Author: On Common Ground News

Teachers and other support staff for the DeKalb County School District will be spared from drastic work reduction cuts as students return to classes virtually in August in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to avoiding staffing cuts, all DeKalb school district employees will receive a mid-year raise as planned, officials announced today, July 24. The DeKalb County Board of Education approved the district’s 2020-21 budget today in a 6-1 vote, with School Board member Joyce Morley voting against the measure. Morely called the budget “punitive,” saying that district employees, especially teachers, should not have to…

DeKalb County Police are investigating the shooting of an 8-year-old boy that happened today, July 24, around 4 p.m. at the Eastwyck Village apartment complex, located off of Candler Road near Interstate 20. Authorities said the child was shot in the shoulder. He was with a 17-year-old male when the shooting occurred. The 17-year-old was grazed in the leg during the shooting. The boy was transported to a local hospital where his injury is listed as moderate, police said. No suspects have been arrested, as investigators are still trying to determine the motive of the shooting, said…

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) has hired Deanna Hamilton as its new executive director. Hamilton will oversee the GLBC’s administrative, fundraising and programmatic responsibilities for the largest Black caucus in the United States. State Rep. Karen Bennett(D-Stone Mountain), chair of the GLBC,  welcomed Hamilton, saying that her experience will be beneficial to the organization. “We are very pleased to have someone like Deanna leading our organization, and I believe she is the right person at the right time,” said Rep. Bennett. “With all that is happening in our state, it is important for the caucus to have experienced,…

Due to facility issues, the DeKalb County Board of Health’s Clifton Springs Health Center, located at 3110 Clifton Springs Rd. in Decatur, will be closed for the remainder of the week. The health center is scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 27. For WIC Program services, clients may call the DeKalb County WIC Call Center at 404-508-7777. For all other services, please call 404-294-3700 for additional assistance.

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson has been elected 1st Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo). “During these unprecedented times, I couldn’t think of a more honorable way to serve our constituents as we navigate through unchartered territory,” Johnson said. “We are facing some challenging times dealing with COVID-19 and social injustice simultaneously, but together we will make it through. As the 1st Vice President of NACo, I am committed to continue to work collaboratively with my colleagues to further build and foster a beloved community and continue making NACo the best advocacy organization in the world.”…

DeKalb County Police (DKPD) are investigating the discovery of human remains that were found by a contractor working near Hillandale Drive and Lithonia Industrial Blvd. The remains were discovered today, July 23, just after 7 a.m. by a contractor, police said. Sheets and bones were found inside a container near the roadway near Hillandale Drive and Lithonia Industrial Blvd.  The bones were confirmed to be human remains, investigators said. The cause of death has not been determined, as well as the identity. The Medical Examiner’s Office is performing an autopsy.  

Businesses urged to implement ‘No Mask, No Service’ policy   As part of its ongoing “Stop the Spread” campaign, DeKalb County will distribute 20,000 masks to local small businesses to encourage them to implement a “No Mask, No Service” policy. On Saturday, July 25, DeKalb County Police, Fire Rescue and Code Enforcement personnel will distribute masks to small businesses throughout the county to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This effort begins on the day the county’s mask mandate goes into effect requiring DeKalb residents over age 8 “to utilize a face covering or mask which covers the nose…

DeKalb Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson has issued an extension of the Judicial Emergency Order through Aug. 11, making virtual hearings available to the public.  The extension comes in the wake of the surge in the coronavirus pandemic in Georgia and other states in the U.S. “Our Criminal Division is already 100% virtual as of early June, and our Civil Division has kept cases moving by holding virtual hearings in several areas,” said Judge Anderson.  “The Misdemeanor Mental Health Court and our Ordinance Division have both adapted their proceedings to a virtual format as well.” While all filings are…

DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw will host his second Quarterly in the Fourth community breakfast meeting this year via Zoom on Saturday, July 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos, county elections director Erica Hamilton, and DeKalb County department representatives will be available to respond to questions. Special guest speakers will provide an update on DeKalb County COVID-19 response. The focus of the community meetings is to provide information and resources and to address the concerns of constituents. “I am thrilled to be able to resume Quarterly in the Fourth Community meetings,”…