Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County officials said late Tuesday (April 27) that crews were working to assess repairs needed for a leak in a section of water pipe near the intersection of Kilgore Lane and Kilgore Road in Lithonia. Approximately 200 homes were without water service. Water has been dispatched to the affected customers, the county said in a news release distributed at 9:40 p.m. The county will provide an estimate of work completion when it becomes available. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department at 770-270-6243.

By Terri Denison SBA Georgia District Office Director  The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Georgia Restaurant Association, the industry has suffered more than $250 billion in losses and the closing of more than 110,000 restaurants – 4,000 of which are in Georgia. To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant program at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The RRF will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business…

The DeKalb County Board of Health recently expanded its partnership with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) to provide the COVID-19 vaccine in vulnerable communities in DeKalb County. The expanded vaccination partnership with CORE focuses on working with smaller faith-based communities and community partners in DeKalb County. The scope of the Board of Health’s original CORE focused on reaching immigrants and refugees with COVID-19 testing in the City of Clarkston and surrounding neighborhoods. “We welcome CORE’s assistance with our COVID-19 vaccination efforts here in DeKalb County,” said Interim District Health Director Sandra J. Valenciano, M.D., M.P.H. “To bring COVID-19 under…

On Saturday, May 1, DeKalb County will celebrate Mother’s Day 2021 with its monthly food distribution to fight COVID-19 food insecurity. Residents will receive one, 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound package of chicken hindquarters. “We recognize that many families are struggling to keep food on their tables as food insecurity continues in DeKalb County,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “We know that our monthly distributions are helping families to weather this crisis.” Beginning at 10 a.m., rain or shine, 3,600 COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, at four drive-through locations:…

Twenty-four artists from around the world want to create an artistic piece to honor the life and legacy of the late Congressman John Robert Lewis. Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson provided updates on the John Lewis Commemorative Tribute Project last week. In December 2020, DeKalb County’s Purchasing Department issued a request for vendor qualifications for artists interested participating in the Lewis Commemorative Project. The task force selection committee will review the 24 submissions and announce its selection. “The task force has launched its website and is now accepting donations for this monumental project honoring Congressman Lewis,” Commissioner Davis Johnson said. Members…

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a special called meeting on Monday, May 3, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda Adoption of Agenda Interviews of Ethics Administrator Finalists III.         Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and Employment Matters Vote on Final Candidate Adjournment

ATLANTA – State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), chairman of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, commends the recent appointments of the Rev. Abraham Mosley and Christopher Sanders to serve on the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA). Rev. Mosley is the first Black Georgian to serve as the chair of the SMMA Board of Directors. “The governor has made some great appointments to the Stone Mountain Memorial Association in Abraham Mosely and Christopher Sanders,” said Mitchell. “I look forward to working with them on reimagining Stone Mountain Park into a more family-friendly and welcoming place for all, as is called for…

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association today (April 26) unveiled proposed changes for Stone Mountain Park, home of the nation’s largest Confederacy, citing tremendous financial losses due to mounting public pressure to remove Confederate monuments across the country and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of the park’s attractions remain closed due to the pandemic. The proposal, includes relocating several Confederate flags and consolidating some monuments and artifacts, creating a new logo for the park, renaming several park roadways, trails, lakes, ponds and other assets and the construction of a Fith and Freedom outdoor chapel atop Stone Mountain. The plan…

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today (April 23) that it is increasing food assistance to low-income seniors – a population that has been especially hard-hit by the pandemic – by providing nearly $37 million in additional support to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). States and Tribal nations will receive the new funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to serve additional seniors, in addition to up to $2.6 million in administrative funds from a previous COVID relief bill. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the hunger crisis in America, but help is on the way,”…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host a virtual Public Safety Town Hall on April 27, 6 p.m. The Annual Public Safety Town Hall will not be held in its traditional form this year, due to the pandemic.  However, Commissioner Johnson is committed to ensuring that constituents continue to have meaningful ways to stay connected and engaged.  Therefore, the virtual event will give constituents a chance to ask questions and gain knowledge from experts from the following areas: DeKalb Board of Health, District Attorney’ Office, Fire Department, Human Services (Office of Youth Services), Mental Health, Marshal’s Office, Parks & Recreation,…