Author: On Common Ground News

Kids play area to remain closed Zoo Atlanta will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 16, with COVID-19 protocols and procedures in place. Officials said today(May 15) guests must order tickets online and entrance will be restricted to control capacity. Purchases within the Zoo will be paperless with no cash transactions allowed. “We are pleased to welcome our Members and guests back to the outdoor experiences and connections to wildlife that can only be found at Zoo Atlanta. As important as this is to us, it was essential that we not reopen the Zoo until we could do…

The application process for DeKalb’s Virtual Career Academy (DVCA) is closed, and 7,208 youth have applied for the 850 spots, officials announced today (May 15). “We have experienced unprecedented response to our summer youth employment program, which has been adapted to provide youth with an opportunity to safely learn and earn this summer,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. The program, which runs from June 1 to July 31, will provide career development, education enrichment and summer income for 850 youth, ages 14 to 24, who will be paid $9 per hour for up to 20 hours per week while learning…

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources has reopened its Customer Care walk-in facility located at 684 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville. To protect visitors and employees, several safety precautions have been implemented to preserve social distancing protocols. The lobby is limited to nine guests at any given time. The entrance is staffed with a Customer Care representative to assist in maintaining social distancing requirements. Pathways have been designated as one-way to reduce contact between visitors. Signage in both English and Spanish has also been strategically placed inside and outside the lobby to facilitate with entry…

Pictured: Derrick Boazman ATLANTA—On Saturday May 16, 7:30 a.m., JustGeorgia will lead a Justice Caravan from Atlanta to Brunswick to protest the murder of Ahmaud Arbery from Victory Outreach Church, 2175 Metropolitan Parkway SW, Atlanta. The group will join with citizens of Brunswick, Savannah, and the surrounding areas for a rally at 2 p.m. at the Glynn County Courthouse, 701 H Street Brunswick. Organizers say the focus of the “We are NOT Satisfied” rally is to demand the resignation of District Attorneys Jackie Johnson and George Barnhill for the mishandling of the prosecution of the individuals responsible for Ahmaud Arbery’s death. “An arrest of the…

In keeping with Georgia’s Open Meetings Act, this notification is to advise that members of the DeKalb Board of Education will participate in a Virtual Called Meeting, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020, 11 A.M.  The called meeting will adjourn to an executive session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters regarding personnel.  The virtual meeting can be viewed at the following link on DeKalb Schools TV (DSTV) by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org/communications/dstv, or Comcast channel 24 for Comcast subscribers in DeKalb County.

DECATUR–Kingswood Drive, between Heathmoor Place and Cheviot Drive, will be closed to through traffic from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. beginning Monday, May 18, and ending on Wednesday, May 20, to install a sewer pipe crossing near 620 Heathmoor Place, Decatur. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Any questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Ty Forrester, project engineer for Garney Construction, at 478-954-7474 or email tforrester@garney.com.

ATLANTA—Microsoft Corp. plan to open a new facility in Atlanta, anticipated in summer 2021. The $75 million investment will create 1,500 new high-tech jobs in West Midtown. “We are excited that a global leader like Microsoft Corp. is expanding its investment in Georgia with tech jobs that will be truly beneficial to the company and our state,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “I am confident that our top-notch tech talent and education pipeline will continue to be an asset to Microsoft. We are laser-focused on providing high-quality jobs for hardworking Georgians, and I thank Microsoft for our growing partnership.” Microsoft is…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced the publication of updated guidance, including FAQs, regarding the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Section 2107 of the CARES Act creates a temporary federal PEUC program that provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits to an individual who has exhausted their regular unemployment compensation and provides funding to states for the program’s administration. “Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation has provided valuable relief to American workers facing long term unemployment and who have exhausted their regular benefits,”…

Expect longer waits Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Richard Steele announced today the reopening of all tax, tag and title branches on Monday, May 18, having established a number of safety and social distancing measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19. “Our first priority is the safety of customers and associates,” Steele said. “The safest option is for people to skip the trip entirely and just renew online or at a kiosk; next is to skip the line by using our drop box service. For those whose business requires an in-person visit, such as new residents, we’ve made the…

City of Stonecrest to host mask giveaway Friday, May 15 On May 15, the historic City of Stonecrest will mark its third birthday with a special gift to the community: It will commemorate the big day with a drive-through mask giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “We just want to show our citizens that we are concerned about their health and safety with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Jason Lary. “We’re encouraging anyone who needs a mask to come out and get one on tomorrow.” The city is staging the mask giveaway in the parking lot…