Author: On Common Ground News

Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s Licensed Practical Nursing program has been ranked #1 in the state by www.practicalnursing.org, a website dedicated to providing substantive information to prospective students who are considering a career in nursing. GPTC’s practical nursing program achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) from 2012 through 2015, which was practical nursing org’s evaluation period. “I congratulate the students who passed the NCLEX-PN exam and the four full-time faculty members who shepherded them through the curriculum and testing,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “Their success is our success.”…

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) announced today that it has partnered with Uber to provide discounts on trips that connect to Xpress Park-and-Ride lots throughout metro Atlanta.  Under the promotion, Uber will offer a 50% discount on any uberPOOL fare that begins or ends at an Xpress Park-and-Ride during morning and afternoon commuting hours.  The promotion will run through May 31, 2017. “We are excited to partner with Uber to offer this benefit to our Xpress customers and to make transit an even easier option for metro Atlanta commuters who are looking for alternatives to driving,” said Executive…

The Chick-fil-A at 2985 Turner Hill Road in Stonecrest held a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 20 to showcase renovations the restaurant has made to enhance overall customer service. Newly-elected officials of the city of Stonecrest and other community stakeholders helped perform the ribbon cutting ceremony. Miller Grove High School’s band performed during the morning celebration, which included free samples of food for customers and the Chick-fil-A cow greeting those in attendance. “We are fulfilling a commitment to re-investment in the community,” said Sam West, who became owner and operator of the store on Oct. 1, 2016. “We stripped everything…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners during a special executive session on April 18 voted 5-2 to pay the legal defense costs of former DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis. The reimbursement is permitted under state law when a government official is found not guilty or charges are overturned. The board approved $755,942.95 to cover Ellis’ legal fees through two separate trials and his appeal before the Georgia Supreme Court. The high court overturned Ellis’ convictions in November 2016, saying he didn’t get a fair trial. District Attorney Sherry Boston, who was sworn into office in January 2017, dismissed charges of attempted…

Voters in the newly-formed city of Stonecrest have decided who will lead their first government. They elected Rob Turner, District 2; George Turner, Jr., District 4, and Diane Daniels Adoma, District 5 in the April 18 special election runoffs, wrapping up elections in the city. The two Turners elected to the five-member Stonecrest City Council are not related. In one of the most hotly-contested and nationally publicized races in the special election, Mary-Pat Hector, a 19-year-old Spelman College sophomore, narrowly lost her challenge to George Turner, a retired MARTA executive. Hector received 845 votes. Turner received 867. In February, Turner…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced two key hires to focus on enhancing and improving the county’s infrastructure. Ted Rhinehart has been hired as deputy chief operating officer for infrastructure. Rhinehart will serve in this top supervisory role for Watershed Management, Sanitation, Roads and Drainage, Transportation, Public Libraries, Fleet Management and Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Cooperative Extension and the Beautification Unit. Rhinehart formerly worked for DeKalb in 2002 as Public Works Director and then in 2009, as deputy COO of Infrastructure. He has more than 27 years of experience in municipal government management and most recently served as…

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority is embarking on a $17 million makeover of Centennial Olympic Park following the conclusion of the park’s 20th anniversary capital campaign. Although the park will remain open to the public while the work is in progress, public access will be restricted at times. The Fountain of Rings, playgrounds, and some monuments will be impacted as areas in the park become active work sites. Prior to visiting the park, visitors should get updates on public access restrictions by visiting gwcca.org/park or calling 404-222-PARK (7275). As outlined in the Authority’s 2020 Vision strategic plan, the renovations…

Conyers Police arrested nine men as a result of a pandering sting operation Wednesday night, April 19.  This is the fourteenth such operation Conyers Police have conducted since 2013. In early summer of 2013, two violent incidents occurred which brought to light prostitution occurring at local motels.  One panderer, or “john,” was robbed by two men after setting up a meeting with a prostitute using Craigslist.  One month later, four men were arrested after kidnapping, raping, and robbing two women who had posted an ad for prostitution on www.backpage.com.  These men were responsible for other similar incidents in the region.…

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department is seeking qualified applicants for the position of fire recruit and firefighter. Applications are currently being accepted through April 30 and interested candidates must complete and submit the online application by visiting dekalbfirerescue.org. Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or GED, supplemented by one year of work experience in any field that shows an ability to maintain steady employment preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this job. The starting salary for fire recruits is $36,555 and for firefighters is $38,151.…

On April 24-28, childcare centers all over the Conyers/Rockdale area will celebrate Hands on Literacy Week to encourage reading. Teaching programs this week will be geared toward encouraging young children to read through activities such as crafts, story-telling, and projects. A cross-section of the community including parents, grandparents and community leaders will come in to read to the children during this week’s celebration. The celebration will end with the Hands On Literacy Parade in Olde Town Conyers on Friday at approximately 10 a.m. Children dressed as their favorite book characters will walk down Main Street to Center Street with the…