Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA, GA–Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said on Thursday (April 25) that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent in March, up just one-tenth from a revised 3.0 percent in February. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the labor force increased in Atlanta by 25,295 and ended the month with 3,292,796, an all-time high. This number increased by 51,560 when compared to March 2023, according to recent stats released. “Georgia’s job market is red hot with opportunity,” said Thompson. “This continuous growth is a strong indicator that our economic momentum is not slowing down any time soon. Once again, Georgia continues…

Become a poll official at a hiring event this Friday, April 26, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Five Forks branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. During the event, attendees must complete an I-9 form and bring the required original identification documents for verification. If you are unable to attend the hiring event, you can learn more about becoming a poll official in Gwinnett.

STONECREST, GA—Tom Perez, senior advisor to President Biden, on Wednesday (April 24) praised the work at Emory Hillandale Hospital, where an $11 million investment from Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is transforming health care. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners appropriated the critical ARPA funding in October 2022 to expand and renovate parts of the hospital after Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center closed its operation, leaving Southeast DeKalb County without a primary hospital provider. Perez got a first-hand look at Emory’s emergency room expansion, intensive care unit renovation, and the replacement of the hospital’s computed tomography…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) is hosting its fourth and final Senior Safety Summit on May 1, 10 a.m., at Peace Baptist Church, 4000 Covington Hwy in Decatur. A free breakfast will be served at 10:15 a.m. DKPD will be joined by the Clerk of Superior Court as well as the DeKalb County Board of Health. Topics of presentation include: “How to Avoid Being Scammed “How to Protect Your Property” “Tips on Nutrition and wellness” Photo: National Council on Aging

ATLANTA — Seventeen Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students have been named Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) finalists, a coveted residential summer program for talented high school sophomores and juniors. The APS finalists represent Atlanta Classical Academy, Benjamin E. Mays High School, Maynard Jackson High School, Midtown High School and North Atlanta High School and will join other finalists from across the state of Georgia to participate in specialized instruction designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global leaders. The Atlanta Public Schools Governor’s Honors Program finalists are: Benjamin Adkinson (Benjamin E. Mays) Sophie Antell (Maynard…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections officials are urging voters to apply for an absentee ballot as soon as possible due to delays in the U.S. Postal Service. The General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election on May 21 is approaching and eligible voters have until Friday, May 10, to request an absentee ballot for the elections. Voters can request an absentee ballot or check the status of their absentee ballots at MVP.SOS.GA.gov. For assistance, call the Elections Office at 678-226-7210. Once the absentee ballot application is completed and signed, voters can mail or hand-deliver it to Gwinnett Voter Registrations and…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb Commissioner Steve Bradshaw and the Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation on April 23 recognizing DeKalb County as dementia-friendly. DeKalb will open its first Memory Cafés this summer at East Central DeKalb Community and Senior Center at 4885 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. Memory Cafés focus on creating unique experiences with activities and education to include music, dancing, crafts and painting, and informal conversation to create new friendships and activities to foster reminiscing. “I am excited that DeKalb County will be home to much needed Memory Cafés,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. “These resources will provide individuals dealing with memory loss and their caregivers…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will host a free paper shredding event on Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the DeKalb County Sanitation Division’s Central Transfer Station, 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur. Participants will have an opportunity to responsibly dispose of all types of documents, including sensitive personal documents such as old tax records and legal documents. All documents will be shredded on-site, and each participant will be limited to ten standard-size boxes of paper. Shredding services will be provided by A1 Shredding & Recycling. The event is free and open only to DeKalb…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) crews and contractors continue work to repair a 42-inch-diameter water main on McLendon Drive, officials said at 5:20 p.m. today, April 23. Crews are currently cutting away the faulty section of the 50-year-old pipe to replace it. Traffic control specialists are directing traffic near the repair site where a lane is closed. DWM will continue to distribute bottled water to affected homes in the area. DeKalb County will continue to provide updates during the repair. Residents experiencing low to no water pressure are encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Watershed Department…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit with the U.S. Marshals Office has made a third arrest in the murder of a Lithonia man last year during an alleged home invasion attempt. Investigators located 26-year-old Stephan Jamel Stewart on April 17, 2024 and took him into custody without incident. A Grand Jury Arrest Warrant charges  Stewart with Murder, Aggravated Assault, Burglary in the First Degree, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon or First Offender Probationer. According to warrants, Stewart was involved in a shootout with…