Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GEORGIA— The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in locating murder suspect Kristoper Brown, 22, of Lithonia.  A murder warrant has been issued for  Brown in connection with the fatal shooting of  Dorian Bennett on May 3, 2023 at I-285 and Lavista Road in Tucker, Georgia. If located, do not approach the suspect, as he may be armed, investigators said. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Kristopher Brown is asked to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit by calling CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS. A reward may be possible, if the information provided…

STONECREST, GA–Congratulations to Richard S. Hill, who has been named Support Employee of the Year 2023-2024 at Arabia Mountain High School, located in the City of Stonecrest. Hill, who has been with the DeKalb County School System since 2017, is head custodian at Arabia and part of the support team at the school. Staff members nominate and vote on the person(s) selected to be honored. Arabia Principal Tanya Mason recently honored Hill with an appreciation gift—Atlanta Falcons’ and Georgia Bulldogs gear. “It was nice to be recognized for the hard work that we do to maintain the school building. I feel…

ATLANTA — District 10 Council member Andrea L. Boone invites the public to visit the African American Doll Exhibit at the former Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Lane N.W., Atlanta. Curated by its collector, Jamila Jones, the exhibit is currently on display through the holiday season. It features a worldwide collection of more than 1,000 dolls dating back to the 1800s, including miniatures, life-size dolls, action figures, and the first Black Barbie doll. “The opportunity to visit an exhibit with a collection celebrating Black dolls is significant to the African American cultural heritage. To see, touch, and learn of the history…

  DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in a 5-year-old case against a Stockbridge man who fatally shot and robbed a Decatur man who was walking near his home.  Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Monday, against Joshua Cortez Ellis, 25, on charges of Malice Murder, three counts of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer stemming from an incident on June 4, 2019.    According to the investigation, Ronald Peters, 28, was walking near his…

ATLANTA, GA– The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) announced that it has created the Thriving Child Care Business Academy of free online training to help providers enhance their business and financial management skills. Through the Thriving Child Care Business Academy, owners and administrators can receive training in best business management practices,   much like the training they receive in best early childhood education practices on other platforms. “Over the past two years, DECAL has distributed $1.6 billion in federal financial supports to help child care providers mitigate the negative business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DECAL Commissioner…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Class of 2023 graduates, like the state and nation, saw a decrease in composite SAT scores over the previous year. The 2023 mean composite score for RCPS is 969, down from 980. The mean composite score for Georgia public schools is 1045, and the mean composite score for U.S. public schools is 1003, both decreasing from 2022. “Despite the fact that an increasing number of colleges and universities are waiving the SAT requirement for admission, RCPS remains committed to ensuring that our students who opt to sit for this test are prepared to…

STONECREST, GA—Grammy award-winning artist Erica Campbell, of Mary Mary, is kicking off a week of women empowerment with a free, live concert this evening, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest. The Reinvigorate women’s series, Sept. 28-30, will culminate with a weekend of inspiring, enlightening and uplifting events featuring Nona Jones, international speaker, preacher and author;  Tasha Cobb Leonard, award-winning gospel artist and actress; and Dr. Heavenly Kimes,  of the Bravo reality series, Married to Medicine.  Register for the Reinvigorate events by visiting newbirth.org and clicking the Reinvigorate Women’s Weekend tab. “Reinvigorate recognizes the universal burden that so many women carry as…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold Open House nights during September, October and November 2023 for the 2024-2025 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and Families interested in applying for one of the programs are strongly encouraged to attend the Open House night. The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 10 through Dec. 15, 2023. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus…

24-yearold Lithonia man arrested in murder of Conyers man at gas station DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with assistance from the U.S .Marshals, has arrested murder suspect Antjuan Harrison. The 24-year-old Lithonia resident was taken into custody without incident on Hillandale Drive in Lithonia on a warrant charging him with Malice Murder in the shooting death of Conyers, Georgia resident Tori Dundas, 33. Dundas was killed on July 12 at a gas station on Browns Mill Road in Lithonia. No probable cause was given for the incident. Harrison was transported to the DeKalb County Jail,…