Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST–As families across the country reimagine celebrating Thanksgiving amidst COVID-19, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is providing thousands of families with holiday food boxes. On Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m., New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond are partnering to give away turkeys,  20-pound boxes filled with fresh fruits and vegetables and other essential items for families financially impacted by COVID-19. No registration is needed, and all items will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis on the New Birth campus located at 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest. Throughout the pandemic, New Birth has provided nearly…

DeKalb County District Five Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson invites residents of District 5 to join her for a Thanksgiving Turkey & Fixins Giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Decatur. The event is supported by the DeKalb County Board of Health; DeKalb NACCP; First African Community Development; Johnson, Hopewell, Coleman Law Office; Word of Life Christian Church; and The People’s Agenda. “This year, COVID-19 has shifted resources that many people would normally have for Thanksgiving,” Commissioner Davis Johnson said. “We are blessed to be a blessing and that’s what we…

The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will hold a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2:30 p.m. for the purpose of considering re-certification of the results of the election held on Nov. 3, 2020. 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 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The body of the email must include the…

This morning (Nov. 18),  a serious allegation about a “9,626 vote error in the DeKalb County hand count” was made on social media by David Shafer, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. I immediately conducted a preliminary inquiry into the accuracy of his unsubstantiated tweet. Below, I share the results of my inquiry: DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections officials have not verified the allegation in the tweet by Chairman Shafer, that a “vote error” occurred during the state-mandated risk-limiting audit in DeKalb. Based on Chairman Shafer’s Twitter storm, the alleged “vote error” was discovered, reported to DeKalb elections…

New telemedicine equipment, portable X-ray machines, PPEs and COVID-19 testing kits purchased   DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has allocated $250,000 in District 7 Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the Clarkston Community Health Center (CCHC). The center will use the funding to provide healthcare to individuals and families in DeKalb County who have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The appropriation will be used to assist CCHC in the purchase of new telemedicine equipment, portable X-ray machines, personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing kits. The funds will also be used to provide in-person screenings…

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson has added a new effort designed to save customers time. This process is designed to enhance the customer experience by allowing them to select a designated appointment time and avoid waiting in line. The “Click2Skip” process allows motor vehicle customers to use their phone or computer to schedule an appointment online and save time. “Providing a better customer service experience remains a top priority as we leverage technology to enhance our business model,” Johnson said. The pilot program, launched at the Memorial Drive location in Decatur, has since expanded to the office’s two…

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt will host a conference call to urge clergy to help spread the message of safety during the holidays. A massive campaign is under way throughout Georgia to practice safety measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The conference call will be held on Friday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. Participants should call (605) 472-5416. Once dialed in, participants should enter in the Access Code: 616392. After announcing their first and last name, participants should mute their phone to prevent feedback and background noise. For more information, contact Jeannettia Owens at jeannettia.owens@rockdalecountyga.gov.…

CONYERS—Excel Church will provide free groceries-to-go to those in need on Saturday, Nov. 21, noon to 2 p.m., 1151 Flat Shoals Road SE, Conyers, GA 30013.  Those who would like to receive food should pull up and remain in their vehicles in front of the church in the parking lot.. Volunteers will bring the box of food to place in the trunk of your vehicle. The event is set up to adhere to social distancing protocols. If you have any questions or need further information, please email info@excelchurch.tv.

“Takeout Tech” services expected to expand to more library branches DeKalb County Public Library has launched a new service for patrons in which select branches now have Google Chromebooks to check out for up to six hours at a time. Clarkston, Salem-Panola, Scott Candler, Stonecrest and Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown branches have Chromebooks available on a first-come first-served basis. Patrons can call one of the select branches to schedule pickup at the contact-free table, then connect to the library’s WiFi in the library parking lot or anywhere else with WiFi access. The Chromebook should be turned in later…

DECATUR–Winnona Drive, between Avery Street and Hilldale Drive, will be closed to through-traffic Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6 a.m. through Tuesday, Nov. 24, 9 p.m., to facilitate the installation of 100 linear feet of sewer line at 356 Winnina Drive, Decatur. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Dennis Heriford Jr., project manager at Inland Pipe Rehabilitation Southeast at 832-791-6123.