Author: On Common Ground News

Taylor Hicks, a senior at Salem High School in Rockdale County was named winner of the Rotary Club of Rockdale County’s Four-Way Test essay contest. Students were asked to submit essays on the guiding principles of the Rotary Club, called the Four Way Test, which asks “Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” Hicks, who will attend the University of West Georgia in the fall, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the May 3 meeting…

Rockdale Youth Leadership (RYL) celebrated the development of another cohort of young leaders at Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) with a graduation ceremony held May 1 at Rockdale Career Academy. The eight-month program, modeled after the Leadership Rockdale program and conducted by RCPS and the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, teaches sophomores about the industries, institutions, government agencies, and community in Conyers-Rockdale and Georgia. Participants, who hone leadership skills and receive networking opportunities during the program, often go on to become student leaders during their junior and senior years at RCPS. Graduates will be able to wear a cord at their…

As summer approaches, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) reminds students needing to test for an instructional permit or driver’s license over the long vacation to obtain a “DDS Certificate of Enrollment Form” from their school administration before the end of the school year.  Students planning for an on-the-road test will also need a Georgia Alcohol Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) Certificate of Completion. DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore encourages teens to visit the DDS website at www.dds.georgia.gov as they prepare for their first license. “It is important that teen drivers visit our website as they work toward becoming…

Collegiate-level sections of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) participated in a statewide pajama fellowship on Saturday, April 22 at Georgia State University.  This event was an opportunity for collegiate sections of NCNW to network and brainstorm ideas on how to connect throughout the state. Spearheaded by DeMicha Luster of Atlanta, the pajama event also gave the college students an opportunity to meet their National Vice Chair of NCNW Young Adults and Collegiate and Interim State of Georgia President, Sharah Denton, to ask questions and get insight on the direction of the state and the future of…

Dozens of people turned out to witness the historic inauguration of the city of Stonecrest’s first elected mayor and five-member council.  The celebration was held at the Mall at Stonecrest on the lower level outside of Sears. Judge Ron Ramsey performed the swearing-in ceremony. https://youtu.be/k5H4E68rYrk

The Mayor and Council of the City of Stonecrest will hold its first regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 8. This meeting will be held a the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. All meetings are open to the public.

The city of Conyers has launched a mobile app to showcase area shopping, services, events and attractions. Apple and Android users are now able to download the free app via the app store on their mobile phones. Conyers’ tourism division partnered with software company Mobile Town Guide to create and populate the app with businesses, events and area attractions of interest to both residents and visitors. The app includes a searchable business directory, events calendar, promotions, news and information in the form of opt-in push notifications to the user, points of interest and self-guided tour like the recently launched historic…

Children from daycare centers across Rockdale County marched down Main Street in Olde Town Conyers today, April 28, to celebrate Literacy Week. The children were dressed as their favorite storybook characters: Dr. Seuss, Tinker Bell, and the Grouchy Lady Bug, just to name a few. Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington, the grand marshal, led the parade—riding in a convertible, waving at the crowd. Washington gave away her Dr. Seuss hat to one of the children. “Having a strong foundation in reading sets the stage for kids’ educational success in the future,” said Washington. “It was so exciting to see…

It was a dog’s day and the canines were dressed in their best on Thursday, April 24, at Courtesy Ford in Conyers. The car dealership at 1636 Dogwood Drive hosted a fashion contest for pooches as a way to raise money for animal shelters in Rockdale and Newton counties. Animal shelters also had dogs for adoption at the event. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News