Author: On Common Ground News

In an effort to assist one of Georgia’s high-risk groups during the health situation involving coronavirus, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) will be providing a 120-day extension for driver’s license and identification card holders age 60 and older. DDS estimates that more than 36,000 Georgians are eligible for this service. “Commissioner Moore and his team are actively searching for ways to provide more services away from the centers to mitigate public health concerns, and I applaud them for identifying this solution for these citizens,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. Customers aged 60 years of age and older whose license or ID card is valid with an expiration from March through…

Following President Trump’s national emergency declaration today, Governor Kemp issued the following statement: “Based on President Trump’s emergency declaration, I will declare a public health emergency for the State of Georgia tomorrow morning. This declaration will greatly assist health and emergency management officials across Georgia by deploying all available resources for the mitigation and treatment of COVID-19. In accordance with state law, I will call for a special session of the General Assembly to convene at the State Capitol at 8 AM on Monday, March 16, 2020 to ratify this action through a joint resolution. “At this time, it is…

DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Asha F. Jackson has issued an order to declare, “the existence of a Judicial Emergency in the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. The nature of this emergency is the continued transmission of Coronavirus/COVID-19 throughout DeKalb County and the potential infection of those who are required to appear in our courts and interact with large groups due to jury service, including grand jury service, or other large, non-essential calendars.” The order shall be held for thirty (30) days from the date of the order and is included in this press release. At this time, DeKalb County…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial of Kaylon Jiles, a member of the HATE Committee, the enforcement arm of the Gangster Disciples gang.  On Thursday, jurors found Jiles guilty of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony for the 2017 shooting death of 30-year-old Eris Fisher. Jiles, 26, shot Fisher multiple times in front of his wife and friend over a drug dispute.  This incident happened on November 5, 2017 at the Motel 6, 2820 Chamblee Tucker Road. Fisher was living at the Motel 6,  and according…

Out of an abundance of caution and due to President Trump and Governor Kemp declaring a state of emergency, Rockdale County Government is taking measures to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Rockdale County is enacting a Daily Operation Protocol that will go into effect Tuesday, March 17 and will last until Friday, March 20, which is when executive county officials will make their decision on whether to continue the protocol into the next week. Within the protocol, several measures have taken place to protect employees and citizens including shutting down access and limiting access to several facilities and meetings.…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary announced today (March 13) that City Hall will be closed to the public starting Monday, March 16 for at least two weeks as a coronavirus precaution.  The mayor said that he is canceling all upcoming meetings to include: March 23 City Council meeting and Work Session Municipal Court on March 26 and April 14 Planning Commission meeting on April 7 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on March 17 City staff, equipped with laptops and cell phones, will work from their homes or remote locations. Building and code enforcement inspections will still be conducted.  The city’s main…

Rockdale County Government, out of an abundance of caution, is taking measures to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Several measures have taken place to protect employees and citizens including shutting down access and limiting access to several facilities and meetings. Please be advised of the following meeting changes and facility closures which will go in effect starting tomorrow, Friday, March 13: The Rockdale State of the County Address will not be open to the public, however, it will be broadcast live via the Rockdale County Website and Facebook Pages at 3 p.m. on the scheduled date of event –…

No public facilities closed due to Coronavirus Officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are reminding citizens that all state parks and historic sites are open and welcoming visitors. With many Georgians avoiding crowds and canceling travel plans, parks provide nearby places to enjoy nature and solitude. Amenities such as campsites, cabins, hiking trails, picnic areas and golf courses remain open. A small, wooded section within Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge was recently selected as a temporary location to house Coronavirus patients. At 5,800 acres, Hard Labor Creek is Georgia’s second largest state park. Less than…

At the recommendation of Governor Brian Kemp and at the directive of Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in communities, RCPS will move to Independent Learning Days beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 for two weeks. Families should plan for schools and facilities to be closed the week of March 16th, the week of March 23rd, and potentially longer if needed. Friday, March 13, 2020 is a normal operational school day. Updated information will be posted atwww.rockdaleschools.org/COVID19 RCPS will implement Independent Learning with students using their school-issued laptops in grades…

Shoppers packed the Kroger grocery store off of Highway 138 in Conyers. The lines snaked from the store’s pharmacy to the check-out registers at the front of the stores on March 12.  As state officials confirmed Georgia’s first COVID-19 death, local residents stepped up their preparations for the global pandemic. People headed to grocery stores to stock up to stay home, heeding federal, state and county officials’ advice to get ready. There were long lines at a Kroger store in Rockdale County, where shoppers filled their buggies with groceries, bottled water and other goods on Thursday evening (March 12).…