Author: On Common Ground News

A Salute to Women: Honoring Female Change Makers in DeKalb   DECATUR, Ga. – On Sunday, March 28, 3 p.m., Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host a virtual event honoring those women who have made significant contributions to the 5th Commission District in DeKalb County. Angela Rye, political commentator, analyst and attorney, will be the inspirational speaker and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock’s state director, Meredith Lilly, will serve as the mistress of ceremony for the event. “These women have made tremendous contributions to the enhancement and growth in our county”, said Commissioner Davis Johnson. “We appreciate them and…

DECATUR—On Tuesday, March 30, Tax Time Allies will host a virtual community briefing to highlight how qualifying lower- and moderate-income Georgians can maximize their refund and receive federal benefits more quickly by filing their taxes at no-cost. Tax Time Allies will be joined by Congressman Hank Johnson and other local community leaders to discuss the pivotal role that Volunteers Income Tax Assistance, Free File, and Tax Counseling for the Elderly play in helping eligible Georgia taxpayers claim every credit, deduction, and payment to which they are entitled, including taking advantage of this year’s Lookback Rule. Filing tax returns is…

The following meeting will be live streamed via the City’s YouTube channel

Story updated March 24, 2021 to include statement released by Tax Commissioner Tiffany Porter. Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Tiffany Porter has come under fire for her proposal to charge higher fees for providing billing and collection services for property taxes in 8 cities (Berkeley Lake, Dacula, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, and Sugar Hill). Porter made history in November 2020 when she was elected as the first African-American tax commissioner in Gwinnett’s history. She is also the first African American tax commissioner in Gwinnett County’s history. She previously served as the first African American judge for the Duluth…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating the driver and vehicle that struck and killed a 10-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle on Monday night. Deputies responded to the scene on March 22, around 8:30 p.m.  The child was hit from behind while riding his bike in the westbound lane of Ebenezer Road near Cherry Hill Lane. A witness told authorities that the vehicle was a light colored (possibly silver) 2006-2011 Toyota Camry or 2006-2008 Toyota Solara. The driver fled the scene and was last seen headed toward Johnson Road. The child…

Mayor Jason Lary: “This is a power grab from the citizens by four people.”     STONECREST–Around 1 a.m. today as the City Council’s meeting was coming to a close, four Stonecrest City Council members approved a resolution to support a controversial state Senate Bill to make changes to the city’s charter. Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble led the move, requesting to add an item to the agenda. She said the item would likely wake up those who had held on until the end of the marathon virtual meeting, which lasted nearly seven hours. The audience of over 100 people had dwindled…

DECATUR–Due to a staffing shortage, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s Office of Vital Records at the Richardson Health Center in Decatur, and the North DeKalb Health Center in Chamblee, will remain closed to the public through Friday, March 26. A staff member is available for funeral home requests. Birth and death certificates requests can be made and paid for online. In person requests can be processed by visiting a vital records office location in a neighboring county. The Office of Vital Records is now scheduled to reopen to the public on Monday, March 29. For more information regarding the Board of…

STONE MOUNTAIN– With assistance from the DeKalb County Board of Health (DCBOH) and other health partners, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced today that 1,704 school employees have been vaccinated since the state adjusted its rollout plan for (1b) workers. DCSD employees have been able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at DCSD’s Administrative and Instructional Complex, St. Phillips AME Church and Briarcliff Pharmacy. DCSD nurses, who are trained to give vaccine, administered some of the vaccines to employees on March 20 at the Administrative and Instructional Complex. DCSD will continue to partner with DCBOH, Walgreens and Briarcliff Pharmacy to provide vaccines. The…

DECATUR—DeKalb County Government and the Easter Bunny will join forces this weekend to distribute 3,600 COVID-19 Care Baskets during the county’s monthly food distribution to fight COVID-19 food insecurity. In addition to the normal fare of one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound package of chicken hindquarters, residents will receive a dozen Georgia Grown Grade A eggs. On Saturday, March 27, beginning at 10 a.m., the COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, at four drive-through locations: James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College Ave., Clarkston, GA 30021 Former K-Mart…