Author: On Common Ground News

 Today, March 27, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond updated the county’s state of emergency with a shelter-in-place order for DeKalb County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The order is effective Saturday, March 28, 2020, at 9 p.m. until further notice. The shelter in place applies to all individuals living in DeKalb County. According to the order, “individuals are permitted to leave their places of residence only to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential businesses and essential governmental functions.” “We are trying to save lives from the serious COVID-19…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Libraries around metro Atlanta are getting creative to keep students and their families engaged and learning while school is out. In an effort to ensure the safety and health of staff and patrons, libraries are encouraging citizens to participate in social distant learning via their websites and social accounts. Following is a list of some that I’ve curated for you: NATIONAL EMERGENCY LIBRARY Over 1.4 million books have been made available in the brand new National Emergency Library created by the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library of millions of free books, movies, software, music,…

Pictured: Virgil Franklin By Al Franklin  Today was a hard day for me. I decided not to drive to my hometown of Graceville, Florida to attend the funeral for my uncle, Virgil Franklin, this weekend. My decision is clearly because of the Coronavirus (CoVid-19). The pandemic is hitting closer and closer to home as I think about how the outbreak is preventing many from attending their loved ones’ funerals. I read the story of how the Coronavirus outbreak was linked to two funerals in Albany, Georgia. Even the minister, who officiated…

Pictured: Barber Ivan Takes care of a customer at FlawlessCuts in Stonecrest on March 27. By Nate Hill STONECREST—As people are forced to stay at home, many businesses are forced to deal with circumstances that are now considered to be “the new normal.” A recent visit to my local barber at Flawless Cuts at 2928 Evans Mill Road in the city of Stonecrest revealed a scene that did not exist just two weeks ago: The plaza’s vast parking lot was nearly empty (where one of the anchor tenants is the South DeKalb YMCA Academy Learning Center); a nail salon was closed,…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will conduct four of its committee meetings via teleconference (Zoom) on Monday, March 30. The public can access the committee meetings by phone: USA 602-333-0032 USA 888-270-9936 (US Toll Free) Conference code: 217687 followed by the #. County Operations Committee March 30, 10 a.m. Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee March 30, 1 p.m. Public Works and Infrastructure Committee March 30, 2 p.m. Finance Audit and Budget (FAB) Committee March 30, 3:30 p.m. The regular Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 9 a.m. The agenda is still being prepared…

If you’re confined to your home and want to find out what’s going on with DeKalb County, Georgia government, you can attend virtually. DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will have a special-called meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 9 a.m. The board’s meeting will be conducted via teleconference. Simultaneous public access to the meeting will be available via: Live stream on DCTV’s webpage(dekalbcountyga.gov) Go to the bottom of the home page DCTVChannel23.TV on Comcast Cable Dial-in (888) 270-9936 (US Toll Free), using access code 217687 followed by the # sign. 03312020 SpecialCalled BOC Agenda  

Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) applauded passage of historic Families and Workers-First legislation, which will now go to the President’s desk for his signature. The Congressman was in the Chamber and voted in support of the bill. “I am proud to support this historic piece of legislation, which will bring urgently needed relief to families and small businesses all across this country, including Georgia,” said Rep. Johnson.  “During this time of stress and uncertainty, every American needs to know that their government is there to support them without hesitation. This latest piece of legislation is an important step in our…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Terry Oatts announced, following the executive order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp today to close Georgia schools through April 24, that RCPS schools and offices will remain closed and are scheduled to reopen April 27. Independent Learning Day (ILD) protocols and Be Bright Eat Right Rockdale (BBERR) meal delivery routes will continue through April 3, will close for Spring Break, April 6-10, and will continue April 13-24. For all the latest details, please visit www.rockdaleschools.org/COVID19 . Oatts said in a message for staff, parents, students, and the community: “I hope that you and…

STONECREST—Atlanta’s Inspiration Station Praise 102.5 is partnering with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to share words of hope, faith and encouragement during the global coronavirus pandemic. Beginning March 29, at 10 a.m. Praise 102.5 will broadcast New Birth’s full Sunday service to its listeners. “In these trying times, Sunday worship is more important than ever,” said Praise 102.5 Program Director Derek Harper. “Praise 102.5 is pleased to partner with Dr. Bryant and New Birth to give Atlanta area listeners the ability to access Bible-based scripture and still be able to practice the measures put in place to combat the COVID-19…

“We recently directed health insurers not to cancel health policies for non-payment until further notice… During a global pandemic, no one should be denied treatment for financial reasons – and people shouldn’t lose their health coverage due to the economic instability fostered by the coronavirus.” By John F. King Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner While the COVID-19 outbreak started as an international story that felt distant to many of us, this global pandemic has clearly become an issue impacting Georgians in every corner of our state. On Wednesday evening, we eclipsed 1,387 confirmed cases of…