CONYERS, Ga. –- A group of Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) board members and volunteers hit the streets recently to conduct the annual Community Appearance Index to ensure the community is clean, green and thriving.

Designed by Keep America Beautiful (KAB), the Community Appearance Index helps KAB affiliates visually assess and determine the state of the community’s appearance in regard to litter and other indicators. Affiliates such as KCRB use the results to set goals and develop effective community improvement education programs to raise the awareness of litter prevention.

CONYERS, Ga. – In an effort to become a more energy-efficient community, Rockdale County has established a policy for the Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT) to replace incandescent bulbs in traffic signals with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs around the county as part of the Georgia Department of Transportation Regional Traffic Operation Program.

“This policy will help us expedite the process and get closer to our goal to have all bulbs in the traffic signals replaced with LED lights within four years,” RDOT Director Miguel Valentin said.

RDOT began implementing the plan several years ago by replacing incandescent bulbs in traffic signals with LED bulbs when the bulbs became damaged or were no longer burning. The county selected LED lights because they are more efficient and durable than traditional incandescent bulbs.

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. -- A tipster helped the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office bust a marijuana grow house on New Year's Eve.

Police were first informed of the possible drug activity in early December. Investigators executed a search warrant at the house in the 1700 block of Elizabeth Court on Dec. 31.

Investigators discovered 85 marijuana plants in the basement of the home, which was reportedly divided into multiple rooms where the drug was being cultivated and stored. The plants and the equipment used in the operation had a combined value of about $1 million.

A suspect, 48-year-old Randy Le of Conyers, was arrested Monday while trying to board an international flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Le has been charged with trafficking marijuana.