Author: On Common Ground News

By Mark Brock DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The Dunwoody Wildcats will have the honor as the first of 18 DeKalb teams to take the field as they open the 2024 season on Thursday, Aug.15, in the match with South Paulding at West Forsyth as part of the second day of the Corky Kell Classic. Dunwoody is coming off its best season since 2008 and first playoff appearance since 2009 after Coach Mike Nash’s club went 8-3 a year ago. Senior quarterback Matt Pearch (130-210 passing, 1,481 yards, 15 TDs) along with returning senior wide receivers Danny Boden (58 receptions, 577 yards, 4 TDs)…

Event Timeline An Alert was declared at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Vogtle Units 1&2 Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 12:00 p.m. ET due to a transformer fire that has since been extinguished. Plant conditions DID NOT threaten public safety. Officials released an update  on 08/13/2024, 3:10 p.m. ET Public Information The alert at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant was resolved today at 2:36 PMET. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as well as state and local agencies were notified that the emergency was resolved. Trained personnel are working on recovery efforts in close coordination with federal, state and local…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— Efforts to improve the watershed system throughout DeKalb County continue with the design of the Cobb Fowler North Trunk Sewer Project. The county will host a Public Information Open House event about the project on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Dr., Decatur, GA.                                                                                      The Cobb Fowler North Trunk Sewer Upsizing Project will address repeat sanitary sewer overflow areas and help meet future sewer demands for the next 50 years. The construction is expected to begin between 2025 and 2026 and last approximately two…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) is seeking design submissions for a new “I Voted” sticker that may be provided to voters as an option as they exit the polls during the upcoming General Election cycle. The “I Voted” sticker design challenge is open to DeKalb County School District juniors and seniors. Students are encouraged to submit their original designs that reflect their vision for DeKalb County. The winning design will receive a grand prize of $500, the first runner-up will receive $200 and second runner-up will receive $100. “We’re committed to promoting civic engagement and…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook is beaming with pride over her nephew, track star Logan Alsobrook. The 10-year-old recently brought home gold in the 800-meter dash and medaled in two other events in the 2024 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics Games in Greensboro, N.C.  “I’m proud of my nephew because he’s achieved something remarkable that many people, including most adults, may never get the chance to do, and he managed to do it at just 10 years old. That’s a significant accomplishment and a great reason to be proud,” said Councilwoman Alsobrooks.  The councilwoman says she’s also proud of…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host its Doggie Splash Pawlooza on Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Midway Park Pool, 3181 Midway Road, Decatur. This year’s event will include a dog swimsuit contest, games, music and more. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. Admission is $5 per dog to swim. All proceeds will fund enhancements for the Brookside and Mason Mill dog parks. Owners must arrive with their dogs on a leash and provide proof of current vaccinations and rabies tag. Female dogs in…

By Mark Brock DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Twenty volleyball teams competed in the annual DeKalb County Spikefest with home teams Miller Grove and Chamblee laying claim to the titles in their respective brackets. Miller Grove hosted nine other teams with the Lady Wolverines going 5-0 to claim the title against Lithonia in tight three-set match in the championship game. Coach Pamela Jones-Flowers’ Lady Wolverines opened the final with a 25-22 win in the opening set only to have the Lady Bulldogs of Coach Tiffany Allen bounce back for a 25-19 win in the second set. Miller Grove then went on to a…

Date: 08/13/2024, 1:00 p.m. ET The Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant declared an Alert at 12:00 PM ET today. An Alert means an event has occurred that could reduce the plant’s level of safety. There should be no danger to the public. County and state officials will be involved and prepared for any necessary response. You will not need to take any actions unless directed to by state and local officials. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as well as state and local agencies have been notified of the declaration. Among the four categories of emergencies designated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission…

By Mark Brock DeKalb Silver Streaks Adapted Sports veteran Najee Smothers was selected as the youngest player to make the United States Wheelchair Coed Handball team, officials announced. Smothers, a junior at Grayson High School in Gwinnett County, went to an Open Invitation Tryout for the U.S. team at Georgia;s Auburn University in early July and with his performance earned a call back to an Invitation Only Tryout in early August where he earned a spot on the team as announced on Aug.7. “They saw him at a day camp at Auburn and they asked him to the first tryout,”…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County is one of the first jurisdictions in Georgia to have its hazard mitigation plan approved under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new guidelines, county officials announced today.  Developed collaboratively with the City of Conyers, the plan is a long-term strategy aimed at reducing the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters. The FEMA-approved plan identifies potential hazards in Rockdale and provides a framework to assist local officials in making informed decisions that could protect lives and property. A crucial aspect of the plan is its focus on implementing mitigation projects throughout the city and county to reduce…