Author: On Common Ground News

Students in WorkSource DeKalb’s Audio/Video and Film Program recently helped United Youth of America film a commercial highlighting the organization’s Culinary Arts Registered Apprenticeship Program. The commercial encourages 16- to 24-year-old DeKalb County residents to explore careers in the culinary arts industry. In the commercial, United Youth of America’s culinary arts registered apprenticeship participants are featured receiving hands-on training from Zaxby’s counter and kitchen staff and store management. The commercial is scheduled to air May through August 2018 on the Viacom networks MTV and VH1 via Comcast cable. For more information about WorkSource DeKalb’s Audio/Video and Film Program, contact Latanya…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all educators, administrators and support personnel to the 2018 Region I Job Fair on Thursday, May 31, 9 a.m. until noon, at Chamblee Charter High School in Chamblee The event will provide attendees with information about working in the Dunwoody, Cross Keys and Chamblee Charter high school clusters. Information also will be available about Kittredge Magnet, Oakcliff Theme, Warren Technical, Margaret Harris Comprehensive and the International Student Center. Participants should bring resumes, certificates, official transcripts, edTPA scores, GACE scores, program admissions, ethics assessments, and content assessments. To preregister for the event or apply…

Spring is a great time to clean out the old cobwebs, dust bunnies and pollen. It is also a great time to clean up that arrest record. If you have been arrested in Rockdale County or the City of Conyers, you MAY be eligible to have those records restricted from public view. If your arrest did not result in a conviction (PLEAS, JURY TRIALS, OR NOLOS) or if you completed a Pre-Trial Intervention/Diversion Program, you may qualify for this free opportunity. The City of Conyers Police and the Rockdale County Sheriff are waiving their fees for this event. You must…

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, assisted by the DeKalb County Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol, have arrested Meshon Williams, 17, who was sought in connection with the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy. Williams was arrested on May 10. The victim, Z’Mari Mitchell, was shot while inside his home on Sweetgum Lane in Decatur on Saturday, May 5, after Williams allegedly fired 31 shots at the house. The child, who was hospitalized in critical condition, died May 9 from the injuries he sustained. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office received a warrant for Williams’ arrest on May 5,…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting involving a 17-year-old male. On Monday, May 14, 3:11 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call that a person was shot at 798 Pleasant Hill Road N.W., Conyers and the subject was being transported by friends to Rockdale Piedmont Hospital. Christian Manuel, who lived at the residence, was pronounced dead at the hospital. At On Common Ground News deadline on May 17, no further details were available about what led up to the shooting, said Sheriff’s spokesperson Yolande Lovinggood-Moore. The public is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office if anyone…

Organizers of Caribbean Carnival met on Tuesday (May 15) with city officials, businesses and community leaders for an informational meeting in preparation for the upcoming festival. The event, which will be held on Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 26), is expected to draw 25,000 guests to the new city of Stonecrest. There will be a parade down Mall Parkway and afterward, there will be a festival with entertainment and vendors. Representatives from the DeKalb Police and Fire Departments were present to explain road closures and safety procedures that will be in place during the event. Police will be on hand to…

Due to predicted inclement weather conditions, the Electronics Recycling & Paper Shredding event has been canceled for this Saturday, May 19. Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) will be hosting a paper shredding only event. The Paper Shredding Event will be held Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the parking lot of the Rockdale County Government Annex, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The free, half-day event will provide the public a place to safely discard and recycle old documents. A maximum of four banker boxes per vehicle are allowed for paper shredding, and participants must provide photo ID as proof…

State Sen. Tonya Anderson (D – Lithonia) was recently honored with the 2018 “Champion of Georgia’s Cities Award” from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) for her work on Senate Bill 333. Senate Bill 333 allows state or local government employers to pay the cost of their employee participating in a deferred compensation plan and allows employee contributions to be instituted pursuant to an automatic enrollment arrangement. This legislation passed both chambers and was signed by Gov. Nathan Deal on May 8, 2018. “It is truly humbling to be recognized by GMA and their membership,” said Anderson. “This legislation will…

By Mark Brock, DeKalb County School District Athletics Coach Jermaine Smith’s Cedar Grove Saints wrote their names in the DeKalb County and GHSA record books with a thrilling come-from-behind 102-96 win over Westminster to capture the 2018 Class 3A Boys’ State Championship title at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany last Saturday. The victory was the Saints’ fourth consecutive state title setting a new benchmark in DeKalb County and they became just the seventh program in state history to win four in a row. Cedar Grove trailed by over 30 points to Westminster heading into the track finals on Saturday but…

Early voting will be offered statewide this Saturday, May 12, for the May 22 General Primary and Nonpartisan General elections. Here’s a look at the schedule in Rockdale County: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 12 Rockdale Board of Elections and Voter Registrations Office, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers, Lobby C Additionally, voters can cast their ballots at the Board of Elections Office during the following period: Monday and Tuesday, May 14 – May 15, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours for Early Voting: Wednesday – Friday, May 16 – May 18, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All voters…