Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office released a statement today(Dec. 11) stating that DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox has tested positive for COVID-19.  Maddox received test results today after having revealed earlier this week that she and other newly- elected Georgia sheriffs had likely been exposed to the virus while attending a training session by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association in Pine Mountain, Georgia for the past several weeks. Other metro area sheriffs also tested positive. “Although the test results are positive, I am not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19,” said  Maddox. “I am, in fact, feeling well and hope to continue…

CLARKSTON–Clarkston’s former Mayor Lee Swaney, who served two terms from 2002 to 2009, passed awayON DEC. 10. In his 2001 first run for the mayoral seat on Clarkston’s City Council, Swaney touted himself as “a champion for Old Clarkston.”  During his tenure as Mayor, the City continued to welcome an increasing number of refugees—making Clarkston to become known as the “Ellis Island of the South.” “Former Mayor Swaney was truly dedicated to Clarkston. He took his civic responsibility to heart,” said current Clarkston Mayor, Beverly Burks. Swaney lived in and was in service to Clarkston for nearly 30 years. Fondly…

Join Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and his wife, Debbie, for the city’s official Christmas Tree Lighting at the future Stonecrest City Centre on Friday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Santa will visit and there will be music, hot chocolate and apple cider. Be sure and for the free event.

Save the date! The John Lewis “Good Trouble” March and Votercade to the Ballot Box will be held on Dec. 14.

CONYERS–Christmas came early for more than 150 children who recently attended the “Masked Toy Giveaway,” which was hosted by Visions of the Minds and The Rockdale County Think Tank. The two-day community event, which was held Dec. 5-6, featured a bike and toy giveaway for families who registered for the event. Children enjoyed bounce houses, inflatables, trampolines, strolling costumed holiday characters, music, arts and crafts stations, and pizza and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The free, outdoor event was held at 1465 Johnson Road, Conyers. Families had to register online to attend and were required to wear masks in accordance…

DeKalb launches dislocated workers’ Career Pathway Initiative DECATUR—Today, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the allocation of $1 million for the Dislocated Workers’ Career Pathway Initiative for approximately 650 DeKalb residents who are participants in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program. These individuals became unemployed due to the pandemic and are preparing for future job opportunities. The Pathway Initiative will provide a one-time grant of $1,500 for eligible students to cover living expenses including mortgage assistance, food, transportation, utilities and other living expenses. The funding is coming from the county’s portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief,…

Construction to rehabilitate aging sewer pipe   DECATUR– Beginning Dec. 14, portions of the northbound and southbound lanes along South Candler Street, between Midway Road and Buchanan Terrace, will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., while crews work to rehabilitate 299 linear feet of ductile-iron sewer pipe. This section of South Candler Street will reopen on Saturday, Dec. 19. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated this construction project to address the repair needs of approximately 100,000 linear feet of sewer pipe as a part of ongoing maintenance to improve sewer service county-wide. Motorists…

CONYERS—Mayor Vince Evans has appointed local citizens to a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board to ensure that the city is prioritizing diversity and inclusion among its employees and hiring practices, as well as throughout various neighborhoods and hard-to-reach populations within the city limits. The Mayor’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board focuses on three tenets: communication, serving as unity champions, and soliciting and providing feedback. The board will serve as a resource for city government and the community by providing information and communication to facilitate better understanding while celebrating the differences of constituents. The board will serve as unity champions…

Erica Hamilton, director of DeKalb County Voter Registration DECATUR– Registered voters in DeKalb County will be able to cast their absentee ballots in the Jan 5. runoff at more than 30 drop box locations throughout the county. A complete list of drop boxes can be viewed at www.dekalbvotes.com. “Similar to the general election, we’re anticipating a record number of voters will again use absentee ballots in the upcoming runoff, and our drop boxes, located across the county, offer a safe and secure way to cast a ballot,” said Erica Hamilton, director of DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections…

ATLANTA – Members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus (GHDC) Subcommittee on COVID-19 today issued the following statement regarding the potential risk of spreading COVID-19 at in-person legislative events: “The GHDC Subcommittee on COVID-19 is deeply concerned that members of the Georgia General Assembly recently gathered for the 32nd Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators in Athens after Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, possibly exposed Senate lawmakers to COVID-19. “On Thursday, December 3, Giuliani visited the Georgia Senate to testify at an elections hearing, possibly exposing a bi-partisan group of state senators to COVID-19. He attended the meeting with…