Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—BioLab has activated a debris removal service for community residents and others who wish to have debris from the chemical fire cleared from their property, a company spokesman stated this evening. Since the fire broke out on Sunday, Sept. 29, remediation teams have worked to clean up the site, which is located at 1700 Old Covington Highway in Conyers as well as other areas where shifting winds have carried debris onto people’s personal properties, public roads and other areas.  Residents have expressed concerns about handling the toxic debris themselves.  The company stated help is available for the debris removal. The…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–BioLab has launched a  website for the Conyers community that addresses remediation efforts and support the company is making available as cleanup continues at the chemical fire site. The company announced on Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m., that it is taking steps to provide support organizations that are assisting local residents. Click the link to learn more: BioLab has set up a company truck on Green Street in Conyers announcing help for those impacted by the chemical fire. https://biolabcommunityresources.com/

ATLANTA — Homeowners and renters in Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Long, Newton and Wayne counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene can now apply for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Previously, Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties were…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Today (Oct. 4), Rockdale County released a video on the cleanup process that is underway at the BioLab chemical fire site. In the video, Deputy Fire Chief James Robinson discusses what can be expected in terms of plumes coming from the plant as the public gets its first, up-close look at the site since the fire broke out on Sunday, Sept. 29, around 4 a.m. A team of contractors, which includes excavation experts, are now working to remove chemicals (products) from the plant. BioLab makes chemicals for swimming pools and spas. https://vimeo.com/rockdalegov/biolabupdate?share=copy

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County government is extending the shelter-in-place order through the weekend as contract experts continue the cleanup at the BioLab chemical fire site. Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), based on information received from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), advises all Rockdale County residents to continue to shelter in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through the weekend. The order will end at 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7. Beginning on Monday, Rockdale County Court, court annexes, and government facilities will be open during normal hours. Rockdale County parks will close…

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.  On Thursday, jurors found Deeron Hicks, 25, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the murder of Ja’Nautica Whitehead, 19, on Nov. 25, 2022. According to the investigation, on Nov. 26, 2022, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) responded to a call of a vehicle parked in a wooded area off Snapfinger Parkway with a woman’s body inside.…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Gwinnett County jury on Friday convicted a Lawrenceville man for shooting three people to steal a stash of drugs that included methamphetamine and marijuana.  Justice Lusk, 25, was found guilty of three counts of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for the Nov. 21, 2020, shooting deaths of Bob Caverly, 64; Steven Andrew Finch, 33; and Eugene McClam, 45.  “This was an outrageous act of violence,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “The families of these men deserve the justice…

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp has announced four additional Georgia counties affected by Hurricane Helene that are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance. The disaster declaration now covers Elbert and Rabun for Individual Assistance, and Effingham and Tift for Individual and Public Assistance (Categories A and B). Individual Assistance can fund individual and family recovery efforts, which may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene. Public Assistance is available to state and local government entities…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) today issued the following statement in response to the recent BioLab chemical fire in Rockdale County: “Today, I stand with the residents of Rockdale County and the east metro Atlanta area as we assess the impacts of the chemical fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers. This incident poses significant health risks due to smoke and chemical fallout, which have affected the well-being of our community. At present, there is only one shelter available in Rockdale County to assist those displaced by the fire. Additionally, it is vital that we quickly identify the…