Author: On Common Ground News

Officials in the city of Conyers and Rockdale County have scheduled a series of meetings to try and convince voters to pass separate bond referendums to fund new government buildings and upgrades officials say are sorely needed. Voters who live in the City of Conyers will see two bond referendums on their ballot when they go to the polls on May 22: • City residents will be asked to fund $13 million in projects, which include the construction of a $9 million City Hall on O’Kelley Street; $1 million parking facility at City Hall; and a $3 million Police…

The DeKalb County School District celebrated the groundbreaking of another innovative, future-minded DeKalb elementary school on March 29. DCSD teachers, students, administrators and officials gathered at the site of the future John R. Lewis Elementary School named in honor of U.S. Congressman, who represents Georgia’s 5th District. The legendary Lewis, one of the original 13 Freedom Riders, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama. He was arrested over 40 times for his involvement in civil rights marches and protests The celebratory groundbreaking for DeKalb’s new school was held at 2630 Skyland Drive NE…

DeKalb County officials have approved funding to restore The Lyon Farm, part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The project, budgeted at $225,000, will restore the structural integrity of the farmhouse and smokehouse, repair the roof, and provide much needed weather proofing. The historic farm, located in the city of Stonecrest, is believed to be the oldest homestead in DeKalb. Joseph Emmanuel Lyon, a former British soldier who was awarded 100 acres for taking the Oath of Allegiance after being captured and serving with the patriots during the American Revolution, built a log cabin on the property in the…

The DeKalb Board of Health hosted its Diabetes Alert Day event on March 27 at the Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, in Decatur. The free event, part of American Diabetes Alert Day, featured diabetes education, blood glucose screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations and other information concerning the importance of early diagnosis, especially when symptoms are not present. It is estimated that 1.1 million people, or 14% of adults in Georgia have diabetes. In DeKalb County alone, there were 7,734 hospitalizations and 655 deaths due to diabetes from 2012 through 2016. For more information about Diabetes Alert Day call 404-508-7847 or…

Rockdale County Public Schools will host a Transition Fair, aimed at students with disabilities who will be graduating high school. The fair will be held on Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. – noon, at Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers. To register for the free event, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/TFSWD41418 Transitioning from high school to adulthood is challenging at best, but for students with a disability, it can be even more uncertain. Parents and students with disabilities are encouraged to attend the RCPS Transition Fair to learn about resources available to help navigate life after high school. On-site vendors…

By Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics The Miller Grove Lady Wolverines led after the first day of competition and never looked back on the way to a back-to-back title victory in the girls’ 2018 DCSD County Track and Field Championships on March 27 at Godfrey Stadium. Miller Grove came in as the defending champs and scored 50 points in the field events and 1600-meter run behind the win from junior De’Asia Keller in the triple jump (33-09.00), junior Marguerite McGill in the shot put (34-00.00) and junior Emoni Coleman’s repeat win in the 1600 (5:17.35). After a second place finish in the…

By Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics Southwest DeKalb regained the points lead on the next to the last event on March 27 on the way to the Panthers’ 15th DCSD County Track and Field Championships title 90-69 over Stephenson. Senior Marcellus Boykin picked up his second individual gold medal of the meet with a win in the 200 meter dash (21.54) to pull the Panthers within 69-68 of Stephenson. Boykin had won the 100 meter dash (10.73) earlier in the day. Stephenson had no entry in the 300 meter hurdles and the Panthers took advantage as senior Barry Williams (41.37) and junior…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all parents to provide input on student discipline as part of the 2018-2019 Code of Student Conduct – Student Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook. The Department of Student Relations will take suggestions until Friday, April 27. Parents and community stakeholders are invited to browse the current Code of Student Conduct—located online at www.dekalbschoolga.org/student-relations—and provide comments, suggestions and recommendations to DCSD’s Department of Student Relations. The Department of Student Relations will take suggestions until Friday, April 27, 2018. The Code of Student Conduct outlines policies, rules and regulations that govern student discipline…

By Sheriff Eric J. Levett  Under Georgia gun law, a permit is not required to purchase, registration of firearms, or the licensing of owners. A weapons carry permit only applies to firearms that can be legally categorized as handguns. Under Georgia gun law, it is deemed as unlawful for a person under the age of 18 to possess a handgun. Consequently, it is illegal for any person to give, sell, or transfer a handgun to anyone under the age of 18. However, there are exceptions in which a minor may possess a handgun. A minor may be in possession of…

Students at Rockdale County’s Shoal Creek Elementary’s (SCE)STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Academy received a special visit from Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black on March 22 in celebration of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Week and Agriculture Literacy Day. The goal of Agriculture Literacy Day is to better communicate to students how food and fiber products are produced and the role agriculture plays in our daily lives. Black read “Who Grew My Soup” to SCE second graders – the story of a child who goes on a magical journey to learn where and how the ingredients of his soup were…