Author: On Common Ground News

Due to forecasted morning low temperatures and wind chill, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s testing sites in Doraville, East Atlanta and Stonecrest will operate on a delayed schedule. Hours of operation for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Appointment scheduling and registration for COVID-19 testing can be done online. COVID-19 testing is free and open to all individuals who wish to be tested. A driver’s license or identification card is not required, however registration in advance is strongly encouraged. For current testing site hours of operation and online appointment scheduling for all DeKalb County…

Today, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie rescheduled the hearing in the City of Stonecrest vs. Metro Green Recycling Three, LLC lawsuit to allow all parties the opportunity to review new motions that have been filed. The judge did not hear any arguments in today’s proceeding, which was held via ZOOM and livestreamed via Facebook. Judge Barrie rescheduled Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment’s(CHASE) motion to intervene for Dec. 11, at 1 p.m. CHASE filed its motion on Nov. 18. Judge Barrie also rescheduled the City of Stonecrest’s motion to add Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division(EPD) Director Richard…

CONYERS—Some departments within the City of Conyers will be closed to the public on Friday, Dec. 4, in order for staff to relocate to the new Conyers City Hall located at 901 O’Kelly Street. The following departments currently housed at 1184 Scott Street will be closed on Dec. 4 for in-person transactions and service: Planning and Inspections, Technology, Administration, Finance, Conyers Security Alert, Public Relations and Tourism, City Clerk’s Office and City Manager’s Office. Customers will be able to conduct business by phone at 770-483-4411 or online via the city’s online services at conyersga.com. The Conyers Police Department and Department…

ATLANTA—In anticipation of frigid temperatures, the City of Atlanta announced the opening of an emergency warming center at the former Ramada Hotel, 450 Capitol Avenue S.E., Atlanta, 30312. The center will open today, Monday, Nov. 30, 5 p.m. and will remain open through Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.  Those in need of additional assistance can contact the City by dialing 311 (inside Atlanta City limits) or 404-546-0311.  

The Donald J. Trump Campaign released the following release today, Nov. 30: For the fifth time, the Trump Campaign has requested that the Georgia Secretary of State perform an immediate audit of the signatures on all absentee ballot applications and absentee ballot envelopes received for the November 3rd General Election. The Trump Campaign estimates that between 38,250 and 45,626 illegal votes from the absentee ballots alone were cast in the state of Georgia – far beyond the Biden-Harris ticket’s current margin of 12,670 votes. The Trump Campaign has substantial evidence of other violations of Georgia’s Election Code and numerous other serious discrepancies in voting across…

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) again has been awarded DeKalb County Fire Rescue (DCFR) the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. Over the next three years, DCFR will use the $5,839,110 grant to provide funding for 100 percent of the salary and benefits costs for 30 new firefighters to serve the citizens and stakeholders of DeKalb County. “We are excited about the opportunity to enhance our capability to provide a quicker and more effective service to the citizens of DeKalb County,” DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum said. The goal of SAFER is to enhance…

Conyers Rockdale Council for the Arts(CRCA) is launching its very first Virtual Artist Market at https://conyersarts.org/shop/.  CRCA has partnered with local artists to bring their artwork to the community for safe home shopping this holiday season. Items include jewelry, wood carvings, paintings, ornaments, holiday décor, fused glass, vintage jewelry framed art and more.  The market will be open until Dec. 11.   Items can be added until Dec. 3, so shoppers are encouraged to check back often to see what’s new. Artists include:  B.J. Crawford, Christopher Saunders, Greta Beech, Jackie Newman, Jessica Gugliotta (The Hoof ‘N Home), Lorraine Harrison (Harrison…

CLARKSTON—The swearing-in ceremony for Clarkston’s Mayor-Elect Beverly Burks will take place on Monday, Nov. 30, 1:30 p.m., Clarkston First Baptist Church, 3999 Church St., Clarkston (lower parking lot, Norman Road and Rowland Street. In taking the oath of office, Burks will become the first African-American female to be elected mayor of Clarkston in the city’s 138-year history. As a cause for a double celebration, Burks’ birthday is also on Nov. 30. With limited seating at this event and as a COVID-19 precaution, the public is encouraged to view the ceremony as a Facebook Live Stream at: facebook.com/CityofClarkstonGaand at: facebook.com/BeverlyHBurks/

STONECREST–DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) shifted from a planned Sunday recount to an updated Monday(Nov. 30) schedule as officials look toward the early completion of the statewide recount.  DeKalb’s recount is under way at the City of Stonecrest’s Early Voting Precinct at the former Sam’s Club(at the future home of Stoncrest City Hall at 2929 Turner Hill Road. The state’s mandated deadline is Dec. 2. “We believe we are in a great place and this change in the schedule will allow our team to rest and come in ready to complete this recount ahead of the deadline,”…