Author: On Common Ground News

For the second consecutive year, the Museum School of Avondale Estates has been named the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s 2019 Academic Charter School of the Year. The award recognizes charter schools who demonstrate academic excellence; score high on College & Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) tests; and remain autonomous in its governance. As the recipient of the 2019 award, The Museum School of Avondale Estates will receive $25,000 from the GCSA to aid its mission of educating DeKalb County students. According to a statement from the school, the funds will be used to purchase sets of Google Expedition Kits to…

Flat Rock, one of the oldest African-American communities in the state of Georgia and a part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, is the subject of a new exhibit created by the DeKalb History Center and the Flat Rock Archives. The exhibit, Deep Roots in DeKalb: The Flat Rock Story of Resilience, opens in Decatur on Feb. 28. As visitors learn about the people of Flat Rock and DeKalb County, they will discover a story of strength, ingenuity and resilience that continues to this day. From the days of enslavement to its rise as a…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release that it has launched a new initiative this year to suppress, deter, and thwart street level crime in affected areas. The Deployment of the MCV (Mobile Command Vehicle) has been planned for different locations throughout Rockdale during the year. The MCV is currently located at GA Hwy 138 and East Fairview Road. Officials say the objective of the initiative is community outreach, educating the public with local crime trends and preventative practices, and building a solid infrastructure between residents of Rockdale County and local Law Enforcement. Every Division…

 Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is hosting a teacher Job fair on March 9, 1  – 5 p.m. at Rockdale County High School gymnasium, 1174 Bulldog Circle, Conyers, and on May 11, 2019, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. Please pre-register at www.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair The school system is seeking candidates for teaching positions for the 2019-2020 school year. All 22 RCPS schools will be represented and may provide on-site interviews. Candidates should bring several copies of their resumés. To pre-register, please visit www.rockdaleschools.org/jobfair To see the full schedule of opportunities to meet our RCPS…

DeKalb County is conducting a nationwide search for a new chief of police. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond announced today that Police Chief James Conroy is retiring, effective April 30. Chief Conroy grew up in DeKalb County and dedicated his entire career to improving public safety in DeKalb. “Chief Conroy is an example of the best DeKalb County has to offer,” said Thurmond. “His selfless dedication to public service and commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism has set an example for all DeKalb employees.” During his 30-year tenure with the DeKalb County Police Department, Chief Conroy worked a wide variety of…

Stonecrest’s Comprehensive Plan was recently approved by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Atlanta Regional Commission.  The city had an August 2019 deadline to develop an approved 20-year Comprehensive Plan.  Labeled Comprehensive Plan 2038, the document guides the city’s look and feel for current and future developments. It is scheduled for a council vote on February 25, 2019. The city will be awarded a Qualified Local Government designation once the council approves the plan.  This designation will allow the city to impose development impact-fees, participate in certain DCA Programs like the community development block grants, loan guarantees (Section…

Stonecrest City Councilman George Turner, District 4, will host his first town hall meeting of 2019 on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Big Miller Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 3800 Big Miller rove Way. The following will be discussed: FOCUS ON SALEM PLAZA AT PANOLA ROAD PROPOSED CONVENIENCE STORE AT SALEM AND EVANS MILL PARKS AND RECREATION IN STONECREST SPLOST PROGRESS/ROAD PAVING

As usual, the Clerk of Courts Office was a beehive of activity in 2018. Just a few stats: Jury Summonses: 7,000 Property Tax Appeals: 363 Passport Applications: 2,809 Traffic Citations: 7,711 Real Estate Instruments: 22,890 Criminal and Civil Proceedings for the Superior and State Courts of Rockdale: Tens of Thousands Beyond the usual recurring activity we process, we were able to achieve some significant milestones as well.  Notable among these are: Jury Assembly Room Our first Criminal Record Restriction Forum allowing those arrested but not convicted in Rockdale to have their criminal history restricted from public view. This enabled lots…

I awoke on Tuesday morning to a bombardment of calls from veterans who were outraged that Judge J.P. Boulee had announced his recusal from the case concerning Anthony Hill. You may remember that Hill was the unarmed, mentally ill military veteran who was killed by former DeKalb Police Officer Robert Olsen, who was charged with murder. March 9 will mark four years since Olsen shot and killed Hill, who had not taken his meds when Olsen saw Hill roaming naked outside the apartment complex where Hill lived. Judge Boulee said in his order recusing himself from the case that judges…