Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB, GA—The opportunity to turn yourself in on a misdemeanor charge in DeKalb County and get an immediate bond is still a reality. The DeKalb County Jail’s “Warrant Relief” program will continue to be held each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through the end of May. “It’s understandable that people are apprehensive about turning themselves in to law enforcement authorities under any circumstances,” says Sheriff Maddox. “Those who did, however, realize the advantage of being able to get on with their lives while they wait for their day in court.” The warrant relief program allows individuals who have outstanding arrest warrants…

The DeKalb County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s  (NAACP) Remembrance Project installed its third lynching marker on Thursday, May 6, at Oak Grove Park located in the Druid Hills community. The Druid Hills marker commemorates Porter Turner, a black taxi driver who was killed on Aug. 21, 1945 by the Ku Klux Klan. “We are planning to host a virtual dedication to allow the community at-large to attend. This project has become a personal project for educating our community on some major historical facts during these troubling times of health, economics and democracy crisis,”…

The Conyers-Rockdale Library and Rockdale County Public School System have partnered with the Georgia Public Library Services (GPLS) to permit all Rockdale County School District students access to the Public Information Network for Electronic Services (GA PINES) network. The partnership is called Rockdale County Student PLAY Card. The PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) program gives students access to library resources using their student number just like a library card. The official launch date is Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Students will have access to books, magazines, online resources, and other library materials from their local library, including additional materials from…

winnett County will soon begin using speed cameras in school zones to improve safety around schools. The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution on May 4 to allow recording devices and associated fines as provided under state law in school zones that are in unincorporated Gwinnett.     The board used  research conducted by Gwinnett Police on measures to improve safety around schools. Warnings will be issued initially until drivers get accustomed to the new procedures, officials said.   With the board’s approval, Gwinnett Police will now recommend specific areas where camera enforcement is most needed. Notices will be…

WASHINGTON — FEMA announced Thursday (May 6) that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Georgia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes from March 25-26, 2021. Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and tornadoes in Coweta, Fannin, Gilmer, Heard, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun and White counties. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation…

ATLANTA—Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr joined Gov. Brian P. Kemp as he signed House Bill 509. on May 6 to preserve protections of preexisting medical conditions for Georgians and ensure they are provided health care opportunities without limitation or exclusion. State Rep. Houston Gaines, who sponsored the bill in the Georgia House, and representatives from the Department of Insurance also joined Carr and Kemp. “Georgians with preexisting medical conditions must have quality health care opportunities without limitation or exclusion,” said  Carr. “House Bill 509 creates a state-based solution instead of relying on the terribly-flawed Affordable Care Act that has twice been deemed…