Jackson
The district plans to hold five information sessions and public hearings through December to give families and community members an opportunity to learn more about the proposal.
CONYERS — Five months after Rockdale County firefighter Juan Antonia Smith II was killed while responding to an emergency call, county commissioners have approved a permanent tribute honoring his life and service. The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 10 to designate a section of Sigman Road as the Firefighter Juan Antonia Smith II Memorial Corridor, recognizing the 26-year-old firefighter who died in the line of duty June 12. The honorary designation will extend along Sigman Road from Ellis Drive to East Park Drive, passing Rockdale County Fire Station No. 1, where Smith served. Smith’s parents joined firefighters and county officials for the presentation, which marked the culmination of months of work by community members and county leaders to honor the fallen firefighter. Rockdale County Fire Chief James Robinson thanked those who advanced the proposal, particularly resident Richard Odin, who first brought the idea before commissioners in July. “This is a long time coming, and we appreciate all the hard work that’s gone into this project,” Robinson said during the meeting. He acknowledged the emotional toll Smith’s death has taken on his family and fellow firefighters, describing the experience as unfamiliar territory for everyone involved. Robinson credited Odin
CONYERS — What began in 1951 with a borrowed truck, a handful of catalogs, and a young entrepreneur determined to build his own business has grown into one of Rockdale County’s longest-running family-owned retail establishments. Seventy-five years later, Sigman-Mills Furniture Company is celebrating a milestone spanning three generations of family ownership, decades of changes in the furniture industry, and Conyers’ growth from a small town into a thriving community. The company will celebrate its 75th anniversary Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a special La-Z-Boy recliner raffle, $75 gift card giveaways, balloon-pop discounts, storewide savings and refreshments at its Conyers showroom. Founded by William Thomas “Tom” Sigman and his wife, Miriam, in 1951, the business remains in the family and is owned by their daughter and son-in-law, Carol and former Conyers Mayor Randy Mills. Their children, Steven Mills and Caroline Mills Williams, now help run the company day to day. “There’s a lot of pride that comes with being a part of a family business that has lasted so long in a small community,” Carol said. “There aren’t many third-generation businesses around today.” For Tom, building a successful business was a goal shaped by the hardships
CONYERS — Rockdale County officials have proposed a $134.97 million budget for 2027 after cutting about $18 million in departmental spending requests to balance the budget without raising taxes. The proposed spending plan, presented during the Nov. 10 Board of Commissioners meeting, represents an $8.2 million, or 6.5%, increase over the county's 2026 budget. Public safety remains the county's largest spending priority, with additional funding directed toward the Sheriff's Office, security at the new judicial and administrative complex and employee compensation. Chief Financial Officer Javaid Majid told commissioners the budget process began with approximately $153 million in requests from county departments and elected officials, compared with projected revenues of approximately $135 million. That left officials to choose between increasing revenue and reducing expenditures. "The options were either we're going to raise taxes or reduce spending," Majid said. "We have no desire to place any additional tax burden on our citizens." Instead, county officials worked with department heads and elected officials to reduce proposed expenditures while attempting to maintain existing services. Majid said the resulting $134,970,617 spending plan is structurally balanced and reflects the county's priorities: public safety, workforce retention, operational efficiency and financial responsibility. The commissioners unanimously approved the first
A smaller house doesn’t always make a more appealing home. In the rural markets Chisel Mill Homes serves, buyers may be willing to trade square footage for acreage, room for an RV and the freedom to make a property their own. That insight has shaped how the South Metro Atlanta builder approaches affordability and finds opportunities beyond traditional new home communities.
HENRY COUNTY — Henry County Schools is implementing a new literacy plan aimed at improving reading achievement across the district following the passage of Georgia's Early Literacy Act of 2026. Board of Education members unanimously approved the district’s Unified Literacy Plan at Monday’s meeting, six months after Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Act. Chief Learning and Performance Office Cleveland Johnson III presented the plan to the Board during the study session portion. “This Unified Literacy Plan provides a structured, aligned and research-based road map to increase reading achievement across our district,” Johnson said. Henry County Schools’ plan supports the district's goal of student achievement and readiness as well as its commitment to improving literacy across all grade levels. The Unified Literacy Plan includes five main points: — Early learning and readiness. — Adolescent literacy. — Screening and core instruction in grades kindergarten through third grade. — Family and community partnerships. — Teacher supports and accountability. Makenzie McDaniel, Board Vice-Chair, said he reviewed the plan. He highlighted how it features aspects implemented by the district before the legislation — intervention, MTSS-related items. McDaniel then asked Johnson what would be the effect if the Board did not approve this proposed plan. “If
