Author: On Common Ground News

Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is holding the first of two electronics eecycling and paper shredding events in 2021 for Rockdale residents and business owners. The E-Recycling and Paper Shredding Event will be held Saturday,May 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot of 1400 Parker Road, Conyers.  The free, half-day event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents and electronics, regardless of working condition. There is a maximum of 4 banker boxes per vehicle allowedfor paper shredding, and participants must provide photo ID as proof of residency in Rockdale  to participate. Professional electronics recycling and paper shredding…

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners(BOC) announced Tuesday(April 27) that the county is now accepting applications for Project RESET 2.0, an expansion of its emergency rental assistance program. The county will use more than $28.1 million in stimulus funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to make payments directly to landlords and utility providers for renters’ past-due balances. Gwinnett County BOC Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said she wants residents to know that the county is here to help. “The past year has been a difficult one for everyone, but especially for those with the added stress of wondering whether they’ll be…

ATLANTA—State officials have announced that Georgia’s eight state-operated mass vaccination sites will shift to providing the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine and Pfizer second doses through May 21. First doses of the Pfizer vaccine will not be administered at these sites after April 30. “As supply and availability of the COVID-19 vaccines has dramatically increased across the state, far more Georgians are now able to easily access the vaccine at their local pharmacy, grocery store, or doctor’s office,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings, director of Georgia Emergency Management/Homeland Security. “With over 300,000 doses administered at the state sites over the…

DeKalb County officials said late Tuesday (April 27) that crews were working to assess repairs needed for a leak in a section of water pipe near the intersection of Kilgore Lane and Kilgore Road in Lithonia. Approximately 200 homes were without water service. Water has been dispatched to the affected customers, the county said in a news release distributed at 9:40 p.m. The county will provide an estimate of work completion when it becomes available. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department at 770-270-6243.

By Terri Denison SBA Georgia District Office Director  The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Georgia Restaurant Association, the industry has suffered more than $250 billion in losses and the closing of more than 110,000 restaurants – 4,000 of which are in Georgia. To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant program at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The RRF will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business…

The DeKalb County Board of Health recently expanded its partnership with CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) to provide the COVID-19 vaccine in vulnerable communities in DeKalb County. The expanded vaccination partnership with CORE focuses on working with smaller faith-based communities and community partners in DeKalb County. The scope of the Board of Health’s original CORE focused on reaching immigrants and refugees with COVID-19 testing in the City of Clarkston and surrounding neighborhoods. “We welcome CORE’s assistance with our COVID-19 vaccination efforts here in DeKalb County,” said Interim District Health Director Sandra J. Valenciano, M.D., M.P.H. “To bring COVID-19 under…

On Saturday, May 1, DeKalb County will celebrate Mother’s Day 2021 with its monthly food distribution to fight COVID-19 food insecurity. Residents will receive one, 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound package of chicken hindquarters. “We recognize that many families are struggling to keep food on their tables as food insecurity continues in DeKalb County,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “We know that our monthly distributions are helping families to weather this crisis.” Beginning at 10 a.m., rain or shine, 3,600 COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, at four drive-through locations:…

Twenty-four artists from around the world want to create an artistic piece to honor the life and legacy of the late Congressman John Robert Lewis. Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson provided updates on the John Lewis Commemorative Tribute Project last week. In December 2020, DeKalb County’s Purchasing Department issued a request for vendor qualifications for artists interested participating in the Lewis Commemorative Project. The task force selection committee will review the 24 submissions and announce its selection. “The task force has launched its website and is now accepting donations for this monumental project honoring Congressman Lewis,” Commissioner Davis Johnson said. Members…

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a special called meeting on Monday, May 3, 6 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677 Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda Adoption of Agenda Interviews of Ethics Administrator Finalists III.         Executive Session to Discuss Pending Litigation and Employment Matters Vote on Final Candidate Adjournment

ATLANTA – State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), chairman of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, commends the recent appointments of the Rev. Abraham Mosley and Christopher Sanders to serve on the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA). Rev. Mosley is the first Black Georgian to serve as the chair of the SMMA Board of Directors. “The governor has made some great appointments to the Stone Mountain Memorial Association in Abraham Mosely and Christopher Sanders,” said Mitchell. “I look forward to working with them on reimagining Stone Mountain Park into a more family-friendly and welcoming place for all, as is called for…