Author: On Common Ground News

Text amendments reflect necessary policy updates to diminish potential harm to gas and service stations, while ensuring public safety   DECATUR, GA. – On Feb. 14, DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson’s text amendments to the Video Surveillance System (VSS) ordinance were passed unanimously by the Board of Commissioners. Initially approved in 2022, the ordinance requires gas stations, convenience stores and high-risk businesses to operate a 24-hour VSS and regulates footage quality, storage and lighting. The ordinance was created to capture video footage of crime at gas and service stations, often the location for the highest incidents of violent crime in…

DECATUR, GA.— On Sunday, Feb. 25, construction crews associated with the Scott Boulevard Water Main Replacement Project Phase II, will conduct night work on North  Decatur Road near the intersection of DeKalb Industrial Way. The night work will take place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 1. Signs and flaggers will be in the area to advise motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Information about the Scott Boulevard Water Main Replacement Project Phase II can be obtained by calling the DWM Project Information Line at 1-800-986-1108 or emailing projectinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council on Monday, Feb. 19, approved an ordinance that will prohibit all vehicles from making right turns on red lights in the Downtown, Midtown, and Castleberry Hill neighborhoods (24-O-1011). Officials said the new legislation aligns with the City of Atlanta’s commitment to enhancing pedestrian safety and supporting businesses, cultural attractions and residences in areas where there are high volumes of pedestrian traffic. The ordinance also acknowledges the Federal Highway Administration’s advisement that turning on red “should be prohibited where and/or when there are high pedestrian volumes.” Approximately 250 intersections will be impacted by the legislation, which will…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) invites the best and the brightest to attend the RCPS Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, March 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the RCPS Board Room, 960 Pine Street NE, Conyersa. Participants must pre-register by visitingwww.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair. The school district is seeking outstanding candidates for teaching positions for the 2024-2025 school year. All 22 RCPS schools will be represented and interviews will be held during the Teacher Job Fair. RCPS has 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, three traditional high schools, a virtual campus for grades 3-5 and 6-12 and four non-traditional schools (Rockdale…

DECATUR, GA –Congressman Hank Johnson­ announced Georgia’s Fourth District nominees for the U.S. Military Academies – Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines on Saturday, Feb. 10. In a time when the world is on the brink of a multi-national conflict, the Congressman used the solemn moment in an in-person event at Decatur’s Legacy Park to honor the students for their dedication and bravery, telling them their service to our nation is needed more than ever. “You all going into the military are at the vanguard of making sure that we can continue to live the lives that…

The Rockdale County Clerk of Superior and State Courts along with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority will be offering free online notary training Feb. 29, 6 p.m., via ZOOM. There are a limited number of spaces available. If you are a notary or thinking of becoming a notary, this training is highly recommended. Being a notary comes with great responsibility. It is important that notaries follow all laws and regulations. Failing to do so could lead to lawsuits or other punishments. For more information, log onto WWW.ROCKDALECLERK.COM or contact 770-278-7900. To log onto Zoom, click: https://gsccca-org.zoom.us/j/87341659923?pwd=lBrIVzo4uo2C3mIoyfGkSHLZXmgQlV.1

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—In celebration of Black History Month, the Rockdale County Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 15, paid tribute to five community leaders for their historic contributions to Rockdale’s public school system. The group of “first African-Americans” included: The late Sandra L. Rosser, the first African-American elected to the Rockdale Board of Education, serving from 1993-1996. Rockdale native E.R. Shipp, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and community historian, who co-founded the online organization, Black Heritage of Rockdale County Tolbert Morris, Jr.,the first African-American male elected to the Board of Education,  a published author of children’s books and founder of Helping Hands Outreach…