Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections is holding an event on Monday, Oct. 5, to ensure all voters are ready for the upcoming general election. The “Registered and Ready” annual event offers DeKalb residents with onsite resources to ensure they have information pertaining to voter registration, polling locations and more. “DeKalb County is ready and prepared for what is slated to be one of the most historic elections of our lifetime and we want to make sure that every possible voter is armed with information pertaining to the general election,” said Erica Hamilton, DeKalb County elections director. “We…

The DeKalb County Board of Health reached a milestone yesterday(Oct. 1) for COVID-19 testing. The 100,000th COVID-19 specimen was collected on Thursday morning at the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church testing site in East Atlanta. “We certainly couldn’t have reached this milestone without tireless efforts of the Board of Health’s staff and our DeKalb County business and faith community partners, as well as local government,” said DeKalb County District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford. “The business and faith communities have really stepped up to make their facilities and properties available. The residents of DeKalb County and surrounding communities will…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), in conjunction with the Rockdale County Democratic Party, is hosting a statewide Voter Registration Rally on Sunday, Oct. 4 – a day before the last day for Georgians who are not registered to receive information on how to register to vote for the 2020 election. The virtual Voter Registration Rally will be held via Zoom: https.///bit.ly/36okNat and facebook.com/rockdaledems Rep. Johnson will be joined by U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff, actor Keith Robinson, music producer Colli Park and others.

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary is launching his own talk show, “Mayor Mondays,” on WCRN C-Room Radio Network/C-Room TV on Oct. 5, 6 p.m. The one-hour show will be broadcast live from WCRN C-Room Radio Network/C-Room TV every first and third Monday.  Lary said that he plans to discuss issues not only concerning the City of Stonecrest but dive into national and world issues as well. He said he is operating independently and is not using taxpayer dollars for the show. “I want to completely cover what is happening in the City of Stonecrest,” said Lary. “Folks don’t get a…

ATLANTA—Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that the state has joined a total $39.5 million 43-state settlement with Anthem Medicare Health Insurance plans stemming from the 2014 data breach that involved the personal information of 78.8 million Americans. Through the settlement, Anthem has reached a resolution with the multi-state coalition. Georgia will receive $1,387,257.61 from the settlement. In addition to the payment, Anthem has also agreed to a series of data security and good governance provisions designed to strengthen its practices going forward. “We considered many factors before joining this multistate investigation,” said Carr. “It is important to remember…

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) crews have flushed lines in the Oakhurst area as a part of addressing brown water concerns. On Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 29, DWM began receiving calls from the Oakhurst area concerning brown water. Crews were performing routine maintenance on water main valves, which caused the water discoloration. County officials said the discoloration is a result of iron in the pipes being stirred up when water flow is disrupted.  Iron is not a health hazard, which is why there is no boil water advisory in effect. While crews have completed the flushing of the…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will host virtual open house events during October and November 2020 for the 2021-2022 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are encouraged to attend that program’s Virtual Open House. The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 13 through Dec. 11, 3 p.m. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone.  Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus and Rockdale Virtual…

DeKalb County Government will continue to fight hunger by hosting another food distribution event scheduled for this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 3, the county will host three drive-through food distribution events during which 2,500 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a 3-pound package of beef, including salisbury steak, meatloaf, and country fried steak. The food will be given away for free. Beginning at 10 a.m., COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, at three locations: Buck Godfrey Stadium,2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur James R. Hallford Stadium, 3789 Memorial College…

CONYERS–Excel Church, 1151 Flat Shoals Road, S.E., Conyers, will provide hundreds of families with free groceries on Saturday, Oct. 3, noon to 2 p.m. The church will practice social distancing by allowing those who need food to remain in their vehicles and open their trunks so that a volunteer can load the groceries. For more information, email info@excelchurch.tv.  

Congressman Hank Johnson, U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock, Senate Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff to greet supporters LITHONIA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is celebrating his birthday this year by giving away gifts, not receiving them. Hundreds of presents to be sure. On Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Johnson (a day after his birthday) will be distributing free Biden-Harris yard signs in Lithonia. The Fourth Congressional District Congressman also will have U.S. Senate candidate Raphael Warnock and U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff on hand to greet voters and distribute their signs as well. Determined that it is a…