Author: On Common Ground News

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…

PUBLIC NOTICE On June 28, 2021, at 6 pm the Stonecrest City Council will hold a public hearing on a real estate transaction between the City of Stonecrest and TC Stonecrest Venture, LLC. The improved land for purchase is real property located in the City of Stonecrest, DeKalb County, Georgia otherwise known as Stonecrest Industrial Way. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the public hearings will be virtual and broadcasted live on the City’s YouTube Channel on. Citizens may submit comments via e-mail to the City Clerk in advance of the hearings (CityClerk@stonecrestga.gov). The link to the City’s YouTube…

ATLANTA–Are you planning to stay in a hotel soon? Keep your personal information protected since tourist and business travelers are often considered the easiest targets. Hotels provide scammers an easy path towards their goal of trying to separate a traveler from their cash. Here are five common hotel scams to be aware of: Fake Website When making online hotel reservations, make sure the website is legitimate. Scammers are famous for creating look-alike web pages to lure consumers into providing credit card information. The American Hotel and Lodging Association is a BBB National Partner. They provided some tips to follow before booking…

Public hearing set for June 30 during special called meeting     STONECREST, GA – Stonecrest City Council will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed 2021 city millage rate during a special called meeting on June 30, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.   Residents can watch the meeting live on the City’s YouTube channel and may submit public comments in advance of the hearing to the City Clerk at cityclerk@stonecrestga.gov. After the public hearing, Council plans to vote on the matter during the same special called meeting. The proposed rate is 1.336 mills, which represents the calculated rollback rate, and…

Photo above provided by Kenley Waller.   DECATUR, GA— Customers and employees at the Big Bear supermarket, 2849 Candler Road, have made a memorial of flowers to remember Laquitta Willis, the 41-year-old cashier who was killed in a shootout on June 14 around 1 p.m. Authorities have arrested Victor Lee Tucker, Jr., 30, charging him with Willis’ murder. Tucker got into an argument with the cashier after he was asked to pull up his face mask while inside the store, authorities said. Tucker reportedly walked outside to his vehicle and returned, pulled out a handgun and shot Willis…

DECATUR, GA—Zackary and Dash Mayer have been watching for an opportunity to get their Covid vaccines. They are both minors but over the age of 12. When the siblings heard the new Hattie Marie’s in Decatur, located at 130 Clairemont Ave., announced its partnership with Community Organized Relief Effort(CORE) for shots on June 24-25, they knew this was the perfect time to get their vaccines. Lesa Mayer, their mother, a Decatur city councilwoman, and said opportunities for businesses to partner with health officials is a great way to get more people vaccinated. “It’s not…

ATLANTA– Freshly Inc. is more than doubling its planned workforce in Georgia and investing $52 million by expanding to Clayton County, Gov. Brian Kemp announced. The new distribution facility will create 665 jobs in Ellenwood, Georgia, officials said. “It’s great to see Freshly continue to find success in Georgia and expand their presence in the Southeast,” said Kemp. “I want to thank Freshly for their commitment to creating jobs for hardworking Georgians, and I look forward to seeing the opportunities this rapidly growing company creates in the Peach State.” The June 22 announcement comes on the heels…

In observance of National HIV Testing Day, the DeKalb County Board of Health will host its annual testing day ahead of the national event on Friday, June 25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the 285 Flea Market, 4525 Glenwood Road, Decatur. National HIV Testing Day is observed on June 27. Georgia ranks 4th in the nation for newly identified HIV infections. In addition to free HIV/STD testing and education, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s mobile medical unit will be providing free COVID-19 vaccinations.