Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) has identified the victim who was fatally shot on the Fourth of July at 3508 Tiffany Drive, Conyers as Aaron Huff, 19, of Conyers. A second victim was shot during the incident and is currently hospitalized, Deputy Lee Thomas said in a statement today. Deputies responded to a call about the shooting on July 4 at 3:32 p.m. after neighbors reported hearing gunshots and people scrambling away from the house. Investigators were able to identify persons of interest and are asking the public’s help with any information regarding the shooting. The RCSO can be reached…

WorkSource DeKalb announces its Mobile Career Center schedule for July. The center will be stationed at locations throughout DeKalb County to help put DeKalb County citizens back to work. The mobile unit brings job assistance to residents of DeKalb by conveniently traveling all over the county. Residents have access to services like job search assistance, workshops, training and resume writing and interviewing tips. Businesses may also use the mobile unit for interviewing, training, pre-employment screenings or recruiting. The Mobile Career Center is also aiding residents interested in applying for the DeKalb year-round internship program.  The program provides short-term internship opportunities…

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors recently adopted the Authority’s fiscal year 2020 Operating and Capital Budget. The nearly $1.1 billion budget includes $523.9 million in operating funds and $579.7 million for capital programming, with a projected reserve balance of $203.5 million. MARTA’s FY 20 budget aligns with aintaining current levels bus, rail, and paratransit service, while providing for capital projects aimed at transit expansion, enhancing connectivity and spurring economic growth, officials said. “Our budget reflects MARTA’s priorities and its commitment to its customers, employees and fiscal responsibility,” said MARTA General Manager & CEO Jeffrey Parker.…

Xpress passengers on all 27 routes across 12 metro counties will begin seeing the new logo of the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) on Xpress commuter coaches this week. Offiials say the addition of the ATL logo will help to identify and promote a more connected network of mobility options across the region. Xpress – operated by the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) – joins MARTA as the second transit provider in the region to incorporate the ATL logo. The new logo will appear on buses and at park-and-ride lots. Xpress and ATL co-branding will heighten visibility and awareness…

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) DeKalb, Inc. is hosting a Multicultural Mental Health Fair in recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, which will be held Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Milam Park in Clarkston. NAMI DeKalb President Cynthia Moorer is encouraging the public to attend. “Our fair is open to the public and welcomes diverse populations, including specific refugee and minority communities in DeKalb County,” Moorer said. NAMI is working to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues and spread more awareness to diverse populations. The event includes guest speakers and mental health community…

District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson                Patrina King DeKalb County District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will host the second installment in her Books & More Women’s Empowerment Club Series  on Saturday, July 20, noon to 2 p.m., at the Smoke Rise Country Club, 4900 Chedworth Drive,Stone Mountain. The Women’s Empowerment Book Club will feature seasoned golfer and founder of Golf Women Mean Business, Patrina King, who will share her advice on what it takes to be successful in business from the teachings in her book, “9 Holes 9 Goals,…

Pictured left to right: GMA President, and Auburn Mayor Linda Blechinger, City of Stonecrest Councilwoman Diane Adoma, and Mara O. Shaw, leadership development program manager. Stonecrest Councilmember Diane Adoma received the Certificate of Achievement from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah on June 21. Adoma is the first member of the Stonecrest City Council to receive the prestigious certificate of achievement, GMA stated in a news release. The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. To…

By OCG Staff Smoking and vaping would be banned inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and other enclosed public places in the city under a proposed ordinance approved by the Atlanta City Council. The City Council passed the proposal 13-2 on July 1, with members Howard Shook and J. P. Matzigkeit voting against the measure. The approval follows years of advocates pushing for more stringent laws to reduce health risks for secondhand smoke and to deter young people from starting to smoke. The new law would take effect beginning Jan. 2, 2020, if Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signs…

Student Registration relocates to RCA July 22-Aug. 2   Rockdale County Public Schools(RCPS) are urging parents to beat the rush and register their children for school online at www.rockdaleschools.org/registration. Online registration is required as the first step for registering and enrolling students for school in Rockdale County. Computers are available at the RCPS Student Registration office for families without access to a computer or internet. This is the third year RCPS has offered online registration for families coming to Rockdale County. The first day of school is July 29, 2019. After registering online, parents need to bring the…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed fiscal year 2019 mid-year budget includes a balanced budget, millage rate rollback and property tax relief. County officials say the proposed millage rate rollback, combined with the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax Credit (EHOST), means an average tax savings of $930 for a resident owning a home valued at $250,000. “DeKalb’s $1.2 billion fiscal year 2019 midyear budget prioritizes fiscal integrity and accountability,” said Thurmond. “The county is committed to delivering high-quality services while providing substantial property tax reductions for the second consecutive year,” said Thurmond. Thurmond is proposing to…