Author: On Common Ground News

No office visit required for eligible drivers 64 and older The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is now offering residents who are 64 and older the option to renew their non-commercial driver’s license online. While mail-in and fax options have been available since August 2020, this new online service gives seniors another choice when conducting their licensing business. “DDS continues working to ensure efficient, safe and customer friendly options within the law. Many experienced drivers are tech savvy and will appreciate having this online renewal service at their fingertips,” DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore said. Georgia Law O.C.G.A.…

ATLANTA— The City of Atlanta entered Phase 4 of its reopening plan, effective June 9.  City officials said non-mission-critical employees are now permitted to resume in-person operations at City facilities under enhanced safety requirements and measures. City facilities remain closed to the public. City leadership has made numerous policy and procedural changes for in-person operations to accommodate health and safety precautions, including the following: Masks will be required in City facilities, for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Employees and members of the public entering City buildings will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure. Temperature screening device have been installed at public…

Sale of Sears building pending, city to determine if Sam’s Club also will be sold   STONECREST, GA—The City of Stonecrest Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) appointed Jazzmin Cobble as its new chair at a special called meeting on Monday (June 7). Mayor Jason Lary’s term as chair had expired. He is out on sick leave. Both, Jimmy Clanton(vice chair) and George Turner(secretary), were reappointed. The three appointments are effective for the next meeting, expected on June 17. All three will serve as officers until January 2022, when new, one-year appointments will be made by URA members. The URA…

Pictured: Lorenzo Burns, the first customer at the Stonecrest Lidl store grand opening, is ready to shop. Burns was in line at 4:30 a.m. on June 9, 2021. Photos by Edwina Clanton   STONECREST, GA—City officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony today (June 9) for the grand opening of the new Lidl grocery store at 6038 Covington Highway. The first customer, Lorenzo Burns, arrived at 4:30 a.m. and a long line had formed behind him by the time the ribbon cutting ceremony began just before 8 a.m. Mayor Jason Lary welcomed store officials during…

Head to Gwinnett County’s ‘Shelter Pets Rock’ event on June 12  LAWRENCEVILLE, GA-Gwinnett County is hosting an event this weekend to seek forever homes for shelter pets. On Saturday, June 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement will host “Shelter Pets Rock” at the Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center, 884 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. “We’re excited to help people expand their family and save pets’ lives,” said Animal Welfare and Enforcement Manager Alan Davis. “Shelter animals make great pets with their companionship and unconditional love.” Officials said approximately 7,000 lost, stray and surrendered animals are…

Suspect test drove car and never returned   SNELLVILLE—The Gwinnett County Police Department is working to identify a man who stole a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria from ZAM’S Used Cars, 3393 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville. The incident occurred on May 27 shortly before 2 p.m. The man received the keys to test drive the car down the street and never returned, investigators said. The car had no registration tag. The male is described as a black male with dreadlocks, approximately 5’8” to 5’9” in height, heavy set with a gap between his front teeth Detectives are asking anyone with information that…

DECATUR, GA– Starting Monday, June 14, the DeKalb County Board of Health will modify hours of operation at its Doraville vaccination sites. The vaccination sites in Doraville and Stonecrest will operate on the following schedule:   Doraville MARTA Station Vaccination Site Stonecrest Vaccination Site (former Sam’s Club) Monday CLOSED 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. –…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson, a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, unveiled the list of five projects included in the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act. The INVEST Act is a five-year, $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill that is being marked up and voted out of the Transportation Committee (T&I) this week. Johnson’s projects will bring nearly $20 million in transportation improvements to Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District that will improve safety, equity, and help respond to the climate crisis by investing in transit…

Pictured left: Director Bettye Davis directs visitors at the Lou Walker Senior Center during a COVID-19 vaccination event on Jan. 13, 2021. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com   STONECREST, GA—DeKalb County’s Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road Stonecrest, has earned the distinction as a Nationally Accredited Senior Center of Excellence by the National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) offers the nation’s only National Senior Center Accreditation Program. There are nine standards of excellence that senior center operations must meet to obtain this accreditation and the Lou Walker Senior Center…