Author: On Common Ground News

Last week, DeKalb County’s Operation Clean Sweep removed more than 16 tons of debris and litter on Columbia Drive between Katie Kerr Road and Santa Monica Drive. To date, Operation Clean Sweep crews have removed more than 160 tons of debris from county roads. Operation Clean Sweep is targeting arterial roadways before turning a focus to collector, then residential, streets. Crews clear grass, trash and debris from roadway drains and curbs, mow rights-of-way and remove litter. On Saturday, April 22, crews will continue Operation Clean Sweep on Glenwood Road from Covington Highway to Interstate-20. Motorists are reminded to drive with…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is reminding businesses and residents that the county is still under a Level 2 drought status. One of the state-mandated water restrictions prohibits the outdoor washing of vehicles, including charity car washes. Commercial car washes that are either connected to the sanitary sewer or that recycle used wash water are permitted. The drought status is still severe in the metro Atlanta area since Lake Lanier, DeKalb’s water source, has not recovered. Water customers are urged to continue complying with the state-mandated restrictions.

The Judicial Citizen Panel Review Program is seeking volunteers to help improve the lives of children in foster care. Interested volunteers may live or work in DeKalb. As sworn officers of the Court, the panel members are responsible for determining what progress has been made in working toward a permanency placement plan for children in foster care. Olivia Rudder-Wilson, who serves as administrator for the Judicial Citizen Panel Review Program, said the trained community volunteers submit their findings and recommendations to the judge regarding the court-ordered goals that must be accomplished before children return home. If reunification is not possible,…

DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and the Cedar Grove Community Association will hold an official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Bouldercrest Park’s new playground on Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m., 4184 Bouldercrest Way. The public is invited to join county officials at the dedication ceremony.

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 10 a.m., in the Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers. This is a voting session meeting. The public is invited to attend. The meeting agenda can be found at http://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/about/boc-agenda/.

April 18, 2017 Registered Voters: 20,643 Ballots Cast: 3,768 (18.25%) L to R: George Turner (District 4), Diane Adoma (District 5), Rob Turner (District 2) District 2 Rob Turner 437 votes (53.10%) Plez A. Joyner 386 votes (46.90%) District 4 George Turner, Jr. 867 votes(50.64 %) Mary-Pat Hector 845 votes (49.36%) District 5 Diane D. Adoma 662 votes (54.40%) Tammy L. Grimes 555 votes (45.60%)

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of fire recruit and firefighter. Applications are currently being accepted through April 30 and interested candidates must complete and submit the online application by visiting dekalbfirerescue.org. Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or GED, supplemented by one year of work experience in any field that shows an ability to maintain steady employment preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job. The starting salary for fire recruits is $36,555 and for firefighters is $38,151.…

Conyers Police investigators are seeking two suspects who robbed Kay Jewelers, 1620 Dogwood Drive on Tuesday, April 18. Investigators also are seeking the man who robbed the BP gas station, 607 Sigman Road, Conyers on Monday, April 17. The jewelry holdup took place on Tuesday at approximately 10:20 a.m. A black male and a black female suspect entered Kay Jewelers. The male armed with a black semi-automatic handgun jumped the counter after a short conversation with an employee. An undisclosed amount of jewelry was taken from the glass display case. The male suspect is described as 5-10” and 150 pounds,…

DECATUR, Ga.— Interstate I-20 Westbound, between Candler and Gresham roads, has been shut down due to buckling in the road. At this time, there is no estimated time when the section will be reopened. Motorists are urged to seek alternative routes until further notice.   All westbound lanes of I-20 are closed. Traffic is being diverted from I-20 Westbound at I-285 to either I-285 North or I-285 South. I-20 westbound entrance ramps inside the Perimeter at Columbia Drive, Candler Road and Flat Shoals Road are closed.   Construction crews from Atlanta Gas Light were working to fill an abandoned gas…

Students at DeKalb County’s Barack H. Obama Magnet School of Technology, formerly known as Clifton Elementary, donned orange aprons to work on a special project just ahead of Easter. Home Depot provided the aprons and Do-It-Yourself Easter basket kits as part of the launch of the new school’s Beautification Club. Dr. Betty Mayfield, who founded the Beautification Club, said the project is one of many she is looking forward to as she helps students learn what it means to take ownership of their school and live up to the name of the school, which honors President Barack Obama, the first…