Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is making operational adjustments beginning Thursday, March 26, to protect the health and wellness of employees as they continue providing essential transit service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, MARTA is making service plan changes to bus and rail operations beginning Monday, March 30, to address the dramatic ridership and revenue decline seen in the wake of this national health crisis. “MARTA stands by our role as a provider of essential infrastructure. Our frontline employees are everyday heroes who drive buses, run trains, protect our customers, and clean vehicles and stations. I…

Emory University will take part in an NIH sponsored global clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutic agents in hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The drug remdesivir is the first agent to be evaluated. The Emory Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit (VTEU) was activated March 11 by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), meaning it can begin enrollment as part of this phase three therapeutic clinical trial. The clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT04280705. Emory is one of eight VTEUs around the country and up to 32 sites being activated for the trial.…

Gwinnett County has ordered certain businesses to close until further notice due to COVID-19. Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash signed an emergency order shutting down gyms, fitness centers, fitness studios, theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys, arcades and other similar establishments within unincorporated Gwinnett County. The order also requires that restaurants, food courts, brewpubs, breweries and other eating establishments within unincorporated Gwinnett County cease offering dine-in and outdoor/patio service. These establishments may continue to offer food to customers through delivery, takeout and/or drive-thru service. Exceptions include cafeterias or on-site dining services in hospitals,…

DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court Debra DeBerry is making  Temporary Protective Order applications available online due to COVID-19. DeBerry updated the process following the Supreme Court’s Emergency Order issued on March 14. The clerk worked in collaboration with Chief Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson,  Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson, DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox, key staff and advocates to migrate to a virtual environment beginning March 23. Judge Anderson said: “During this Judicial Emergency,  we have worked collaboratively to complete a monumental task of providing safe online services, which include video emergency hearings to victims in need of Family…

In an effort to reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is issuing a 14-day mandatory Shelter in Place. This order will go into effect starting Thursday, March 2at 12:01 a.m. and will expire Wednesday, April 8, at 11:59 p.m., unless extended by further action of the BOC. The decision for the Shelter in Place Ordinance came as an agreement among County partner agencies which include, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Conyers, Rockdale County Public School Systems, Rockdale Piedmont Hospital, and the Department of Public Health. This ordinance is enforceable by…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has its first two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, it was announced today (March 24). A 35-year-old male inmate in the DeKalb County Jail is undergoing treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital after he tested positive for the virus during a medical assessment while in custody in the hospital. A 57 year-old male employee whose job has no contact with inmates has also been confirmed as having tested positive for the COVID-19 virus while out on sick leave.  The sheriff’s office learned of both medical reports today(March 24). “We were informed of the inmate’s screening…

Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger announced today(March 24) that all of Georgia’s 6.9 million active voters will be mailed absentee ballot request forms for the May 19 primary. Voters will be able to decide on their choice for the presidential primary, special elections and other state and local seats from their homes. Raffensperger said he is moving to increase voter access as people shelter at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Times of turbulence and upheaval like the one we Georgians face require decisive action if the liberties we hold so dear are to be preserved,” said Raffensperger. “I am…

Twice this month, this suspect has followed victims from Wells Fargo, 1440 Highway 138, in Conyers to their next destination then breaks into their vehicles. If anyone has any information regarding these thefts, contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta anonymously 404 577-TIPS.

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…