Author: On Common Ground News

Gov. Brian Kemp will be joined by several state officials to provide an update on COVID-19  on Monday, April 27, 4:30 p.m., at the Georgia State Capitol Liberty Plaza. Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Homer Bryson and Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden will give reports. The updates will be live streamed  at facebook.com/GovKemp and gpb.org/coronavirus.

A sign outside AMF Bowling, 885 Flat Shoals Road, Conyers beckons customers on Sunday, April 26, Day 3, of Georgia’s reopened economy. Workers, who were wearing masks, said six bowlers per lane is permitted, every other lane. Although no bowlers were there when On Common Ground News stopped by—long after many houses of worship held their services online—workers said people had been coming in throughout the day. Gov. Brian Kemp relaxed restrictions to allow some businesses to begin reopening on Friday, April 24. Bowling lanes, beauty shops, barbershops, nail salons and fitness centers were among those that received the…

Pictured is the Nails and Spa salon at 2361 DeKalb Medical Parkway, Lithonia, Georgia 30058. Photo and story by Glenn L. Morgan/ ocgnews.com On Friday, April 24, business was brisk at the Nails and Spa salon on DeKalb Medical Parkway in South DeKalb’s 30058 ZIP Code. That ZIP Code is at the top of five ZIP Codes with the highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, according to health officials. The nail salon and Beauty Max supply store, located in the same plaza, welcomed the return of customers on the first day that Gov. Kemp reopened several sectors of businesses across…

Georgians can now use a new app to access a healthcare provider trained to screen for COVID-19. If the result is positive, staff will contact the patient to schedule a test at one of Georgia’s designated testing locations. The screening and testing are available at no cost. Augusta University developed the AU Health ExpressCare app. “Increased, streamlined testing will be a cornerstone of our ability to safely reopen our state in the coming days, and I am grateful to President Keel and our partners at Augusta University for their innovative work to make this app available to all Georgians,” said Gov.…

On Monday, April 27, Gov. Brian P. Kemp will join Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan, Speaker David Ralston, and faith leaders from across Georgia in holding a Day of Prayer service in the rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol at 10 a.m. As the state continues to battle COVID-19, Kemp, Duncan, and Ralston are calling on all Georgians and members of the faith community around the state to participate by posting videos of their prayers on social media throughout the day. “Our unprecedented battle with COVID-19 has proven the resolve of the people of Georgia to fight hard,…

Verdaillia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers and Atlanta Federation of Teachers, discusses Atlanta Public Schools’(APS) and the DeKalb County Board of Education’s selections for superintendent finalists. Dr. Lisa Herring was announced as the finalist for APS. Dr. Rudy Crew was selected as finalist for DeKalb County public schools. Click here to listen to Turner’s audio message.  

About 22 miles of roadway in Rockdale County will be restriped this year with more durable and visible road markings and new reflective raised pavement markers. Rockdale County has awarded Conyers-based Pittman Construction with the SPLOST #2A Contract. Pittman will utilize Peek Pavement Marking to refresh pavement markings on the 22 miles of arterial roadways, the most traveled corridors in the county. The contractor will use thermoplastic pavement marking, which is more durable than regular pavement paint and better reflects headlights, said John Moretto, P.E., Director, Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT). The thermoplastic markings will last about three times…

ATLANTIC OCEAN—Gas Turbine Systems Technician 3rd Class Luis Montes of  Covington, Georgia, remains at sea in the Atlantic as part of the certified Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, ready for tasking in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19. Montes is pictured sanitizing an electrical plant control console aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy on April 21. Keeping HSTCSG at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet, in the sustainment phase of OFRP, allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic.        

Chad Suddeth, Athletic Director at Rockdale County High School, has been recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association as a Certified Athletic Administrator. Coach Suddeth is one of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of professionalism. To earn this distinction, Coach Suddeth has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The voluntary certification process included a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s educational background, experience and professional contributions, as well as a rigorous, comprehensive written examination. The NIAAA is a national professional organization consisting of all…