Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA—Conyers Police Department’s K9 Wick, handled by Officer Brandon DeCosse, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  K9 Wick’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always.”  Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9…

ATLANTA—Over 3 million vaccines have been administered in Georgia, about 82 % of the doses allocated to the state, according to the state’s  Department of Public Health vaccine dashboard.  The 3 million vaccines include 1 million Georgians over the age of 65, about 72% of Georgia’s senior population. As of today, Georgia administered 1 million doses in 19 days. “Georgia continues to make significant strides in protecting our most vulnerable citizens in the fight against COVID-19, with 72% of our seniors receiving at least one dose,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “This targeted, data-driven approach to prevent hospitalization and death at the hands of the…

ATLANTA, GA— Georgia U.S. Senators Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff announced their joint 2021 Federal Nominations Advisory Commission, which will review candidates on an ongoing basis for the positions of U.S. District Court Judge, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal positions in all three of Georgia’s federal districts. The Commission will advise the Senators on their findings before the Senators make their final recommendations to President Biden. The Constitution gives United States Senators the responsibility of providing advice and consent to the President on federal judicial nominations, and one important part of this role is recommending individuals to the…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted on March 17 to pass H.R. 1620, a bipartisan, long-term Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. The landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994 ushered in transformative progress by calling for the protection of all Americans from violence and abuse and working to ensure all victims and survivors have the support they need. Johnson said the critical reauthorization will safeguard and further strengthen  life-saving protections for women throughout Georgia and across the country. The reauthorization follows a deadly shooting spree in metro-Atlanta area in which a 21-year-old gunman killed 8 people, which included six Asian women and…

DECATUR, GA– Due to forecasted inclement weather conditions on Thursday morning, the Board of Health’s centers, COVID-19 testing site in East Atlanta at Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church and COVID-19 vaccination sites in Doraville and Stonecrest, will operate on a delayed schedule. All health centers will open to the public at noon. Hours of operation for the Doraville and Stonecrest COVID-19 vaccination sites will be noon until 5:00 p.m. Hours of operation for the Greater Piney Grove COVID-19 testing site will be noon until 4:30 p.m. Those individuals with testing appointments scheduled are being notified and provided options to reschedule or register for…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host his annual Spring community cleanups for the south DeKalb community beginning at 9:30 a.m. each Saturday starting March 27 through April 24.   Johnson will be joined by Commissioner Ted Terry and Sheriff Melody Maddox.  “Taking care of the community is a daily job that all constituents can participate in, whether it’s cleaning up your home or helping clean up roads and sidewalks,” said Commissioner Johnson. “Everyone should have a helping hand in community cleanups to make sure that we live in a place we are all proud to call home.”   The cleanups…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host its third Annual Easter Egg and Scavenger Hunt Extravaganza on April 3, noon to 2 p.m., at Exchange Park, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Begin forwarded message:

Six Asian women are among eight people who were killed in shootings that took place at three massage parlors in the metro Atlanta area on Tuesday (March 16 , according to authorities. Robert Aaron Long, 21, of Woodstock, has been identified as the suspect in all three shootings, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Long was captured tonight (March 16) in Crisp County, about 150 miles south of Atlanta, and taken into custody without incident, the AJC reported. The shooting at Young’s Asian Massage Parlor in Cherokee County left two Asian women, a white woman and a white…

By Debra Tyler-Horton AARP Georgia State Director March is celebrated as so many wonderful things. It’s Women’s History Month, and we recognize the founder of AARP, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who had a dream to help “seniors” live life on their own terms and age in place. To read more about Dr. Andrus’s remarkable life, please check here: https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/champions-of-aging-photos/ethel-percy-andrus-aarp-founder.html AARP also uses March to help people discuss finances.  The AARP Money Map is an online tool that helps you manage unexpected medical, car, or home expenses. Money Map provides tips on negotiating your costs to suggesting different payment…