Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the expansion of City of Atlanta COVID-19 Housing Emergency Assistance Program housing assistance available to Atlanta residents who have been impacted by COVID-19. In addition to rent, utility and security deposit assistance, the City will now offer mortgage relief.  Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is approved by the federally mandated deadline of Dec. 30, 2020. Eligibility requirements have been amended and eligible households may now receive up to $5,000 of assistance. Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify: provide proof of COVID-19 impact on finances…

Atlanta is currently in the bidding process to have the honor of serving as an Official Host City of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.™ The world’s largest and most prestigious sporting event is coming to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Twenty-three cities across North America were submitted as a part of the successful 2026 United Bid, but likely only 16 cities – 10 in the United States, three in Canada, and three in Mexico – will be selected by FIFA as Official Host Cities. “Atlanta offers the best that any city can offer—rich culture and diversity, support of human rights…

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) held a dedication ceremony for the new Probate and Magistrate Court Building on Dec. 1 at its location, 874 North Main Street N.W., Conyers. The program began with remarks from Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. and Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten, followed by comments from Commissioners Sherri Washington and Doreen Williams. The dedication ended with BOC Oz Chairman Nesbitt delivering closing remarks before the Public Relations Department presented a video showcasing the needs of the Probate and Magistrate Court locations before they were moved to the current building. The Rockdale County Probate Court was originally…

The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business will be held on Friday, Dec. 11, at noon. This meeting will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). Simultaneous public access to the meeting will be available via livestream on DCTV’s UStream channel https://video.ibm.com/channel/dctv-channel-23. Public comment may be submitted by sending an email of one page or less to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov which must be received between noon and 12:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The body of the email must include the commenter’s first and last name, followed by the commenter’s address. Abusive,…

ATLANTA—Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has joined a coalition of attorneys general representing 43 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories, urging Congress to extend the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy (CARES) Act funding until the end of 2021. “The CARES Act is delivering critical resources to local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and families,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We believe this is a sensible solution to continue this much needed relief for our communities.” The attorneys general urge Congress to pass one of the several pending measures to give states and local communities additional time to utilize the precious…

The Board of Elections will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 at 10 a.m. for the purpose of re-certifying the results of the Recount of the Presidential Race. meeting will be held at the Rockdale Board of Elections Office, 1261 Commercial Drive, SW, Suite B, Conyers. The public may also attend the meeting Online Via Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7049887949 Meeting ID: 704 988 7949  One tap mobile: +13126266799,,7049887949# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,7049887949# US (New York)  For more information, contact the Board of Elections Office: 770-278-7333 The tentative meeting agenda is as follows:  

DeKalb County Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 7, at 4:30 p.m. A Personnel Committee meeting will be held at 4 p.m. These meetings will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). To listen in on the meeting, please request the call-in number and PIN from weissingera@dekalblibrary.org no later than noon on the date of the meeting. For more details on the agenda and about listening in, click here.

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…