Author: On Common Ground News

Acting on a recommendation from the state’s Emergency Operations Command in anticipation of Tropical Storm Hermine’s imminent Florida landfall, Gov. Nathan Deal today signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 56 counties. The state of emergency is in effect through midnight Saturday. “Georgia is expected to receive severe weather related to Tropical Storm Hermine through Saturday,” Deal said. “We are working to ensure counties in South, Central and coastal Georgia have access to the state resources necessary to prepare and respond when Tropical Storm Hermine enters Georgia. Our Emergency Operations Command will continue closely monitoring this…

The Lithonia Industrial Park will welcome Home Chef, a meal kit delivery service, which will create more than 1,200 jobs and invest $3.35 million in a new DeKalb County facility by 2020, officials have announced. The wholesale distribution center will lease the 140,000-square-foot facility now occupied by Miller International Food on Lithonia Industrial Boulevard. “Home Chef is among the many innovative companies using Georgia’s high-performing transportation infrastructure to grow their distribution network,” Gov. Nathan Deal said in a news release. “By establishing this new facility and utilizing the state’s skilled workforce, Home Chef will be able to reach more of…

DeKalb County Public Library has added something new and different to its collection. The Library has launched metro Atlanta’s first seed library at the Decatur branch, 215 Sycamore Street in downtown Decatur. The DIGG Seed Library—DeKalb Invests In Growing Gardens—allows library patrons to check out heirloom and open-pollinated seeds that grow well in DeKalb-area gardens. Those who have a DeKalb library card may hoose the seeds they want from a catalogue and take the seeds for free. The purpose of the new service is to provide access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food as well as to educate patrons about…

PINE LAKE – On Saturday, Aug. 27, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), along with Pine Lake officials, the U.S. Postal Service and members of the community officially renamed Pine Lake’s Post Office in honor of fallen police officer Francis Manuel Ortega. The ceremony was held on Aug. 27 at the Pine Lake Post Office. On Aug. 11, 2005, Officer Ortega, then 25, was shot and killed in front of the Pine Lake Post Office while conducting a routine traffic stop. Ortega was a part-time officer of the Pine Lake Police Department and a full-time officer at Georgia Regional Hospital. Ortega’s family…

On Common Ground News is presenting Peabo Bryson at the Lithonia Amphitheater, 2501 Park Drive, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 to 11 p.m. The JFly production, “A Night of Jazz & R&B,” also will include special guests Dee Lucas, the Heather Hayes Experience and Brooke Alford. Proceeds benefit “The How Big Is Your Dream? Foundation, a nonprofit that provides training and summer camps to youths who are interested in honing their musical talents for the entertainment industry. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages or purchase food and beverages from vendors. Advance tickets start at only $30/…

DeKalb ICEO Lee May has announced appointments to the DeKalb County Charter Review Commission, a diverse body of community leaders who will study various aspects of DeKalb County government and come up with ways to improve the charter. The commission is expected to look at how appointments are made, whether the form of government should be changed to one run by a county-manager and other aspects of organization. The DeKalb County Charter Review Commission is one of the final recommendations of the DeKalb Government Operations Task Force (OTF) created by May in 2014. The OTF advised the DeKalb County delegation…

State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler is contesting the July 26 runoff election for the Senate District 43 Democratic Primary after a recount ordered by Secretary of State Brian Kemp did not produce any change in the runoff election results. Rep. Tonya P. Anderson won the runoff by 10 votes. Dawkins-Haigler contends the runoff was marred by voter irregularities and possible disenfranchisement. Dawkins-Haigler said some voters in Rockdale County received non-partisan ballots instead of the Democratic ballot requested. These individuals were only able to vote for a school board representative and not for Senate District 43. Rockdale Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch…

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce is accepting reservations for its Third Wednesday Luncheon, where a discussion will be held on how to expand your business internationally. The meeting will be held on Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at This Is It Banquet facility, 2853 Panola Road, Lithonia. Shehzin Jafar, international trade manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, will be the keynote speaker. Jafar assists clients through market research, foreign market promotions and through identifying key contacts and international buyers. She provides information on incentives and business development tools provided by the Department of Economic Development.…

 The Fulton County Workforce Development Division will host Youth Enrichment Services (YES) orientation sessions for youth ages 16 to 21 who are in need of employment. The sessions will be held: Wednesday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to noon Both orientation sessions will be held at the Adamsville Career Center located at 3700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta. Parents are welcome to attend the sessions, which will provide information on Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligibility requirements. Workforce Development wants young people to apply for participation in the YES program. The year-round program increases…

The City of Atlanta announced that the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs has awarded its 2017 Contracts for Arts Services grants. For 41 years, the Contracts for Arts Services program has supported Atlanta’s cultural community by awarding contracts for the production, creation, presentation and exhibition of artistic work in the city, as well as the managerial support of Atlanta-based artistic and cultural services. “We recognize that the presence of artists and arts organizations is essential to Atlanta’s cultural vitality,” said Camille Russell Love, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “Our goal is to provide support for the…