Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–The Rockdale County Tax Office announced its relocation to a new, more accessible office space. The move aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of services provided to the residents of Rockdale County, said Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart Washington. To commemorate the milestone, the Tax Commissioner’s Office will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 8:30 a.m. The event will take place at the new Rockdale County Tax Office, 1088 West Avenue, Conyers. The new office is designed to better serve the community with improved facilities and ample parking. The ceremony will feature remarks from the…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–After reviewing evidence in the case, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the police officer who shot John Robert Smith, Jr., 58, at the Atlanta VA Medical Center will not be charged in the Jan. 29, 2024 incident. Earlier this week, DA Boston and members of her staff met with Smith’s family and walked them through the case, which included showing them video of the shooting from the officer’s body-worn camera. “Although Mr. Smith’s death was a tragedy, the evidence shows that under the law, the officer who shot Mr. Smith was justified in his use of…

ATLANTA –MARTA announces its participation in Atlanta Streets Alive, a community-driven event that transforms Atlanta’s streets into car-free zones, promoting a healthy, sustainable, and vibrant city street experience.  The celebration this Sunday, Oct. 20, features a tour of an electric bus, custom tote bags designed by artist Rory Hawkins, courtesy of MARTA’s public art program, Artbound, and a prize wheel with the chance to win MARTA merchandise. Also, attendees will be able to practice putting their bicycles on the bus bike rack.  WHAT:              Atlanta Streets Alive   WHEN:             Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  WHERE:          From Longhorn Street SW…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Kenny Johnson, Rockdale County’s Conservation District Supervisor, was remembered on Tuesday as a staunch fighter known for his commitment to protecting the environment and public health.  Several Rockdale residents and others who knew Johnson gathered for a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening at the home of community activist Josie Dean to honor and celebrate the community champion. The 62-year-old collapsed and died on June 8 after testifying before a legislative panel at the Georgia Capitol on the dangers posed by the BioLab chemical fire, which broke out in Rockdale on Sept. 29.  State Rep. Viola Davis, who attended the vigil,…

ATLANTA– FEMA assistance is available to renters, including students, with uninsured losses from Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, with an incident period of Aug. 4–20, 2024.  FEMA may be able to help renters as well as homeowners with serious needs, displacement costs, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Renters may qualify for assistance including the replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks or school supplies; replacement or repair of tools and other job-related equipment; vehicle repair; and medical/dental bills. Assistance is available to people with disaster-caused damage in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon,…

ATLANTA–On Thursday, Oct.17, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will travel to Atlanta to hold a press conference to announce a significant milestone for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for borrowers and helping more public service workers reach full forgiveness. This press conference will also include members of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ office and other Atlanta recipients of PSLF. Later, the Secretary and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath will visit Five Forks Middle School in Gwinnett County and participate in a roundtable conversation to uplift the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to provide additional mental health support in schools through School-Based Mental Health…

Story updated Oct. 23 LITHONIA, GA–Residents of Conyers and surrounding communities gathered on Monday, Oct. 14, for a meeting to address the recent fire at the BioLab chemical plant. The meeting was held for clients who have retained the firm and they were the only ones invited, a spokesperson from Morgan and Morgan stated in an e-mail on Oct. 23. Over 200 people attended the 4 p.m. session at the Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia. A second session was held at 6 p.m. Three attorneys from the firm were on site, in addition to an environmental toxicologist, to discuss…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Trump signs dominated the scene as Early Voting kicked off at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Rockdale County Board of Elections office, the county’s only location for early voting. A worried voter called On Common Ground News and asked why there were no signs for Harris.  “We may have a BioLab crisis, but we still have to vote,” the caller said.  About an hour later, Harris-Walz signs joined the Trump signs. A steady stream of traffic flowed throughout the day, with Rockdale voters casting their ballots. There were few people, however, seen holding any signs to get…