Author: On Common Ground News

Early in-person voting July 20-Aug. 4   Early voting for two Rockdale County election runoff is off to a slow start. Voters are returning to the polls to decide runoffs for the Rockdale Clerk of Courts and the Post 5 Rockdale Board of Education seats. The early voting period began today, July 20, and runs through Aug. 4. According to reports, fewer than 100 people have casts votes in person so far today. Officials said, however, the estimate did not include mail-in ballots received. The main annex at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers is the only location that is open for…

ATLANTA–Democratic Party Chair Nikema Williams has been selected to replace the late Congressman John Lewis on the November ballots, the Party announced this afternoon(July 20). The Party selected its on chair over four other finalists that its executive committee had picked in an urgent search.  Williams, a state senator and self-described protégé of Lewis, was chosen to replace Lewis on the ballot following his death on July 17. The Party’s executive committee met today during a rushed Zoom call to select Williams. According to Georgia laws, party officials had to meet a deadline of today to determine whether to replace…

For years, BBB has warned consumers against doing business with callers and online companies who don’t have a valid physical address. Scammershave found a way to associate an address with their shady dealings, and this has led to the birth of even more scams. Homeowners with multiple properties, consumers, and renters need to be aware of several scams that start with the address of a house, apartment, or property that is currently unoccupied. Businesses Using Fake Addresses Scammers will try to sell all kinds of counterfeit or non-existent products online. Common scams involve the sale of high-dollar large items, such…

World-renowned motivational speaker Les Brown will join Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson and students enrolled in the virtual “Chess for Success” program offered by DeKalb County’s Office of Youth Services (OYS). Brown will speak to the students, who are ages 8 to 16, on Wednesday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m.The program is part of DeKalb’s Virtual Summer Camps, which areoffering a variety of classes for area students this summer. Hudson, who is founder and CEO of Be Someone Inc., a DeKalb County based non-profit that uses the game of chess to teach life lessons to students, many of whom are considered “at-risk.” Hudson and…

DECATUR—The NAACP DeKalb County branch is providing free COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) kits to the community on a first-come, first-served basis, the branch’s President Teresa Hardy announced. The following items are in each kit: 2 surgical masks 2 pairs of safety gloves 1 bottle of hand sanitizer 1 10-pack of disinfectant wipes Those who would like a PPE kit should send an email to info@naacpdekalb.org with the following information: name, household size, City/Neighborhood, phone number and email address. The NAACP will schedule a time for pickup at the office, which is located at 3011 Rainbow Drive, Suite 1801,…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Terry Oatts has announced RCPS will implement a virtual-only instructional model for all students and will not return to brick-and-mortar classrooms for the 2020-21 fall semester.  The school year will start Aug. 24 virtually and will remain virtual for the fall semester. Oatts released the following statements: “Our focus for the last few months has been on working diligently to pursue a reopening plan that prioritizes student and staff safety and well-being. I commend our staff for their patience, persistence, and professionalism as they’ve worked collaboratively to create processes and structures that maximize student…

Congressman John Robert Lewis, February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020  The Congressional Black Caucus released the following statement on the passing of House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman and Congressional Black Caucus Member, Congressman John R. Lewis (GA-05): The world has lost a legend; the civil rights movement has lost an icon, the City of Atlanta has lost one of its most fearless leaders, and the Congressional Black Caucus has lost our longest serving member. The Congressional Black Caucus is known as the Conscience of the Congress. John Lewis was known as the conscience of our caucus. A fighter…

Pictured left to right: C.T. Vivian, Congressman Hank Johnson  and Congressman Johnson during a 2012 voting rights  march in Atlanta. Photos provided via Johnson’s office.  New Birth to host virtual memorial for Congressman Lewis and the Rev. C.T. Vivian By Valerie J. Morgan   Atlanta is flying its flags throughout the city at half-staff in honor of Congressman John Lewis, civil rights icon, a national treasure, and a beloved hero who represented Georgia’s 5th District for 34 years. Lewis died Friday, July 17, after a courageous battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer, which he learned about after a routine…

Food Pantry, Coronavirus Testing Begin at 10 a.m. STONECREST–New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is hosting free COVID-19 testing and continuing its weekly food pantry on Saturday, July 18.  The free food will be distributed from 10 a.m. to noon while supplies last., 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest. New Birth’s food pantry, known as The King’s Table, will receive additional resources, thanks to support from DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael Thurmond and other partners. Through the partnerships, more than 1,000 people economically impacted by the coronavirus will be assisted. Each box of food contains 15 to 20 pounds of produce, dairy and shelf-stable items.  Each week, New Birth serves 8,000 people as a part of the church’s weekly…