Author: On Common Ground News

Atlantans are uniting to remember the people who were killed and wounded in Sunday’s mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, FL. The massacre, which claimed the lives of at least 50 people and 53 injured, is being called the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Several authorities identified Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, 29, as the shooter. Mateen was killed in a standoff with police after holding patrons of the Pulse Nightclub hostage for three hours. Reports from witnesses described the scene as a blood bath with people scurrying for cover as Mateen used an AR-15 type rifle and…

Accused serial killer Aeman L. Presley was sentenced Monday to two life sentences without the possibility for parole for killing a Decatur hairdresser and a homeless DeKalb man. Presley, 35, pleaded guilty to all charges connected to the Sept. 26, 2014 shooting death of Calvin Lewis Gholston and the Dec. 6, 2014 robbery and shooting death of Karen Pearce. “His actions were monstrous and had severe consequences on the lives of several individuals,” DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said. “Although he accepted responsibility for his actions, when a person commits crimes this terrible, he deserves to go to…

Ora Bailey still manages to smile as she welcomes customers to Beasley’s Drugstore in downtown Conyers, even though she and her husband, Jacob, are still shaken. A burglar hit their pharmacy twice in four days, stealing pharmaceuticals in a mesh laundry basket. Conyers police say the break-ins, which took place after business hours on June 2 and June 5, are among a rash of reported drugstore burglaries occurring throughout metro Atlanta.   “You expect to have things happen from time to time, but to have this happen twice so close together is really jarring. It just kind of shakes…

Tucker Middle School teacher Christine Mayfield is calling on the community to lend a hand. Her students recently competed in the Georgia Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state competition in March where 15 of them qualified to compete in Nationals. Now, they need the community’s help in raising $7,000 to compete in finals at the 2016 National Leadership Conference, which will be held July 3-7 in San Diego, California. They have less than a week before they lose their deposit and all the money they have raised so far. “We are raising money for our 2015-2016 regional…

David Manuel says hundreds of people have signed up to walk or run in the “I Am A Father” 5K event that he is hosting on June 18 in DeKalb County. The event, now in its second year, has grown from a small project to a mammoth event that will include a health fair with vendors providing free checkups, testing for HIV, wellness information and other resources. Manuel said people from all walks of life are participating. “Last year, we had 86 participants for the 5K. This year, we have over 600,” said Manuel, who is executive director of the…

James Lewis, who heads the N the Zone Motorcycle Club, says his group is doing a charity ride on Sunday, June 12, to help provide financial assistance to a 4-year-old girl who recently had a heart transplant. The group and the N the Zone Social Club for women—the Pearls—will meet up in the parking lot on the Macy’s side of the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, at 1 p.m., to ride to Athens. Lewis said the 28 members of the club felt compelled to help when they learned about the child and her mother. They decided to make the ride…

The Rockdale NAACP awarded scholarships to three graduates from each of the county’s high schools. The organization presented each student with a $1,000 check at the NAACP’s June 6 general meeting, which was held at Macedonia Baptist Church in Conyers. The organization honored: Adaisha Pringle, who graduated from Salem High School and plans to attend Kennesaw State College and become a pediatrician. Dajalyn Collins, a Rockdale High School graduate who plans to major in business at Indiana University Lashae Williams, a Heritage High School graduate who plans to study criminal justice at Gordon State College. The students were…

Heard N. Dooley tried to rob a bank in Conyers, but he wasn’t on the run for long. The 20-year-old Covington man turned himself in after confessing to his parents what he had done on June 3. Dooley produced a note demanding cash at the counter window of the Best Bank inside the Kroger, 1745 Highway 138, Conyers. When the teller refused to hand over any money, Dooley continued to plead with him until he ultimately fled the location.  Dooley never presented a weapon. Escorted by his parents, Dooley turned himself in to law enforcement on June 4 at approximately…

Principals in the DeKalb County Schools District will interview for teacher openings for the 2016-2017 school year. The district’s Summer Certified Teacher Job Fair will be held Tuesday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Central Office campus, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Interviews for middle and high school teachers will be conducted within the DECA High School at the Central Office campus. Centers and Special education interviews will be conducted in the DECA gym. Teachers for elementary schools will be interviewed within Elizabeth Andrews High School at the Central Office campus. Middle & High Grades Interviews…

  State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host a focus group presentation on private investment on Tuesday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in room 605 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Atlanta. The event will preview Kendrick’s 2017 legislative agenda on private investment policy with featured speakers Melanie Brandt, Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Atlanta, Inc.; Adam Harrell, StartUp Atlanta; and Tino Mantella, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). Discussion topics will include the metro Atlanta business ecosystem; proposed updates to the Georgia securities code; examination of Georgia’s angel tax credit; review of the Invest Georgia Exemption (IGE); and…