Author: On Common Ground News

CONYERS, GA– In appreciation of the extraordinary dedication of Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) teachers and staff and as part of recruitment and retention efforts, Superintendent Terry Oatts recently announced a proposed increase for teachers and staff. Rockdale is raising the teacher pay scale by $4,000 and giving a step increase to all employees as well as reinstatement of the Alternative Retirement contribution and signing bonuses for teaching and key classified positions. In a message to employees, Oatts said, “As we formally celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to send a note of thanks to our teachers and all…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston today announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Scottdale man accused of shooting and killing a man during a dispute over a stolen phone. Jurors returned guilty verdicts against 20-year-old Jaquez Emmanuel Cooper, 20, on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the shooting death of Rene Betancourt Jr., 18. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Cooper on Monday, May 2 to life in prison plus 5 years to…

ATLANTA –State Rep. Doreen Carter has been named Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE). The association presented the award on May 1 during its annual gala.  Carter said she was surprised and honored to receive the award.   “Being the daughter of a teacher’s aide, this award means more to me than you would ever know. I watched my mother work tirelessly in the classroom for children and families, and with that same determination, I wanted to work on behalf of children, teachers, families, and all the great people in my district and this…

DECATUR, GA– Recent reports from frantic citizens indicate that phone scammers have re-surfaced in the metro area. Callers are posing as DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies or other employees of the agency. The familiar scam threatens innocent victims with intimidating threats of being arrested on a warrant – that does not exist – or for not appearing to serve jury duty. Then the scammer offers to help the victim avoid arrest by paying a fee, generally through prepaid money cards. “You are being targeted by a criminal,” warns Chief Deputy Randy Akies. “Just hang up. Do not engage in conversation…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—More than 1,000 Rockdale County voters have cast ballots since early voting began on Monday, May 2 , elections officials reported. As of Wednesday, May 4, a total of 1,294 residents had cast ballots, Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham reported.  On the first day of the early voting period, 621 ballots were reported as cast, Willingham said. “We have a long way to go, but I think what we’ve seen is that the numbers are growing. I think people are coming out because they want to have a voice in who they choose to represent them…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) is hosting an Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding event for Rockdale residents and business owners on June 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The free, half-day event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents and electronics, regardless of working condition. There is a maximum of four banker boxes per vehicle allowed for paper shredding.  Participants must provide photo ID as proof of an address in the County for both, shredding and recycling. Professional electronics recycling and paper shredding companies will securely handle all items…

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against a Lithonia man accused of killing a man, then dumping his body in a river to hide the death.   Jurors returned guilty verdicts on May 2, 2022, against 36-year-old Rondricques Brundage on charges of Felony Murder, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Concealing the Death of Another, in connection with the shooting death of 34-year-old Rodrell Matthews.   Matthews was reported missing by his family on July 13,…

ATLANTA— Gov. Brian P. Kemp on today(May 4)  signed SB 332, also known as the Inform Consumers Act, which prevents criminals from selling goods stolen from retail stores on any online marketplace platform. The legislation establishes financial and contact information requirements for high-volume sellers to online marketplaces and requires that such platforms establish an option for consumers to report suspicious activity. It also requires sellers to provide their contact information to consumers when their annual revenue on the marketplace exceeds $20,000. Sellers who do not comply will be prohibited from using the online marketplaces further, and the Attorney General is now…

DECATUR, GA.—DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is encouraging all elected officials, civic leaders, clergy and community members to join Pastor Quincy Lavelle Carswell II for The National Night of Prayer in DeKalb County. on Thursday, May 5, at 7 p.m., at The Covenant Church, 1700 Corey Boulevard Decatur, GA. The National Night of Prayer will bring together elected officials in solidarity and fellowship as they seek God’s divine wisdom. “The church plays a direct role in cultivating healthy communities,” said Pastor Carswell II, lead pastor of The Covenant Church. “The church has been at the core of community development and meeting…