Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond has approved the release of approximately 5,000 water and sewer bills that have been held for months due to “unverified billing data.” The bills will be mailed beginning Aug. 14. The July/August 2017 monthly or bi-monthly bills are based on actual meter readings. “We are making significant progress as we continue to work to restore trust and integrity to the water billing system by reducing the number of held bills,” Thurmond said in release this morning (Aug. 1). The upcoming mailing brings the total release of held bills to 13,000 since April 2017, when 8,000 customers…

The Conyers Police Department released a Youtube video todaywww.youtube.com/conyerspolicedept seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect who has burglarized several Acceptance Insurance locations in metro Atlanta. The suspect is a tall, slender and black male driving an older model red/maroon Ford Ranger truck. If you can ID him, call Crime Stoppers 404 577-TIPS www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.

The Office of the DeKalb County Solicitor-General announces the recent hiring of Carolyn Smith, as the office’s director of communications. Smith is responsible for promoting the Solicitor-General’s efforts to improve the quality of life for DeKalb County citizens to the public. She will manage the office’s media relations, social media and promote community events. “It’s our goal to build a safer community for the people of DeKalb County, and one way we do this is by keeping them informed of what we’re doing to better our community,” said Donna Coleman-Stribling, DeKalb County Solicitor-General. “By adding Carolyn Smith to our team,…

Rockdale County students kissed summer goodbye and returned to classes on Monday, July 31. While some parents held their small children’s hands, other students stepped off school buses and were welcomed by principals and teachers. At Pine Street Elementary School, some students excitedly hugged Principal Kim Vier, who welcomed them on the first day. Rockdale Schools Superintendent Richard Autry also paid a visit to the historic school, greeting students in the cafeteria. This school year will mark the last time that students occupy the Pine Street school building in downtown Conyers, where generations of Rockdale families have attended including Vier…

DeKalb County public schools will host open houses for elementary, middle schools and high schools beginning on Wednesday. Parents are encouraged to attend to meet faculty and get important information to ensure students have a successful year. The open houses for elementary schools will be held Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2 to 4 p.m. The open houses for all middle schools will be held Aug. 2, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The open houses for all 9th graders and new students will be held on Aug. 3, 2 to 4 p.m. The open house for returning students on Aug. 3,…

ATLANTA –Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) contractors will begin to shift traffic this week from the existing Flat Shoals Road Bridge onto a new section of the bridge at I-285 east, weather permitting. “The upcoming traffic shifts are milestones for the bridge reconstruction project,” said District Metro Atlanta Engineer Kathy Zahul. “This just puts us one step closer to a successful completion of the project, we are thankful for the patience that the community has displayed during our progress with this project.” The traffic shift is a part of the ongoing bridge project that will accommodate the…

Are you in the mood for gourmet sweet goods? Head to Brown Sugar Gourmet Desserts in Conyers where you’ll find mouth-watering baked goods with a distinctive flair. This bakery specializes in decadent creations, which include custom birthday, wedding, and special event cakes. Partners Roderica Bracey and Janice Colbert are owners of the business, which celebrated its 1-year anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony in April. Bracey and Colbert have approximately 15 years of combined baking experience. The two were co-workers at ADP and developed a loyal following by offering catering services independently. They teamed up and started a business together…

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann has been banished from all city of Atlanta parks for six months, ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and serve 80 hours of community service, after negotiating a plea deal to amend indecency and obstruction charges against him.    Mann was originally charged with indecency and obstruction  on May 6 for allegedly exposing himself in Piedmont Park and then running from an Atlanta police officer.    Mann negotiated a guilty plea to change the charges to obstruction and prohibited conduct in a park—for being in the park after dark. Although Atlanta Municipal Court Judge Crystal…

DeKalb County Police Chief James Conroy announced two new assistant chiefs in the police department who will report directly to him. Major Tony Catlin will be promoted from assistant commander to assistant chief of the Criminal Investigations Division, which is responsible for investigating homicides, robberies, aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, auto thefts, narcotics violations and crimes against children. Catlin will be responsible for managing a division comprising 105 detectives and 22 civilian employees. Major Sonya Porter will be promoted to assistant chief of the newly elevated Support Services Division. Previously a section of the Special Services Division, this reorganization emphasizes…

The DeKalb County School District (CSD) is on a mission to highlight the successes of its public schools. The district has launched a campaign with seven outdoor billboards located in strategic locations across the county with the message: “I Love DeKalb Schools.” The billboards are part of the first phase of a what the district calls a “revolutionary” marketing effort, which will also include print ads, television commercials, an original jingle performed by DCSD students, promotional materials and social media. In addition, a new webpage http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/ilovedcsd/ has been launched simultaneously, with messaging that reflects the unity, spirit and diversity of…