Author: On Common Ground News

BILOXI, MS– On the day Nolan Xavier Wells should have celebrated his 19th birthday, his family, faith leaders and supporters from across the country will gather in Biloxi for a National Prayer Rally honoring his life and calling for truth, transparency and accountability. The rally will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. , at Greater St. John AME Church, 551 Division St., Biloxi, Mississippi 39530. Jamal Bryant, nationally recognized faith leader and senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, GA, will deliver the keynote address. The gathering will serve as both a solemn moment of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is reporting the in-custody death of a 26-year-old inmate at the DeKalb County Jail. According to authorities, Tehutihotep Hartley of Decatur was found unresponsive in the facility on Monday morning.  Aug.17.  On-site medical personnel and emergency medical services  administered aid, but  Hartley was pronounced deceased in the jail’s medical clinic.  The Sheriff’s Office stated that the incident may have been an unanticipated medical emergency with no evidence of foul play. The cause of death remains undetermined while a full investigation is conducted, officials said. “We extend condolences to the Hartley family,” says…

CONYERS, GA—Conyers Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol quickly tracked down the suspect of the fatal hit-and-run on Dogwood Drive that claimed the life of Andrea Cantrell, 43, of Conyers. Authorities arrested Derrick Lydell Mathis, 52, of Oxford and charged him with Homicide by Vehicle. Mathis was located at a motel in Conyers, just 12 hours after the incident was reported on Monday, Aug. 17. Conyers Police Department’s Flock Safety intelligence platform and license plate reader technology played a significant role in quickly developing critical leads in the investigation, officials said.  Police officers and the Georgia State Patrol worked together…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office recently mailed nearly 260,000 property tax bills on Aug. 14 to property owners for the 2026 tax year. Owners who signed up for e-alerts may also check their email for billing notifications. Property owners are receiving newly redesigned tax bills with easy-to-understand details, and clear payment information and deadlines. Additionally, the office launched its new property tax payment website, which now provides taxpayers with convenient e-payment solutions, including improved property search and payment options. “DeKalb County taxpayers now have the option for a modern and intuitive payment process, both online and in the…

ATLANTA—The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed measles in an unvaccinated resident of metro Atlanta. At this time, there is no known travel history or exposure to someone infected with measles. DPH is working to identify anyone who may have had contact with the individual while the individual was infectious. Measles is very contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. Measles symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days…

DEKALB, GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office website now has a new address. “Peace of mind is very important as we provide property tax and motor vehicle services. It should be easy for taxpayers to identify government services online, which is why we’ve moved to DeKalbTaxGA.gov,” said Tax Commissioner Nicole Golden. “With a .gov domain name, anyone can easily identify official, trusted information from my office.” “The public can still find us at DeKalbTax.org and be redirected to DeKalbTaxGA.gov, but I encourage residents to visit the website and update their bookmarks today.” Customers are encouraged to check DeKalbTaxGA.gov…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old Deaniyka Body. On July 24, Body jumped out of a vehicle while being transported and ran near the State Route 316 eastbound ramp. Officers responded to the area and attempted to locate her. During the search, Body was reported hiding between vehicles at the QuikTrip at 5050 Sugarloaf Parkway in an attempt to avoid being found by officers. She remained in the area for approximately 30 minutes and was reported asking people for a ride before leaving the area. Body is described as a…

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a convicted felon who shot a man who asked him for money at a gas station.  Homer Wright, 46, was found guilty of three counts of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the June 23, 2025 shooting of Jquante Lenon, who is now 46. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams, who presided over the trial, sentenced Wright to 20 years to serve in custody without the possibility of parole during a hearing…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A traffic stop by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of six people and the seizure of an estimated $2.8 million in suspected marijuana, $40,000 in cash and other drugs , authorities said today, Aug.13.  DeKalb County deputies conducted the traffic stop on a van on Aug. 4. Investigators seized $40,000 in cash and  approximately 220 to 250 pounds of suspected marijuana. Further investigations led to a storage facility in DeKalb County, where deputies executed a search warrant and recovered an additional estimated 1,200 boxes of synthetic THC, mushroom (Psilocybin) and suspected marijuana products. Six individuals…

CONYERS, GA— Conyers residents are gaining access to information and assistance aimed at helping them navigate some of life’s biggest challenges. Through a series of community events in recent weeks, Mayor Connie Alsobrook has brought local and regional experts together to find residents practical solutions  and connect them with available resources.  On July 25, more than 100 residents attended a Homeownership Workshop hosted by the mayor in partnership with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA).  Held at Cultivation Church in Conyers, the workshop provided attendees with practical information about the homebuying process, including down payment requirements, financial preparation, mortgage qualifications,…