Author: On Common Ground News

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will serve as the keynote speaker to mark Constitution Day and kick off a week of constitutional studies at Georgia State University (GSU). The Decatur Civic and Political Awareness Club, in conjunction with Partners in Education, will host Johnson on Sept.17 in the gymnasium at GSU’s Decatur Campus, 3251 Panthersville Rd. A meet-and-greet will be held at 9:30 a.m. The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Congressman Johnson will deliver the keynote speech and serve on a panel that will focus on: How can our federal immigration policy addresses liberty, equality and…

Gov. Nathan Deal has issued an emergency declaration for all 159 counties in Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Florence forecast by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). “The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Florence,” said Deal. “In light of the storm’s forecasted southward track after making landfall, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas. GEMA/HS continues to lead our preparedness efforts as we coordinate with federal, state and local officials to…

Attorney General Chris Carr is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scams and possible price gouging as Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast. At 12:00 p.m. today, Gov. Nathan Deal enacted a State of Emergency for all 159 counties in Georgia. The State of Emergency shall be valid for a period of one week. “Sadly enough, con artists often exploit disasters by taking advantage of storm victims or preying on the sympathies of those who want to help out,” said Attorney General Carr. “The Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit is authorized to investigate scams and price…

As the East Coast prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Florence in the coming days, Georgia Power is actively monitoring the storm and coordinating with emergency partners, including GEMA and the Mutual Assistance Network. Georgia Power reminds customers to keep safety first during severe weather and offers the following storm tips: Before a Storm: Stay aware and check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Turn off air conditioners as power surges can overload them and charge cell phones in case you lose power. During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact…

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue and Police Departments remembered the victims who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 during terror attacks. Victims of the tragedy, were remembered today during a memorial ceremony at the DeKalb County Police Department headquarters in Tucker. Today marked the 17th anniversary of 9/11.

The Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights plans to speak out tonight at the City Schools of Decatur meeting against the unfair disciplinary action against black students. The school board meeting will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at school board headquarters, 125 Electric Ave., Decatur. The group of parents and students organized by the Alliance are concerned about statistics concerning discipline and academic disparities, that were released by Superintendent David Dude. In 2015-16 black students represented 23.2% of the student body but received 73.9% of rude/disorderly conduct citations, according to Dude’s report, the Alliance said. In 2015-16, a…

DeKalb County District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson partnered with Keep DeKalb Beautiful to host a community clean-up day on Wesley Chapel Road. Volunteers gathered in the Kroger parking lot early Saturday morning Sept. 8. Armed with trash bags, grabbers and safety vests, supplied by Keep DeKalb Beautiful, Johnson and a handful of volunteers fanned out to pick up trash along the busy corridor. Johnson hosts annual community clean-ups in the spring and fall, but said the Wesley Chapel corridor was a special request from his constituents.  “We’re just trying to do our part. We want to keep DeKalb beautiful and…

CORRECTED DATE FOR PRAYER VIGIL A Rockdale County Jail supervisor falsified jail logs to cover up the fact that deputies failed to make mandatory 15-minute checks on Shali Tilson, 22, who died in March of severe dehydration while in custody. Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing Tilson’s family, on Friday shared findings from the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office’s internal investigation with On Common Ground News. The report reveals negligence, lies and a lack of concern for the mentally ill man, who was on suicide watch in a cell where the call button didn’t work. “They failed Shali Tilson. They failed to…

Thank you to the Atlanta Community Food Bank Kids in Need program! The Atlanta Community Food Bank Kids in Need program, through a partnership with Georgia United Credit Union, gave a generous donation this summer of more than 14,000 pounds of school supplies to Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS). These supplies – which include crayons, folder, notebook paper, pencils, glue, and more – were distributed to all RCPS schools to help classrooms.  

Ed Williams, who heads Concerned Citizens for Effective Government, was one of several DeKalb County residents who spoke at the MARTA Board meeting on Sept. 6. The board unanimously approved a proposed contract with Gwinnett County to bring MARTA to Gwinnett, pending voter approval in March 2019. The board’s action angered several DeKalb leaders including Williams.  Williams had this to say regarding the board’s decision: “Most of the people here are DeKalb County residents and City of Atlanta.   Now, The City of Atlanta, DeKalb County and Fulton County were the founding members of this board. We should not be standing in…