Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR.—DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is ready for what is slated to be a historic runoff on Jan. 5, when voters will decide two U.S. Senate seats from Georgia and the Georgia Public Service commissioner. “It’s been a successful few months of elections for DeKalb County and we are prepared for the Jan. 5 runoff,” said DeKalb VRE Director Erica Hamilton. “Our team continues to work tirelessly to ensure every voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot and we will apply that same dedication as we safely and accurately count each and every vote.” The…

DECATUR—The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports that today (Jan. 4) it  terminated an employee who violated the agency’s Use of Force policy. Sheriff Melody Maddox said the detention officer was placed on immediate administrative leave on Dec. 30, 2020, following an incident on Dec. 28, 2020 involving excessive uses of force with an inmate. An investigation by the agency’s Office of Professional Standards (OPS) upheld charges that the officer’s actions were “unjustified, inappropriate and not consistent with the agency’s training to achieve the objectives of compliance and restraint.” “We will not tolerate any violation of policy regarding the use of excessive force with…

Everyone invited to show community spirit ahead of historic Election Day LITHONIA– Kazemde Ajamu, owner of The Black Dot Cultural Center, is welcoming the Get Out the Vote Float today, Jan. 2, noon to 2 p.m., 6984 Main Street, Lithonia. Music and festivities are planned as community partners make a final push to get voters to the polls on Election Day, Jan. 5. “We need to not only vote, but to advocate so we can have actual change. We want to invite everyone to stop through and show their support,” said Ajamu. Community partners along with elected officials including…

The Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and several community organizations are partnering to make Jan. 5, Election Day, a celebration at three locations in DeKalb County. The outdoor Get Out the Vote events will include food trucks, music and caravanning and will be hosted by the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, DeKalb County School District, When We All Vote, R.O.S.E. PAC, Black Voters Matter, Delta Life Development Center, Inc., Workforce Strong Inc., Transformative Justice Coalition, and DeKalb NAACP. “The purpose of these events are to provide support for people who may…

CONYERS–Voices of Faith Ministries has opened a food pantry to assist  families. The food pantry will open on Saturdays to serve those who contact the church ahead of their visit. Those who need assistance must provide their name, family size and a contact number. Please call the church and leave a message with the pertinent information for the food pantry at 770-498-5850.

DECATUR—Due to the New Year’s holiday, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s COVID-19 testing sites will operate on a modified scheduled beginning Thursday. Thursday, Dec, 31: All sites will close at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1 and Saturday, Jan. 2: All sites will be closed. The COVID-19 Call Center will also close at 2 p.m. on Thursday and will be closed Friday, through the weekend. Individuals will receive their results to the email they provide during registration. Appointments and registration for COVID-19 testing is required and available online. To ensure testing resources are available for individuals who have pre-registered…

Seven Rockdale County poll workers have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing elections officials to seek a court order consolidating the number of precincts from 16 to 4 to ensure that enough workers are available for the Jan. 5 runoffs. During an emergency virtual meeting today (Dec. 29), Rockdale Elections Director Cynthia Willingham reported the grim news that seven of the 30 poll workers overseeing advance voting at the 1400 Parker Road precinct have contracted the virus. She said one of the workers is asymptomatic, presenting no symptoms of the virus. The positive test results were reported on Monday, Willingham…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) returned to Washington this week to vote on a stand-alone bill to increase economic impact payments to $2,000 for Americans struggling during the pandemic. The bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate. “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there, Americans struggling to pay rent, put food on the table and stay healthy need our help,” said Rep. Johnson. “This money will go a long way in helping make people whole during this difficult time.” House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly called for…

DECATUR—The DeKalb County Sanitation Division announces free Christmas tree curbside collection service for county residents until Jan. 14, 2021.  Trees will be collected during residents’ regularly scheduled sanitation collection service days. To participate, residents must remove all decorations from trees and place them curbside. Tree length must be 7 feet or less. Trees that cannot be trimmed to the required size may be taken to the county-owned Seminole Road Landfill or collected by the Sanitation Division’s Special Collection unit (fees may apply). This service provides an opportunity for residents to dispose of Christmas trees sustainably and free-of-charge. All trees will…

State Rep. Karla Drenner, chair of the DeKalb County House Delegation, invites the public to join members of the Georgia House of Representatives who represent DeKalb County for two virtual town halls prior to the start of the 2021 General Assembly. Virtual Legislative Town Halls will be offered on two dates: Saturday, Jan. 9, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Register: bit.ly/DekalbJan9 Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Register: bit.ly/DekalbJan12 At both town halls, DeKalb House Delegation members will take questions and comments from the public, limited to two minutes to allow as much participation as possible. To submit questions and participate…