Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT), in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), will temporarily close the intersection of SR 20, Chandler Road, and West Hightower Trail in Conyers, GA, for planned roundabout construction Feb. 14-17.  The intersection will be closed for the entire weekend to facilitate construction. During this closure, drivers should expect detours and plan for additional travel time. Detour signage will be in place to guide motorists along alternative routes. Detour Routes: Bethel Rd NW (West Hightower Trail to SR-20/Loganville Hwy) SR-20 (Loganville Hwy) (Roebuck Rd NW to Pleasant Hill Rd) Day St NW (Bethel Rd NW to…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04) reintroduced a resolution calling on Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, a group of civil rights activists whose courageous actions in 1961 helped dismantle racial segregation in interstate travel. If approved, the medal would be awarded to the Freedom Riders as a group and displayed at the Smithsonian Museum to honor its historic contributions to the fight for equality and justice.  On May 4, 1961, 13 young activists – known as the original Freedom Riders – departed Washington, D.C., on two buses bound for New Orleans. Their mission was…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—The Rockdale Board of Elections will hold two public hearings for the purpose of receiving comments and feedback regarding two proposed precinct consolidations.   Public input is sought on the proposed consolidation of the following precincts: Merge Honey Creek Precinct with the Magnet Precinct. The Honey Creek Precinct is now the home of a private school and is no longer available for use as a precinct. Merge Hightower Precinct with the Milstead Precinct. There has been a low Election Day voter turnout at Hightower and this precinct is located within 2 miles of the Milstead Precinct.    The public…

DECATUR, GA—For several hours this morning (Feb. 6), the downtown Decatur Courthouse was evacuated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County Marshals. Decatur Fire officials were investigating a suspicious package in the area of the Superior Court Clerk’s Office.  It was determined that the package – an envelope – contained non-hazardous materials and posed no threat.  The incident will be further investigated for possible criminal charges. The courthouse building was cleared and reopened o the public, the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office said.  

By Mark Brock DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) kicked off National Signing Day on Jan. 29 with 36 senior football players committing to extend their football and educational careers.  Eleven more signings are expected next week as Redan High hosts ceremonies for five seniors on Feb. 11 and Stephenson High hosts six seniors on Feb. 12, wrapping up DCSD’s signing season with a total of 47 commitments. Lithonia High School’s Head Coach Kevin Barnes’ 2025 senior class led the county with nine signees on Jan. 29 capitalizing on a 6-4 campaign after winning just one game over…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host Tech Demo Day on Thursday, March 13, 8:30 – 10 a.m., in room 230, and from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the South Wing Atrium of the Georgia State Capitol. “This is a unique chance for women in artificial intelligence to showcase their technology to investors, policymakers and leaders who can help amplify their vision,” said Kendrick. “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Georgians to my 2nd annual tech demo day event for Women’s History month. This event will share amazing women in artificial intelligence with the state and with legislators to learn…

ATLANTA – MARTA will close the south entrance of East Lake Station, including the south pedestrian bridge, bus loop and south parking lot beginning Monday, March 24, to replace the pedestrian bridge.  Temporary road closures will occur during the removal of the old bridge and installation of the new bridge. MARTA will provide advance notice through signage and other communications to ensure minimal disruption.  This project is part of a broader effort to enhance East Lake Station, ensuring it remains a safe, accessible, and contemporary facility for the community, officials said.  Additional improvements include upgraded ADA ramps, fresh paint, and enhanced curb and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Stephenson Middle School, 922 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new student wellness room on Saturday, Feb. 8, 8 a.m.   The new dedicated space is designed to support students’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This initiative aligns with the school’s commitment to fostering a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Stephenson Middle will hold its annual Black History Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s expo theme is “Music Through the Decade,” celebrating and exploring the influence of history on modern-day music. The expo…

ATLANTA— Georgia invites travelers to discover an exciting array of new experiences coming to the Peach State in 2025. Thrill seekers will want to check out Six Flags Over Georgia Amusement Park’s new Georgia Gold Rusher ride. The first-of-its-kind, free-spinning gondola ride opens this Spring. The ride offers high-speed, high-elevation thrills with twists, turns, and exciting water features. Inspired by Georgia’s 1885 gold rush, the coaster will introduce thrill seekers to William “Willy” Gibson and his hydraulic mining machine through immersive storytelling. Georgia’s gold rush in the 1880s brought prospectors from far and wide to extract the precious ore. One such…