Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp today announced that President Trump has declared a major disaster for all 159 Georgia counties due to the impacts from the Coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in a statewide Public Health Emergency being declared on March 14. “Georgia is grateful for this designation, as it will enable the state to continue partnering with federal agencies in a coordinated fight against this pandemic,” said Kemp. “The presidential declaration is a critical step in providing additional assistance to our state and local governments as they continue to respond to COVID-19.” The declaration for federal assistance currently covers Emergency Protective…

In a news conference on March 27 outside the DeKalb County Jail, Sheriff Melody M. Maddox said the agency’s evolving plan of action to control Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in full operation, and she is confident it will have a positive impact on the spread of the virus within the facility. “This is unchartered territory for all of us and we cannot predict the ultimate outcome,” said Sheriff Melody Maddox. “What we do know is that our staff and our team of medical professionals are following the protocols set by the Board of Health, the Georgia Department of Public Health and…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary updates the city’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Plan and orders residents to remain at home, unless engaged in essential services. The mayor’s son, James Lary, a recent graduate of The Georgia Southern University, appeals to Generation Z to abide by government and health officials’ orders. For information on symptoms, and the latest federal government updates, visit www.cdc.gov. Watch the City of Stonecrest’s video:  https://youtu.be/SFbB28HF8XY  

Dora Rice, an 11th grader at Providence Christian Academy of Lilburn, has been nominated Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Lowell, MA.  June 24-26, 2020. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The June 24-26 event will honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in medical careers. Rice’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists.…

ATLANTA—Today, March 29, Gov. Brian P. Kemp joined Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams to issue the following joint statement: “Across Georgia, there is a mandatory shelter in place order for medically fragile individuals, and gatherings of more than ten people are banned unless there is at least six feet between each person at all times. This order applies to all 159 counties. “Fortunately, many Georgians are heeding these directives and following the advice of public health officials to stay safe and healthy. However, as we deal with the effects of coronavirus with school and business closures, people are…

Mayor Jason Lary updates the city’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Plan and orders residents to remain at home unless engaged in essential services. For more information call the COVID Hotline at 1 844 442-2681. For information on symptoms, and the latest federal government updates, visit www.cdc.gov. https://youtu.be/SFbB28HF8XY

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, working with the U.S. Marshals, today (March 27) arrested a 17-year-old Atlanta resident for the murder and armed robbery the Citgo service station in Decatur. Staci Adams faces charges in connection with the shooting death of Tavorrace Butts on March 17, 2020 at a Citgo service station on Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur. Sheriff’s investigators located Adams on East Lake Boulevard where he was taken into custody without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

 Today, March 27, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond updated the county’s state of emergency with a shelter-in-place order for DeKalb County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The order is effective Saturday, March 28, 2020, at 9 p.m. until further notice. The shelter in place applies to all individuals living in DeKalb County. According to the order, “individuals are permitted to leave their places of residence only to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and essential governmental functions.” “We are trying to save lives from the serious COVID-19…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Libraries around metro Atlanta are getting creative to keep students and their families engaged and learning while school is out. In an effort to ensure the safety and health of staff and patrons, libraries are encouraging citizens to participate in social distant learning via their websites and social accounts. Following is a list of some that I’ve curated for you: NATIONAL EMERGENCY LIBRARY Over 1.4 million books have been made available in the brand new National Emergency Library created by the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library of millions of free books, movies, software, music,…

Pictured: Virgil Franklin By Al Franklin  Today was a hard day for me. I decided not to drive to my hometown of Graceville, Florida to attend the funeral for my uncle, Virgil Franklin, this weekend. My decision is clearly because of the Coronavirus (CoVid-19). The pandemic is hitting closer and closer to home as I think about how the outbreak is preventing many from attending their loved ones’ funerals. I read the story of how the Coronavirus outbreak was linked to two funerals in Albany, Georgia. Even the minister, who officiated…