Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp today announced that, for the second straight week, Georgia has more than doubled its number of reported COVID-19 vaccinations. From Jan. 11-18, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported an increase from 206,900 to 423,011 vaccines administered. “While supply for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 remains extremely limited, these numbers show encouraging progress in our efforts to work through backlogs in provider reporting and get Georgians vaccinated quickly and safely,” said Gov. Kemp. “Thanks to the hard work of public health officials and the support of private sector partners like Publix, Kroger, Ingles, Walmart, CVS, and…

Memorial to commemorate inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris   ATLANTA—Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta will join cities across the country in participating in the national Memorial to Lives Lost to COVID-19. City Hall and the canopy at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will be illuminated in a light amber color, officials said. The memorial will take place in Washington D.C. and nationwide on Jan. 19, 2021 beginning at 5:30 p.m. EST. “As our nation moves forward with this historic transition of power at our highest…

CONYERS, GA– Field crews have restored water services to South Rockdale citizens after a 12” water main break occurred at Hwy 138 and East Fairview Road during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. The Boil Water Advisory, however, will remain in effect until Tuesday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m., county officials said in a news release. A 48-hour Boil Water Advisory was issued for areas south of Hwy 138 and Hwy 212 on Sunday Jan. 17, at 5:15 p.m. The water main break mainly affected residents living near Hwy 138 at South River Bridge and North of East Fair…

The City of Stonecrest honored five local leaders and one international leader at its “Key to the City Ceremony” on Sunday, Jan. 17. The red carpet event, restricted to guests by invitation only, was held at the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort. Those honored included: Dr. Kwaku Oteng, Ghana, Africa, a successful entrepreneur featured as the recipient of the International Key to the City recipient Brenda Cornelius, founding member of the city of Stonecrest, leader in government relations Kim Bentley, vice president of Operations at Emory Hillandale Hospital in Stonecrest Dr. Terry Cummings, legendary NBA player, Stonecrest resident Tony Vaughn,…

DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections Board (DeKalb VRE) unanimously certified the election results on Jan. 15, 2021, from the Jan. 5, 2021, runoff election for two U. S. Senate seats and the public service commissioner. Following the required signatures by DeKalb VRE’s board members, the certified results will immediately be sent to the Georgia Secretary of State. “We’re so pleased to see so many DeKalb voters turn out and exercise their constitutional right. The turnout we saw was nothing short of historic,” said DeKalb VRE Director Erica Hamilton. “I’m so proud of my team and all their efforts to…

John Jackson was re-elected as chair of the DeKalb County Democratic Committee. “We are proud to have re-elected John Jackson as Chair, who currently serves as the Chair of the Veterans Caucus for the Democratic Party of Georgia and has served as Deputy Director of Veterans, Military and National Security for Senator-elect Raphael Warnock’s campaign,” the organization stated in a news release. Other re-elected officers include Karen Mixon as first vice chair; Karen Davenport as second vice chair; and Andrew Heaton, treasurer. New officers elected include Gloria Moore as third vice chair and Alisa Hamilton as secretary. The DeKalb County…

Thelma Hitchcock, age 89, of Athens, GA passed away after illness on Jan. 13, 2021. She was the sister of Kenley Waller. Mr. Waller and his wife, Myra, who are residents of DeKalb County are the owners of Kenley’s Sandwich Shop and Catering. Mr. Waller expressed his gratitude to family and friends who offered their condolences on social media. Private funeral services will be held Ton uesday, January 19, 2021 at The Chapel of Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home. Survivors include children: Sandra Hitchcock, Antoni Hitchcock and Byron Hitchcock; siblings: Joyce Porter, Ennice Martin, Johnnie Waller and Kenley Waller; 14 grandchildren;…

STONECREST–A team of DeKalb County healthcare workers were busy on Friday administering COVID-19 shots to registered senior citizens. Four lanes of vehicles formed at the drive-through set up on Jan. 15 at the future home of the Stonecrest City Hall complex located at 2929 Turner Hill Road. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond came out to get the vaccine around 11 a.m. and was assisted by DeKalb County’s Board of Health Director Dr. Sandra E. Ford. “All Americans must ban together to stem the tide of this deadly disease,” Thurmond told media attending the event. COVID-19 vaccines among DeKalb County’s minority…

ATLANTA–Today, Gov. Brian P. Kemp thanked the growing team of grocery store and supermarket companies operating in Georgia offering COVID-19 vaccinations to their customers. Publix, Kroger, and Ingles have all started providing limited vaccine appointments at select locations at stores in Georgia. “As we continue to enroll more providers in vaccine distribution and administration, it is vital for the state to work closely with Georgia’s business community – including fantastic grocery store companies like Public, Kroger, and Ingles – to get shots in arms as quickly and safely as possible,” said Gov. Kemp. “I greatly appreciate these private sector partners…

STONECREST—City Hall will be closed in observance of the MLK Holiday on Monday Jan. 18. City Hall  also will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 20, Inauguration Day for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Officials announced  the closing In light of the possible unrest at the nation’s Capitol and possible unrest in Atlanta.