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Rockdale Citizen Local News Headlines
Preschool Pops stars Be the first to comment Last Updated: 11:36 PM 03/11/10 - Daniela Ayala, a pre-kindergarden student in Wanda Bristow’s class at Sims Elementary School, plays the queen in a performance of Cinderella on Thursday at the Rockdale County Auditorium. The show was part of the Preschool Pops series by the Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts that is held twice a month. (Full Story)
RCA head Melvin resigns 1 Comment Last Updated: 11:22 PM 03/11/10 - CONYERS — Rockdale County Public Schools is looking for a new leader for the Rockdale Career Academy. RCPS officials posted a position opening on Sunday for the CEO/principal of Rockdale Career Academy after the Rockdale County Board of Education accepted the resignation of CEO Tim Melvin following a personnel hearing March 1. Melvin has been with RCPS since July 1, 2006, upon RCA’s opening. According to the March personnel report, the effective date of his resignation was Feb. 23. (Full Story)
Census focus on minorities under fire 7 Comments Last Updated: 10:58 PM 03/11/10 - CONYERS — As local efforts begin to ramp up for the U.S. Census, members of the Conyers-Rockdale Census Committee questioned the emphasis to count minorities. (Full Story)
Census forms to be mailed out next week Be the first to comment Last Updated: 10:56 PM 03/11/10 - CONYERS — Very soon, residents will no longer be able to go far without hearing something about the United States Census count that officially begins April 1. (Full Story)
Man given one year for fake money 5 Comments Last Updated: 10:55 PM 03/11/10 - CONYERS — A sausage biscuit purchased with a fake $10 bill sent a local man to jail, but sparked discussion among judicial officials over whether the time fit the crime. (Full Story)
Cookies rounded up to combat troop cravings Be the first to comment Last Updated: 10:53 PM 03/11/10 - U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Ronnie Brooks stacks cases of cookies collected by Girl Scout Ginny Fahs of Troop 20352 in Atlanta. Fahs delivered 7,000 boxes of cookies to the Covington National Guard Armory last week through the coordination of Operation Sandbox. (Full Story)
More Headlines

Victim filed court order against boyfriend
27 Comments
Police: Man kills self hours after shooting girlfriend
16 Comments
Police dept. demotes two officers
15 Comments
RWR moves to purchase water system
13 Comments
Study offers alternative to coal plant
10 Comments
Trail of money leads to arrest
9 Comments

Clothes Closet a ‘blessing’ for locals
For Carla Dennis, a student and mother of four, from Riverdale, the Clothes Closet in Jonesboro has been a blessing for the last four years.
Clayton Schools optimistic about SACS reviews
Clayton County Public Schools officials are awaiting the official word, from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), on how the first round of school-level Quality Assurance Reviews went, but they said this week they are optimistic about the report.
Historical society hosts spaghetti fund-raiser
In what has become a spring tradition, Historical Jonesboro/Clayton County, Inc., is preparing to serve spaghetti to more than 200 people during its annual Spaghetti Dinner Fund-raiser.
Brown Elementary gives test tips to parents
Brown Elementary School Second-grade Teacher Katrina Wade told parents they need to make sure their children do the little things — like get a lot of rest and eat a healthy breakfast — before taking the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCTs), because the mind matters on test day.
Program tests young athletes for heart health
Area student-athletes will have the opportunity to get heart-health screenings this month, at a discounted rate.
Officials urge residents to change alarm batteries
As area residents prepare to set their clocks ahead one hour this weekend, fire officials are urging them to take steps to protect their homes at the same time.

Judges up next for cuts
LAWRENCEVILLE — Gwinnett would lose a judge under a proposal at the Gold Dome to help balance the state budget.
U.S. 29 reopens after gas explosion
TUCKER — Five days after a build up of methane gas in a utility vault caused an explosion underneath U.S. Highway 29, crews were able to reopen the southbound lanes Thursday evening.
Cox proposes raising lottery ticket prices for schools
ATLANTA — State schools Superintendent Kathy Cox called Friday for lottery ticket prices to be raised to help pay for K-12 education in Georgia.
Norcross girls win state basketball title
DULUTH — Thwarting Redan's hope of a repeat, the Norcross girls won the Class AAAAA basketball title Friday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center by a final of 76-63. Check back for updates.
Gwinnett Heat wheelchair team chases state basketball title
The Gwinnett Heat earned their trip to today’s state championship game against the Atlanta Wolfpack at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Like all state title contenders, they earned the big stage.
Hung jury in therapy sex trial
LAWRENCEVILLE — A stymied jury couldn’t decide this week whether former psychotherapist Cliff Tillery acted criminally in having sex with a patient during in-office sessions in 2007.

Teen raising money for cancer research
McDonough resident, Kipp Maddox, is on a mission to help fund childhood cancer research.
Kathy Cox sees tougher times ahead
School districts in Georgia will need to buckle down and prepare for more stringent budget cuts in the future, local Republicans were told Thursday.
Tax allocation districts to be discussed at meeting
County leaders will meet with a state legislator to discuss how tax allocation districts (TADs) can lead to future development in Henry County.
Severe weather forecast today in metro area
Weather officials are expecting more severe weather today, when heavy rain moves through the metro-Atlanta region.
Grant to help juvenile offenders in Henry
Henry County Life Management Solutions, a social-service agency, has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Council of Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia.
Program tests young athletes for heart health
Area student-athletes will have the opportunity to get heart-health screenings this month, at a discounted rate.

Chamber of Commerce holds 2010 Awards Banquet
The Butts County Chamber of Commerce held a festive celebration of the Butts County community and of the special people who make it a community to celebrate at the Fellowship Hall of Jackson United Methodist Church on Saturday evening.
Beauty and poise highlighted at annual Miss JHS Pageant
Seventeen young ladies took the stage on Saturday evening, February 27, and filled the Rufus Adams Auditorium with their contagious confidence and zest for life. Proud mothers and fathers, extended family, friends and other admirers filled the audience to support them as they showcased their fashion, public speaking, and stage presence talents.
No indictment reached against Overbey
On Aug. 3, 2009, Maj. Mike Overbey resigned his position with the Butts County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), citing personal reasons. His resignation was effective immediately.
Kicking off the Great American Clean-up of Butts County
Everyone hates trash; everyone wants someone else to do something about it. But roadways, parks, and lakesides only get cleaned up--and stay clean--when the members of a community pull together to make it happen.
Newspaper's parent company has new name
Southern Community Newspapers Incorporated is the new name of the parent company of the Jackson Progress-Argus.
Community Collaborative works to improve Butts County's Quality of Life
According to University of Georgia statistics, Butts County's per capita income in 2007 was $23,944. The state's per capita income was $33, 499.

Moving forward: Remember to set clocks ahead, check smoke alarms
The Newton County Fire Service is reminding residents when they “spring forward” Saturday night to change their clocks, it is a good time to make sure smoke alarms are in working order.
Court cuts won’t hurt Newton
A proposal to cut 19 Superior Court judge positions by State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh, R-Sharpsburg, would not affect the Alcovy Judicial Circuit covering Newton and Walton counties.
Opponents of drag strip still worried
Opponents of a proposed drag strip in Social Circle are unmoved by the property owner’s offer to redesign his plans.
BOE: Students might not get school agendas
Schools may not provide Newton County students with agendas next school year in an effort to save money.
Covington post office up for national award
The Covington branch of the U.S. Postal Service is one of 67 Georgia employers nominated by an employee for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government for outstanding support of National Guard and Reserve service members.
Rooting for the Rams
Newton basketball fans head to the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Thursday to cheer the boys team on to victory as the Rams face Milton in the semifinals. The AAAAA championship will be decided tonight. See Sports on Page 1B of today’s Newton Citizen for full coverage of Thursday’s game.

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