Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR — The June 9, 2020, election will include both the Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election that was originally scheduled for March 24, and the General Primary/Nonpartisan/Special Election that was originally scheduled for May 19. If a voter cast a ballot in the Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election during the advance voting period prior to the postponement of the March 24, 2020, election date, he or she still will receive a ballot containing the issues and races for the General Primary/Nonpartisan/Special Election. If a voter did not cast a ballot in the Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election during the advance voting period prior…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) plans to offer an array of services to help reduce social isolation for older adults and people with disabilities that have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a $1.7 million federal CARES Act grant, the state will provide a range of new services that incorporate assistive technology, telehealth and virtual social opportunities. “This grant gives us the opportunity to help older and disabled Georgians stay connected virtually by providing training for services like Zoom and Skype, and access to tablets, internet and data plans,” said Abby Cox, director of the…

DECATUR—DeKalb County Government has implemented a comprehensive strategy to mitigate food insecurity by hosting monthly community food distribution events and significantly increasing the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s capacity to distribute food throughout the county. On Saturday, June 6, the county will host three drive-thru food distribution events during which 2,400 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of Georgia Grown fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound bag of pork sausage. Beginning at 10 a.m., COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at three locations: Buck Godfrey Stadium,2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur, GA 30034 James R. Hallford…

DECATUR — DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) will distribute cloth masks, hand sanitizer and a limited supply of food weekly in June. This is part of DEMA’s mission to provide temporary relief during the month of June for vulnerable populations in communities that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. DEMA’s first distribution will be today, Tuesday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Planet Fitness parking lot, located at 2460 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur. DEMA will distribute 250 reusable cloth masks made by DEMA staff and Community Emergency Response Team volunteers, hand sanitizer and approximately 250 boxes…

A four-year-old child is in critical condition and a DeKalb County man is dead after someone went on a hit-and-run spree on Sunday (May 31), DeKalb County Police spokesperson Michaela Vincent said. Vincent said in a news release that the Marietta Police Department today (June1)recovered the silver Hyundai Sante Fe used in a hit-and-run that injured the child and was involved in another incident. The recovered vehicle was filled with occupants but not the black male who is the person of interest whom police are seeking, Vincent said. The silver Hyundai belonged to the man who died after he was…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Terry Oatts was recently distinguished as part of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Who’s Who in Education” for 2020. This special section honors the top men and women leading the way in K-12 and postsecondary education in metro-Atlanta. “I am honored to join those of my colleagues who have been duly recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a top educational leader,” said Oatts. “What I am most proud of is the progress we have made as a district during the last two years. While we certainly have more progress to make, we have already…

The murder of George Floyd, the unarmed black man, who was killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota sparked protests, a number of them violent, across the U.S. Photographer Joshua Smith captured these scenes in downtown Atlanta on Sunday, May 31, around 6:30 p.m.  Protestors and authorities face off during a peaceful demonstration. A convoy of the National Guard rolled through the streets. Police, dressed in riot gear, were ready to enforce the 9 p.m. curfew set for demonstrators to be off the streets. Just two days earlier, protestors had clashed with the police and vandalized…

DECATUR—DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and Dairy Queen on Flat Shoals Parkway celebrated the frontline medical staff at Emory Hillandale Hospital with an ice cream social. Dairy Queen donated 200 blizzards to the staff to say “thank you” for their tireless efforts and to help brighten their day. Johnson said the real heroes are the frontline workers who are putting in long hours daily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are excited to partner with Dairy Queen to make things happen in our community. It is all about giving back.  This small token of appreciation made an already sweet staff, even sweeter,” Johnson said. Johnson was joined on…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today, June 1, that his 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for middle and high school students is officially open. The CAC accepts computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc.). The Challenge’s submission portal is now open and students may register entries here. All apps are due by Oct. 19 but students are encouraged to register online by Sept. 10. “The competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience,” said Rep. Johnson, chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee…

ATLANTA – The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), chaired by State Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), issued the following statement  today, June 1, in response to the weekend protests against racial and police violence: “While our country is trying to stave off the threat of one disease, another disease continues to plague our communities. America has to find the courage to confront its racism and how it undermines our greatness and corrodes our soul. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus prays and advocates on behalf of victims who have died for no other reason than being black in America. During the…