Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson will reopen the county’s three tax offices on June 8 with new procedures and protocols in place amid the global coronavirus pandemic. For the safety of customers and employees, all individuals entering tax office locations are required to have on a face covering, adhere to social distancing and utilize the newly implemented text alert system. “On June 8, we will reopen our doors to customers with a number of new measures in place to promote a safe work environment and more efficient customer service,” said Johnson. “We anticipate a flurry of activity and…

Several memorial services set for Floyd Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on June 3 that all four former Minneapolis police officers have been charged in the death of 46-year-old George Floyd. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the nation after a video of the killing went viral. Multiple news sources reported that former officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane have been chargef with aiding and abetting second-degree murder while committing a felony, and with aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter with culpable negligence. Charges against Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on the back of Floyd’s neck for nearly…

DeKalb County elections officials announced that 24polling precincts will be moved for the June 9 election due to COVID-19. Registered voters who plan to cast ballots on June 9 must go to their assigned precinct. Below is a list of the current locations that will be moved to other sites. Voters should alsonot that Friday, June 5, is the last day to submit and absentee ballot application. Absentee ballot applications can be obtained by visiting www.DeKalbvotes.com, emailing Absenteeballot@dekalbcountyga.gov, or for more information about the elections, call the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 404-298-4020. The following precincts have…

STONECERST–RoweDocs and MAJL Laboratories will host a free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church campus on Saturday, June 6. Testing begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. Individuals who do not have insurance, or receive Medicaid or Medicare coverage are encouraged to participate. “It is evident based on initial outcome data minority individuals are not being tested early enough to prevent premature death related to COVID-19. Due to the lengthy history of discrimination in the healthcare industry, minorities are reasonably wary of unconscious bias and outright racism that may impact the quality care…

The Atlanta City Council will join Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on a conference call Thursday, June 4, 3:30 p.m., to discuss updates related to the city’s response to COVID-19. The conference call will begin at 3:30 p.m. The public can tune into the meeting by dialing (877) 579-6743 and entering Conference ID: 8315991256. The call will be simulcast on the Council’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook and Twitter pages at @atlcouncil, and on Channel 26.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council approved legislation during Monday’s(June 1) remote meeting to create the Airport CARES Act Grant Fund and receive $338.5 million to assist Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. the funding will provide support for continuing operations nd replace lost revenue at the airport. The CARES Act was created on the federal level to include $10 billion in funds to support eligible airports impacted by COVID-19. Other items approved at the Council’s meeting include: An ordinance to authorize the City to forgive rent payments by tenants who lease space at the City of Atlanta Neighborhood Centers (Legislative Reference No.…

In a moment of brilliance, famed NCAA Division I Basketball Coach Pat Summit once declared that “life is what it is, but it will be what you make it.” In the weeks and months that we all have been dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, those words have resonated deeply with me as I consider what to say to our students; my colleagues in higher education and the high school graduating class of 2020. Indeed, there have been moments of personal and professional frustration for everyone. No one enjoys having their routine totally and irreparably disrupted,…

Photos & Video By Glenn L. Morgan Hundreds of protestors rallied in Rockdale County on June 2  for George Floyd, the unarmed black man who was killed by Minneapolis, Minnesota police as he begged for his life. Floyd’s death on May 25 has touched off demonstrations across the country, some of them resulting into violence and looting. The demonstration in Rockdale, however, was peaceful and well organized. The protesters were escorted by Conyers Police, who blocked off streets to ensure the demonstrators’ safety. Several elected officials participated in the peaceful demonstration including Rockdale Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Commissioner Sherri Washington, Conyers…

The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect wanted for double hit-and-run incidents, which include a man who was fatally struck and a critically injured 4-year-old boy on Sunday, May 31. Police released images of the black male who is wanted. Anyone with any information is asked to use caution if coming into contact with him. Dial 911 or call the DeKalb County Police Homicide Assault Unit at 770-724-7850, Police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent said. According to police, the first hit-and-run occurred on May 31 around 10:45 a.m. Police responded to a person down call…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw addressed the Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting on today, June 2: Welcome to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole Meeting for June 2, 2020. My name is Steve Bradshaw and I have the honor of serving at the Presiding Officer for this year. At this point I will ask for the indulgence of my colleagues and the viewing public as I offer a few thoughts on what we have witnessed over the past few days. It is sobering and it saddens me to sit here today to once…