Author: On Common Ground News

By Mackenzie N. Morgan DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson said that he is determined to get a complete count for the 2020 Census—even if it means hosting free carnivals. An estimated 600 people attended one such carnival hosted by Johnson and DeKalb County’s Department of Human Services on March 7 as a reminder that the census is approaching. Invitations to respond to the census are being delivered in the mail March 12-20.  Responses can be made online, by phone or by mail. Families from all over DeKalb attended the Census Carnival, which was held in…

The qualifying period for candidates seeking offices in Rockdale County ended on Friday, March 6, with six unopposed races already decided in the May 19 primary. The incumbents who will face no challengers and will retain their seats are: State Court Judge Nancy Bills; Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington; Coroner George Levett; Rockdale Board of Education Post 1 member Mandy North; Rockdale Board of Education, Post 3 member Wales Barksdale; and Rockdale Board of Education, Post 4 memberHeather Duncan. Meanwhile, the Rockdale Sheriff’s race will have more candidates than any local contest on the ballot. Sheriff Eric Levett is facing…

Pictured left to right are Sarah Adams, Xenia Delgado, Congressman Johnson, Mena Perry and David Moreno. Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the winners of his 2020 Congressional Arts Competition and awarded four college scholarships worth a total of $35,000 on March 7 at the Art Station in Stone Mountain. In this year’s competition, there were 40 entries from eight high schools throughout the Fourth District. The Grand Prize Winner was Sarah Adams, a senior at South Gwinnett High School. She won a $12,000 scholarship to The Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) for her work “Nourish.” Adams will…

State Rep. Viola Davis recently honored Tucker resident Linda Clarkwith the Yellow Rose/Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award. Davis described Clark, a longtime resident of the Peters Park Community, as a “one-woman force that has unified the community to combat and fight the growing deterioration of the neighborhood.” Davis said Clark has a long history of serving the Peters Park Community with dedication and devotion. Clark took the lead in a community cleanup,  motivating more than 75 volunteers from all over Tucker to roll up their sleeves and pitch in to restore Peters Park.  The army…

ATLANTA—The Georgia General Assembly will suspend the 2020 legislative session indefinitely after Friday, March 13, the 29th Legislative Day. The suspension is out of anabundance of caution and in the interest of health and safety of members, staff and the public given the prevalence of the coronavirus. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and Speaker of the House David Ralston have mutually agreed to suspend the session and resume at a future date to be determined. “We continue to urge calm and appropriate responses to the coronavirus situation. However, the current environment demands that we take additional preventative action,” said Duncan. “Speaker…

The school district issued the following statement: “We have been committed to keeping our community updated about the rapidly developing situation with COVID-19. Throughout the process, we have relied on the guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DeKalb County Board of Health, Georgia Department of Education, as well as our state leaders. During today’s 3 p.m. press conference, Gov. Kemp communicated the following, “Given the rise of the coronavirus, I am going to issue a call to action. If local communities feel it is prudent, you should consider closing day…

The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual, award-winning tradition in Conyers for 38 years, is canceling its 39th festival scheduled for March 21-22 at the Georgia International Horse Park, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Rockdale County’s Emergency Management Agency Director Dan Morgan and the Gwinnett Newton Rockdale Health Departments say they want to protect the public from being exposed to the virus. “Out of an abundance of caution for those participating in and attending the festival, we made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event,” said City Manager Tony Lucas. “Our utmost priority remains the health and wellbeing…

Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) are confirming the first death from COVID-19 in Georgia. The 67-year-old male was hospitalized at WellStar Kennestone since testing positive for COVID-19 on March 7. In addition to being infected with coronavirus disease, this individual also had underlying medical conditions. “Marty, the girls, and I are praying for the family and loved ones of this individual during this incredibly difficult time,” said Gov. Kemp. “I know the medical professionals on site did everything that they could, and I greatly appreciate their efforts. As our state continues to address this…

DCE cancels March 14 community meeting  The DeKalb Cultural Exchange community breakfast meeting, scheduled Saturday, March 14, has been cancelled. Councilman Rob Turner, who hosts the event with his wife, DeKalb School Board member Vickie B. Turner, said the breakfast is being cancelled after speaking with health officials concerning the coronavirus. DeKalb Youth and Young Adult Summit cancelled The DeKalb County Juvenile Court and the DeKalb Juvenile Justice Council has canceled the Children, Youth & Young Adult Summit scheduled for Saturday, March 21, St. Phillip AME Church in Atlanta. DeKalb History Center cancels annual meeting on March…

Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, is scheduled to visit Ray of Hope Christian Church, 2778 Snapfinger Road, Decatur for 10 a.m. service on Sunday March 15. The Rev. Cynthia Hale is pastor of Ray of Hope.