Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – The Georgia House Democratic Caucus (GHDC) will hold a Zoom press conference today, June 4, 1 p.m. to provide updates regarding COVID-19, voting in Georgia and criminal justice reform initiatives as it relates to hate crimes and police brutality in the U.S. To watch the briefing on Facebook live, click here.

The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief is distributing fresh produce and fruits every week through July 3. The nonprofit, which is receiving the produce from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Program, has scheduled distributions from 3 to 6 p.m. at  Masjid Al-Momineen, 837 N. Indian Creek, Clarkston, and  every Friday, 6 to 7 p.m. at Moores Mill Village Apartment, 2453 Coronet Way NW, Atlanta. The food program, which began on May 28, will be provided while supplies last each week through July 3. The Muslim nonprofit said it has served over 27,000…

As a part of addressing health disparities and high numbers of COVID-19 cases in identified DeKalb County ZIP Codes, the DeKalb County Board is deploying an additional community testing team. Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church,
1879 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, became a COVID-10 testing site on June 3. The team will be stationed at the location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Two other teams, deployed on May 20, are stationed at the following locations from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday: Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
2340 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur Rehoboth Baptist Church
2997 Lawrenceville Hwy., Tucker…

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,…