Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Today(June 11), Gov. Brian Kemp signed Executive Order 06.11.20.01 – Empowering a Healthy Georgia. The order addresses ongoing emergency response efforts for fighting the spread of COVID-19. Unless noted otherwise in specific sections, the order goes into effect at 12 AM on June 16 and runs through 11:59 PM on June 30.  Sports: Effective June 16, professional sports teams and organizations must follow the rules and guidelines set by their respective leagues. High school and collegiate teams and organizations must follow the rules and guidelines set by their applicable conferences or associations. Amateur sports teams and organizations…

As a part of addressing health inequities and high numbers of COVID-19 cases in identified DeKalb County ZIP Codes, the DeKalb County Board of Health, with the assistance of the City of Doraville, will open a COVID-19 testing site at the following location on June 15: Former K-Mart Store Parking Lot (at I-285 and Buford Hwy.)
5597 Buford Hwy. NE, Doraville The Doraville location’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. As of June 9, the Buford Highway corridor, which include the cities of Brookhaven, Chamblee and Doraville, has 767 of the 4,185 positive COVID-19…

As the state restrictions are being lifted, Rockdale County will reopen the remainder of its parks and trails starting on July 6, 2020.  The park openings will allow residents access to all the county’s public green spaces.  In efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Rockdale County closed its facilities and properties in March. “We are excited to reopen the remainder of the county’s parks next month and allow residents to get out and enjoy the fresh air and exercise after the shutdown due to COVID 19,” said Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt.  “As we continue to reopen…

A look at some early results for key local races DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox appears headed for a runoff with either Ruth “The Truth” Stinger or Antonio “Block”  Johnson, who are battling for second place, according to unofficial early results.Run-offs are scheduled on Aug. 11. DeKalb County’s early results were finally posted June 10 with a few of the 100 precincts still out. A  myriad of  problems were reported  statewide on June 9, Election Day, slowing down the process. Absentee and provisional ballots still had to be counted, officials said on Wednesday. Maddox and her challenger are vying to fill…

Atlanta Gas Light is inviting the public to join its efforts to help curb the escalation of food insecurity in communities due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is partnering with local agencies to collect food donations in 14 communities across the state. This is a drive-thru event and those taking part are asked to wear a face covering for their safety and the safety of the employee and foodbank volunteers. Atlanta Gas Light is also asking that donations be placed in the trunks of vehicles, where one of the volunteers will retrieve the food items. Local food…

Rockdale County elections officials still have about 1,000 ballots remaining to be counted, said Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham. Eligible military and overseas ballots, which must have been postmarked by June 9 and received by June 2, must be counted as well as provisional ballots, which are used to record a vote when there are questions about a voter’s eligibility that must be resolved before the vote can count. The ballots will be counted and all election results will be certified on June 12, Willingham said. Here is a breakdown of the ballots that will be counted:

The DeKalb County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in   identifying a suspect wanted for questioning in a shooting that happened on May 16 at a gas station on the corner of Rockbridge and Hambrick Roads in Tucker. A dispute led to shots being fired into a moving vehicle and into two nearby apartments where children were inside, but unharmed. The man seen in the video, may be known as “Philly” and frequently visits the area. He is also wanted in reference to a robbery that happened in the same general area approximately two hours before. Anyone who…

Who: Parents, teachers/staff, and students (Grades 6-12) What: DCSD is seeking stakeholder input on their preferences and perspectives for learning models and hybrid options that the school district is considering for the reopening of schools. This feedback includes stakeholders’ level of comfort with social distancing and hygiene efforts, school bus transportation, serving meals, taking temperature, access to technology and internet at home, and the use of masks at school. When:              Survey is open from Tuesday, June 9, until Sunday, June 21, 2020 Where:            Link to the survey: https://dekalb.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6RkKXCJKRzNDwfb

On Thursday, June 11, lane closures are set to begin for sections of the eastbound and westbound lanes along South Avondale Road near Dartmouth Avenue from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., while crews work to rehabilitate approximately 460 linear feet of aging, ductile-iron sewer pipe. These sections of South Avondale Road will reopen on Friday, June 12. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated this construction project as a part of ongoing maintenance to repair approximately 100,000 linear feet of sewer pipe to improve sewer service county-wide. Motorists should expect traffic delays stemming from the…

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie has signed an order approving a petition by the Board of Registration and Elections to extend voting hours for several polling places. For the following polling places, voting has been extended to the indicated times: Narvie J. Harris Elementary, 3981 McGill Drive, Decatur—7:45 p.m. Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston—7:29 p.m. Medlock Elementary School, 2418 Wood Trail Lane, Decatur—7:15 p.m. Stephenson High School, 701 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain—7:45 p.m. Stephenson Middle School, 922 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain—7:30 p.m. Kittredge Magnet School, 1663 East Nancy Creek Drive NE, Atlanta—9:26 p.m. Ray of Hope Christian…