Author: On Common Ground News

By virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Security Deed from Yolanda F. Dennis to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Direct Mortgage, Corp., dated January 09, 2015 and recorded on January 30, 2015 in Deed Book 24764, Page 133, in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of De Kalb County, Georgia, said Security Deed having been given to secure a Note of even date, in the original principal amount of One Hundred Sixty Thousand One Hundred Forty-Six and 00/100 dollars ($160,146.00) with interest thereon as provided therein, as last transferred to Vanderbilt…

Dear Editor, I respect the freedoms guaranteed by the 2nd amendment to the United States Constitution.  Even so, we must bear in mind that it is illegal to possess a firearm under the age of 18 according to Georgia code 16-11-132.  This community has recently suffered the ramifications of guns in the hands of minors.  Let’s recall just a few of the local headlines from the summer of 2019. July 14th- A 15-year-old male, living in Covington, allegedly shot and killed his 42-year-old aunt in her Monroe County home. August 23rd- A 12-year-old male was allegedly shot by…

Eureon Deontae Phillips, Antisa Denise Columbus The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested two suspects in connection with a murder in which the victim was also set afire. Sheriff’s investigators charged Eureon Deontae Phillips, 29, of Snellville and Antisa Denise Columbus, 35, of Atlanta with felony murder, arson in the first degree, destruction of evidence and concealing the death of another. Phillips is also charged with terroristic Ttreats. According to warrants, Columbus and Phillips allegedly caused the death of Tiffany Valkoun on Sept. 13, 2019 by shooting her in the head at a Riverlake Way residence in…

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…