Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA—As Georgia grapples with navigating in-person and virtual learning this school year, Atlanta Technical College (ATC) is fusing innovation with ingenuity to host “limited labs” – a hybrid of online and in-person learning. ATC’s on campus approach is designated for key technical careers that require the face-to-face interaction for mastery of designated crafts. Wearing required personal protective equipment, students and faculty will engage in classroom learning for hands-on activities and training. The number of students is restricted per class to adhere to social distancing protocols. Both students and faculty will undergo onsite COVID-19 screenings and the facilities utilized during…

Dr. Sandra Ford and Mayor Jason Lary Greenforest and Salem to consolidate at new site   The DeKalb County Board of Health will open a new COVID-19 drive-through testing site on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the former Sam’s Club parking lot, 2994 Turner Hill Road. The site is where Stonecrest’s new City Hall will be built. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, operations at the following locations will conclude and shift to the new Stonecrest site on Wednesday morning, to form an expanded regional site, serving eastern and southern DeKalb County: Greenforest Community…

The Conyers Police Department(CPD) is welcoming two new K9 officers. K9 Kimmie, with handler Officer Kelli Behrend, and K9 Kratos, with handler Officer Brandon DeCosse.  At 2-years old, the Belgian Malinois are ready to continue training with their new CPD family and get to work.

STONECREST—Daisy Days, the celebration of the beautiful yellow daisies growing on Arabia, Panola and Stone mountains, kicks off on Sept. 1 with an added competition: the first people to finish hiking all three mountains will receive a monadnock-themed prize package in addition to the Daisy Days prize. The Daisy Days Triple Hike Challenge runs throughout the month of September and celebrates the fall flower bloom on metro-Atlanta’s massive granite outcrops. Instead of a large group hike, this year’s event is “Hike as you Like,” meaning that participants can hike the mountains on their own time and at their own pace,…

The Rockdale Democratic Party will host its general meeting on Saturday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m.. The meeting will be held virtually via ZOOM. To join the meeting: Enter Meeting ID:823 6208. The Passcode is 612689.

CONYERS—Excel Church will be giving away food boxes to the community on Saturday, Aug. 29, noon-2 p.m., at 1151 Flat Shoals Road SE, Conyers.

Finance Director Roselyn Miller on probation Story Updated Aug. 31, 2020 Rockdale County government officials are scrambling to meet a Sept. 1 deadline to document the county’s spending of $3.9 million in CARES Act funding. The Rockdale Board of Commissioners had called for a special meeting today (Aug. 28) to discuss ways to spend the COVID-related funding, but adjourned the 2 p.m. tele-meeting early after the bombshell news from Attorney Michael Quinn, who is with the Association for County Commissioners of Georgia(ACCG) and assisting the county. “Can someone tell me how much (CARES Act funding) has been…

The Stonecrest City Council will have a special called meeting on Friday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m. The agenda is attached. 

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie did not issue a ruling on Aug. 26 in the City of Stonecrest’s motion for a temporary restraining order against Metro Green Recycling, Inc. After hearing from City of Stonecrest Attorney Winston Denmark, Metro Green Attorney Matt Benson and DeKalb County Attorney Noah Priest-Goodsett, Judge Barrie said she needed more time to consider the information presented to determine how she would proceed. Barrie said during the hearing that she wanted to be clear on what rights are being violated and specifically how the public’s health would be at risk as a result of…

The DeKalb County School District issued an apology today (Aug. 26) over the quality of its meal service, after a parent expressed concern.   Officials said the DeKalb County School Nutrition Services strives to deliver high quality wholesome meals to its students on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, School Nutrition Services failed to deliver the quality expected.   “We would like to thank the parent that reached out to express concerns regarding our meals. Please accept our sincerest apology. Your feedback is highly appreciated and contributes to the success of our program,” said Dr. Connie R. Walker, Executive Director, School Nutrition Services.…