Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshal’s Office, have arrested Quintavius Dion Jackson, 26, of Atlanta in connection with the shooting death of a man on Oct. 15 at a gas station on Gresham Road in Atlanta. Jackson was located and taken into custody at a residence in Decatur on Friday, Oct. 25, and charged with the murder and armed robbery of Sulaiman Jalloh.  Jackson being held at the DeKalb County Jail.

DeKalb Superior Court Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson, Air Force veteran Anthony Hill, former DeKalb County police officer Robert Olsen By Valerie J. Morgan Community activists are calling for the maximum 35-year sentence of former DeKalb County police officer Robert Olsen in the death of Air Force veteran Anthony Hill. DeKalb Superior Court Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson, who presided over the high profile trial, is scheduled to sentence Olsen on Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. Olsen was acquitted on Oct. 14 of felony murder but convicted on aggravated assault, making false statements, and violation of the oath of office. Olsen, 57,…

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has been sporting pink this month in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lary says he wants survivors to know that he stands with them in helping to educate the public on the importance of health checkups, fitness and finding a cure for the disease. Lary’s personal victory over prostate cancer has shown him the importance of being on the frontlines in the battle against cancer. He said he “powered” his way through treatment because he had a great support team—his wife, Debbie, sons Jason, Jr. and James—and other family members and close friends. On Common…

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is reviewing its security protocol after two men unleashed pepper spray during the Oct. 20 worship service at the mega church, which is located in the city of Stonecrest. Authorities said more than two dozen people became sick and one person was taken to the hospital. The parishioners complained of difficulty breathing and burning eyes. The incident happened during the Sunday worship service between 10:30 and 11 a.m., officials said. New Birth’s senior pastor, Jamal Bryant, was preaching when the incident happened in a section of the sanctuary. People were coughing and running as the…

The Stonecrest Library Friends group will host its “Super Holiday Book Sale” on Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. There will be used books available for purchase in all categories including  fiction, non-fiction, biographies, encyclopedias, romance, history, crafts, magazines, books on tapes, CDs and DVDs. Proceeds benefit the Stonecrest Library’s children and adult programs.

By Mackenzie N. Morgan OCG News Staff Writer Prominent businessman and funeral director Gregory B. Levett and his wife, Betty Levett, will soon have a school with their names on it after making a $500K contribution to Columbia, South Carolina’s Allen University’s school of education. The new school will be called the Dr. Gregory B. and Mrs. Betty Levett School of Education and will be listed on all future diplomas of students graduating from the education program.   Levett recently received an honorary doctoral degree from the university after being nominated by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. William D. Watley of Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta,…

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Oz Nesbitt announced the shutdown of the Family Dollar store at 2460 Salem Road, Conyers after the store failed to address repeated violations cited by the county’s code enforcement officers, fire marshal and community improvement team. Nesbitt said the shutdown was effective Oct. 23 and would remain in place until Family Dollar submits a comprehensive plan to address the code violations, including maintaining a clean location. Family Dollar is scheduled to appear in Magistrate Courton Dec. 3, Nesbitt said. “Family Dollar is a big enough corporation that they can do better,” Nesbitt said. Nesbitt said…

The City of Lithonia, Mayor and Councilmembers will  honor Maggie “Mc” Woods, on Oct. 28, 5:30 pm, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate a street topper at the corner of Magnolia Street and Williams Reynolds Grant Drive, in front of the home where she lived. In 1972, Maggie Woods became the first African-American Councilwoman in Lithonia. A resident of Lithonia since 1935, Mrs. Woods raised all eight of her children in the city, including her daughter Marcia, who would become Lithonia’s first African-American female mayor in 1995, and her son Jerome Woods, who was elected as police…

Join the North Georgia Live Steamers for miniature steam train rides on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. The train takes passengers on a wooded path in the horse park. Rides begin operation at 1 p.m.  The last train ride is  at 4:30 p.m. The cost to ride is $2 per person. Run days may be canceled for inclement weather. For more information, call 770-860-4190.

The Stonecrest Library Friends group will host its “Super Holiday Book Sale” on Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. There will be used books available for purchase in all categories including  fiction, non-fiction, biographies, encyclopedias, romance, history, crafts, magazines, books on tapes,  CDs and DVDs. Proceeds benefit the Stonecrest Library’s children and adult programs.