Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County officials are urging the public to be aware of wildlife and pets exhibiting unusual behavior. On March 19, a raccoon was captured in the 1600 block of Drayton Woods Drive and later tested positive for rabies. Rabies is a disease that affects the brain. It’s usually passed from animal to animal but can be passed from animals to people. The virus is spread through saliva, usually from a bite of an animal that has the disease. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal should seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, residents are advised to watch…

To accommodate overwhelming demand, the SPLOST business update scheduled before DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s State of the County address will now take place at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, in the Laurel Amphitheater at Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, 4021 Lakeview Drive, Stone Mountain Park. The free interactive discussion between business leaders and county experts was previously scheduled for 10 a.m. The address and business luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $65 for Chamber members and $85 for non-members. Registration is required.…

DeKalb County, in partnership with DeKalb Municipal Association, Atlanta Regional Commission and MARTA, will host two public meetings to discuss a proposed transit study. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a high-level overview of the study, hear from transportation experts and learn from county and city residents regarding their vision for transportation in DeKalb County. The meetings will be held: Monday, March 26, 6:30 – 8 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia Wednesday, March 28, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven For more information, contact T.J. Sigler,…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said county officials have finished reviewing the final batch of “held” water bills, returning most of the 37,000 held bills to a normal billing cycle. Only 253 bills are now in the dispute process, Thurmond said. “Resolving the problems associated with the water billing crisis is a major step toward restoring public trust and rebuilding confidence in our billing process,” said Thurmond. “Less than one percent of customers who had bills held remain in dispute with the county. That is significant progress.” Last year, Thurmond initiated the New Day Project to resolve the county’s longstanding…

After two years of discussions, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and DeKalb County government completed the process to exchange properties at three locations, paving the way for the construction of a new elementary school and parks. “We are pleased to work out a deal that’s beneficial to all residents of DeKalb County,” said Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “The school district receives land upon which it can build a first-class campus for students, and the citizens receive new park land. Cooperation and collaboration will always lead to great results, and this exchange is proof of that.” The organizations concluded the…

After receiving a tip, Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputies intercepted a fight gang members had planned to take place at Heritage High School’s parking lot. Investigators arrested one student and Lenny Mejias, who was carrying a loaded pistol. No fights occurred on campus and Heritage students were not placed in danger, law enforcement officials said. Investigators moved quickly after the high school’s resource officer received information on March 16 that gang members were planning an after-school fight in the parking lot. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit patrolled the area of the nearby Sugar Hill subdivision and Heritage High…

March 27 DeKalb County Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m., Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Rockdale Board of Commissioners voting meeting, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers March 19 DeKalb Board of Education’s Executive Session, Work Session and Committee of the Whole, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Robert R. Freeman l Complex , 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain DeKalb Board of Education Community Input Meeting, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Robert R. Freeman Administrative and Instructional Complex DeKalb Board of Education Business Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Robert R. Freeman Complex April 2-6 Spring Break…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has selected professional engineer, Richard Lemke as the county’s director of Public Works, effective March 26.  Lemke will oversee the Department of Watershed Management, and the divisions of Fleet Maintenance, Roads and Drainage, Transportation and Sanitation. Lemke will manage the Department of Public Work’s 1,600 full- and part-time employees and a budget of $460 million. Lemke has more than 20 years of government service that includes implementing one of the first comprehensive citywide street improvement programs that repaired potholes, cracked pavement and roadways in Green River, Wyoming. Additionally, he has managed a variety of public…

Six schools in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) – one-third of schools in the district – have been named on the Georgia Department of Education Reward Schools list, an honor given to top-performing Title I schools. Barksdale Elementary and Lorraine Elementary are listed as “Highest Performing” schools. C. J. Hicks Elementary, Flat Shoals Elementary, Pine Street Elementary and General Ray Davis Middle School are listed as “Highest Progress” schools. Most of these schools have been named Reward Schools for multiple consecutive years. “I am extremely proud of our 2017-18 Reward Schools,” says Interim Superintendent Shirley Chesser. “To have a third…

Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Ruth A. Wilson, in collaboration with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), will offer free Notary Public training for individuals who are already notaries and those interested in becoming a notary. The training will address basic notary procedures and legal guidelines for fulfilling the duties of a Notary Public in the State of Georgia. The training for the evening session will be held on Thursday, May 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  The morning session will be held on Thursday, May 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m.  Both sessions will be held at the JP…