Author: On Common Ground News

Chamblee police responded to a traffic fatality involving seven vehicles around 3:15 p.m. today (Aug. 2). The multiple vehicle collision happened at the intersection of Chamblee Tucker Road and Buford Highway. One person is in custody and will face multiple felony and traffic-related charges, authorities said. One child and two adults were transported to local hospitals with injuries. The scene was closed to traffic, pending the completion of an investigation by the Georgia State Patrol, which was called to the scene. Information and street closures will be updated on the City of Chamblee’s Facebook page.  

Pictured L-R:  Saritha Wood-Harden, Arts Committee chair for AKA Tau Pi Omega Chapter of AKA; Patricia Scott-Harrell; Steve Paul, owner of Lithonia Arts Center; Gwen Russell Green, charter member of Tau Pi Omega Chapter; Connie Hendrix; Audra Martin, president of Tau Pi Omega Chapter; Sabrina Davis; Portia Brantley, vice president of the AKA Tau Pi Omega Chapter; Faatimah Stevens, visual artist and designer of the mural; Jeretha McKinley, vice president of the Council for Community Enrichment; Lisa McMichael Smith;  and Julianne Adams-Britt. L-R: Aidra Martin and Jeretha McKinley, president…

ATLANTA—This week, Georgia House and Senate legislators will host press conferences to discuss backlogged Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits claims. Lawmakers say they are deeply concerned and want Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler to take action to process backlogged claims that are over 30 days late. Legislators say they want more staff to be trained and hired to resolve the issue, as well as an emergency call center to respond to the public. “We are at a critical time for many Georgians,” said State Rep. Sandra G. Scott of House District 76, who is organizing the press conferences. “Failure to…

Toney Valley Elementary School Principal Oliver Dean loads a vehicle. A volunteer from the DeKalb County Board of Health passes out gift bags. Food boxes are ready to distribute at the drive-through event. Photos provided by Curtis McDowell DECATUR—Toney Valley Civic Association recently distributed 400 boxes of food, including meats, and 700 boxes of fresh produce to the South DeKalb community. The association also gave away 400 goodie bags filled with information and gifts. A team of over 70 volunteers helped to distribute the free food, which totaled 28,653 pounds, during a drive-thru mobile…

ATLANTA— Today, Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp signed two executive orders extending the Public Health State of Emergency and existing COVID-19 safety measures. “The fight against COVID-19 continues, and these executive orders reaffirm our commitment to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians. As our state ramps up testing, expands hospital surge capacity, and provides staffing, supplies, and resources to cities and counties throughout Georgia, we urge local officials to enforce the rules and restrictions detailed in these orders,” said Kemp. “When businesses, restaurants, venues, and citizens follow the guidelines carefully crafted by data, science, and the Georgia Department…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a second apparent suicide this month by a DeKalb County Jail inmate. According to authorities, Atanta resident Nakia Rashawn Bond, 26, was found non-responsive in his cell on July 31, during a security check. Bond was pronounced dead by the DeKalb Medical Examiner after the jail’s medical staff administered emergency medical services. No official report has been released, and the incident is being investigated as an apparent suicide. “Our entire jail management process is driven by concern for the safety and well-being of individuals in our custody,” said Sheriff Melody Maddox. “We deeply…

  DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson will host the first -ever virtual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6 p.m. All across the country, communities have observed the first Tuesday in August as National Night Out night to promote police-community partnerships and showcase the various police programs to make communities safer.  Due to the pandemic, National Night Out will not be held in its traditional form this year. “I did not want to miss an opportunity to stay connected with the community on one of the most unified national community events held each year,” Johnson said. “We will create a…

Rockdale early in-person voting will be held only at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers: Monday – Friday, July 20 – Aug. 4, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 — Friday, Aug. 7, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, is Election Day for the runoffs. All voters must go to their assigned polling precincts. For more information, call 770-278-7333 or visit www.rockdalecountyga.gov .

ATLANTA—Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has contributed $20 million to Morehouse College. The gift is part of donation to 116 nonprofits driving positive change in the country, including six Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs). Scott announced the gift to nonprofits this week in the online news platform Medium. The billionaire said her donation was supporting institutions doing transformative work to improve racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ equity, as well as economic mobility and public health issues, among other areas. Scott began making $1.7 billion in donations last year after signing a pledge to give most of her wealth away. “MacKenzie Scott’s…

The  Stonecrest City Council will hold a virtual Special Called meeting on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, 6 p.m., to discuss the investigation of the Metro Green recycling plant. The agenda is attached.