday, Aug. 2, at 4:30 p.m. The city is scheduling appointments for candidates to come in, fill out the qualifying application and pay the $400 fee. The candidates who qualified on Monday include: Jimmy Clanton, Jr., who is running for re-election for the District 1 seat. Clanton was the…

The funeral service has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at NOON, Fairfield Baptist Church, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA–Deputy Chief J.D. McClure will succeed Police Chief Brett West, who will retire after 30 years of service to the county, County Administrator Glenn Stephens announced. McClure is the first black to hold the position. The agenda for Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting includes ratification of the employment agreement. McClure began his career as a police officer with Gwinnett County in 1996 and currently serves as deputy chief over the department’s Operations Bureau. McClure will assume his new role Aug.21. He will also become the department’s first African American chief. “I’m honored to have…

  STONECREST—District 1 City Councilman Jimmy Clanton, who is running for re-election, was the first person to qualify today for the city of Stonecrest elections. Qualifying opened at 8:30 a.m. at Stonecrest City Hall and Clanton was the first appointment scheduled when the qualifying period was announced as a public notice  The qualifying period runs Aug. 16-20. There are three council seats up for grabs–District 1, District 3 and District 5. The seats are for four-year terms.  The General Election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Qualifying  will be held Aug. 16-20 at City Hall, 3120…

Photo essay by Kelly Jordan/OCG News DECATUR, GA–NBA legends Dikembe Mutombo and Dominique Wilkins joined DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond on Aug. 14 at South DeKalb Mall, where they pushed for people to get their  COVID-19 vaccinations. County officials said the event was a slam dunk: Over 1,100 people got their shots.