Author: On Common Ground News

By Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04)   Donald Trump is a corrupt, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic, race-baiting narcissist whose incompetence has led to the deaths of almost 180,000 Americans, and whose corruption is almost unfathomable.   This is why he must be voted out of office on November 3rd, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are poised to lead us from the darkness of the Trump presidency.   Every public servant has haters, and Joe Biden certainly has his share. Some accuse Joe of being a racist because of statements that he has made over his 46 years of public service. Joe should…

As part of DeKalb County’s 2020 Census efforts, the DeKalb County Public Library, U.S. Census Bureau and the DeKalb County 2020 Census Team are hosting “Library Census Days” across the county. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete their 2020 Census survey onsite and will then receive a children’s book and popcorn. The event will take place at the following libraries:  Tuesday, Aug. 25, noon to 2 p.m. Clarkston Library 951 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021 * First 100 patrons Wednesday, Aug. 26, noon to 2 p.m. Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA…

The DeKalb County Board of Health has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus infection in the county for the year. The patient, a female in her sixties, resides in the East Lake Terrace area of unincorporated Decatur. Currently, no additional information is available, as the investigation is still ongoing. Last year, one human case of West Nile virus in DeKalb County was confirmed on Sept. 13. Due to COVID-19, the Board of Health will not perform its usual door-to-door canvas of the affected area. Larvicide application in low-lying areas and storm drains have already taken place…

Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson   and Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett signed a joint declaration on Aug. 21 forming the John Lewis Commemorative Task Force. The task force will have six months to make a recommendation as to the best way to commemorate the life of the late Congressman Lewis in DeKalb County. The task force will hold its first meeting on Aug. 26. “John was a giant of a man, with a humble heart. He met no…

The family of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, who was shot to death on July 4 outside of a southwest Atlanta Wendy’s restaurant, has placed two billboards seeking witnesses to come forward. The billboards read, “My name is Secoriea Turner. I was 8 years old when I was murdered. Protecting children is not snitching. Help my family identify who killed me. Please call with any information: 1-866-969-2004.” One of the billboards is located at I-75/85 and University Avenue, facing north on the east side of the street. The other billboard is at University Boulevard and Pryor Street facing east on the south side…

Pictured: Brandon Riley, City of Stonecrest Director of Parks and Recreation STONECREST—The deadline is nearing for residents to register for the City of Stonecrest’s free Household Hazardous Waste  event. The drive-through drop-off event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the parking lot of the former Sam’s Club, where the new City Hall will be located at 2994 Turner Hill Road. Registration for the free event, which is open to the first 200 participants, is available at  https://bit.ly/SChazardouswaste. Registration will be closed once capacity is…

In the second phase of “Project Safe Home,” the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested another 25 persons who had outstanding warrants in DeKalb County on domestic violence charges. The initial phase of the program on May 21 resulted in 20 arrests. “Project Safe Home” involved deploying sheriff’s deputies from the Field Operations Uniform and Domestic Violence Units throughout the county to endeavor on active felony and misdemeanor warrants for domestic violence offenses that were received since mid-March. All arrests were made without incident and suspects were transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

Conyers City Councilmember Gerald Hinesley is quarantining himself after being exposed last weekend to someone with the coronavirus, Mayor Vince Evans said. Evans told the City Council at its Aug. 29 meeting, which was live streamed, that Hinesley was self-quarantining out of “an abundance of caution while awaiting his COVID-19 test results.”

As Gwinnett County approaches the 2020 property tax season, Tax Commissioner Richard Steele is sharing information about what taxpayers can expect to see on their tax bills this year. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners adopted its 2020 millage rates on Aug. 18. The new property tax for economic development, a tax of 0.3 mills, was included in the resolution.  According to the Board’s resolution, the new tax will “provide funds for financial assistance to the Development Authority of Gwinnett County for economic development purposes.” Also, according to the BOC resolution, taxpayers in unincorporated Gwinnett, and those in cities…

ATLANTA–Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the City of Atlanta has allocated $22 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to the Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide housing support to Atlanta residents. Administered by United Way of Greater Atlanta, the program will provide rental, utility, and/or security deposit assistance to more than 6,700 City of Atlanta residents through a network of local service providers, who were selected through a Request for Proposal process. City of Atlanta residential renters who have experienced a loss of income because of COVID-19 will be able to receive assistance with the payment of…