Author: On Common Ground News

Monday, Nov. 26, 6-8:30 p.m. Dual Enrollment Information Session Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Dr., Conyers; Receive information on taking Dual Enrollment classes to earn free college credit while in high school. For more information, email:  tpatton@rockdale.k12.ga.us Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. DMS band Winter Concert and Art Show Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, 3375 East Fairview Rd. SW, Stockbridge. Enjoy the concert, art show, artist holiday market. Free. For more information, email: jwilliams1@rockdale.k12.ga.us Thursday, Dec. 6-7, 7:30 p.m. DMS theater musical Gen. Ray Davis Middle School, 3375 East Fairview Rd. SW, Stockbridge, presents “Junie B. Jones JR…

Flat or drum? Dry or wet rub? Hot, medium or mild? Sweet or sour? Traditional or creative? These are just a handful of questions culinary students from DeKalb County School District (DCSD) answered on Friday, November 2 as part of the district’s second annual DCSD Wingfest, sponsored by the Career Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE) department. For the entire month of October, culinary students at 10 high schools—Warren Tech, Miller Grove, Clarkston, Columbia, Tucker, McNair, Arabia Mountain, Lakeside, Redan and Towers—have fired up grills, mixed spices, and worked as creative units to concoct the perfect chicken wing. On November 2,…

  City of Conyers Chief Financial Officer Isabel Rogers and Finance Manager Yvonne Glumb received their Municipal Revenue Administration Certificates from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) on Nov. 2. GMA’s Municipal Revenue Administration Certificate program is designed to strengthen the understanding of city managers, city clerks, finance officers, customer service staff, elected officials and other city employees on different municipal revenue sources and applicable laws of the administration and collection process. In order to receive the certificate, recipients must complete all six program courses: Ad Valorem Tax 101, Delinquent Tax Collection, Governmental Fund Revenue Sources 101, Occupation Tax and Regulatory…

Rockdale Emergency Relief (RER) will present the 21st Annual Christmas Tour of Homes featuring historic homes in the Olde Town Conyers historic district.  The candlelight tour with carolers will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. The tour will be held on Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1- 5 p.m. The annual event is the primary fundraiser to support RER in providing food, clothing, and utility assistance to those in need during emergencies. RER also supports several programs for housing stabilization for the homeless and provided over 14,300 lunches to children during summer breaks. Advance tickets for the tour are…

The Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will hold a public hearing on Nov. 27, 6 p.m., at Rockdale County Fire Rescue Station 7, 1496 Rockbridge Road, Conyers. The purpose of the hearing is to introduce the 2018 draft update of the Rockdale County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and to start a 45-day public review process. Following the meeting, the draft plan will be available at www.RockdaleCountyGA.govfor public review and comments. Citizens are invited to attend the hearing and to participate in the review effort. Comments on the draft plan will be taken at the public hearing  or can be e-mailed…

Giving back and spreading happiness through dancing is the mission of the Redan Soul Line Dancers. The group held its second annual extravaganza on Oct. 13, raising $2,000 for Booster Club children and adult mentoring programs. The director, Portia Perry, thanked the group, saying she was grateful for the contribution.  The Redan Soul Line Dancers host free classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. For more information, call the Redan Recreation Center, 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia, Georgia, at 770-492-5434.

Fifteen participants recently graduated from WorkSource DeKalb Youth Program’s inaugural job readiness and life skills training class on Nov. 2. The three-week program provided formal curriculum-based job readiness and life skills training to eligible Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act-funded program participants, who were taught how to obtain and maintain long-term employment. The program serves age 16 – 24. The program included formal financial literacy training, career exploration, mock interviewing, motivational speaking, dress for success guidance, and employer engagement/interviewing. Upon completion, participants then transition into their approved paid work experience with an employer partner, or in some cases a participant may…

The Orchids, a friendship and service organization focused on active involvement in the educational, civic and cultural advancements in East Metro Atlanta, recently kicked off its 2018-19 program year with hopes to exceed last year’s service. Led by President Dee Dawkins-Haigler, the Orchids donated more than $2,500 to three organizations to support their efforts nationally and internationally. The Orchids donated $1,132 to purchase Princess D menstrual cups that will be given to women in Africa; $1,016 to Jake’s Diapers, a non-profit organization that provides diapers to needy infants, elderly and those with special needs around the world; and $500 to…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan    Long-time Georgia legislator Howard Mosby is relinquishing his position as chair of the DeKalb House Delegation to State Rep. Karla Drenner, who will serve as interim chair until the delegation holds elections in January. Drenner moved up from vice chair. Mosby passed the torch during a meeting with the Delegation at the Capitol on Nov. 15. Mosby is wrapping up his duties as state representative, a position he held for 14 years, as Becky Evans prepares for the seat. Evans will be sworn into office and officially begin her duties as State Representative, District 83,…

Conyers Police are asking the public’s help in locating the thief who stole a pressure washer and other items from the Walmart on Dogwood Drive. The theft occurred on Sunday, Nov. 4, at approximately 2:15 a.m. at the Dogwood Drive superstore.  The black male suspect was captured on surveillance camera while exiting near the garden center. He was wearing a black skull cap, gray hoodie and gray T-shirt at the time of the incident. The suspect was in a silver Dodge Charger.  Any information leading to the arrest of the suspect may result in a cash reward of up to…