Author: On Common Ground News

All student registration for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is available online at www.rockdaleschools.org/registration. Parents can also bring required documents to Kindergarten Signing Day on April 22, an event with specialized in-person assistance for registering new Kindergarten students and a celebration of their transition to Kindergarten. Kindergarten Signing Day is Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 12 noon–8 p.m. at the Early Learning Center at the back of Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers.                Children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enter Kindergarten. To register online, visit: www.rockdaleschools.org/registration. The child’s school will be assigned at the time of registration. Parents…

DECATUR, GA—The case against a 16-year-old charged with murder in the death of a MARTA bus driver in January will be prosecuted in DeKalb County Juvenile Court. According to the investigation, three juveniles, ages 16, 16, and 14, were involved in an argument with MARTA bus driver Leroy Ramos, 47, at the Decatur Station on the evening of Jan. 3, 2025.  The disagreement continued off the bus, where it escalated to a physical altercation.  One of the 16-year-olds pulled out a gun and fired several shots, hitting and killing Ramos. After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, including…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA–Join Gwinnett Water Resources for the annual Water Wonders Spring Festival on Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Shoal Creek Filter Plant.  The free, family-friendly event features games, crafts, giveaways, and fairground treats. Attendees will have the chance to tour the Shoal Creek Filter Plant facility and see where Gwinnett’s drinking water is produced, as well as explore exciting exhibits with our community partners. The Shoal Creek Filter Plant is located at 1755 Buford Dam Road in Buford. Registration is not necessary. For more information, visit the Gwinnett Water Resources Events and Workshops page.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) released its list today recognizing 18 graduating seniors in the DeKalb County School District(DCSD) as 2025 Georgia Scholars.   The exceptional high school seniors are among 145 honorees statewide. As part of this prestigious distinction, each Georgia Scholar receives a special seal for their diploma and a commemorative graduation cord. “We are absolutely thrilled to see our students shine at the state level,” DCSD Superintendent Devon Q. Horton said. “These 18 young leaders have shown remarkable academic ability, dedication to their communities, and exemplary character throughout their high school journeys. They embody the best of…

DECATUR, GA—Congressman Hank Johnson’s Office is reminding constituents that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has changed its login system for online services, effective March 29, 2025. SSA is now requiring users to migrate their credentials to Login.gov  in order to access online services. Users will receive an option to sign in with an existing Login.gov or ID.me account. According to SSA, if the user opts to create a Login.gov account, they will be transferred to , where they will select the ‘create account’ option. After successfully creating their Login.gov account, their SSA account and Login.gov account will be linked, and they must use their Login.gov account to…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –MARTA will temporarily close the bus loop at Indian Creek Station and relocate all buses to the Kiss & Ride starting Wednesday, April 2, for station improvement work. Bus and rail service will operate as scheduled. NEED TO KNOW: Bus and rail service schedules are not affected. The bus loop will be barricaded for safety and to prevent access. Faregates and the elevator will remain open. Clear signage and updates through MARTA’s website, app, and social media channels will provide guidance. The bus loop improvements are part of a broader effort to enhance the station, including platform,…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections meeting for the purpose of conducting its normal monthly business and to consider voter challenges will be held on Thursday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted in person at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, and is open to the public. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font size of 12 to: electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov .  The email must be received between 35 and 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the…

DECATUR, GA—Evariuel Martez Billings, 44, of Atlanta has been sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping a 20-year-old woman, sexually assaulting her and leading police on a chase.   DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by jury trial on Monday, March 31.  Jurors found Billings, 44, guilty of Kidnapping, Aggravated Sexual Battery, Aggravated Sodomy, Sexual Battery, and Fleeing Or Attempting To Elude A Police Officer For A Felony Offense in connection with the abduction and sexual assault on Aug.1, 2023.  According to the investigation, Billings approached the victim as she was sitting in a parked Volkswagen Jetta with the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb Police Department (DKPD) and other law enforcement agencies joined forces in conducting an Illegal Street Racing Enforcement Operation this past weekend.  The operation was conducted in various locations throughout DeKalb County and resulted in more than 11 arrests, 40 traffic citations and several weapons being seized. There were also 10 vehicles impounded.  DKPD is partnering with other state and local police departments in an ongoing effort to aggressively enforce traffic laws and address street racing. These efforts are being done to keep the streets safe from these dangerous violators, the DeKalb Police stated in a news…