Author: On Common Ground News

Due to the current public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,DeKalb Parks has temporarily closed the Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center, the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, and playgrounds and fitness stations. All year-round recreation programming, rentals, group gatherings and organized athletic events have been suspended until further notice. All parks and trails will remain open to the public and patrons are encouraged to practice social distancing protocols for the safety of DeKalb’s communities. All DeKalb County recreation centers will remain open as a resource for students to pick up snacks from 3:30 to 4:30…

Mayor Jason Lary released a COVID-19 Executive Orderon March 23 and says he is offering the Sam’s Club building to Gove. Brian Kemp as a temporary medical facility. The mayor’s orders align with those of the governor and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond who each gave their COVID-19 addresses earlier today.  The mayor’s orders which are effective today, mandate the following: Public gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited Citizens are asked to participate in a voluntary curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily except for trips for work, food, or medical treatments and emergencies All city playgrounds…

The DeKalb County School District Division of Human Resources is hosting a Certified Virtual Job Fair beginning on March 23. Please flyer attached for further details. Interested candidates will need to send their resume to dekalbvirtualhires@dekalbschoolsga.org. Candidates will need to place in the subject line their level of interest and subject area (i.e. elementary to third grade). Additionally, candidates will need to apply online at https://pats.dekalbschoolsga.org. See flyer for further instructions and more information.

To best protect the safety of patients and employees, Piedmont Newton and Piedmont Rockdale Hospitals are implementing visitor restrictions until further notice. All visitors are restricted except essential family members. The only cases in which visitors will be permitted are for patients receiving end-of-life care, labor and delivery support, and for legal guardians accompanying minors who are receiving care, such as infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Labor and Delivery patients will be limited to one support person. Visitors must call ahead and receive preapproval. In addition, visitors who receive approval must pass a health screening based on…

Absentee by mail applications for the combined ballot including the Presidential Preference Primary/Special Election and the May General Primary/General Nonpartisan/Special Election will be accepted until Friday, May 15, 2020.

On March 19, a Decatur City Hall employee notified management that they had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is in an administrative position and typically has limited interactions with the public. Wednesday, March 11 was the last day that the employee was at work, and the employee did not begin experiencing symptoms until after that time. As outlined in the City’s Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan, the City has notified individuals with direct contact with the employee and directed them to self-quarantine and/or self-monitor. In addition, the affected workspaces and common areas have been disinfected and sanitized, and the…

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is reminding citizens to keep items like paper towels, sanitizing wipes or “flushable” wipes out of the sewer system. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, stores have been emptied of toilet paper, leading citizens to use paper towels or wipes as alternatives. Many have also increased sanitizing of surface areas with disinfectant wipes. “We want to eliminate any other potential public health threats, especially during this COVID-19 crisis,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Along with keeping fats, oils and grease out of the drains, keeping paper towels and wipes out of our sewer…

ATLANTA– Attorney General Chris Carr is encouraging Georgians to remain vigilant and only rely on trusted sources when it comes to information concerning COVID-19.  Various scams already have been discovered that are designed solely to deceive and disrupt local, state and federal responses to the pandemic. Scammers continue to monitor the headlines looking for ways to steal money and/or personally identifiable information from Americans. “Criminals continue to exploit the COVID-19 outbreak – trying to  steal, deceive and disrupt,”said Attorney General Chris Carr.“We often see fraudsters use texts, and unfortunately, they are at it once again. If you or anyone you…

Out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Rockdale County Chairman, Oz Nesbitt, Sr. is strongly encouraging Rockdale residents to stay at home. Residents are encouraged to stay at home ,unless it is an essential need including picking up groceries, going to the pharmacy or it is an essential medical need. The CDC’s social distancing guidelines are strongly encouraged as well as the following prevention measures: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid…

Order outlines front line workers’ initiatives, job loss, voluntary business curfews, funeral gatherings, more Today, March 23, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in DeKalb County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The order is effective today until otherwise amended or revoked. The order reaffirms the county’s commitment to deliver seamless essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensures the county workforce will remain in a heightened state of readiness, and launches a two-pronged strategy to address the deepening health and economic crisis. “DeKalb’s continuity of operations protocols have been activated…