Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Hillandale Park Court between Panola Road and Hillandale Drive will be closed to through-traffic Monday, Oct. 23, to Friday, Nov. 3 to facilitate the replacement of a sanitary sewer line in front of 2854 Panola Road, Lithonia. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Alessandro Salvo, chief executive officer, GS Construction at 678-283-5518.

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County’s East Central DeKalb Community & Senior Center will host a Parks After Dark: Teen Takeover Dive-In on Friday, Oct. 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m., 4885 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. The free event is for youths ages 13 to 16 and will include a PG-13 and below-rated film, swimming, snacks and more. Patrons are required to register for this event and wear the appropriate swimwear. To access online registration, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Now” button on the department’s homepage or register in person at the recreation center.  For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA –Murder suspect Nicholas Demetrius Earl, who has been on the run since June, was captured on Tuesday, Oct. 17 .  Earl was taken into custody without incident in Douglasville, GA, after a four-day manhunt where he was spotted but escaped by running into a wooded area in Stone Mountain. The  DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, U.S. Marshals and Georgia State Patrol worked together on the case. Earl is currently being held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail. Sheriff’s deputies had responded to the area of Juliette Road in Stone Mountain on Oct. 13 around 3…

By Mark Brock DCSD Athletics Specialist DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County School District(DCSD) Coach Terrence Jett will be honored at the 2023 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) “Paying it Forward” Scholarship Gala in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Oct.  21. Jett is the longtime Chamblee Middle School track and football coach. The event is sponsored by the Grambling Friends of Football, Incorporated (GFF) and has contributed over $1,000,000 to HBCU initiatives and scholarships. Along with the gala helping raise money for GFF contributions, the event honors graduates of HBCU’s who have “paid it forward” with significant contributions to their alma maters. Pictured:…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by guilty plea in the sexual assault cold case against Charlie Scott, 59. A positive DNA match linked Scott to the rape of the teen and several other victims. In a hearing on Oct. 12. Scott pleaded guilty as indicted to charges of Rape, Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault in connection with the assault of a 15-year-old girl walking near her home 29 years ago. The incident occurred on Aug.6, 1994 at the Colony Ridge Apartment complex on Glenwood Road in unincorporated Decatur. The victim, who was walking home after…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced convictions by guilty pleas in the cases of two men accused of robbing a man at gunpoint and terrorizing a woman and child inside his home in a case dating back to 2019. Lavell Reymond, 43, and Anthony Baggett, 19, pleaded guilty to charges of Home Invasion in the First Degree, False Imprisonment, two counts of Armed Robbery, three counts of Aggravated Assault, Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony from an incident on December 7, 2019. Defendant Reymond also…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections will hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m., for the purpose of considering voter challenges. This meeting will be conducted at 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one printed page or less at a minimum font size of 12 point to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov. Comments must be received between 35 and 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting. The body of the email must include the citizen’s first and last name. Abusive, profane, or derogatory…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Only a handful of people have voted in the City of Conyers’ elections so far: 8 people to be exact, according to Rockdale County’s Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham. Early voting began today, Oct. 16 and ends on Nov. 3.  Election Day is Nov. 7, 2023. Voters who live in the City of Conyers in Rockdale County will be electing candidates for  Districts 2,3 and 4. Incumbent Connie Alsobrook is the only candidate running who is unopposed for the District 2, Post 2 seat. Incumbent Gerald A. Hinesley faces one  challenger for the District 3 seat: Chalene “Ce Ce” Carr.…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgians of an imposter scam targeting faith-based communities in which fraudsters pose as religious leaders to try to trick congregants into sending them money. “With advancements in technology, it’s easier than ever for criminals to hide their true identity, which is why we continue to hear about imposter scams,” said Carr. “Consumers should be very suspicious of any emails or texts asking them to send money even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Our Consumer Protection Division offers a number of resources to help Georgians protect themselves and their…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against an Atlanta man accused of shooting another man after a dispute over song lyrics. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Oct. 13 against Avery Antonio Hammond, 39, on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from an incident on Feb. 19, 2022. According to the investigation, Hammond and his wife hosted people at their home on Shawn Wayne Court in Atlanta…