Author: On Common Ground News

Commissioner Sherri Washington BOC vows to use ARPA funds to “put people first”   ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Help is on the way for residents, businesses and essential workers in Rockdale County, as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Rockdale County government has received its first round of federal relief —$8,827, 741—under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA), county officials announced today at the Board of Commissioners meeting. The county received the first “tranche,” the term that federal officials are using for the deposit of funds to local governments, in May. Rockdale officials say plans are in place to…

Photos  By Kelly Jordan ATLANTA—Centennial Olympic Park  drew crowds eager to attend the Juneteenth Atlanta celebration, which was held June 18-20.  The downtown festivities included a parade, national speakers, a community vendors’ market, cultural arts amphitheater and a variety of entertainment such as Double Dutch jump rope artists, yoga, martial arts, meditation fields, chess and other board games, bounce houses and face painting. Oh yes, and there were plenty of food trucks and concessions. Photographer Kelly Jordan covered the event. About Kelly Jordan Kelly Jordan has lived in Atlanta since 1968. He attended Emory University before he and partners…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook and a group of students met for a cooking class today (June 21) that was hosted by the Surf N Turf restaurant on Sigman Road in Conyers. The group learned how to prepare spinach, mushroom omelettes and banana chocolate chip pancakes made with whole wheat flour. The students cooked turkey sausage links to accompany the eggs and cakes. The cooking class was part of a free, eight-week summer enrichment program  that Alsobrook is hosting with several community partners in collaboration with Beyond the Bell. The program, open to youths…

More than 50,000 Households in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District could get up to $300 per child July-December DECATUR, GA — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), is encouraging families to be on the lookout for advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit of up to $300 per month per child beginning July 15 through December. “The expanded and improved Child Tax Credit is historic and is a defining moment in House Democrats’ mission to uplift the middle class and cut child poverty,” said Johnson. “It provides children and their families with additional payments throughout the year that helps them with…

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA—Downtown Stone Mountain was filled with vendors, visitors and residents at the city of Stone Mountain’s first Juneteenth celebration. Not even the overcast skies and rain showers dampened the colorful event, which was held on Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m. People let up their umbrellas as they stopped to shop, enjoy entertainment, get Information on community resources and to snap selfies. Photographer Kelly Jordan captured the action. About Kelly Jordan Kelly Jordan has lived in Atlanta since 1968. He attended Emory University before he and partners revitalized Little Five Points into one of Atlanta’s…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist Six innings of scoreless pitching keyed a 16-5 win for the West Junior All-Stars against the East in the 12th Annual DCSD Junior All-Star Classic baseball game held recently at Dunwoody. The tone was set early as Dunwoody’s Zach Heavern pitched two perfect innings to open the game. He struck out four of the six batters he faced. Heavern would go on to win the West squad’s MVP award as he went 1-2 at the plate while being hit by a pitch after his two strong innings on…

Victor Lee Tucker, Jr.  DECATUR, GA–Today, June 21, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office released the booking photo for Victor Lee Tucker, Jr., 30, the suspect in the June 14 Big Bear grocery store shooting that left one cashier dead and an off-duty sheriff’s deputy injured. According to authorities, Tucker had a dispute with a cashier about his face mask. Tucker was transported to Grady Hospital after the deputy returned fire and shot him. Tucker was initially listed in stable condition. He was released from the hospital on June 18, said DeKalb County Police  Department spokesperson Michaela Vincent. Tucker was booked…

ATLANTA– Georgia gas prices  dropped slightly at the pump compared to a week ago. Georgia motorists are paying an average price of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is two cents less than a week ago, five cents less than last month and 97 cents more than this time last year. It costs Georgia motorists $43.35 to fill a 15-gallon tank of gasoline; that is $6.45 more than what motorists paid in January of 2020 when pump prices hit their peak of $2.46 per gallon. “An increase in both supply and demand has helped to limit fluctuations in prices,” said Garrett Townsend, AAA-The Auto Club Group Public Affairs Director. “If production continues…

ATLANTA – Georgia Power crews are responding to scattered outages this morning as a result of heavy rain and gusty winds overnight associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Claudette. Approximately 5,000 customers are currently without power as the weather system continues to move East across central and north Georgia.  Crews are finding wires down 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 means wind gusts are likely to bring down trees that could cause additional outages.   Customers are…