Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Emory Healthcare and Emory University are partnering with the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI) StartUp Factory to offer a series of virtual panel discussions to the Stonecrest and South DeKalb communities during the month of October. Economic development and public health topics will be discussed by community and health care leaders. The series kicks off today (Oct. 1), 6 to 7:15 p.m. Mental Health Panel Discussion Moderator: DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson Panelists: Nadine Kaslow, PhD, professor and vice chair for Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Emory University in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and…

ATLANTA—Today, Sept. 30, Gov. Brian Kemp signed Executive Order 09.24.30.01, extending current COVID-19 restrictions and the public health state of emergency. The new Executive Order takes effect on Oct. 1 at 12:00 a.m. and runs through Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m., while the public health emergency is extended until Nov. 9, 2020. Under Executive Order 09.30.01, nearly all previous guidelines and restrictions pertaining to the state of Georgia’s COVID-19 pandemic response remain unchanged.  Minimum changes include: ▪ Following CDC guidance, workers at restaurants and bars may return to work once they have been symptom-free for 24 hours following a known…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been contacted this afternoon following the shooting of a murder suspect during an arrest attempt by the sheriff’s office Fugitive Unit, working with the U.S. Marshal’s Office. The officer-involved shooting took place at a Decatur condominium on Kensingwood Trace, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed.  There is a heavy police presence at the scene. Authorities said the suspect’s condition is unknown.  No further details were available.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Scott has denied a group of citizens’ quo warranto petition seeking to remove Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble from the Stonecrest City Council. In the ruling filed on Sept. 28, Judge Scott said Cobble should not forfeit her elected seat due to ambiguity in the city’s charter. “At most, Plaintiffs have shown the Charter is ambiguous as to whether Councilwoman Cobble has met the conditions for ‘forfeiture’ of her office under its provisions. Given the sweeping remedy of removing a sitting elected official, this Court will not remove an elected official based on what is…

The Rockdale County Communications Center is hiring E911 operators. For more information about the job, click this link: https://vimeo.com/380072773 If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please contact Claudette Rancifer in Talent Management at Claudette.Rancifer@RockdaleCountyGA.gov or at 770-278-7582.

The Stone Mountain Action Coalition will host a community prayer on Oct. 6 at the Marriott Evergreen Hotel at Stone Mountain Park. In a news release, the Coalition stated: “The gathering of diverse faith leaders, community activists, citizens and those who are concerned will pray for everybody. This is a humble gathering in which we pray for guidance, healing and softened hearts. We are praying for all people who love this community space. We are praying for our park and peace. We pray for everyone on every side of this issue. We pray for healing, transformation and progress.” The Coalition’s…

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…