Author: On Common Ground News

Georgia reports decline in COVID-19 cases   Gov. Brian Kemp announced the first phase of Georgia businesses that will reopen to the public beginning this Friday, April 24. Kemp said it’s time to begin putting the economy back on track by easing the state’s mandated restrictions due to COVID-19. His announcement has drawn both, praise from those who agree with him, and criticism from those who fear the pandemic will become more widespread. “In the same way that we carefully closed businesses and urged operations to end to mitigate the virus’ spread, today, we are announcing plans to incrementally -…

Today, Gov. Brian P. Kemp provided the following update on COVID-19 in Georgia. Kemp was joined by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, Speaker David Ralston, Georgia National Guard Adjutant General Tom Carden, Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, and GEMA/HS Director Homer Bryson. “Good afternoon, everyone. Today I’m joined by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, Speaker David Ralston, General Tom Carden, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, and GEMA Director Homer Bryson. “As of noon today, we now have 18,947 COVID-19 cases in Georgia with 733 deaths. The state lab has processed 5,362 tests, and commercial vendors have processed 78,966 tests. We understand that these…

Rockdale County Government is implementing a hiring freeze effective immediately, officials said today (April 20). The hiring freeze includes all Rockdale County departments, except the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. The freeze will last until further notice, county officials said. “The hiring freeze is based upon 30 days of no to very slow revenues streams. It’s simply precautionary until we can completely assess the damages of this economic set back,” said Rockdale Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. “It has absolutely nothing to do with the Governor or his order.” Nesbitt said the county government offices would not be opening…

STONECREST–DeKalb County police are investigating a fatal shooting at the Walmart on Fairington Road in the city of Stonecrest. The shooting took place on Sunday, April 19, at 7;45 p.m. in the parking lot. DeKalb police responding to the scene found one victim, Jeremiah Smith, 22, suffering from a gunshot wound in the parking lot. Smith died at a local hospital. According to police, the suspect and the victim got into an argument in the store and it ended in the parking lot where shots were fired. Police have not identified the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) congratulates its valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2020. The valedictorians and salutatorians were notified in a surprise announcement on April 17 with administrators, counselors and teachers driving to each student’s home with a sign. Rockdale students, like other students across the state of Georgia, were ordered to stay at home and learn online amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The eight students will lead their senior classes in graduation ceremonies. All of the following dates are pending COVID-19 pandemic conditions: Salem High School’s graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 p.m., at SHS. Rockdale…

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is extending the deadline for new applications for the 2020 Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Council (REBC) Grant program (formerly known as the GATEway Grant program). The new application deadline is May 15. The REBC grant program provides funding for enhancement and beautification projects along Georgia’s roadsides. Since 2008, the Georgia DOT has awarded 148 grants totaling more than $5 million dollars for the grant program to governments and community improvement districts around the state. The grant program uses revenue from contributory value fees paid by outdoor advertising companies to the Georgia DOT for vegetation removal in…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson DeKalb launches ‘It’s Not Too Late’ to be counted   DeKalb County is launching the “It’s Not Too Late” campaign to inform residents that they still have time to complete the 2020 Census. Currently, 49.2 percent of DeKalb’s households have completed the 2020 Census in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond is pushing for 100 percent of county households to complete the census questionnaire. “If every household is counted, DeKalb County could receive $1.8 billion in federal funds annually for the next 10 years,” Thurmond said.…

ATLANTA— Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced this afternoon during a televised press conference that barbershops, salons, gyms, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, spas and other indoor facilities will be permitted to reopen on Friday, easing restrictions due to COVID-19. Dine-in restaurants and movie theaters will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27, while houses of worship are asked to continue to comply with social distancing orders, if they choose to open. Nightclubs and bars, however, remain under a ban. Kemp did not mention department sores or malls during the press conference. Georgia’s shelter in place order remains in effect through…

EFFECTIVE MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2020- To prioritize essential transit service, MARTA is reducing bus service to the 41 routes listed below. OPERATIONAL BUS ROUTES BEGINNING 4/20/2020 2  4  5  6  15  19  21  26  39  40  42  49  50  51  60  71  73  78  82  83  84  86  89  95  102  107  110  111  117  120  121  172  178  185  186  191  192  193  196  816  Including Oakley Industrial Circulator ALL OTHER BUS ROUTES WILL BE SUSPENDED Bus customers will enter and exit using the rear doors only, except for customers who require the accessibility ramp. MARTA is suspending fare…

Torinto Antoine Christian, the 35-year-old Decatur resident who escaped last week after he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, has been arrested. After a brief foot pursuit, DeKalb County sheriff’s investigators apprehended Christian without incident at a gas station on Moreland Avenue in Atlanta. Christian was arrested on Monday, April 13, and booked into the DeKalb County Jail. Investigators say that Christian had asked for medical assistance while in his cell and was transported to Grady, where he slipped out of his handcuffs and fled. Christian was originally arrested on warrants charging him with kidnapping and aggravated assault.