Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—Georgia has joined forces with CVS Health to increase access to rapid COVID-19 testing. Starting today, CVS will be operating drive-thru rapid COVID-19 testing, offered by Abbott Laboratories, at a site on Georgia Tech’s campus. At full capacity, the site will be able to conduct up to 1,000 tests per day. “Increased access to rapid testing remains one of our top priorities in order to identify more cases, get Georgians the care they need, and prevent further infection in our communities,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “This unique, public-private partnership will strengthen our testing capability as we continue to take the fight…

Motor vehicle operations in the Rockdale Tax Commissioner’s Office and throughout the state of Georgia are currently unavailable due to a statewide outage, Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington said today (April 6). The outage also impacts the online e-services portal and kiosks across the state. Please be advised that all vehicle registrations that expire between March 16, 2020, and May 14, 2020 have been extended through May 15. This extension applies to all annual registrations, including personal passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, vehicles registered in the International Registration Plan (IRP), and Temporary Operating Permits (TOPs) issued at the time of a…

By Candice Guthrie DeKalb County residents David and Karren Manuel are providing protective masks for frontline personnel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Co-founders of The I Am A Father 5K, Inc. nonprofit, which focuses on Strengthening Families One Mile At A Time, the couple decided to get involved after reading how healthcare workers everywhere were having trouble finding masks as COVID-19 spreads around the country. “I saw on social media that there was a #millionmaskchallenge and thought that this was something we could do to help. My sister is a nurse at both, Grady and Emory hospitals, and I…

    Consumers encouraged to sanitize touchscreens, payment cards ATLANTA—Gov. Brian P. Kemp joined the American Transaction Processors Coalition, Georgia Retail Association, and Georgia Food Industry Association in issuing guidance regarding the use of PIN numbers and other best practices at checkouts as Georgia continues to fight the spread of COVID-19.  Consumer Tips: If a contactless payment option is available (e.g., Apple Pay, or tap and pay), use it. Clean your payment cards using soap, hand sanitizer, or alcohol after each use. Maintain control of your card, whenever possible, rather than handing it to the merchant. If asked for a…

Human rights activist  Joseph Echols Lowery, Oct. 6, 1921-March 27, 2020 Metro Atlanta leaders shares thoughts, prayers ATLANTA—A small, private service will be held for the late civil rights icon, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, due to social distancing mandates and the coronavirus pandemic. Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In a statement, family members said a larger, public memorial would be held in late summer or early fall. Rev. Lowery died of natural causes unrelated to the coronavirus on Friday (March 27) at home in Atlanta, surrounded by family members. He was 98. “Our…

“We have never given up in chasing hundreds of leads in this case.” —Sgt. L. Shuler, lead investigator Today, (April 4), DeKalb County police announced at a press conference the arrest of one suspect in the 8-year-old murder case of Vanessa “Honey” Malone. Donald Ash, 34, was charged with the murder Malone, who was 18 years old when she was killed. Police are still looking for other suspects involved with the murder and are asking the public’s help. “We do believe that multiple people are responsible for this crime, and the investigation is ongoing. We hope more arrests will…

Gwinnett offers a variety of online services to help residents and businesses accomplish tasks while practicing social distancing. You can renew motor vehicle tags, pay property taxes, request a service order, pay your water bill, pay a false alarm fee, and more when you visit the Online Servicespage at GwinnettCounty.com. Planning and Development allows people to search for existing building, development, fire, or planning permits; request an inspection; renew a building permit; or report a code violation. Water Resources also offers customers the opportunity to

Most residential and commercial annual notices of assessment typically sent in early April now will be sent May 1. An Annual Notice of Assessment is not a tax bill. The notice informs you of the value assessed on your residential or commercial real estate as of January 1, 2020. Personal Property Annual Notices of Assessment for tangible business inventory, watercraft, and aircraft will be mailed May 18. You may appeal your 2020 value within 45 days of the date on your notice at Gwinnett-Assessor.com.

In response to the pandemic, seniors receiving meals through senior congregate programming have been added to GwinnettCounty’s home-delivered meals program. In-home services continue as well for clients receiving homemaking and respite services. For information or to request assistance, call 678.377.4150.