Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County Public Schools(RCPS) is extending virtual learning for students through Oct.18, as chemical cleanup continues at the BioLab site.  An Incident Management Team has been working at the site to remove hazardous chemicals and monitor air and water since a fire erupted at BioLab on Sunday, Sept. 29.    Officials had announced last Friday that students would use three days for virtual learning—this  Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 7-9, but extended the time period after Rockdale government officials on Monday, Oct. 7, lifted its shelter-in-place for all of Rockdale, except for those within a 2-mile radius of the BioLab…

ATLANTA – Members of the House and Senate Rockdale County Legislative Delegations, House Minority Caucus and the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation will hold a meeting to hear from citizens, business owners, employees, and others impacted by the Biolab chemical fire on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. in room 606 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building. Interested attendees who wish to speak may sign up here: https://bit.ly/3zOoVl9. “This is a terrifying time for the citizens of Rockdale County, and because we know the impact is now regional, we must focus on the impact of the chemicals as it pertains to the environment and health…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Today, the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency lifted the county’s shelter-in-place order, except for the two-mile radius around Biolab. An Incident Management Team has been working to clean up the site, located 1700 Old Covington Highway in Conyers, since a fire broke out there on Sunday, Sept. 29. Rockdale residents and businesses within a 2-mile radius of Biolab should continue to shelter in place from 7 p.m .to 7 a.m. until further notice, officials said. The agency said that the recommendation is based on data over the last five consecutive days. Readings have not indicated exceedances of…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—BioLab has activated a debris removal service for community residents and others who wish to have debris from the chemical fire cleared from their property, a company spokesman stated this evening. Since the fire broke out on Sunday, Sept. 29, remediation teams have worked to clean up the site, which is located at 1700 Old Covington Highway in Conyers as well as other areas where shifting winds have carried debris onto people’s personal properties, public roads and other areas.  Residents have expressed concerns about handling the toxic debris themselves.  The company stated help is available for the debris removal. The…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–BioLab has launched a  website for the Conyers community that addresses remediation efforts and support the company is making available as cleanup continues at the chemical fire site. The company announced on Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m., that it is taking steps to provide support organizations that are assisting local residents. Click the link to learn more: BioLab has set up a company truck on Green Street in Conyers announcing help for those impacted by the chemical fire. https://biolabcommunityresources.com/

ATLANTA — Homeowners and renters in Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Long, Newton and Wayne counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene can now apply for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Previously, Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties were…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Today (Oct. 4), Rockdale County released a video on the cleanup process that is underway at the BioLab chemical fire site. In the video, Deputy Fire Chief James Robinson discusses what can be expected in terms of plumes coming from the plant as the public gets its first, up-close look at the site since the fire broke out on Sunday, Sept. 29, around 4 a.m. A team of contractors, which includes excavation experts, are now working to remove chemicals (products) from the plant. BioLab makes chemicals for swimming pools and spas. https://vimeo.com/rockdalegov/biolabupdate?share=copy

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Rockdale County government is extending the shelter-in-place order through the weekend as contract experts continue the cleanup at the BioLab chemical fire site. Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), based on information received from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), advises all Rockdale County residents to continue to shelter in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through the weekend. The order will end at 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7. Beginning on Monday, Rockdale County Court, court annexes, and government facilities will be open during normal hours. Rockdale County parks will close…

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Decatur man for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.  On Thursday, jurors found Deeron Hicks, 25, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the murder of Ja’Nautica Whitehead, 19, on Nov. 25, 2022. According to the investigation, on Nov. 26, 2022, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) responded to a call of a vehicle parked in a wooded area off Snapfinger Parkway with a woman’s body inside.…