Author: On Common Ground News

Pictured L-R: State Rep. Karen Bennett, Breonna Taylor  ATLANTA – State Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), today (Sept. 28) issued the following statement regarding the Jefferson County, Kentucky grand jury Sept. 23 charges stemming from the death of Breonna Taylor by Louisville law enforcement officers: “As a Black woman, mother and legislator, I am appalled that Ms. Breonna Taylor is still being denied the justice she deserves. This essential health worker was killed in the middle of the night inside her home. Today, her family continues to suffer from the…

Amazon is hiring 1,000 employees for its new 700,000-square-foot warehouse facility located on East Park Place in Stone Mountain. The company’s virtual job fair went live today (Sept. 28). The e-commerce giant will use state-of-the-art robotics technology to fulfill orders and move packages through the new facility. Most of the new positions will be for warehouse workers who will earn at least $15 an hour plus health benefits and a 401 retirement plan for full-time employees, according to Amazon spokeswoman Rachel Lighty. Amazon’s web site states that employees in Georgia can earn up to $18.50 an hour, depending on the…

The City of Stonecrest has filed a second motion in its petition for a Temporary Restraining Order against Metro Green Recycling Three, LLC, as residents launch campaign to defend themselves. The city is seeking to temporarily halt construction of the plant at 2544 Miller Road until a judge decides if Metro Green legally obtained a permit for the project. The city’s amended complaint, filed on Sept. 21 in DeKalb County Superior Court, adds Richard E. Dunn, director of the state of Georgia’s Department of Environmental Protection Division(EPD), as a defendant. Judge Tangela Barrie, who is overseeing the case, issued a…

 Councilwoman Madeleine Simmons and John J. Funny  The City of Brookhaven has approved a resolution to establish a Social Justice, Race and Equity Commission. “In light of recent unrest and demonstrations, we felt it necessary to not only start a conversation, but also enact a framework that will result in real action,” said District 3 Councilwoman Madeleine Simmons, who is spearheading the effort on behalf of the Council. “We need a forum to have open conversations on race, diversity, social justice and equity.  I look forward to the Commission’s discussions, proposed initiatives and recommendations.” The Council also appointed John…

The DeKalb County Board of Health will adjust hours of operation for the Stonecrest COVID-19 testing site beginning Sept. 28. The site, located in the parking lot of the former Sam’s Club at 2994 Turner Hill Road in Stonecrest, will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday. 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…

DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host a “Landscaping & Gardening on a Budget” zoom class on Sept. 30, at 5:30 p.m. The free class will be hosted by UGA Dekalb County Extension Services.  Attendees will learn ways to get the best bang for their buck and to save money in their landscape. The speaker will be Sarah Brodd, a DeKalb Extension agent.  Register for the class at https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5dndrs9upaks6mF

The DeKalb County Human Services Department’s Office of Youth Services, in partnership with College AIM, will cohost the Metro-Atlanta College Access Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m. The conference will be hosted virtually. This event is designed to connect high school students and their families with resources to aid in their college research process. Participants will gain information on factors to consider when selecting a college or university, college application requirements, and the financial aid process. The conference will also include mini workshops led by college representatives from across the city, state and country. Founded in 2015, the…

Registered voters in DeKalb County looking to cast an absentee ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election are encouraged to begin the process now by visiting www.dekalbvotes.com. The application is the first step in obtaining an absentee ballot and voters who plan to vote absentee are highly encouraged to apply right away. An application for an absentee ballot can be submitted in several ways: Print and fill out the application online at www.dekalbvotes.com, sign the application, take a photo or scan and email to voterreg@dekalbcountyga.gov. Print out the application from www.dekalbvotes.com, fill it out, and hand deliver or…

DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson participated in the first of a series of groundbreaking, nationwide community conversations hosted by Nextdoor. This first “Together for Better Neighborhoods” conversation, produced in conjunction with 11Alive (WXIA-TV), was released on Sept, 23 on 11Alive.com. As communities across the globe explore new ways to connect amidst a global pandemic, Nextdoor is convening thought-provoking, live community conversations across the United States. “I am proud to be a part of this important conversation,” said Cochran-Johnson. “Through Nextdoor, CEO Sarah Friar and her team have constructed a vehicle that provides unprecedented reach and connectivity to the community.…

STONECREST–New Birth Missionary Baptist Church continues to support families in need during its weekly food pantry that feeds 8,000 individuals each week. During the Sept. 26 food distribution, the King’s Table food pantry will receive supplementary food packages from the Diabetes Association of Atlanta(DAA) for 1,000 DeKalb County residents. The free food distribution begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon. No event registration is necessary. “This pandemic has created astronomical hardship for people of all walks of life, making it difficult for people who have experienced a loss in income to obtain fresh produce and healthy food options,” said…