(NASDAQ: RIOT) (“Riot” or “the Company”) an industry leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin mining has acquired specific assets owned by Rhodium Encore LLC (together with its affiliates “Rhodium”) at Riot’s Rockdale Facility (the “Transaction”) for a total consideration at closing of $185.0 million The Transaction consideration was comprised of (i) $129.9 million in cash (ii) $6.1 million return of Rhodium’s power security deposit and (iii) $49.0 million in Riot common stock The Transaction terminates the legacy hosting contracts with Rhodium which generated a gross loss of approximately $15 million in FY 2024 and had a remaining term of 5 years and 9 months as of March 31 Riot will assume Rhodium’s 125 MW of power capacity at the Rockdale Facility resulting in the entire Rockdale Facility power capacity now being utilized by Riot and its subsidiaries Riot has acquired ownership of all tangible Rhodium property located at the Rockdale Facility The Company will evaluate the best use of this additional capacity to maximize shareholder value Each of Whinstone and Rhodium have also agreed to dismiss all existing litigation and release any and all future claims not connected to the closing of the Transaction “The Transaction marks a significant milestone for Riot as it ends this legacy loss-making contract inherited through the acquisition of Whinstone adds additional currently operating hash rate and will lead to reduced related litigation expenses going forward,” said Jason Les Total Transaction consideration equaled $185.0 million $6.1 million of Rhodium’s power security deposit returned and 6,989,800 shares of Riot’s common stock issued at $7.01 per share (based on the 10-trading-day volume-weighted average price of Riot shares as of the market close on April 25 Riot’s (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world’s leading Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform Our mission is to positively impact the sectors We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows the Company to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes Riot is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company focused on a vertically integrated strategy The Company has Bitcoin mining operations in central Texas and Kentucky and electrical switchgear engineering and fabrication operations in Denver For more information, visit www.riotplatforms.com Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which the Company hereafter becomes aware Persons reading this press release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements PR@Riot.Inc IR@Riot.Inc © Riot Platforms, Inc. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Honey Creek Elementary School (school website) - An investigation is underway at Honey Creek Elementary School in Rockdale County after a teacher reportedly used unapproved materials for a social studies activity centered around a historical figure in American history the first Black child to attend the formerly all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis in 1960 was the first African American child to attend William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans after Federal courts ordered the desegregation of public schools the teacher posted signs that read "For Whites Only" and "For Colored Only" as part of the lesson A parent of a Honey Creek Elementary student addressed the Rockdale County Board of Education during its April 17 meeting to express concern over the signs (watch meeting here) She urged the board to take the investigation seriously and emphasized the need for accountability The parent also claimed that the spouse of a school administrator had "shamed" her on the Nextdoor app after she posted about the incident online she requested that counseling be offered to students who may have been emotionally affected by the display the school's principal stated that although there was no belief of "ill intent," the activity was not part of the teacher’s submitted lesson plan and had not been approved by school administration the principal of Honey Creek Elementary sent a letter to parents and guardians.  "Please know that this activity was not included in the teacher’s submitted lesson plans and was not approved by school administration While we do not believe there was ill intent we do expect all faculty to follow the plans that are submitted and approved." the Georgia NAACP and Rockdale County NAACP issued a joint statement strongly condemning the incident: "The Georgia NAACP and The Rockdale County NAACP are appalled and heartbroken by the deeply disturbing incident at a Rockdale County school where a water fountain was defaced with a sign reading ‘White Only.’ This isn’t just an act of ignorance—it’s a chilling echo of our nation’s darkest chapters It is a stark reminder that the legacy of segregation is not history for many—it is still a lived reality." "Let us say this with absolute clarity: Racism has no place in our schools This was an act of racial hostility that reopens wounds still felt by generations of Americans who have fought "This moment demands more than outrage—it demands action." "We call on the Rockdale County School District to move swiftly and decisively "The Georgia NAACP and the Rockdale County NAACP stand in solidarity with every student who felt devalued and every educator who believes in justice and to help this community heal with purpose." "The time for transformation is now." Segregation is taught in Georgia public schools—and in other states—as an essential part of U.S The goal is to help students understand the country’s past particularly the long and ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality Segregation was a defining aspect of life in the United States Georgia played a major role in both enforcing segregation laws and in the fight to end them Atlanta was home to numerous civil rights leaders and organizations Understanding Georgia’s past is key to grasping national history and the civil rights movement Teaching about segregation also helps students build civic awareness think critically about justice and fairness and recognize contemporary forms of inequality According to the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) segregation and civil rights topics are integrated into the social studies curriculum across all grade levels Elementary School (Grades 2–5):Younger students are introduced to influential civil rights figures such as Dr students study the Reconstruction era and the rise of Jim Crow laws Fifth grade students examine landmark events between 1950 and 1975 Middle and High School:Older students analyze post-WWII social and political dynamics in more depth History courses explore civil rights legislation and the effort to dismantle segregation through legal and social activism For more information on Georgia’s social studies standards, visit the official site: Georgia Standards – Grade 4 Social Studies Information for the above story came from the board meeting in Rockdale County, the letter sent to parents and guardians about the incident, the statement from Georgia and Rockdale County NAACP chapters, and the Georgia Standards website (linked above).  By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service By Alex EganPublished: Apr 2025 at 3:12 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMILAM COUNTY Texas (KBTX) - Testimony began Tuesday for a Rockdale teen accused of shooting and killing a man in April 2023 who was 17 when the alleged crime happened was indicted on Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity - Enhanced Carrizales and two other men, Marquise Flowers and James Godfrey, were all indicted together for the shooting death of 30-year-old Jeffery McKinney Flowers and Godfrey are still awaiting trial Texas — Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of an 88-year-old Rockdale woman who authorities say was mauled by a dog were taken into custody Monday on second-degree felony charges of Attack by Dog Resulting in Death according to the Milam County Sheriff's Office 18 incident at a residence on Beverly Drive just outside Rockdale city limits Deputies responded to the home at 1:11 p.m RELATED | City leaders strengthened dangerous dog policies this year but seek more changes in 2025 Autopsy results confirmed Woolverton died from injuries sustained in a dog attack Seven dogs were removed from the property and later euthanized Investigators determined at least one of the dogs had previously attacked an AMR employee without provocation meeting the criteria for classification as a dangerous dog under Lillian's Law named after 76-year-old Lillian Stiles who was killed by dogs in 2005 holds owners criminally responsible when their dangerous dogs cause serious injury or death Rubio and Frank are each being held on a $20,000 bond Sheriff’s deputies responded just after 7:20 a.m following a phone call to the Rockdale Police Department regarding a bomb threat to the high school District administrators had students and staff sent to another location out of “an abundance of caution” as deputies searched the campus the sheriff’s office said it didn’t find any evidence of a bomb and deemed there was no credible threat The Texas Department of Public Safety traced the number used by the caller and found it did not come from the surrounding area and students were allowed to return to campus Sheriff Mike Clore reminds the public that though this is April Fools’ Day “Deputies and our state and federal partners will continue to investigate and locate the person behind this hoax,” the sheriff’s office said and the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department assisted in the investigation a Digital Content Producer with 25 News KXXV and 15 ABC KRHD Texas (KXXV) — UPDATE: Shields' children found safe after Amber Alert issued March 30 The Rockdale Police Department is investigating the fatal shooting of a woman found inside her home Tuesday evening leading to the arrest of her daughter on a capital murder charge officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a deceased female at a residence in the 600 block of Rice Street they discovered 58-year-old Stephanie McBride of Rockdale with multiple gunshot wounds Milam County Justice of the Peace Greg Hoelscher pronounced McBride dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy to be conducted by Hill Country Forensics in Georgetown Investigators quickly identified McBride’s daughter 39-year-old Brittney Deshay Shields' as the primary suspect the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division Shields was located at her Austin residence and taken into custody without incident Shields’ children were found safe and unharmed Texas (KRHD) — Residents in Rockdale are reacting to the firing of a Rockdale Police officer after a video of a traffic stop was posted to social media “You’re supposed to be scared of criminals not the cops,” John Gutierrez The Rockdale Police Department removed an officer from the force after video of a traffic stop he was involved in was posted online The video shows now former officer Stephen Wall commanding a couple to get out of their car put their hands over their heads and get on their knees It also shows Wall pointing a weapon at them But it doesn’t show what led up to this interaction The department released a statement saying that Wall “violated multiple departmental policies” and that his actions didn’t “coincide with the departments core values.” 15ABC tried talking to the chief to find out the specific policies that were violated but was told he wasn’t there Neighbors like Gutierrez tell 15ABC he’s happy with the department’s decision “I’m just glad that guy lost his job like I said he could’ve hurt someone somewhere else—or here You shouldn’t have to be scared in Rockdale,” he said saying they were glad the “community did the right thing” and asking if the department background checks into the officer’s history “It’s gonna be crooked cops everywhere but for him to do that it wasn’t right,” Gutierrez said 15ABC searched the Texas Commission of Law Enforcementto see if Wall still has his license Free community health and wellness fair to take place in Rockdale County Saturday If you’re ready to prioritize your health for free, get ready for a community health and wellness fair for people of all ages. (wanf) By Atlanta News First staffApril 28, 2025 at 8:46 am EDTATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - If you’re ready to prioritize your health for free, get ready for a community health and wellness fair for people of all ages. Dr. Monica Hum, CEO of Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, and Pamela Dickerson, a Piedmont Healthcare board member and one of the event organizers, sat down with Atlanta News First Monday morning to talk about the upcoming event. The health fair will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Piedmont Rockdale Hospital’s Building A. It will include all types of screenings that people use at no cost. Those screenings include: Hum and Dickerson answered questions about whether attendees need insurance to take part in the event, as well as how important it is for you to have regular check-ups with your doctor. Texas — A 39-year-old Austin woman has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting death of her mother in Rockdale Brittney Deshay Shields was taken into custody Monday after police found her mother dead from multiple gunshot wounds at a residence in the 600 block of Rice Street according to the Rockdale Police Department Police responded to the scene at approximately 5:13 p.m following a 911 call reporting a deceased female inside the home ALSO | Austin police are investigating 3 shootings that occurred in a little over 24 hours Evidence collected at the scene led investigators to quickly obtain an arrest warrant for Shields whom police described as the "lone actor" in the offense Authorities located Shields at her Austin residence with assistance from McBride's family members Texas Highway Patrol and the Austin Police Department She was taken into custody without incident Her two children, who had been the subject of an AMBER Alert The alert was canceled after the children were safely recovered rebrands and focuses on the build-out of a domestic supply chain The Rockdale plant advances T1 Energy’s new strategy to shift focus to solar energy alongside the initial announcement of the facility is expected to continue growing,” Barcelo said “The emergence of power-intensive industries such as AI and cryptocurrency and the electrification of the transportation sector will necessitate significant investment in the U.S Solar and battery storage is emerging as a preferred solution to provide low-carbon reliable cost-competitive power while enhancing grid reliability.” At the time of the strategy launch, the company operated as Freyr Battery and was mid-construction on a $2.57 billion battery cell manufacturing plant in Newnan, Georgia. It axed those plans last month and sold the land for net proceeds of $22.5 million the manufacturer underwent a full makeover with a new name “Our corporate transformation positions us to build on our U.S solar manufacturing position and to leverage our team's expertise in the battery market,” Barcelo said on the call “Solar and battery storage developments are among the fastest-growing resources of electricity supply in the U.S based on declining costs and the speed with which our customers can bring projects online.” The Lone Star State has been heavily involved in T1 Energy’s shifting focus on the U.S Now that the company has picked Rockdale for the plant it is expected to be T1 Energy’s earnings and cash flow engine He added that it’s “very important” that T1 Energy begins construction on the facility midway through the year to begin production by the end of 2026 The site is the company’s “second piece” of its “American-made supply chain,” Barcelo said on the call. The first piece is a 5-GW solar module manufacturing facility in Wilmer, Texas, which T1 Energy acquired last year from Trina Solar we believe that the combination of domestic cells and the combination of domestic modules will enable us to be a very important part of the U.S The Wilmer plant gives T1 Energy an “American manufacturing platform” to maximize domestic production with the Rockdale plant as a key step to achieving that goal the company plans to pursue U.S.-based component suppliers in an effort to help customers qualify for Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives the Wilmer plant’s output production is ahead of schedule the facility exceeded T1 Energy’s forecast by nearly 50% “With four lines already on production and construction installation activities expected to be complete during the first half of 2025 we are on track to achieve our full year 2025 production target of 3.4 gigawatts,” Barcelo said of the facility Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Amkor and GlobalFoundries were among the semiconductor companies that saw a dip in automotive chip orders in Q1 The aircraft maker accepted the Department of Justice’s agreement as crash victim families vehemently oppose it calling it a “sweetheart deal.” Subscribe to Manufacturing Dive for top news Want to share a company announcement with your peers The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCAMERON, Texas (KWTX) - Authorities in Milam County announced two people were arrested in the December 2024 dog mauling death of a Rockdale woman on second degree felony charges of attack by a dog resulting in death Investigators said the charges stem from an incident Dec Milam County deputies responded shortly after 1 p.m to investigate the death of Delores Woolverton An autopsy report revealed the victim’s cause of death as canine mauling Seven dogs located on the property at the time were removed and secured A Justice of the Peace ordered those dogs be euthanized Investigators determined at least one of the dogs involved had a prior history of an unprovoked attack against an AMR employee fulfilling the requirements for the definition of a dangerous dog Texas (KRHD) — Former Rockdale ISD teacher Shawnee Despain was sentenced to 10 years probation by a district judge after pleading guilty to having an inappropriate relationship with a student When news broke that a former teacher at Rockdale ISD was arrested for having an inappropriate relationship with a student I was shocked that that could happen in our small town," she said sentence comes as a bigger shock to her as a parent "I think that a slap on the wrist doesn't show others that may have the same mindset that they can get away with it," Gray said Despain was charged with possession of child porn and having an inappropriate relationship — both felonies — back in 2023 and must undergo a sex offender evaluation I talked to Milam County District Attorney Brian Price "I treated this similar to a sexual assault situation of just because you've got that power imbalance," he said He tells 15ABC this isn't the outcome they were hoping to get "We were asking the judge to sentence her to prison time with no probation," Price said they could only prove that the relationship was ongoing when the student was 17 Rockdale ISD is deeply disappointed in the outcome of Friday’s sentencing hearing Rockdale ISD firmly believes that Mrs. Despain’s actions were unacceptable and that educators must be held accountable for misconduct regardless of gender or the student’s age.  “We need our policymakers to ensure that justice is applied consistently and fairly in all cases involving the safety of students,” stated Superintendent Dr this ruling risks minimizing the severity of the offense suggesting that educators can exploit their power with fewer consequences.” "Why is the book not thrown at a female teacher when we all know it would have been thrown at a male teacher I guess my thing is why are we more worried about our daughters being protected than we are our sons being protected?," Gray said Jacey tells 15ABC she's worried about her son's safety and the conversation she'll have to have That concerns me is when he gets into the high school era of his life (2:52) do i have to worry every single day is my son being preyed on at a school that i'm supposed to be able to trust that he is there and safe all day long?" Source The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS) Rockdale County’s fire chief has announced her resignation, four months after a fire at a BioLab facility sent up a chemical cloud and led to the evacuation of 17,000 people Marian McDaniel announced her intent to resign as chief of Rockdale County Fire Rescue on Thursday chair of the county’s Board of Commissioners The county faced criticism the day after the fire, when authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order that evening only to restore it at 4 a.m. the next morning, with a vague directive to stay indoors “if the cloud moves over your vicinity.” Van Ness said she immediately appointed Deputy Chief of Operations James Robinson as interim fire chief while a search for a new leader is being conducted. A posting for the job lists an annual salary range of $122,625 to $136,502 Van Ness said in a brief interview Monday that McDaniel’s departure has nothing to do with the Sept a company that manufactures chlorinating agents used in pools and hot tubs “Our priority remains focused on ensuring that we offer an effective fire department that offers the very best in service levels,” Van Ness said in an emailed statement “Our Commissioners remain focused on delivering quality services and we are confident that this transition will help us move forward in the best interest of our community.” Efforts to reach McDaniel for comment were unsuccessful the federal Environmental Protection Agency monitored the air quality for chlorine gas and hydrochloric acid and found unsafe levels of both for about 20 days near the site until the chemical reaction was stopped with water and a buffering compound According to Rockdale County’s website McDaniel had been appointed Rockdale’s fire chief in December 2020 had a career with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department starting in 1998 serving in several roles including as a firefighter/paramedic according to Rockdale County’s website After retiring from the Atlanta fire department in September 2017 she joined Rockdale County Fire Rescue as deputy fire chief of administration the following month ©2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. ExpandMap of emergency I-80 road and ramp closures in the Joliet area released by IDOT on Monday Will County — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced emergency repair closures of multiple lanes and ramps on Interstate 80 Monday afternoon in the Joliet and Rockdale areas The westbound I-80 ramp to southbound Center Street and Meadow Avenue is closed but is expected to reopen by the evening rush on Monday The right lane on eastbound I-80 between Wheeler Avenue and Center Street is currently closed but is expected to reopen by 5 a.m The left lane on southbound Center Street to eastbound I-80 closed on Monday but is also anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m the eastbound I-80 ramp to northbound Center Street and northbound Center Street between Meadow Avenue and I-80 are both closed The ramp and street are both anticipated to reopen on Friday in time for the evening rush “crews are working to complete the repairs and reopen ramps and lanes as soon as safely possible.” the department noted that projected low temperatures may result in extended waits for areas to reopen because it could take more time for the the concrete to set and “gain sufficient strength” to handle traffic IDOT warned that the closures could cause heavy congestion and longer travel times and advise motorists to consider alternate routes to avoid the impacted area or to build extra travel time into their schedules Truck drivers are also reminded that local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks so “other interstate routes are encouraged,” IDOT said Flaggers and work zones signs will be present in the effected areas and IDOT urges drivers to pay close attention and mind their speed while driving through work zones Updates on current traffic and road conditions can be found on IDOT’s social media pages or at gettingaroundillinois.com. Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network 2025 at 2:35 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Image via Google Maps )JOLIET —The Illinois Department of Transportation announced on Monday that the following lanes and ramps on Interstate 80 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel has resigned The county confirmed that McDaniel submitted her intent to resign on Thursday Her departure comes months after a chemical fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers where cleaning products for swimming pools and spas are produced McDaniel said she was asked to step down and did not resign voluntarily The September fire created a plume that released chemicals into the air and forcing Rockdale County schools to switch to virtual learning for weeks While the county did not give a reason for McDaniel’s resignation Rockdale County Public Relations Director Melisa Mims said it was unrelated to the BioLab fire "Our priority is to offer an effective Fire Department with the best service levels," the county said in a statement "We celebrate our brave men and women who have chosen such an honorable profession and appreciate their dedication to the citizens and businesses of Rockdale County We are confident that this transition will help us move forward in the best interests of our community." The statement did not acknowledge McDaniel’s tenure or her distinction as the department’s first female and Black fire chief McDaniel said she was informed by Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chair JaNice Van Ness that the county was "going in a different direction." She was not given any additional details "I submitted my resignation after being advised that the chairperson with the support of the other two commissioners wanted to go in a different direction and that direction did not include me being the fire chief." McDaniel says she was surprised by the decision She emphasized her accomplishments during her time overseeing the department and opening the county’s 10th fire station.  McDaniel was appointed fire chief in December 2020 after joining Rockdale County Fire Rescue as Deputy Fire Chief of Administration in 2017 she served nearly 20 years with Atlanta Fire Rescue Department chair of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners appointed Deputy Chief of Operations James Robinson as interim fire chief while the county searches for a permanent replacement.  A job listing for the position was posted to the county's website on Monday Pamela brings her deep news knowledge and love of storytelling to the airwaves across Georgia Monday through Friday mornings on GPB Radio.  GPB is committed to bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia across the country and around the world.  Your support makes this possible.  Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service your Neighborhood Reporter for Brazos and Robertson Counties Texas (KRHD) — A Rockdale woman was found in her home after being shot several times — police say at the hands of her daughter they could be going through something and you don't even know it," Rockdale resident "It's certainly not a good image for our city for something like that to happen," Rockdale resident Police were called to a home in the 600 block of Rice Street where officers fond the body of 58-year-old Stephanie McBride Officers confirm McBride was shot several times Investigators have since obtained an arrest warrant for the victim's daugher Police say scene evidence identified her as the lone suspect Amara Gonzalez if she ever thought something like this would happen in her neighborhood we hear about suicide and gun shootings here a lot She was taken into custody at her home in Austin by several law enforcement agencies "I think it's just terrible that families cannot get along and that they have such hatred in their heart that they would kill someone Amara Gonzales tells15ABC she's shocked to know something like this happened so close to home "I think it hurts our hearts and it made us sad we were very surprised that it was a grandmother and a daughter involved." And she believes neighbors need to look out for each other to prevent something like this from happening again "I think we just need to pay attention to each other and be there for one another especially when someone's struggling," she said ROCKDALE, Texas (KRHD) — The owner of a new incoming business along Oak Street in Rockdale shared his plans and addressed community concerns Tuesday Jesús "Jesse" Alcala is planning to add a new food truck park on Oak Street in Rockdale with a few accessories We'll have picnic tables so that people can come and enjoy the nice Texas weather in summer," he said But it's facing pushback from some of our neighbors "How are you guys feeling about that project?" 15ABC asked residents "Not happy about it at all," Regina Hurd said "Because we know it's gonna be loud," she said "We already have enough drunkards coming around the corner and driving since we're on the sharp curve and we've had several accidents in our yard," Walter said But Jesús tells15ABC he's addressing concerns during construction planning to add privacy fences and keep the live music inside "We'll be doing insulation inside the building to absorb most of that noise," he said Filter traffic through one entrance and exit "We'll have about 14,000 square feet of parking area," he said "We also have an exit through one of our city streets Other neighbors have questioned why the park is being built there but Jesús says he didn't have much of a choice since the property is zoned commercial I was getting calls from the city that I needed to come out here Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInROCKDALE COUNTY (Atlanta News First) - An investigation has begun after a man was found dead outside a home following a call of shots being fired in Rockdale County The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to a person shot call around 8:50 a.m Sunday in the area of Hurst Road and McDaniel Mill Road The sheriff’s office says details surrounding the incident are unknown Investigators are working to determine what happened Deputies ask anyone with information to call the sheriff’s office tip line at 770-278-8188 Check back with Atlanta News First for updates Apr 7, 2025 | Intercept, Pressroom a national nonprofit leader in children’s mental and behavioral health services today announced a pilot contract with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities to expand its evidenced-based Intercept program to Douglas bringing access to in-home prevention care to more Georgia families “We are thrilled to bring the Intercept program to Rockdale, Douglas, and Paulding counties,” said Tanya Anderson, executive director of Youth Villages Georgia “Our goal is to help more families stay together and thrive by providing the support and resources they need right in their homes.” Youth Villages offered Intercept in Clayton “This expansion aims to provide intensive in-home services to more families helping children with serious emotional and behavioral problems stay with their families and avoid out-of-home placements,” said Jameta Wheeler Youth Villages Georgia State Manager for In-Home Services “Intercept focuses on strengthening family bonds and improving communication and parenting skills.” Expanding Intercept to Douglas County is especially poignant because of Youth Villages’ presence there. Youth Villages Inner Harbour 1,200-acre residential treatment campus is in Douglasville and the organization is an integral part of the community Intercept offers a comprehensive approach to family intervention, focusing on parent skill development and evidence-based mental health services. It is designated as “Well-Supported” by the Federal Administration for Children and Families Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse By working closely with families in their homes Intercept specialists address a wide range of issues ensuring that children receive the support they need in a familiar environment Intercept is appropriate for children ranging in age from birth to 18 with services lasting four to nine months (typically four to six months for prevention or six to nine months for reunification) Specialists meet with families two to three times a week providing personalized support tailored to each family’s needs For more information, please visit Youth Villages’ Intercept Program Youth Villages serves thousands of troubled children and their families and we need your help Do you share our passion for helping children and families live successfully we serve thousands of children and their families Your one-time or continuing contribution goes directly to helping children and young adults get the chance they deserve You can be a positive force in the lives of young people being treated through Youth Villages at our residential campuses and beyond Sign up for regular updates on our national programs ways to get involved and more at Youth Villages Youth Villages® is a national leader in mental and behavioral health committed to finding the most effective solutions to help children families and young adults overcome obstacles and live successfully partnerships with innovative public agencies and advocacy we collaborate to bring positive change to child welfare children’s mental health and justice systems Our 4,500 employees serve more than 43,000 children and young adults in more than 100 locations in 27 states and the District of Columbia Youth Villages has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S News & World Report and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations (Atlanta News First) - A man and woman were arrested in coastal Georgia in connection to a murder investigation in Rockdale County The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year-old Kaliz Jamarson Hadley and 19-year-old Tahnee McNabb were found at a home in Long County on Thursday Both suspects have been charged with murder and aggravated assault deputies determined that Hadley and McNabb were in Long County after surveillance was done at the home authorities believed they were in Both the Long County and Wayne County sheriff’s offices helped Rockdale County with the investigation and arrests of the suspects The sheriff’s office says the investigation is still ongoing and active and information will be released when more becomes available The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office has given an update in a homicide investigation that led to an arrest in Stephens County on Wednesday and human remains found in Cornelia early Thursday they responded to a welfare check on Bethel Road in Conyers.  They were not able to make contact at that time Rockdale received additional information which led investigators to believe potential foul play was involved in the missing person case That led to 57-year-old Lee Daffin being labeled a person of interest Daffin was apprehended in Stephens County after a brief vehicle pursuit Officials then found a body in Cornelia early Thursday but are still working to identify the body The investigation is ongoing and Daffin has been charged with felony aggravated assault and felony terroristic threats and acts.  In connection to a homicide case out of Rockdale County The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office reported that at around 12 a.m the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office contacted them about the human remains Rockdale told Habersham officials that during a homicide investigation they determined a body was possibly located past the end of Carpenter’s Cove Lane Habersham personnel cleared the scene at around 3 a.m while Rockdale investigators said they have an individual in custody and there is “no danger to the public.” The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency in the case A suspect in a Rockdale County homicide case was apprehended on Wednesday in Toccoa after a chase involving the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office was notified on Wednesday morning that a person who was possibly involved in a suspected homicide in Rockdale County may be passing through and headed to the Carolinas The tipster provided a physical description of the suspect as well as a description of the suspect’s vehicle the vehicle was spotted by Stephens County deputies on Highway 365/Highway 17 Alternate and they initiated a traffic stop the suspect refused to immediately stop and a chase ensued.  Once the suspect got to the intersection of Highway 106 and Highway 145 the Georgia State Patrol assumed the pursuit It ended when the suspect’s vehicle came to a stop on Collier Road near Swift Street the suspect surrendered to law enforcement without incident The suspect was taken to the Stephens County Jail Rockdale County authorities arrived Wednesday evening to take the suspect into their custody Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Rockdale County commissioners appointed a new fire chief during a board meeting on Tuesday. The leaders voted unanimously to approve James “Jimmy” Robinson who had been serving as the interim fire chief since February after the former chief stepped down He has more than 21 years of experience in firefighting and emergency management services and has been with Rockdale County since 2008 PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rockdale County fire chief resigns, search for replacement underway “I’m truly honored by your trust in me to serve as the new fire chief for Rockdale County,” Robinson told the board during the meeting He said he would be focused on enhancing public safety strengthening community relations and leading Rockdale County Fire Rescue “with transparency and accountability.” PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Protesters rally, call for BioLab to permanently close, demand more action from Rockdale County Robinson takes the place of Marian McDaniel who did not provide a reason for her resignation earlier this year The city did specify that it wasn’t related to the BioLab fire that caused a large toxic chemical plume to float across several metro Atlanta counties McDaniel had been fire chief since December 2020 and was the first woman and the first Black person to fill the role in county history “The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners remains focused on delivering quality services and we are confident that this transition will help us move forward in the best interests of our community,” the board of commissioners said in a previous statement ROCKDALE, Texas (KRHD) — A recent increase in HOP bus fares has some seniors struggling with transportation costs leading to a decline in attendance at the Rockdale Senior Center Rockdale Senior Center Director Carolyn Cooper usually waits for seniors to arrive on the HOP bus "We're down to maybe about 25 to 30 where we were 35 to 40 She suspects the transit service's recent price increase — $4 per one-way trip "$4 is not much for a person that maybe has a good job and can afford it but if you have an elderly parent and they're dependent upon the HOP to come and pick them up they're going to have to go home," she said 15 ABC's Brieanna Smith talked to Raymond Suarez He said the change is a system redesign after seeing drops in ridership and higher gas prices after the pandemic some of these trips are lengthy and expensive that doesn't cover a lot of the cost of fuel and other things but we wanted to make the fare payment system consistent across the entire region This was our neighbor Rosa Braun back in 2023 riding the bus someone has to drop her off and pick her up because she's on a fixed income We don't have that kind of money," Braun said However, the City of Rockdale is looking into using general funds to help out. "I would propose to the council that we pay for half of the fare. It would take it back down to its regular rate," City Manager Tim Kelty said. "It's always a concern for me for my seniors to be able to have a place to come, fellowship, and get a hot meal. That's the most important thing," Cooper said. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Rockdale County Schools and law enforcement are investigating threats made to Heritage High School, district officials said. They said the district was “made aware of threats on social media over the winter break and overnight last night.” The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) said it was notified of the initial threat on Feb. 19. The sheriff’s office said two students were responsible for that threat. On Sunday, two more social media threats against the high school were found and the sheriff’s office said those threats are under investigation. “We are working with law enforcement to try to identify the source,” school officials said. The sheriff’s office said additional security will be at all Rockdale County middle and high schools. “The RCSO is continuing to work closely with local schools to ensure the safety of students and staff,” the sheriff’s office said. This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates. ROCKDALE, Texas (KRHD) — The Milam County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating reports of 'explosions' in Rockdale after residents reported hearing sounds and feeling jolts over the weekend. Several neighbors in Rockdale are shaken up — literally. "I usually watch programs on Friday night, and I was sitting there watching them, and all of a sudden, there's this loud boom, and it was loud enough to shake the house," Carolyn Reed, a resident, said. "It was just a jolt for us, but you know where we're from we're used to it so," William Schoelzel, who lives near Fair Park, said. "Everything was quiet and normal, you know, and then all of a sudden, boom," Michael Waters, a resident who lives near FM 908, said. They've been reporting sounds of explosions over the weekend, sparking a city investigation into what's causing it. "Well, it makes me feel a bit nervous, you know. It's an ominous thing," Waters said. Rockdale Mayor Ward Roddam called for answers. He texted 15 ABC's Brieanna Smith saying that the Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the issue. "My concerns as mayor are always the safety of our citizens and their property," the text read. 15 ABC contacted the fire marshal, who told me that they could not verify any property damage reports and are still investigating the situation. "I think it is important to at least, you know, give closure to the people around here like they suspect right now, there's been talks that just somebody just outside the city limits shooting off Tannerite," Schoelzel said. Multiple neighbors, 15 ABC's Brieanna Smith said, have been hearing it intermittently for weeks, and some fear for their safety. "How does that make you feel?," 15 ABC asked. Scary. I mean, somebody's doing something around here, and you don't know what it is," Reed said. "These explosions, it's just, you know, there's a sense of threat that goes along with that, especially when you don't know why it's happening," Waters said. Superintendent Shirley Chesser confirmed at Thursday night’s board meeting that the signs were not a prank, but part of a first-grade social studies activity that had not been reviewed or approved by administrators. “This activity did not align with district expectations, and we recognize that this may have been hurtful,” Chesser said. The unauthorized lesson was tied to a unit on civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, a standard topic in the first-grade curriculum. However, Chesser emphasized that the signs and how they were used were not part of any approved teaching materials or lesson plans. Kingston, a fifth grader at the school, was one of the students who found the signs and reported them to his mother, Nikisha, who later spoke at a board meeting. Kingston told 11Alive, “I thought it was racist. I don’t think anyone should feel like they shouldn’t belong in certain areas because of their skin color.” The signs were displayed in the school cafeteria and were taken down shortly after being reported. The district’s human resources department is conducting an investigation into the incident. In response to the controversy, a letter was sent to Honey Creek parents—over a week after the incident and just one day after 11Alive aired a story featuring Kingston and his family. Kiiva Copeland, president of the Rockdale County NAACP, called the district’s delay in addressing the situation disappointing. “It kind of left your jaw on the floor,” she said. “There are so many other ways to teach this lesson.” Both the Georgia NAACP and the Rockdale County NAACP are requesting to review the results of the investigation once it’s complete. The district has not yet announced whether disciplinary actions will be taken, but says it’s committed to reviewing current policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Struggling pharmacy chain Rite Aid is once again facing money woes, forcing the company to file for bankruptcy again. According to... BET+ is turning up the heat this summer with a brand new original series from Tyler Perry. Divorced Sistas, a... The wait is over. Today, Sean "Diddy" Combs stands before a courtroom that could decide his fate forever. The music... A tragic plane crash claimed the lives of two people and a dog Saturday when a small aircraft went down... When are you folks going to stop other folk from contaminating the minds of your young and older children? Can’t you see what has and is happening? Do something different!!! By Rusty SurettePublished: Oct 2024 at 6:45 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInROCKDALE Texas (KBTX) - The Milam County Sheriff’s Office says a teacher with Rockdale ISD was arrested after making an anonymous school threat we learned the threat was made against district officials Deputies announced an investigation Thursday night after a threat was made by an anonymous user on a school webpage associated with Rockdale High School the message read: “I‘ve got a gun in my bag and I’m going to shoot the principals.” Secret Service assisted the sheriff’s office in tracking down the IP address of the anonymous user and got warrants to make contact with the suspect The IP address was traced back to Rockdale High School teacher Michael Smith Authorities interviewed Smith on campus who reportedly admitted to making the threat He was arrested and is facing charges of making a terroristic threat and making a false report Sheriff Clore thanked Rockdale ISD for alerting authorities of the threat and cooperating with the investigation 2025 at 12:19 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Syl's restaurant has remained empty since Maura Williams announced its closing on Facebook on Jan The new owners of the property will not use it as a restaurant (Image via Google Maps )ROCKDALE — For more than two years now the Syl's restaurant property along Moen Avenue in Rockdale has remained vacant but that's not going to be the case much longer Mike McCatty of Century 21 Commercial told Joliet Patch that the empty Syl's Restaurant & Lounge at 829 Moen Ave McCatty said he was not entirely certain on the specifics of the corporation's plans but he believed that a couple different business propositions have been discussed One idea involves turning the Syl's building into an accessories and equipment shop for high-end expensive automobiles The other idea involved the opening of a cannabis dispensary He suggested that Joliet Patch reach out to Rockdale village officials to see if they have received any more definite plans on the future business plans at the Syl's property McCatty said he was 100 percent sure that Syl's will not continue to serve as a sit-down restaurant of any kind under the new ownership group He said the previous owners sold off all the restaurant furnishings Rockdale Village President Sam Wyke informed Joliet Patch that the former Syl's location will definitely not become a cannabis store He said that a cannabis store would require a special use permit from the village board and that "nobody is filling anything out." Wyke said that there has been an application for a new business license as well as a building permit for the new owners of the Syl's location to do extensive remodeling The village president of Rockdale said the new business license is for "Zuracan Underground" and that the business license applicant wants to sell auto accessory parts and do detailing for fancy sports cars including the Nissan Infinity 350 and Corvettes The business licenses and building permits have been submitted to Rockdale and are still awaiting approval "We were hoping to get a restaurant that would go in there and we'll see how everything else comes out but it is definitely not going to be a cannabis store," Wyke noted When Syl's was first put up for sale, Joliet Patch reported that the owners were seeking $1.1 million. However, in May of 2024, Patch reported that the new real estate agent for the listing, McCatty of Century 21, had lowered the price to around $640,000. More Joliet Patch Syl's coverage in recent years: Syl's Restaurant & Lounge: Big Change For 1st Time Since 1946 Price Drop: Syl's Restaurant And Lounge Now Under $1 Million