Author: On Common Ground News

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…

DECATUR, GA – On Monday, March 13, one lane on Kensington Road will be closed, requiring traffic to share a single lane as crews work to connect local manholes. The partial closure will be in effect for up to three days, barring any weather issues. Traffic control will be in place 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to assist motorists in moving safely through the lane closure. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to businesses and motorists. The Kensington Road Lift Station & Pipeline Project is part of DeKalb County’s $2.4 billion capital improvement program, the Department…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that he has hired Marcus Garza as his new chief of staff. Garza replaces Scott Goldstein, who accepted a position within the Biden Administration. ” src=”cid:clip_image001.jpg” alt=”” width=”16″ align=”left” hspace=”12″ u2:shapes=”Picture_x0020_5″ class=”Apple-web-attachment Singleton” apple-inline=”yes” v:shapes=”_x003c_image003.jpg_x0040_01D95359.830D9340_x003e_” style=”opacity: 1;”>“I’m very pleased Marcus is joining my team as my chief of staff,” said Johnson. “As a former staffer, legislative director and chief of staff on Capitol Hill previously, Marcus brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. I look forward to working with him to continue my mission of offering thoughtful, serious…