Author: On Common Ground News

Congressman Hank Johnson is urging the public to speak out on proposed cutbacks and operational changes for the U.S. Postal Service. Johnson issued a call to action at a press conference today (Aug. 19) outside the post office at Wesley Chapel Road in South DeKalb. The press conference was held ahead of a vote expected this Saturday (Aug. 22) on legislation to add $25 billion to help the USPS. The House will be ending its summer recess early to return for a vote. Johnson is asking the public to contact their Senators and the White House to voice their support…

DAV & RecruitMilitary will host the Eastern Region Virtual Career Fair for Veterans on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST online. The free virtual event is open to all members of the military community, past and present, as well as military spouses and dependents. RecruitMilitary’s virtual events are technologically enhanced to provide personal interaction among job candidates and employers in large group, small group and one-one-one formats. To view a tour of the virtual event format, visit here.

DeKalb County property owners will soon receive their 2020 tax bills in the mail. Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson is reminding residents that those bills can be paid in two installments online or in person at one of three tax offices in the county. Individuals can also use the convenient drive-up drop box to submit payments. Each year, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office collaborates with the tax levying authorities (DeKalb County Government, DeKalb County School District and local municipalities) in a joint effort to create and generate the annual tax bill. DeKalb’s tax digest was approved by the Department of…

STONECREST—Arizona’s restaurant has re-opened after a nearly five-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant closed in March after Gov. Brian Kemp announced sheltering-in-place and other mandates due to the pandemic. Roberto Woods, Arizona’s marketing/operations manager, said the restaurant had a “soft” re-opening on Tuesday, Aug. 11 after announcing its comeback on the restaurant’s FB page. Woods said patrons are excited about the re-opening. “We opened on Tuesday for dinner. We wanted to do a test run to make sure that everything was in place. We’re following all of the COVID-19 protocols with requiring employees to wear masks and…

The Rockdale County Board of Elections will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 9:30 a.m., for the purpose of certifying the results of the Democratic Primary and Nonpartisan Runoff Election held on Aug. 11. Rockdale County voters elected Janice Morris as its new Clerk of Courts and Akita Parmer as the new Post 5 Rockdale County School Board member, according to unofficial early results. The special meeting to certify the votes, which is open to the public, will be held at the Board of Elections Office, 1261 Commercial Drive, S.W., Suite B, Conyers. The meeting also will be…

“The color of one’s skin or ZIP code should not determine the state of your health or the length of your life.” –Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms  ATLANTA—Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has issued an Administrative Order to address the racial and ethnic disparities underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bottoms’ order includes the development of a detailed report examining racial and ethnic disparities in the City of Atlanta and a series of virtual town halls. The first town hall is set for Saturday, Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day. The discussion will center around COVID-19 and emotional wellness among women. Based…

Photos by Kelly Jordan STONE MOUNTAIN—Hundreds of white supremacists, heavily armed militia, the NAACP and Black Lives Matter operatives clashed on Aug. 15 as arguments over the removal of Confederate monuments and politics became tense. Some small fights broke out as groups shouted at one another, spraying insect repellant or pepper gas, but a heavy police presence in the city’s downtown curtailed serious violence. Law enforcement officials reported no arrests. DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos issued the following statement: “Thanks to a coordinated effort led by the DeKalb County Police Department in close collaboration with the City…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host a virtual Homeowner Association (HOA) Boot camp on Aug. 29, 10 a.m. The Virtual Homeowner Association (HOA) Boot Camp will be presented by the DeKalb County HOA Alliance via Zoom. Johnson said that constituents, local HOAs and organizations will have a chance to ask questions and gain the knowledge needed to be successful. The topics range from understanding county policies and procedures to homeowner’s rights and board management. Presentations will be made by code enforcement, public safety, DeKalb County HOA Alliance and 2020 Census representatives. “We have hosted this event for the past…

The Conyers City Council will have a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., for a special use permit to allow a liquor store at the site of the former Po Folks restaurant, 1081 Iris Drive, Conyers. The council also will have a public hearing on the same night for a special use permit to establish a transitional housing facility at 1555 Milstead Road, Conyers. According to the meeting agenda, the council plans to waive second readings on both, the liquor store request and transitional housing facility. City officials also are expected to discuss the coronavirus grant relief funding…

Photo cutline: Deputy K-9 Officer Bloo with Deputy M. McRae    The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office will host a memorial service for K9 Officer Bloo, who died while in the line of duty on Tuesday, Aug. 4.  The memorial service will be held on Monday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m., Caldwell Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, Covington, GA.