Author: On Common Ground News

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has elected Sandra Elizabeth Ford, District Health Director and Chief Executive Officer of the DeKalb County Board of Health, as its new president-elect. NACCHO is the voice of the nation’s nearly 3,000 local governmental health departments. As Board president-elect, Dr. Ford will serve on the Board of Directors’ Executive Committee as president-elect in 2020-2021 before assuming the positions of president in 2021-2022 and immediate past president in 2022-2023, respectively.  Dr. Ford began her first term as an officer on July 1, 2019. “Dr. Ford has been a long-standing volunteer…

The DeKalb County Police Department has issued a MATTIE’S alert for a 70-year-old man who is believed to be suffering from dementia. William Edmond “Billy” Roey left a relative’s home in Decatur on July 2 at approximately 12:30 p.m. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a blue long sleeve shirt. He is 6 feet tall and weighs about 160 pounds. The Police Department is asking anyone who comes into contact with him to call 911 or the Special Victims’ Unit at 770-724-7710.  

His name is Almond James Turner: lifelong resident of Covington, GA; 1968 graduate of the historic, segregated R.L. Cousins School; husband to his childhood sweetheart (Anita); father of three amazing children who serve Newton County; grandfather to ten beautiful children; 45 years of service with Covington Police; first African American Assistant Chief of Police; and 23 years on the Newton County Board of Education. Almond was an outstanding officer, citizen, servant-leader, family man, deacon and friend. He epitomizes the “Glory of Covington”. When we tragically lost Almond in November, the Newton County community united to celebrate the life and legacy…

ATLANTA—A coalition of faith leaders will host a prayer vigil tonight (July 6) for Secoriea Turner, the 8-year-old child who was fatally shot on July 4. Turner was sitting in a car near the burned-down Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by police and several protests have been held. The young girl was shot after someone in a group fired on the car she was sitting in. The vigil for Turner will be held at 7:30 p.m. at 1238 Pryor Road S.W., Atlanta. F.R.E.D.(Faith-based Response to emergency Disaster, led by the Rev. Darryl Winston, with the Save Our City Coalition of pastors, activists and political…

“Enough with the tough talk. We must protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians.” –Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp ATLANTA—Gov. Brian Kemp is authorizing the activation of the Georgia National Guard, following weeks of increased property destruction and deadly violence in the City of Atlanta and more than 30 Georgians wounded by gunfire, including five confirmed dead including an 8-year-old girl during the July Fourth weekend. Kemp announced today that he is issuing Executive Order 07.06.20.01, which declares a State of Emergency across Georgia and activates up to 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops. “Peaceful protests were hijacked…

DECATUR – As demand surges for COVID-19 testing throughout Georgia, the DeKalb County Board of Health is creating additional capacity for testing at two of its six testing locations by extending hours. On July 7 and July 9, the following testing locations will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. : Former K-Mart store parking lot (I-285 and Buford Highway)
, 5597 Buford Highway NE, Doraville Rehoboth Baptist Church
, 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker COVID-19 testing is free and open to all indiiduals who wish to be tested. A driver’s license or identification card is not required. Registration in advance,…

The University of Georgia, along with Rockdale County Government, the city of Conyers, and the Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Council, is asking Rockdale residents to submit feedback on the future of economic development in the community. The input will be used by the Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Strategy Steering Committee to develop the community’s economic development strategic plan. There are three ways residents can give their input: two live virtual events and an online feedback form. Residents will only need to participate in one of the three options. The first virtual town hall will take place on Monday, July 13, noon to…