Author: On Common Ground News

Atlanta Gas Light announced today (March 31) that it is hiring approximately 200 permanent workers throughout Georgia. “We recognize how we can play an important role in preserving Georgia’s economy by keeping people working during these challenging times,” said Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light. “We are moving forward with plans to bring on 200 new team members as quickly as we can to increase our ability to provide the fast and responsive service our customers have come to expect.” The additional jobs grew out of a recently concluded proceeding at the Georgia Public Service Commission, where the…

As positive COVID-19 cases continue to mount in DeKalb and throughout Georgia, so do the numerous questions about the virus. To provide residents a local alternative to the state’s hotline, the DeKalb County Board of Health has established a COVID-19 call center to provide information related to risks, prevention, symptoms, isolation, community resources and testing. The call center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached by calling 404-294-3700, Option 1.

DECATUR—On Thursday, April 2, 5 to 6 p.m., Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting his second telephone town hall on COVID-19. He’s calling more than 50,000 people in Georgia’s Fourth District to answer their questions and listen to their concerns about the coronavirus. Experts from Emory University, Oakhurst Medical Centers, Piedmont Hospital and DeKalb County Schools District will be on the call with the Congressman to address participants questions and discuss the best way for listeners to protect themselves and their families and help prevent the spread of the disease. The Congressman will also be explaining the CARES Act,…

Pictured: DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has officially launched its web page of family resources and activities reviewed and endorsed by the nationally-acclaimed Georgia’s Pre-K Program. “Georgia’s Pre-K At Home” is available at www.decal.ga.gov and includes educational resources divided into four categories including Storytime, Virtual Field Trips, Let’s Go Outside, and Screen-Free Time. Activities are based on the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) and involve simple household items easily found at home. “Following the Governor’s Executive Order closing public elementary and secondary schools for in-person instruction, Georgia’s Pre-K Program…

Comcast announced today it has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to launch the “Get Our Kids Connected” campaign to support low-income families.Through its Internet Essentials program, Comcast will work with APS to solicit financial support from individuals and organizations to sponsor students with low-cost, high-speed internet and computers. “A growing number of students attending Atlanta Public Schools do not have internet service or the technology in their homes to stay connected,” said Jason Gumbs, Comcast Regional SVP in Atlanta. “This disparity creates significant barriers for our students, particularly during a time when so many of us are required to…

Sankofa Community Food Pantry will be offering a free lunch drive-through starting on Wednesday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1240 Sigman Road, Conyers. The nonprofit is hosting the grab-and-go lunch program weekly, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., through May 15 in response to school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Children ages 18 and under must be present with their parent or caregiver to receive the free lunch and are not required to provide any proof of residency or documentation. Upon completion of the school year, Sankofa Community Food Pantry will also…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has formed a COVID-19 Strategic Task Force. Driven by science and medical expertise, the task force will provide professional, technical and strategic counsel related to protecting the health, safety and economic well-being of DeKalb’s 750,000 residents. Top medical experts will include David Ross, president and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health, and Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district director of the DeKalb Board of Health. The task force will host its inaugural meeting virtually Wednesday, April 1, 10 a.m. “This pandemic is a fluid situation with no standard play book or set of rules,”…

The Black Business Roundtable, hosted by Alice Bussey, has been rescheduled for June 4, 6 p.m., at the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI) Start Up Factory located at 7310 Stonecrest Concourse, Stonecrest. Bussey, who has served as the U.S. Labor Department’s first representative of the state of Georgia and was also the Federal Women’s Program manager for the eight state Southeastern Region, will share information on contracting opportunities and other resources available to help minority businesses grow. For more information, email Alice Bussey at celebrationofblackbusiness@gmail.com.

After having to postpone this spring’s Atlanta Dogwood Festival due to the coronavirus (COVID-19)pandemic, festival organizers say the 84th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is now scheduled to take place in Piedmont Park from Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug 9. The festival will be joined by the already-scheduled World Diversity & Inclusion Festival and 5K in the park for the August outdoor celebration. “We are thrilled to have found a new date to continue the annual tradition of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival,” said Brian Hill, festival executive director. “We appreciate the efforts by the City of Atlanta administration, as well…

The coronavirus outbreak has been big business for scammers. First, it was fake masks, then fake government grants, and now it’s a fake COVID-19 tests. In the past few days, BBB Scam Tracker (BBB.org/ScamTracker) has gotten numerous reports of phony text messages claiming to be from a government agency.  How the Scam Works: You get a text message that looks like it comes from the US federal government. Current reports say that scammers are impersonating the US Department of Health and Human Services, but they are unlikely to stop there. The message tells you that you must take a “mandatory online COVID-19…