Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST— Tara Graves qualified today(Aug. 19) to run against Councilman Jimmy Clanton, who is seeking re-election for the District 1 seat. Graves was the only candidate who qualified today, bringing the total to eight who are running for council seats. Graves’ entrance means that all three incumbents who are running in the Nov. 2 General Election will face challengers for their seats: Districts 1, 3 and 5. Here’s a snapshot of the races since qualifying began on Aug. 16: District 1: Councilman Jimmy Clanton, Jr., who qualified on Aug. 16; Tara Graves, who qualified on…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Health has added four mobile vaccination unit stops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays on a rotating basis, through Sept. 15. The dates, locations and times are as follows: Tuesdays Aug. 24 and 31, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Gresham Park Recreation Center 3113 Gresham Rd. SE Atlanta, GA 30316 Wednesdays Aug. 18 and 25, noon until 7 p.m.   County Line-Ellenwood Library, 4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294                               Sept. 1, 8 and 15, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Exchange Recreation and Intergenerational Center 2771 Columbia Dr. Decatur, GA 30034  Thursdays Aug.…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Police Detective Casey Benton has been named by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) as the 2021 Outstanding Police Officer of the Year. Detective Benton, who has been with the DeKalb County Police Department for 15 years, received his award in July 2021 during the GACP’s training conference in Savannah. ” src=”cid:clip_image003.jpg” alt=”clip_image003.jpg” width=”123″ align=”left” hspace=”12″ vspace=”5″ v:shapes=”Text_x0020_Box_x0020_2″ apple-inline=”yes” class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” style=”opacity: 1;”>“DeKalb County is fortunate to have Detective Benton not only because of his exceptional work ethic, but most importantly for his dedication to protecting the community’s most valued resource–children,”…

STONECREST, GA– The Stonecrest City Council will hold its upcoming meeting virtually on Monday, Aug. 23, at 6 p.m., city officials announced today (Aug. 19). The council is expected to consider declaring a Local State of Emergency for the City to continue virtual meetings, the city said today(Aug. 19) in a news release. During meetings in July and at the Aug. 9 work session, the Council discussed ways to return to in-person meetings including implementing a variety of public health precautions such as installing plexiglass barriers on the Council dais and public comment lectern, spacing audience…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Corrections Department is hosting a career fair on Saturday, Aug.28, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., at 750 Hi Hope Road in Lawrenceville. The Department is hiring Correctional Officers and  Correctional Officer Senior positions. There are several phases in the hiring process and this event expedites the time by giving candidates the opportunity to complete the first phase. The career fair includes a facility tour, background processing, a behavior personal assessment device test and interview panels. Attendees are encouraged to apply online for the Correctional Officer position listed on GCCorrections.com before Aug. 26 to fully participate. Additional…

South’s largest outdoor arts and crafts show takes Sept. 9 – 12 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA –The 53rd annual Yellow Daisy Festival returns to Stone Mountain Park Sept. 9-12, 2021. Voted one of the top arts and crafts shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, and winner of multiple awards by the Southeast Festival and Events Association, the event is a tradition for multi-generational shoppers searching for unique works of art. The Yellow Daisy Festival gets its name from the September blooming of a special type of yellow daisy which only grows within 60 miles…

Georgia will have more pumps in Fayette, Cobb and Clayton counties ATHENS, GA– Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson announced Aug. 19  that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $26 million to build infrastructure to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable biofuels by 822 million gallons annually in 23 states including Georgia The USDA is making the awards under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The funding will help significantly increase the use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products and prioritize climate-smart solutions that will help rural America build back better. “Investments like these increase opportunities for American consumers to make…

ATLANTA– Advanced Modular Structures LLC., a modular building enterprise affiliated with Atlanta-based real estate developer The Integral Group, LLC., will create 200 jobs and invest more than $14 million in a new manufacturing facility in unincorporated Fulton County. “It’s great to see the Peach State serving as the backdrop for this new joint venture,” said  Gov. Brian Kemp. “Georgia’s support for the manufacturing industry sector is unwavering as we seek to create new jobs and investment opportunities for hardworking Georgians. Our award-winning workforce training program, Georgia Quick Start, is an incredible asset to companies that locate here, and I’m thrilled that…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Former Stone Mountain High School girls’ wrestler Daisy Gilleylen continues to help move girls’ wrestling forward in DeKalb County as she became the first DCSD female to earn a wrestling scholarship. Gilleylen is headed to Brewton-Parker College in Mountain Vernon, GA to continue her academic and athletic career under the direction of Women’s Head Coach Devane Dodgens, who led Brewton-Parker to a 22nd overall finish in the NAIA Nationals in 2021. “It is an honor to be…