Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Fire Rescue is hosting a Community Information and Feedback Meeting to discuss the future of fire rescue services on Thursday, Sept. 26, 5 to 7 p.m., at the J. P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and offer recommendations that will help shape a new comprehensive five-year strategic plan to guide public safety efforts in the coming years. Meeting Details Date: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers, GA For more information about the Reimagine Rockdale Together Strategic…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department has arrested a DeKalb County School teacher for multiple crimes against a child. Marcus Knight, 49, Lawrenceville, was charged with aggravated child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes, and obscene internet contact with a child. Authorities said the 14-year-old victim was not a student of Knight. According to the investigation, detectives assigned to the Gwinnett County Police Department Special Victims Unit were alerted on Sept. 3 about a possible adult male having sexual intercourse with a child. The victim’s mother discovered sexually explicit conversations between the child and an unknown male…

By Mark Brock Athletic Specialist DeKalb County School District DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Three DeKalb vs. DeKalb high school football games are set for tonight with a total of nine games in DeKalb Stadiums this weekend. Thursday night’s lineup of four games includes the Arabia Mountain Rams (1-2) and Lakeside Vikings (1-2) in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Godfrey Stadium. The Rams hold a 2-0 advantage in the series against the Vikings since the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Both teams are coming off a bye in this Region 4-5A clash. Senior quarterback, Julian Shanks, leads the Arabia Mountain offense with 747 yards…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—A father and son have been arrested in connection with terroristic threats that prompted a lockdown on Wednesday (Sept. 11) at Edwards Middle School, and now both men have been terminated from their employment at the school, officials said today. No one at the school was harmed, officials said. Paul Schwartz, a math teacher, is no longer an employee of Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS). Schwartz was employed as a math teacher at Edwards Middle from December 2023 to September 2024. Before that, he worked as a substitute teacher from January 2015-November 2023. Paul Schwartz, Jr., the son,…

 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA– Firefighters and first responders from multiple agencies challenged themselves to a one-mile climb—equivalent to 160 flights of stairs—to the summit of Stone Mountain today in commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Wearing a full complement of firefighting gear, the group tested their endurance in honor of the 343 firefighters, paramedics, and 72 law enforcement officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Over 600 participants from more than 50 agencies took part in the climb, making this the largest event to date. This annual tradition began in 2014…

R&B group, Brownstone, “If You Love Me,” to perform  STONECREST, GA– This Saturday, Sept. 14, the City of Stonecrest will host its 5th Annual Screen on the Green and Entrepreneur Expo from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Southeast Athletic Complex, 5845 Hillvale Road, Stonecrest. The family-friendly event begins with a showcase of local entrepreneurs and ends with an outdoor movie, “Inside Out 2.” Brownstone, the 90s R&B group known for its hit song, “If You Love Me,” will hit the stage for a special celebrity guest performance. There will be food, a DJ, multiple bounce houses and a variety…

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold Open House nights during September, October and November 2024 for the 2025-2026 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and families interested in applying to a program are strongly encouraged to attend that program’s Open House night. The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 8, 2024, through Dec.13, 2024. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus and Rockdale…

DECATUR, GA – On Dec.7, 1946 at 3:42 a.m. the first alarm came into Atlanta Fire Department headquarters: “The Winecoff Hotel is on fire!” For the next two hours, everything good, bad, improbable, and certain about the human experience played out. Few events in history can match the Winecoff Fire for extremes. The DeKalb County History Center will present Janet Cox, daughter of survivor Dorothy Moen Cox, and the authors of the book, The Winecoff Fire, to discuss both the personal and historical significance of this Atlanta tragedy that happened on Dec. 7, 1946. This event will be recorded The ticketed program…

ATLANTA – Chris Bailey’s whirlwind journey to becoming an Olympic gold medal winner comes full circle when he returns to the place where it all started on Thursday, Sept. 12. Bailey, who didn’t start running track until he entered 11th grade at Carver Early College, will return to the school for a recognition and ring ceremony featuring faculty, staff, and students, as well as Bailey’s family and friends. After graduating from Carver Early College in 2018, Bailey had a stellar academic and athletic college career that included stops at Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Tennessee (Class of 2022, B.S.,…

DECATUR, GA— DeKalb County District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw will host his Annual Veterans Expo and Fellowship Lunch event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Tobie Grant Recreational Center, 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale. Commissioner Bradshaw, in collaboration with Atlanta VA HealthCare System, AMVETS Post 44, Georgia Grace and Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Departments, will provide onsite resources and information about housing, VA benefits, caregivers, trauma recovery, employment and training, mental health, telehealth and women’s wellness programs. “I appreciate the many partners who will be present to provide much-needed information and resources for veterans and…