Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County and faith leaders are partnering to distribute food and Girl Scout cookies on Saturday, March 18, during its monthly food distribution. “Not only does this food distribution help those facing food insecurity, but by purchasing and distributing Girls Scout cookies, we are also investing in the future of our young girls,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. The funding from the county’s purchase of 5,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies will be used to champion girls in underserved DeKalb communities. This partnership will provide additional financial support for programs designed to promote academic success, leadership, financial…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County is hosting its second annual job fair on Friday, March 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Gas South Convention Cente, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Job seekers will have the opportunity to network with departments and agencies that operate within Gwinnett, have their resume reviewed and apply for open positions in fields such as public safety, court and legal services, finance and more. “It takes a diverse and talented workforce to provide the services that keep our county running,” said Human Resources Director Adrienne McAllister. “We’re excited to meet with candidates and discuss how the…

CONYERS, GA—The city of Conyers’ “World’s Fastest Growing St. Patrick’s Day Parade” scheduled for Friday, March 17, in Olde Town Conyers is canceled due to forecasted rain and the threat of potentially severe weather. “We’re very disappointed to cancel this homegrown celebration, but in monitoring the forecast and out of an abundance of caution for those who usually participate and attend, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the parade,” said Director of Public Relations and Tourism Jennifer Edwards. The World’s Shortest Endurance Run, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rockdale County, following the parade has also been canceled, as well…

ATLANTA—Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) released the following statement today (March 14) in response to the recent resignations of the DeKalb County Board of Ethics members, urging the remaining members to resign: “As the original author of the legislation that reestablished the DeKalb County Board of Ethics in 2020, I am extremely disappointed in the events that transpired which led to the resignation of the majority of their board members,” said Sen. Jones. “The actions of a few rogue members of the Ethics Board have cast a shadow on the board’s purpose. DeKalb is better than this. I call…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–   The Rockdale County Board of Assessor’s office will open on Saturday, April 1, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 981 Milstead Ave., Conyers.  The Board of Assessors will use the extended office hours to assist residents with questions on filing their Homestead Exemption. April 1 is the last day to file. A homestead exemption reduces the property taxes homeowners owe on their legal residence. Residents are urged to determine eligibility, gather the necessary documents, then file their exemption. For more information, contact the Board of Assessors office at 770-278-7676 or visit the Homestead Exemption page here: https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/homestead-exemption  

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – DeKalb County will open warming centers for residents to use in the following locations for two nights, Monday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 14, beginning at 8 p.m.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 3034 Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check. For more information…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett Police Department needs the public’s help finding Selena Garcia, a 25-year-old Hispanic female who has been missing since October 2022  Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to her safe return. Garcia is approximately 5’4 inches tall and 160 pounds. Garcia has brown eyes and straight brown hair with multiple tattoos (Dark green marijuana plant on top of her hand, “503” across her fingers on her right hand, and “Maria” on the outside of her wrist). On the morning of Oct. 23, 2022, Garcia was reported missing from the residence of…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 13-17has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education. “The Rockdale County Board of Education continues to be among the best in the state,” said Superintendent Terry Oatts. “This award-winning Board has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s Exemplary Board designation for each eligible year, a total of seven times, and has won the Leading Edge Award for the past…

CONYERS, GA –The Rockdale Senate and House Delegations will meet on Thursday, March 16, 6:30 p.m., to discuss proposed legislation in the 2023 legislative session that will affect the county governance. The proposed legislation includes expanding the Board of Commissioners(BOC) from 3 to 5 members, increasing the salary of the Superior Court judges and removal of Board of Commissioners from the judicial train. The legislators will present the proposals in detail during a virtual meeting. Registration is required and overflow option is Facebook live. “We want to make the citizens of Rockdale aware of the proposed changes before there is…