Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson supports $4.1 million allocation for construction, repairs for alternate routes  The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved $4.1 million for the Cedar Grove bridge construction and essential improvements needed along alternate routes.   The Cedar Grove Bridge has been closed since March 27, when the structure was deemed in critical condition by the Georgia Department of Transportation(GDOT), requiring it to close immediately.  The closure created a major emergency in South DeKalb, the heart of Atlanta’s major trucking hub, which connects essential goods such as medical supplies needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The emergency…

LITHONIA — Join State Rep. Doreen Carter, House District 92, for Small Business Saturday during a stroll on Main Street in the City of Lithonia from noon to 1 p.m. on Dec. 5. The stroll will convene at Green Love Kitchen, 6986 Main St., Lithonia. Senatorial candidates Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock will stroll Main Street with Rep. Carter to greet Lithonia businesses. “We invite constituents from House District 92, community leaders, and business advocates to join us,” said Carter. “This is a great opportunity to hear from the candidates and their vision to support small business.” All…

While many DeKalb residents are in the middle of checking off items from their holiday to-do list, there’s one item they should add, if they haven’t already checked it off, especially this year – a flu shot. National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), which is observed this year from Dec. 6 – 12, is an annual observance to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get vaccinated against flu. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are most vulnerable to developing serious flu complications, including people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.…

The DeKalb Delegation announced on Thursday (Dec. 3) that 63 applications from residents across DeKalb County were received for consideration for the newly reconstituted Ethics Board. The board will be comprised of seven members and two alternates who will serve in the event that two members are absent. The new board will begin serving on Jan. 1, 2021. “The Appointing Committee is honored and humbled by the incredible response from our fellow DeKalb citizens and thanks each one of them for applying,” the news release stated. The list of 63 will be narrowed down to a list of finalists, which also will…

DECATUR—The Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DAC) is working to get out the vote for the upcoming runoff elections. The sorority has partnered with several organizations including The Peoples’ Agenda, Delta LDC, Black Voters Matter, DeKalb NAACP and R.O.S.E. PAC to energize and engage black voters in DeKalb and across the state, the sorority said in a news release. DAC said citizens should expect to see sorority members and the group’s community partners registering voters, inquiring if they have requested an absentee ballot and waving vote reminder signsover the next few weeks. In addition, the groups…

STONECREST—The City of Stonecrest received more than $6 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Act provided more than $150 billion in federal relief funds to state and local governments to help navigate COVID-19’s impact on citizens, businesses, and public health. This summer, DeKalb County received $125 million in funding, and in July, county leadership decided to share $32.6 million with 12 cities with a stipulation that the funds be dispersed by December 31. City officials formed a Stonecrest COVID CARES Act Relief Fund Committee consisting of council members and city management and subsequently named…

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners’ Chief of Staff Corey Hambrick’ will leave his position with Rockdale County government on Dec. 31. Members of the BOC expressed their appreciation for Cambric’s service. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Corey. He is an innovative task master who always finds a way to perform a task. His commitment to this community is unrivaled. I am sure that he would do well in any future endeavor and any organization will be lucky to have him,” Commissioner Sherri Washington said. “I have appreciated Mr. Hambrick as the Chief of Staff in overseeing…

  Georgia’s motor vehicle system will be updated and unavailable for six-day period LAWRENCEVILLE—Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Richard Steele is advising Gwinnett residents that the state’s motor vehicle system will be unavailable Jan. 13-18 while it is being updated, which means no tag or title work can be processed during that time. “Gwinnett residents with birthdays Jan. 13-18 will want to renew by Jan. 12 to avoid late fees,” Steele said. “I advise anyone with a birthday after Jan. 12 to renew as early as possible to avoid possible problems.” During the update Jan. 13-18, all methods to renew…

ATLANTA – Members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus (GHDC) Subcommittee on COVID-19 are calling on the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) to establish a call center to improve communications regarding  the backlog of Unemployment Insurance (UI) requests. State legislators will hold a virtual press conference to discuss their concerns on Friday, Dec. 4, 11:15 a.m. via Zoom.  The Zoom meeting is reserved for the media.    “The lack of communication from the Georgia Department of Labor is unacceptable, and it must find a way to help people get paid before the Christmas holiday,” said State Rep. Sandra Scott.…