Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County will open one precinct amidst COVIC-18 pandemic     Georgia’s early in-person voting begins on Monday, May 18, for the general primary on June 9, and Rockdale County elections officials say their plan is in place. Early in-person voting in Rockdale will take place at one location: 1400 Parker Road, said Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham. The early in-person voting period runs May 18 through June 5 and will include Saturday voting, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 30. In DeKalb, there will be 11 precincts open; five in Fulton; and six locations in Gwinnett.…

The Rockdale Board of Elections will host its regular meeting on Thursday, May 14, 4 p.m. via Zoom. Updates concerning the 2020 elections will be discussed. The public is invited to join the meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86826519309 Meeting ID: 868 2651 9309  In the event that the meeting fills up, use the following login: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84059037308 Meeting ID: 840 5903 7308  

STONECREST—New Birth Missionary Baptist Church provided nearly 2,000 people with free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Sunday, May 10, during its Mother’s Day event. A product of the church’s partnership with RoweDocs and MAJL Laboratories, the free testing was provided for individuals who do not have insurance or receive Medicaid and Medicare coverage , however, anyone who needs testing was encouraged to show up and get tested. “Almost 2,000 people were tested, making it the largest for Georgia,” said Dr. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.” “[COVID-19] has impacted, disproportionately, the African American community, so I was…

DECATUR—Oakawana Road, between Sundown Drive Northeast and Briarcliff Road Northeast, will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, May 18, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Granite Inliner, working on behalf of DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management, is installing 700 linear feet of new sewer pipe. The septic-to-sewer project is expected to be completed by August 2020, weather permitting. 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. For more information, visit the DWM website at www.dekalbwatershed.com,…

https://youtu.be/XqI-ziHBtr8 STONECREST—Not even the overcast skies could dampen the excitement at Arabia Mountain Heritage High School today. As graduating seniors picked up their caps and gowns during a drive-through setup in the school’s parking lot, music filled the air as overjoyed students cheered. The Class of 2020 was determined the COVID-19 pandemic would not cheat them out of the celebration that they had spent 12 years earning. Principal Tanya Mason congratulated seniors as she helped to give the students their caps and gowns. The festivities were part of the DeKalb County School District’s Senior Week, where yearbooks, caps and gowns…

Dr. Rudy Crew will not become the next superintendent of the DeKalb County School District.  The Board of Education on Monday, May 11, voted 4-3 against giving Crew, the sole finalist, a contract for the job. Board Chair Marshall Orson, Vice Chair Vickie Turner and Board Member Allyson Gevertz cast the three yes votes to hire Crew, while board members Diijon DaCosta, Michael Erwin, Stan Jester and Joyce Morley cast the four votes against  him. Mounting pressure ultimately caused Crew to lose the job. He could not survive the negative press that was made public to the DeKalb County community concerning…

Gwinnett County and Gwinnett County Public Schools are teaming up to help ease hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to feed Gwinnett’s children during the summer. On Friday, May 15, Gwinnett County Public Schools will wrap up the meal service it has provided for the last two months to Gwinnett children 18 years and younger. This service has provided more than 2.2 million meals at 67 school locations and included delivery by school buses within identified clusters. Gwinnett County will fill in when the school district’s program ends by starting its Summer Meals program on Monday, May 18. Gwinnett…

The deadline for online registration for DeKalb’s Virtual Career Academy (DVCA) is Thursday, May 14. The program, which runs from June 1 to July 31, will provide career development, education enrichment and summer income for 850 youths ages 14 to 24, who will be paid $9 per hour for up to 20 hours per week while learning online. To qualify for enrollment in the program, youths must be a DeKalb County residents. Applicants will be randomly selected to participate in the program. Academy interns may earn credentialing credits in industries such as business technology, game design, website design, healthcare…

Gov. Brian Kemp and state leaders will provide an update on COVID-19 on Tuesday, May 12, 11 a.m., at the North Wing of the Georgia Capitol.  Kemp will be joined by Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey; Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Homer Bryson; and Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden. The briefing will be live streamed at facebook.com/GovKemp or gpb.org/coronavirus.

Attorney General Chris Carr today announced he will formally appoint Cobb County District Attorney Joyette M. Holmes to lead the prosecution of Gregory and Travis McMichael, a father and son who have been charged with aggravated assault and the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. “I appreciate District Attorney Tom Durden’s involvement in the Ahmaud Arbery case,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “This case has grown in size and magnitude since he accepted the appointment on April 13, 2020, and as an experienced District Attorney, Tom has recognized that another office is better suited from a resource perspective to now handle the…