Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta—AARP Georgia announced legendary songstress, Kathleen Bertrand, as its new spokesperson. In this role, Bertrand will provide pivotal support to the AARP team based in Atlanta that focuses on Caregiving, Fraud Prevention, Advocacy, and Livable Communities. “I’ve had the great pleasure of working with Kathleen over the last several years in many capacities, and she is the embodiment of AARP’s values,” said AARP State Director Debra Tyler-Horton. “I am thrilled that she’ll be collaborating with us. Her reach and influence will be beneficial in supporting our initiatives as we continue to educate and inform people about the great work AARP…

No Gas: This Chevron station on Sigman Road in Conyers was empty Tuesday, May 11. Signs displayed at all of the fuel pumps stated the station was temporarily out of gas. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan ATLANTA—Gov. Brian Kemp today (May 11) declared a   State of Emergency  as a result of the petroleum shortage from the May 7 cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline. The State of Emergency will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on May 15. The Alpharetta-based Colonia Pipeline shut down most of its system after a ransomware attack, saying it plans to “substantially” restore services by the end of the week. The company supplies about 45 percent…

ATLANTA – More than one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at Community Vaccination Centers in Southeastern states since the first site opened March 3, FEMA officials said in a news release today(May 11). The centers, operated by the states and supported by FEMA, were established to provide large-scale vaccination capabilities in areas serving socially vulnerable or underserved populations. Four centers opened March 3 in Florida, capable of providing 3,000 doses per day in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. Subsequently, more centers opened in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, some with 3,000-dose daily capability and…

Qualifying for the Rockdale Special Election to fill the Probate Judge position on June 15 will be held during the following dates and times:     Wednesday, May 12, 2021 – 9am – 4:30pm Thursday, May 13, 2021 – 9am – 4:30pm Friday, May 14, 2021 9am – Noon   The voter registration deadline to participate in the special election is Monday, May 17, 2021. Early voting will be held May 24 through June 11. Election day is June 15.  

In keeping with Georgia’s Open Meetings Act, this notification is to advise that members of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and DeKalb County Board of Education will participate in a Virtual Joint Meeting, 10:00a.m., Thursday, May 13, 2021.  No Board action will be taken. The virtual joint meeting  can be viewed at the following link on DeKalb Schools TV (DSTV) by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org/communications/dstv, or Comcast channel 24 for Comcast subscribers in DeKalb County.

   When Sheldon Fleming was 7 years old, his dad, Samuel Fleming, snapped a picture of him and his 11-year-old brother, Greg, sitting on a sofa at the family’s apartment on 9th Street in Anchorage, Alaska. Sheldon Fleming, who today calls the City of Stonecrest, Georgia home, said the image not only reflects his humble beginnings but is a source of tremendous pride for his family including his brother, Greg, and dad, who also call DeKalb County home. The black and white photo, which was taken in 1965, is part of a new exhibit at Anchorage Museum’s “Black Lives in…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a suspect in a murder that took place on Mill Station Court in Lithonia between Jan. 24 and Feb.14, 2021. Lawrenceville resident Kimmeth Harden, 50, is charged with murdering Claudia Palmer and concealing her death, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on May 10. According to the arrest warrants, Harden slit Palmer’s throat and stabbed her in the chest, causing her death. Palmer’s body was discovered during a police welfare check at her residence, where Harden had been a tenant. Harden was arrested at the DeKalb Police Department Headquarters…

STONECREST–The Stonecrest Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) has agreed to move forward in selling the city-owned Sears buildings to Stonecrest Resorts, LLC, a development affiliate of Urban Retail. The URA received bids from Stonecrest Resorts, LLC and one other unnamed entity, but ultimately selected the $2.4 million bid offered by Stonecrest Resorts, LLC (Urban Retail), which recently acquired The Mall at Stonecrest, where the Sears building is located.  The URA  approved a motion 5-0 at the May 10 special called meeting to issue a letter of intent to sell the Sears property. The motion included a modification that stipulates the Sears…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson is inviting Gwinnett County residents to attend a town hall where she will engage her constituents on her first 100 days in office, highlighting services and programs including a new Pre-Trial Intervention and Diversion program, Conviction Integrity Unit and expanded victim services. The town hall event will take place Friday, May 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with options to join virtually or in-person in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center auditorium in Lawrenceville. “I am excited for the opportunity to serve and be accountable to questions and concerns of every Gwinnettian. I…

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Presiding Officer Steve Bradshaw will resume joint meetings between the Board of Commissioners and DeKalb Board of Education beginning on Thursday, May 13, 10 a.m. via Zoom. “I am pleased that we will resume our joint meetings,” said Bradshaw. “I look forward to working with our Board of Education partners in public service as we collectively address areas of mutual interest and concern.” “To work in concert and collaboration with our DeKalb Board of Commissioners is quite exciting and fulfilling,” said Vickie Turner, chairwoman of the Board of Education. “This cross collaboration between both boards affords…