Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale County Courthouse parking lot will be closed beginning Friday, Oct. 11, until further notice. Construction is underway on the new Judicial and Administrative Complex in downtown Conyers, a key part of the “Reimagine Rockdale” initiative. The project, a key part of the “Reimagine Rockdale” initiative, will modernize county facilities, improve public services, and create a community space for events. When: Beginning Friday, Oct. 11 Where: Courthouse parking lot, 922 Court Street, Conyers Impact: Temporary closures and parking changes will affect the area, including the closure of the parking lot at 922 Court Street. For updates and parking alternatives, visit Reimagine Rockdale

CONYERS, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), along with U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and U.S. House Reps. David Scott (GA-13), Lucy McBath (GA-07) and Nikema Williams (GA-05), sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan today urging him to enhance federal oversight of facilities that manufacture and/or store the hazardous chemical Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA), which is at the heart of the incident at the BioLab plant in Conyers – an environmental and health crisis that has been ongoing since Sept. 29. “We are concerned that facilities like BioLab Conyers, which manufacture and/or store TCCA…

DECATUR, GA–The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m., at 2000 Airport Rd., Room 227, Atlanta. The public also can attend the meeting virtually at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/84958022051 or via phone by calling 602-333-0032 and using the conference code 482992. The meeting agenda is as follows: APPROVAL OF September 2024 MINUTES INFORMATION/OLD BUSINESS DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Hunter Hines LED Airfield Project 3R/21L Keel Replacement NOISE REPORT – Korey Barnes September 2024 Noise and Operations Report OTHER III.  NEW BUSINESS PUBLIC COMMENTS

ATLANTA–Kenny A. Johnson, Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, died on Tuesday after testifying about BioLab during a public hearing at the Georgia Capitol. State legislators, who were holding the meeting concerning the Sept. 29 BioLab chemical fire, said Johnson approached the microphone, testified and then walked out of Room 606 at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, where the meeting was held, and collapsed. State Rep. Viola Davis, who is a nurse, rushed out to perform CPR  after someone announced that Johnson was having a medical emergency. Paramedics were called in to take Johnson to Grady Hospital.The Fulton County…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– As part of its ongoing efforts to expand support services for the local community affected by the fire at its Conyers facility, BioLab today opened its round-the-clock call center. Beginning today at 10 a.m., Rockdale residents and businesses can call 678-301-2359 to speak with a live representative, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The center will assist with evaluating and processing reimbursement requests from local residents and businesses, as well as answering general questions. “Our team at BioLab is committed to making things right for the residents and business community impacted by the fire at our…

Eight of 10 student subgroups show substantial gains  DEKALB COUNTY, GA–The DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2024 is 79.1 percent, based on data from the Georgia Department of Education released today, Oct. 8. The overall graduation rate increased by 3.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. The Class of 2024 represents the highest graduation rate for DCSD in the last decade. In addition to the All Students category improvement, seven out of nine district student subgroup rates (77.8%) increased over the prior school year. They represented the highest graduation rates for these populations over the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County Public Schools(RCPS) is extending virtual learning for students through Oct.18, as chemical cleanup continues at the BioLab site.  An Incident Management Team has been working at the site to remove hazardous chemicals and monitor air and water since a fire erupted at BioLab on Sunday, Sept. 29.    Officials had announced last Friday that students would use three days for virtual learning—this  Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 7-9, but extended the time period after Rockdale government officials on Monday, Oct. 7, lifted its shelter-in-place for all of Rockdale, except for those within a 2-mile radius of the BioLab…

ATLANTA – Members of the House and Senate Rockdale County Legislative Delegations, House Minority Caucus and the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation will hold a meeting to hear from citizens, business owners, employees, and others impacted by the Biolab chemical fire on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building. Interested attendees who wish to speak may sign up here: https://bit.ly/3zOoVl9. “This is a terrifying time for the citizens of Rockdale County, and because we know the impact is now regional, we must focus on the impact of the chemicals as it pertains to the environment and health…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Today, the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency lifted the county’s shelter-in-place order, except for the two-mile radius around Biolab. An Incident Management Team has been working to clean up the site, located 1700 Old Covington Highway in Conyers, since a fire broke out there on Sunday, Sept. 29. Rockdale residents and businesses within a 2-mile radius of Biolab should continue to shelter in place from 7 p.m .to 7 a.m. until further notice, officials said. The agency said that the recommendation is based on data over the last five consecutive days. Readings have not indicated exceedances of…