Author: On Common Ground News

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning local residents affected by the recent storms to beware of storm chasers and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. “It is not uncommon for out-of-town storm chasers to solicit business after storms like the ones we had last week,” said Brian Catania, CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “Storm chasers may not have proper licensure for your area and may offer quick fixes or make big promises to which they won’t deliver.” The BBB offers the following tips for storm victims: Know your rights and responsibilities provided such as Emergency Price Controls and Price Gouging. Contractors must be…

DECATUR, GA — On Monday, March 29, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is presenting 11 women in Georgia’s Fourth District with “Trailblazer” awards in recognition of their pioneering careers and service to the greater community. All the honorees in recognition of Women’s History Month were the firsts in their fields of endeavor or positions. The virtual event will be available to the public via Zoom and Live on the Congressman’s Facebook page. Participants can view the program by registering on Zoom. Honorees include: Eleanor Ross, Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia; Marcia Glenn Hunter,…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) plans to honor members of Restore DeKalb, including Joel Edwards, Sandra Holmes, Willie Pringle, Debra Greenwood and Ed Williams at the Georgia Capitol on Monday. Davis recently introduced House Resolution 377 during this year’s legislative session to establish March 29, 2021 as Community Activist Day at the Capitol to recognize these individuals. “Community Activist Day at the Capitol takes on a new meaning with the passage of voter suppression laws, such as Senate Bill 202,” said Davis. “We recognize activists that work to fight the status quo and challenge injustice to balance the scales of justice.…

ROCKDALE COUNTY–Two roadside memorials have been erected by family and friends of the 10-year-old Rockdale boy who was fatally killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bicycle on Monday, March 22, near Ebenezer Road and Cherry Hill Lane. At one of the memorials, the boy’s photo was surrounded by flowers, Hot Wheel cars, stuffed animals and other mementos. Flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, a football, a Georgia Tech baseball cap and a bottle of Coca Cola were some of the items placed at the other memorial, located near the subdivision where the child lived. His family has said they did not…

CONYERS, GA– The Rockdale County Animal Services Division has debuted its new website separate from the Rockdale County website, which comes after the division was moved under the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). It provides citizens one location to access ordinances, a wish list, rabies alerts, events calendar, available pets for adoption, staff pictures with bios and direct email information, and important division statistics in a clean and organized design. The website can be viewed at www.RockdaleCountyAnimalServices.org. “I think this website will serve as a wonderful resource for the community. We have a pet resource page that lists local…

Story Updated March 25: The Rockdale Sheriff’s Office released the name and mugshot of the suspect, Lakeya Shumate, 27, late March 24. A 27-year-old DeKalb County woman has been detained in the hit-an-run fatality of a 10-year-old boy Rockdale County boy, Sheriff Eric Levett announced today (March 24). The woman, whose identity has not yet been, is facing charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident, Levett said. She is being held in the Rockdale County Jail. The incident happened on Monday, March 22, around 8:30 p.m., the sheriff said. The 10-year-old victim and a…

DECATUR, GA. – Homeowners in DeKalb County have until April 1 to apply online for basic homestead exemptions. Individuals applying for the first time must own and occupy the home as their primary residence as of Jan. 1, 2021, have all vehicles registered in DeKalb County, and not have a homestead exemption anywhere else. Homeowners do not need to apply more than once for a basic exemption. For all exemptions, eligibility and document requirements, please visit www.dekalbtax.org/exemptions. “Homestead exemptions provide significant savings for property owners who own and live at their primary residence,” says DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is partnering with the American Red Cross to host several blood drives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 31 and in the month of May at various recreation centers throughout DeKalb. The American Red Cross has developed an operating plan that meets the guidelines for the CDC and local health officials. Every effort will be made to keep DeKalb residents and staff safe while collecting the much-needed blood donations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, blood donations are critically needed to be distributed to hospitals. This blood drive will take place at…

Virtual conversation set featuring Congresswomen Chu and Meng DECATUR, GA — On Saturday, March 27 at 10 AM, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding a Conversation on Discrimination and Violence Against Asian Americans (AAPI), featuring colleagues Rep. Judy Chu of California and Rep. Grace Meng of New York. The virtual event will be on Zoom and Live on the Congressman’s Facebook page. In the aftermath of the horrific shootings last week of eight people – six of whom were Asian-American women –  the event will serve as a community conversation around the discrimination and rise in violence against the Asian-America Pacific…