Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox may have to re-think her daily walk-about through the housing units of the DeKalb County Jail.  Doctor’s orders. Today, the sheriff found herself back at home and being screened via Tele-Med services after a second DeKalb Jail employee tested positive for COVID-19.  The 45-year old female jail operations supervisor frequently accompanied Sheriff Maddox on her strolls though the massive million-square-foot facility to share words of encouragement with inmates and jail staff, and to assess the agency’s performance at meeting their needs. Sheriff Maddox became a link in the agency’s protocol for reverse investigation of…

Today, Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced a laboratory surge plan to quickly increase the availability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 in Georgia. The initiative leverages the collective resources under the University System of Georgia, Georgia Public Health Laboratory, and Emory University. The ramp-up of laboratory testing begins today. Labs will process over 3,000 samples per day. “Adequate testing for COVID-19 has continued to be a top priority for the Coronavirus Task Force as we fight this pandemic,” said Kemp. “With this innovative partnership between state government agencies, our world-class research institutions, and private-sector partners, we will…

Atlanta Gas Light announced today (March 31) that it is hiring approximately 200 permanent workers throughout Georgia. “We recognize how we can play an important role in preserving Georgia’s economy by keeping people working during these challenging times,” said Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light. “We are moving forward with plans to bring on 200 new team members as quickly as we can to increase our ability to provide the fast and responsive service our customers have come to expect.” The additional jobs grew out of a recently concluded proceeding at the Georgia Public Service Commission, where the…

As positive COVID-19 cases continue to mount in DeKalb and throughout Georgia, so do the numerous questions about the virus. To provide residents a local alternative to the state’s hotline, the DeKalb County Board of Health has established a COVID-19 call center to provide information related to risks, prevention, symptoms, isolation, community resources and testing. The call center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached by calling 404-294-3700, Option 1.

DECATUR—On Thursday, April 2, 5 to 6 p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting his second telephone town hall on COVID-19. He’s calling more than 50,000 people in Georgia’s Fourth District to answer their questions and listen to their concerns about the coronavirus. Experts from Emory University, Oakhurst Medical Centers, Piedmont Hospital and DeKalb County Schools District will be on the call with the Congressman to address participants questions and discuss the best way for listeners to protect themselves and their families and help prevent the spread of the disease. The Congressman will also be explaining the CARES Act,…

Pictured: DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has officially launched its web page of family resources and activities reviewed and endorsed by the nationally-acclaimed Georgia’s Pre-K Program. “Georgia’s Pre-K At Home” is available at www.decal.ga.gov and includes educational resources divided into four categories including Storytime, Virtual Field Trips, Let’s Go Outside, and Screen-Free Time. Activities are based on the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) and involve simple household items easily found at home. “Following the Governor’s Executive Order closing public elementary and secondary schools for in-person instruction, Georgia’s Pre-K Program…

Comcast announced today it has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to launch the “Get Our Kids Connected” campaign to support low-income families.Through its Internet Essentials program, Comcast will work with APS to solicit financial support from individuals and organizations to sponsor students with low-cost, high-speed internet and computers. “A growing number of students attending Atlanta Public Schools do not have internet service or the technology in their homes to stay connected,” said Jason Gumbs, Comcast Regional SVP in Atlanta. “This disparity creates significant barriers for our students, particularly during a time when so many of us are required to…

Sankofa Community Food Pantry will be offering a free lunch drive-through starting on Wednesday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1240 Sigman Road, Conyers. The nonprofit is hosting the grab-and-go lunch program weekly, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., through May 15 in response to school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Children ages 18 and under must be present with their parent or caregiver to receive the free lunch and are not required to provide any proof of residency or documentation. Upon completion of the school year, Sankofa Community Food Pantry will also…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has formed a COVID-19 Strategic Task Force. Driven by science and medical expertise, the task force will provide professional, technical and strategic counsel related to protecting the health, safety and economic well-being of DeKalb’s 750,000 residents. Top medical experts will include David Ross, president and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health, and Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district director of the DeKalb Board of Health. The task force will host its inaugural meeting virtually Wednesday, April 1, 10 a.m. “This pandemic is a fluid situation with no standard play book or set of rules,”…

The Black Business Roundtable, hosted by Alice Bussey, has been rescheduled for June 4, 6 p.m., at the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI) Start Up Factory located at 7310 Stonecrest Concourse, Stonecrest. Bussey, who has served as the U.S. Labor Department’s first representative of the state of Georgia and was also the Federal Women’s Program manager for the eight state Southeastern Region, will share information on contracting opportunities and other resources available to help minority businesses grow. For more information, email Alice Bussey at celebrationofblackbusiness@gmail.com.