Author: On Common Ground News

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and Councilman Jimmy Clanton were amid more than 120 years of law enforcement experience at the Stonecrest Police Advisory Committee meeting this week.  The committee met to discuss crime in Stonecrest, a needs assessment, and plans for the new Sears out parcel, which is slated for a police department.    “This is the foundation for both our desire to collaborate with DeKalb County as well as our plans to move forward with a Stonecrest Police Department,” Lary said.  “Stonecrest is going to be a safe place and we have just the experience and knowledge on this committee…

Tom and Killian Smith have donated countless hours to make the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve the welcoming, accessible place it is today. They recently relocated to North Carolina. The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance is now accepting applications for a two-week park management and conservation internship at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, in honor of the impactful work of long-time volunteers Tom and Killian Smith. For almost 20 years, the Smiths donated their time, energy and knowledge to make the Nature Preserve a more welcoming place for everybody. Due in no small part to their efforts, Arabia Mountain has become a…

Metro-Atlanta area high school students and their families are invited to attend a college scholarship fair hosted by Infinite Scholars and The Leadership Team USA on Oct. 23 and 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and 4 to 8 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest. Admission is free. Courtney L. Dillard, who is organizing the event, said the college fair, which is in its fourth year, provides an opportunity for students and their families to meet college representatives and to learn about scholarship opportunities. “This life-changing event gives hope after high school to every student…

Four Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students are among the top performers recognized this year in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Abigail Oser, a senior at Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST), was named a National Merit Semifinalist – part of an elite group of 16,000 identified out of 1.5 million students who entered in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Fellow RMSST seniors Sarah Goldgar, Shivam Vohra, and Ian Westcott were named Commended Students in the program. Their scores on the 2018 PSAT test put them in the top 34,000 of all test takers. “I…

Parents and students are invited to learn more about Dual Enrollment opportunities and eligibility at the Rockdale County Public Schools Dual Enrollment Information Session on Oct. 24,  at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers.  The first information session will take place 6-6:30 p.m. with a repeated session at 7–7:30 p.m. Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Point University and Georgia Military College will be available after each session to discuss programs at their schools. Dual Enrollment not only provides an opportunity for eligible students to be challenged with the rigor of a college-level course, but it also can cut…

Pictured left to right: Front row – SSEMC Public Relations Executive Leigh-Anne Burgess, Jessica Kiser (PSE), Nancy Kelly (RCPS Curriculum and Instruction), Donna Malone (RCPS Curriculum and Instruction), Reba Campbell (HCE), Jennifer Schie (FSE), Mary Jane Floyd (SHS). Middle row – SSEMC Vice President of Engineering Services Todd Mooney, Katy King (DMS), Allison Russell (HCE), Theresa Godbold (SES), Peggy Lawrence (RCPS School Food Services), Anna Burdett (CJH), Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts. Back row – Terri Anschutz (PSE), Dawn Stocks-Martin (BES), Jessica McLaughlin (RCA), Eric Asbury (CJH), Thomas Schie (RCHS). Not pictured – Heather Webb (CJH), Dr. Linda Fay Adams (SCE).…

By Ruth A. Wilson Clerk of Courts By law, we, in the Clerk of Courts Office, are not permitted to provide legal advice or referrals even though we are regularly asked to do so. We want to be as helpful as possible to the public we serve so we make a great effort to provide regular information on where legal assistance can be found. One great resource which is not well known is the Nancy Guinn (Conyers-Rockdale) Law Library. In the coming months, we will expand services and support available to Self-Represented Litigants, also known…

Rockdale Democrats will host State Rep. Vernon Jones as the special guest for its “Politics After Dark” event on Oct. 14, 7 to 9 p.m., at Nancy’s Pizza, 1360 Dogwood Drive S.E., Conyers. Come out and learn more about your community politics. Meet your elected officials and new candidates. Politics After Dark is hosted every second Monday at various businesses in the Rockdale community. Rockdale Democrats meet every fourth Saturday, 9 a.m., at the Marriott Courtyard, 1337 Old Covington Highway, Conyers.  

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce is inviting business professionals and community leaders to join the Chamber for its Member Appreciation luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at This Is It banquet hall, 2853 Panola Road, Lithonia. The luncheon is being held to recognize and thank members for their support of the Chamber and the community. All Chamber members will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and provide a two-minute pitch about their business or organization at the luncheon. Business professionals and community leaders will have an opportunity to network and connect. Real estate consultant Bill…

Celebrate fall and Conyers’ longest-running crafts festival in the streets of historic Olde Town Conyers on Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival includes arts and crafts vendors, music, children’s activities, food and more. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 770-602-2606.