Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) stepped up measures to protective the public’s heath, adopting an ordinance requiring that face coverings/masks are worn in public places. The ordinance follows a previous resolution the BOC enacted at the July 28 voting session suggesting that facemasks be worn in public. The ordinance was presented to the BOC for the first read, with the second read being waived and adopted at the Aug. 11 board meeting. The ordinance masks violations an offense, which can be enforced by general penalty. The ordinance has been drafted in accordance with the Executive Order issued…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved the DeKalb Better Business Loan Program, a partnership with local banks to provide financial relief to small DeKalb County businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The programwill be funded using $15 million from the county’s allotment of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. The loan program was developed by DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s administration, in cooperation with the Small Business Subcommittee of the DeKalb COVID-19 Strategic Task Force, chaired by Steve Bradshaw, presiding officer of the Board of Commissioners. “We are fighting a pandemic that undermines the…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) announced today (Aug. 12) that it is joining a lawsuit filed by the NAACP challenging a rule issued by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos that unlawfully forces school districts to inflate the amount of federal COVID-19 aid they must share with private schools. The rule will drastically diminish the resources available to support public school children and historically underserved student populations during the pandemic, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by the NAACP on July 1 in federal court in Washington, D.C., says DeVos is directing more funds from the $13.2 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to wealthy…

DeKalb County is poised for new leadership in five local seats, according to the Aug. 11 unofficial runoff elections results. Zulma Lopez won the House District 86 seat held by incumbent State Rep. Michele Henson, who has served 30 years. Lopez received 54.37 percent of the vote, while Henson received 45.63 percent. Former Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry defeated Mary Ahmed in the Democratic runoff for the DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner’s seat with 58.62 percent of the vote.  Kathie Gannon, who has served the western half of the county since 2005, is retiring and did not seek re-election…

  Today (Aug. 12), Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced that Zillow Group, the largest portfolio of real estate brands on the web, has named the metro Atlanta area its Southeastern hub, bringing nearly 200 jobs to the area. “Our state’s skilled workforce continues to attract game-changing companies like Zillow,” said Kemp. “Innovative, industry-leading tech companies have found their home in literally every corner of our state, and as the industry grows in Georgia, I am confident that Zillow will continue to find success here. I’d like to thank them for choosing our state as their new hub, and I look…

DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is partnering with “Be The Match,” a national marrow donor program, and neighboring county officials to support efforts in closing the gap between donors and recipients in marginalized communities. On Thursday, Aug. 13,  6  to 7:30 p.m., residents from Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, South Fulton, Henry and Newton counties will have the opportunity to learn about “Be The Match” and potentially become a match for someone in need through the We Are The Cure Town Hall. Registration for the We Are The Cure Town Hall can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3jJ39T0. Every three minutes someone in the United…

Pictured L-R: Janice Morris,  Akita Parmer Democrat Janice Morris swept the runoff for Rockdale County Clerk of Courts, defeating Democrat Shariff Fulcher with 63.04 percent of the vote. Fulcher received 36.96 percent, according to results released tonight(Aug. 11). With no Republicans in the race, Morris will succeed James Cabe, who was sworn into office in March after Ruth Wilson retired. Cabe was one of several people who attended Morris’ victory celebration, which was held at her campaign headquarters at 1264 Parker Road, Conyers. “Thank you, Rockdale,” said an overjoyed Morris, fighting back tears. “I won’t let you down.” Morris said…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will remain as a resource for students to pick up nutritional lunches during the fall until children return to school. All nine recreation centers will distribute meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following locations: Gresham Recreation Center, 3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta, 30316 Exchange Intergenerational Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, 30034 Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Rd., Lithonia, 30058 Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 644 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale, 30079 N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur, 30032 Lucious Sanders Recreation Center, 2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia,…