Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA— Post 1 Commissioner Sherri Washington will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21st, to announce a federal lawsuit against BioLab and its parent company, KIK. The lawsuit, led by Commissioner Washington on behalf of the Rockdale Board of Commissioners, is being filed in federal court on Monday, Oct. 21st, in the Northern District of Georgia declaring BioLab as a public nuisance and seeking damages for citizens and businesses impacted by the BioLab explosion on Sept. 29, 2024. BioLab has had four major incidents in Conyers since 2004. Rockdale County Attorney M. Quader A. Baig and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency has lifted the shelter-in-place order throughout Rockdale County after continuous cleanup for two and a half weeks at the BioLab chemical fire site. During a press conference today(Oct. 17), Chairman Oz Nesbitt said Rockdale County government was ending its involvement in the BioLab event after 19 days of utilizing public safety crews and other resources around the clock since the Sept. 29 broke out around 5 a.m. at the BioLab plant.  Nesbitt said the county had not quantified a dollar amount concerning resources devoted to the BioLab event. “…We’re closing out our involvement in…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Clerk of Superior and State Courts along with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority will offer free online notary training on Oct. 24, via ZOOM, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. There are a limited number of spaces available. If you are a notary or thinking of becoming a notary, this training is highly recommended. There are new laws relating to notaries that become effective in January 2025. This training will teach notaries how to stay in compliance with government laws. Being a notary comes with great responsibility. It is important that notaries follow all laws and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Rockdale County Tax Office announced its relocation to a new, more accessible office space. The move aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of services provided to the residents of Rockdale County, said Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington. To commemorate the milestone, the Tax Commissioner’s Office will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 8:30 a.m. The event will take place at the new Rockdale County Tax Office, 1088 West Avenue, Conyers. The new office is designed to better serve the community with improved facilities and ample parking. The ceremony will feature remarks from the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–After reviewing evidence in the case, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the police officer who shot John Robert Smith, Jr., 58, at the Atlanta VA Medical Center will not be charged in the Jan. 29, 2024 incident. Earlier this week, DA Boston and members of her staff met with Smith’s family and walked them through the case, which included showing them video of the shooting from the officer’s body-worn camera. “Although Mr. Smith’s death was a tragedy, the evidence shows that under the law, the officer who shot Mr. Smith was justified in his use of…

ATLANTA –MARTA announces its participation in Atlanta Streets Alive, a community-driven event that transforms Atlanta’s streets into car-free zones, promoting a healthy, sustainable, and vibrant city street experience.  The celebration this Sunday, Oct. 20, features a tour of an electric bus, custom tote bags designed by artist Rory Hawkins, courtesy of MARTA’s public art program, Artbound, and a prize wheel with the chance to win MARTA merchandise. Also, attendees will be able to practice putting their bicycles on the bus bike rack.  WHAT:              Atlanta Streets Alive   WHEN:             Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  WHERE:          From Longhorn Street SW…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Kenny Johnson, Rockdale County’s Conservation District Supervisor, was remembered on Tuesday as a staunch fighter known for his commitment to protecting the environment and public health.  Several Rockdale residents and others who knew Johnson gathered for a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening at the home of community activist Josie Dean to honor and celebrate the community champion. The 62-year-old collapsed and died on June 8 after testifying before a legislative panel at the Georgia Capitol on the dangers posed by the BioLab chemical fire, which broke out in Rockdale on Sept. 29.  State Rep. Viola Davis, who attended the vigil,…

ATLANTA– FEMA assistance is available to renters, including students, with uninsured losses from Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, with an incident period of Aug. 4–20, 2024.  FEMA may be able to help renters as well as homeowners with serious needs, displacement costs, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Renters may qualify for assistance including the replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks or school supplies; replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment; vehicle repair; and medical/dental bills. Assistance is available to people with disaster-caused damage in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon,…

ATLANTA–On Thursday, Oct.17, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will travel to Atlanta to hold a press conference to announce a significant milestone for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for borrowers and helping more public service workers reach full forgiveness. This press conference will also include members of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ office and other Atlanta recipients of PSLF. Later, the Secretary and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath will visit Five Forks Middle School in Gwinnett County and participate in a roundtable conversation to uplift the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to provide additional mental health support in schools through School-Based Mental Health…