Author: On Common Ground News

Are you or is someone you know a Champion of Education? If yes, the Rockdale County Public Schools Foundation wants to hear from you. The Foundation is seeking nominees for its 2019 Champion of Education awards. Recipients will be recognized during the Foundation’s annual Denim & Diamonds fundraising gala on Friday, March 8, at the Acuity People Center in Conyers. Champion of Education nominees can be either individuals or businesses that have demonstrated outstanding service, support or advocacy to further public education in Rockdale County. The Rockdale County Public Schools Foundation has provided more than $500,000 in funding mostly for…

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) has requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation(GBI) conduct a probe of an officer-involved shooting on Jan. 15 in Atlanta. Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 7:21 p.m., a plainclothes APD officer was gassing up his unmarked police vehicle at a gas station located at the intersection of Whitehall Street and McDaniel Street in southwest Atlanta.  While the vehicle was at the gas pump, an individual entered his vehicle.  The vehicle began to drive away and the officer attempted to stop it.  During the incident, the officer discharged his service weapon.  The vehicle continued driving south on Whitehall street…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said the city plans to soon hire a road maintenance supervisor to begin addressing potholes and other road issues. Residents have been clamoring for help, complaining that potholes are plaguing the city’s streets and tearing up their vehicles. Lary said the city, could start the process as early as Spring using SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) dollars, along with county resources, to start the process. “We’ve put in the budget to hire a road maintenance supervisor with regards to those particular things,” Lary told CBS46Atlanta reporter Melissa Stern during an…

Furloughed federal workers who need a helping hand during the government shut down are invited to get food for their families at Springfield Baptist Church on Jan. 22 in Conyers. Springfield is opening its food pantry on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., 1875 Iris Drive SE, Conyers.  Church officials said that food has been set aside especially for furloughed federal government employees. Anyone who needs food, however, is welcome. The partial federal government shutdown, which began on Dec. 22, is the longest in history and is taking its toll on about 800,000 federal employees and their…

In an effort to ensure families receive the food they need while the federal government is in a partial shutdown, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) has released the February allotment of food stamp benefits early to all Georgia residents.    In statement released on Tuesday, Jan. 8, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials made the decision to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants access and announced that food stamp recipients will have access to their full benefits for February, even if the partial government shutdown continues.  USDA is working with states to load benefits onto recipients’…

Two Conyers employees were recognized for their work ethic, leadership and positive attitudes at the city’s annual employee breakfast held on Jan. 9 at Cherokee Run Golf Club. For 20 years, the city has been presenting the Dee Buggay Award of Excellence, or the Employee of the Year award, at the Mayor’s State of the City Address. But in recent years, the award has been presented at the employee breakfast so employees are recognized in front of their peers. The recipient of the 2018 Dee Buggay Award of Excellence is Elizabeth Kimbrell, office manager in the Public…

All tech savvy students throughout DeKalb County School District are invited to the 2019 DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Technology Fair on Saturday, Jan. 26. The 2019 Tech Fair will take place from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Elizabeth Andrews High School, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard in Stone Mountain. This year’s theme is “Digital Dreamers Shine.” Since 2001, the DCSD Tech Fair has served as an annual gathering of students who present projects involving 3D Modeling, Animation, Audio Production, Device Modification, Digital Game Design, Digital Photo Production, Graphic Design, Internet Applications, Mobile Applications, Multimedia Applications, Productivity Design, Project Programming,…

A Conyers husband is one of three men indicted in connection with an alleged drug trafficking scheme that claimed his newlywed wife’s life. Michael Dale Lavigne, 33, was indicted last Thursday by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on charges of Felony Murder (two counts), Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, in connection with the death of his wife, Alisha Stephens, age 35. Carlos Rodriquez, 19, and Juan Carlos Ortiz, 29,  alleged members of the Latin Kings criminal street gang,…

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Decatur- DeKalb Chapter, Inc. will host its “2019 Let’s Talk – Money Management & Real Estate Workshop & Networking” community event, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.to noon, at Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. There will be speakers presenting on Budgeting, Debt Management, Home buying, Selling, New Mortgage Programs and more. The event is free and open to the public.

The Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee’s meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m., at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. The meeting will take place on the first floor in room 111. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, administrator coordinator, at 404-371-2927 orcjunderw@dekalbcountyga.gov.