Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools’ (RCPS) scores followed the state and nation in a slight decrease on the American College Test (ACT), according to results released by the Georgia Department of Education for the Class of 2022 graduates.   RCPS had an overall ACT composite score of 18.8, a decrease from last year’s score of 20.8. The state average decreased to 21.6 and the nation decreased to 19.8. A total of 360 RCPS students took the ACT which is 200 more students than the Class of 2021. These scores are the most recent results from the 2022 graduates who…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb Chief Magistrate Berryl A. Anderson recently appointed five new judges to the bench.  These attorneys will serve in part-time judicial positions, handling a wide variety of civil, ordinance, criminal and protective order matters, serving the public 365 days a year in this busy court, known as “the people’s court.” Each one of the newly appointed judges brings to the court the depth of experience and knowledge necessary to ensure justice for the citizens of DeKalb County. Judge Mirna Andrews has served as a DeKalb County Assistant District Attorney for 12 years. For 16 years, Judge Elizabeth…

ATLANTA– Live Thrive will soon open its second Zero Waste Center (aka CHaRM), made possible through a partnership with DeKalb County, to be located at 1225 Columbia Drive in Decatur.  The groundbreaking of the new location will take place on Nov. 14, with the facility slated to open  in the first quarter of 2023. Live Thrive’s DeKalb Zero Waste Center will offer the same vital recycling services as the first CHaRM, located on Hill St. SE in Atlanta. In 2021 alone, the Hill Street CHaRM reused, recycled or re-engineered more than 31 tons of Styrofoam, 274 tons of chemicals, 251 tons of glass, 1,727…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Commissioner Larry Johnson honored all veterans with a proclamation in support of National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Operation Green Light initiative. In addition, Johnson acknowledged the sacrifices of Commissioners Jeff Rader and Stephen Bradshaw both veterans, and believes specific recognition should be granted. County buildings will be illuminated green Nov. 7-13 as part of Operation Green Light, a new national collaborative initiative of NACo to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county,…

STONECREST—Residents got their first look on Monday night (Nov. 1) at plans for a Serenbe-inspired, mix-used community proposed for a 657.3-acre tract of lush woodlands along the South River in DeKalb and Rockdale counties. Auto dealership owner Maxie Price, who owns the land, has hired Attorney Michele Battle of Battle Law, P.C. to help him create the new community along the South River at 7333 Browns Mill Road. Battle and representatives of the Atlanta-based design firm, Tunnell, Spangler & Associates, Inc. (TSW), unveiled conceptual plans during the community Zoom meeting. The vision for “South River” resembles Serenbe, a 1,000-acre community…

Not even the rain dampened The Peoples Agenda’s “Soul to the Polls” canvassing and rally on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. The organization partnered with Rainbow Park Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Steven Dial, and other community partners to Get Out the Vote in South DeKalb County. The partners traveled in a caravan from Rainbow Park to the Gallery at South DeKalb polling precinct so that voters could get their ballots during Sunday’s advance voting period. Volunteers stood underneath umbrellas along streets waving signs, encouraging voters to cast their ballots. Photos provided by Teresa Hardy.

With only days left until the Nov. 8 General Election, Congressman Hank Johnson and Secretary of State candidate Bee Nguyen held a “Get Out The Vote Rally” on Sunday, Oct. 30. The two Democrats joined forces for the rally, which was held at Clarkston First Baptist Church in DeKalb County.  Photos provided: Andy Phelan

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Inmates at the DeKalb County Jail apparently planned to celebrate this past Halloween weekend. Alas, those plans were foiled when a “contraband drop” of items they ordered was interrupted by the arrest of the deliveryman. David Askew, 59, was taken into custody by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 30 while he was still on the premises of the DeKalb County Jail on Memorial Drive after he allegedly sent contraband up the outside walls of the facility and into an inmate’s cell using a fishing line and a plastic bag. “This was a sizable drop,” observed…

ROCKDALE COUNTY—Are you interested in learning about tax sales? If so, mark your calendar and plan to attend Rockdale Clerk of Courts Janice Morris’ “Law Library Speaker Series” on Nov. 8, 5:30 -7 p.m., at the Conyers-Rockdale Library, 864 Green St. S.W., Conyers. Rockdale County Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington and Attorney Brad Hutchins, general counsel to the Georgia Association of Tax Officials, will present a discussion entitled “Tax Sales.” Morris said she is excited about the final installment of the free 2022 Law Library Series, which has educated the public on various topics including Real Estate, Simple Divorce, Adoptions, Trusts…

By Mark Brock DeKalb Atletics Department     DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Arabia Mountain and Tucker clinched Class 5A state playoff berths and set up a big showdown on Oct. 28at Godfrey Stadium for the No. 3 seed .   The Arabia Mountain Rams (4-5, 2-2) knocked off Martin Luther King (2-7, 1-3) 27-0 to clinch its first playoff spot since the pandemic shortened the 2020 season.  Julian Shanks got the Rams on the board in the first quarter with a 19-yard pass to Kenneth Hollinger for the score. The Rams took the 7-0 into the third quarter when they extended their…