Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced the conviction by guilty plea of a former DeKalb County Police officer charged with shooting and killing a man inside the man’s Stone Mountain home.  During a hearing on Feb.11, Russell Mathis, 32, of Tucker, entered a negotiated Alford plea to charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Conduct stemming from the death of Marando Salmon, 37, on Nov. 4, 2022.  An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea where the defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledges the prosecution has enough evidence that the case would likely result in a conviction. …

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – An Alpharetta man pled guilty to shooting and killing a stranger at a Norcross hotel after accusing his girlfriend of flirting. Demetrius Tyree Martin, 38, pled guilty to felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault for the May 2021 shooting death of  Enrique Romero Sanchez, 45. Martin agreed to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole. “This killing was senseless,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Violence is never acceptable, and we will always hold those who commit crimes like these accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We pray that the outcome of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– In observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16, garbage, recyclable materials, and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Feb. 16 – Presidents Day observed. No sanitation service. Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Feb. 16, will be serviced on Tuesday, Feb. 17.  Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Feb. 17, will be serviced on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Thursday, Feb. 19 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Feb. 18, will be serviced on Thursday, Feb. 19. Friday,…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by guilty plea in the case against Hannah Hackemeyer, now 20, who was charged in a single car crash that killed one passenger and injured  two others  in the Oak Grove community.    During a hearing on Feb. 11, Hackemeyer pleaded guilty to charges of Homicide by Vehicle in the First Degree, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Reckless Driving and Possession of an Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area in connection with the wreck on Feb. 24, 2024.  Hackemeyer, who was 18 at the time, struck a tree while driving.  Lakeside High…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its Regular Public Meeting on Thursday, Feb.19, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at 178 Sams Street, Room A1201 – A & B, Decatur, GA. Agenda Callto Order Adoptionof Agenda   III.  Administrative Items Approval of the Minutes Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting of January 15, 2026 Introduction of New Board of Ethics Member Report of Committees Ethics Officer’s Annual and Monthly Report Preliminary Cases  Malcolm Peeples v. Noah Hightower, Case No. 2025-12 Toni Covington Graham v. Emily Brian, Case No. 2026-1 Quinton Wright v. Rekejean Galbreath and Lascelles Powell, Case…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host her third annual Tech Demo Day on Thursday, March 12, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the South Wing of the Georgia State Capitol.  “I am particularly excited about this year’s Tech Demo Day because we are focusing on the future workforce in tech and beyond—our students,” said Rep. Kendrick. “I will highlight 10 students from Shiloh High School in my district during the event. I am also thankful for the partners who will be there as well.” Student honorees from Gwinnett County’s Shiloh High School include: Dante Roberts, Tania Hidalgo-Valencia, Luis Fernando…

CONYERS, GA– Conyers will host its annual Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center.  Mayor Connie Alsobrook, Conyers City Council members and city staff will take part in the event that honors the city’s decades-long recognition as a Tree City USA community. The celebration will feature family-friendly activities and educational opportunities, including: Free native tree saplings provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission Gardening and wildlife habitat tips from Rockdale County Master Gardeners A ceremonial tree planting in recognition of Arbor Day  The kickoff of the Fourth Annual “Treasures in…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA —  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi Tau Omega Chapter recently partnered with the American Red Cross to provide life-saving CPR training to local residents. On Saturday, Feb. 7, more than 50 community members participated in the hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction designed to prepare individuals to respond quickly and effectively during cardiac emergencies involving family membersor coworkers. According to the American Heart Association, about 70% of cardiac arrests happen in homes and many are not prepared for a cardiac emergency. The American Heart Association further reports that an estimated 350,000 cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur each year outside of a…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by guilty plea in the case against a former daycare worker charged in connection with alleged abuse at a Stone Mountain facility.  Today, Cherretta Hull, 79, entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to 19 counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson, who presided over the plea hearing, sentenced Hull to 30 years to serve 20 in confinement. The three other defendants in the case pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, to the following charges: Alexis Renee Swain—29 counts of…