Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) welcomed new Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts, who was sworn in May 30, at a special called meeting by the Rockdale County Board of Education. Rockdale County Superior Court Judge Robert Mumford administered the oath of office. A 24-year education veteran,  Oatts most recently served as Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement in Fayette County Public Schools, where he had worked since 2014. During his tenure in Fayette County,  Oatts led the district’s development of a new five-year strategic plan and took the lead in the development of his district’s Strategic Waiver application, which was successfully…

Podcasts. Web design. Live action. Animation. Photography. Interactive stills. These are all classifications of ‘new media,’ which provide the building blocks of modern entertainment, business, and government. In other words, they provide a foundation for the industries of tomorrow. Students from the  DeKalb County School District recently proved they produce such media at the highest level by earning state level recognition. Nine students from three schools—Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology, DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA), and DeKalb Academy of Technology and Environment (DATE)—participated in the 2018 Georgia Student Media Festival on May 11, 2018. The Georgia Student…

The Fellowship of Jesus Christ Church will be selling fried fish and fried chicken dinners for $10 on June 8, 11 a.m – 3:30 p.m, 1181 Lester Road, Suite C-1, Conyers. The meals will include your choice of whiting, tilapia or chicken; a choice of two sides: potato salad, coleslaw or baked beans; hushpuppies or sliced bread. For dessert, choose either sweet potato pie or pound cake and your choice of beverages: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, orange soda or water. To place orders, contact Vanessa Loyd: 770-713-6122. There also will be a youth car wash on June 9, 8 a.m.,…

By Travis Hudgons and Valerie Morgan Dozens of balloons were released as a South DeKalb County community gathered to remember 18-year-old Trevon Richardson. Hundreds of friends, teachers and teammates joined Richardson’s family members at a candlelight vigil that filled an entire cul-de-sac in Richardson’s Ellenwood community on May 30.  Richardson, a football and track standout at Cedar Grove High School, graduated on May 24.  Four days later, on Memorial Day, DeKalb Police found Richardson’s body lying in the parking lot of The Life at Peppertree Circle Apartments in Decatur around 9 p.m. Police arrested 18-year-old Detavion McDay on May 31…

The family of Shali Tilson, their attorneys and community activists will hold a press conference on Thursday (May 31), 2 p.m., at the Rockdale County Jail, 911 Chambers Drive, Conyers. Tilson’s family and supporters plan to discuss the results of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s autopsy report as well as the details of a community march to be held on Saturday, June 9 to for justice in the case. Tilson, 22, was found dead on March 12 in the Rockdale County Jail, nine days after he was arrested on misdemeanor charges. GBI medical examiners attributed Tilson’s cause of death to…

Voices of Faith Ministries kicked off its summer camp session on Tuesday (May 29) at its Stone Mountain and Conyers campuses. The summer program includes daily meals, academics, bible study, arts and crafts, games, music, Zumba and weekly field trips to go skating, paintballing, bowling and swimming. The camp will also offer a junior Toastmaster’s session to help strengthen leadership and public speaking skills. The camp runs until July 27 and is open to children and youths ages 4 and up. For more information, call 678-374-5200. Summer Food Program at Voices of Faith Voices of Faith’s Conyers campus is…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Georgia Bureau of Investigations is awaiting a toxicology report for another inmate who died after being held in the custody of the Rockdale County Jail. Jail deputies and medical staff discovered Jamie Krischelle Henry unresponsive in her cell on Saturday, May 26, around 8:26 p.m. The discovery was made during a routine cell check, said Yolande Lovingood-Moore, Rockdale County Sherriff’s spokesperson. Medical staff transported Henry to Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time after arriving. Henry, 40, of Douglasville was being held for Fulton County on a warrant. Lovingood-Moore said Henry…

Rockdale County Deputy James Campbell has been arrested on stalking charges. Campbell’s arrest stems from a complaint filed with the Office of Professional Standards on May 19, 2018. The department’s Internal Affairs investigation was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division. Campbell was arrested on May 27 without incident.

The Friends of Stonecrest Library will hold its bi-monthly meeting on June 4, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., The group is seeking public input and volunteers to serve on various committees.  If you are unable to attend this meeting, please send email friendsofstonecrest@gmail.com to volunteer for one of the committees below: Book Sales Hospitality Fundraising Membership Publicity

Effective today, May 29, American Medical Response (AMR) has agreed to immediately increase staffing and add ambulances in low call volume/high risk areas. Ambulances will be placed in two DeKalb County fire stations in Dunwoody and Stonecrest.