Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Georgia Power crews are responding to scattered outages this morning as a result of heavy rain and gusty winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, approximately 8,000 customers statewide were without power as the weather system continues to move north through the state.    Crews are finding downed wires 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 mean wind gusts are likely to bring down trees that could cause additional outages.   Customers…

Servicing for all customers to be completed by week’s end   DECATUR, GA– Due to Tropical Storm Fred, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division may experience sanitation service delays for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday customers. Sanitation crews will work through Saturday, if necessary, to ensure all households are serviced. Residents are encouraged to keep their garbage, recycling and yard trimmings at the curb until servicing occur, county officials said. The Sanitation Division apologizes for the inconvenience and appreciates residents’ patience as residential collection teams work toward safely completing this week’s collection schedule, athe county stated in a news release.. For…

STONECREST—Three candidates qualified on Monday, Aug. 16, to run for City Council seats in the General Election on Nov. 2, 2021. The election will be held to fill three seats: District 1, 3, and 5. Monday was the first day for the five-day qualifying period, which ends on Friday, Aug. 2, at 4:30 p.m. The city is scheduling appointments for candidates to come in, fill out the qualifying application and pay the $400 fee. The candidates who qualified on Monday include: Jimmy Clanton, Jr., who is running for re-election for the District 1 seat. Clanton was the…

The funeral service has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at NOON, Fairfield Baptist Church, 6133 Redan Road, Lithonia.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA–Deputy Chief J.D. McClure will succeed Police Chief Brett West, who will retire after 30 years of service to the county, County Administrator Glenn Stephens announced. McClure is the first black to hold the position. The agenda for Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting includes ratification of the employment agreement. McClure began his career as a police officer with Gwinnett County in 1996 and currently serves as deputy chief over the department’s Operations Bureau. McClure will assume his new role Aug.21. He will also become the department’s first African American chief. “I’m honored to have…

  STONECREST—District 1 City Councilman Jimmy Clanton, who is running for re-election, was the first person to qualify today for the city of Stonecrest elections. Qualifying opened at 8:30 a.m. at Stonecrest City Hall and Clanton was the first appointment scheduled when the qualifying period was announced as a public notice  The qualifying period runs Aug. 16-20. There are three council seats up for grabs–District 1, District 3 and District 5. The seats are for four-year terms.  The General Election will be held on Nov. 2, 2021. Qualifying  will be held Aug. 16-20 at City Hall, 3120…

Photo essay by Kelly Jordan/OCG News DECATUR, GA–NBA legends Dikembe Mutombo and Dominique Wilkins joined DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond on Aug. 14 at South DeKalb Mall, where they pushed for people to get their  COVID-19 vaccinations. County officials said the event was a slam dunk: Over 1,100 people got their shots.  

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections has mailed 18,000 “no-contact” notices to individuals who have not had contact with the elections system in the last five years. This is a statewide effort that is required of all elections offices. Voters who receive these notices are encouraged to immediately update their voter registration information ahead of the 30-day deadline to prevent being listed as “inactive” in the state’s voter rolls. Inactive voters have all the rights and privileges of an active voter through the next two general elections in 2022 and 2024. An inactive status will update…

DECATUR, GA—National Constables and Marshals Association announced the appointment of Chief Marshal William J. Taylor as state director for Georgia, effective Aug. 13, for a two-year term. Headquartered in Shreveport, La., the National Constables and Marshals Association (NCMA) was founded in 1973 and currently has 15 state directors with over 1,000 members. Taylor’s priorities will include highlighting the involvement of NCMA members throughout Georgia and across America and bringing awareness to topics relevant to our communities. Chief Taylor is celebrating over 31 years in law enforcement. He is a combat veteran who retired after 24 years of…

DeKalb County Board of Health is offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at its mobile clinics on the following days and sites: Tuesdays, Aug. 17, 24, 31 3 to 7 p.m. Gresham Park Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham oad Southeast Atlanta, GA Wednesdays, Aug. 18, 25 Noon to 7 p.m. County Line Ellenwood Library, 4331 River Road Ellenwood, GA Wednesdays, Sept. 1, 8, 15 3 to 7 p.m. Exchange Recreation and Intergenerational Center 2771 Columbia Drive Decatur, GA Thursdays, Aug. 19, 26 and Sept. 2 3 to 7 p.m. 1839 Phillips Road Lithonia, GA You do not need…