Author: On Common Ground News

Shali Tilson, a 22-year-old mentally ill man who died of dehydration on March 12, 2018 while in custody of the Rockdale Jail, was placed in a cell with no personal access to water, a special Grand Jury has found. According to the Grand Jury’s four-month investigation into Tilson’s death, which was released today, every bed at the Rockdale County Jail provided detainees with the ability to obtain water, except the padded cell where Tilson, a “paranoid schizophrenic,” was locked up. Tilson was arrested on March 3, 2018 for disorderly conduct that he was experiencing due to mental illness. “Having cut…

Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman & CEO of Vista Equity Partners, and his family have donated $34 million, as promised, to pay off loans that the Class of 2019 accumulated to fund their Morehouse education. Smith shocked Morehouse and the nation when he announced the history-making gift in May during graduation exercises, where he was the keynote speaker. College officials said in a news release on Sept. 20 that the billionaire philanthropist had indeed made good on his promise to help this year’s graduates of the all-male institution. “This liberation gift from Robert Smith—the first of its kind to be…

Dec. 17, 1934- Sept. 19, 2019 Former Lithonia Mayor Darold Honore’ and his family are mourning the loss of his father,     Darold Peter Honore’ Sr., who passed away peacefully at home in Lithonia on Sept.19.  He was 84. Mr. Honore, who was from New Orleans, graduated from Joseph S. Clarke High School in 1953.  Following graduation, he served in the United States Army and after being honorably discharged, he began a successful career as a master carpenter for the family business, L. Honore’ Inc.  One of the highlights of his career was when their work was recognized in an…

Today, Rockdale County District Attorney Alisha A. Johnson officially announced the conclusion of the four-month Special Grand Jury investigation into the death of 22-year-old Shali Tilson, saying there is no evidence that Rockdale County Jail administrators criminally caused his death. Tilson died of dehydration on March 12, 2018 after being arrested on March 3, 2018 for disorderly conduct that he was experiencing due to mental illness.   Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing Tilson’s family, said Tilson died an agonizing death in his cell after pressing a call button for help that didn’t work.  Davis and the family released a…

House speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling for an impeachment probe of President Trump. Pelosi announced at a televised news conference at 5 p.m. today that Trump had violated the oath of office. News events unfolded throughout the day with Congressman Hank Johnson leading the Georgia delegation becoming the first member of the delegation to call for impeachment. Johnson made his announcement at 10:55 this morning. Congressman John Lewis went to the floor at 12 noon to state he, too, supported the impeachment of Trump. Democrats pushed for an impeachment probe after reports that Trump had encouraged Ukraine’s president to investigate…

DeKalb County Police are investigating the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Brandon McCrary at 410 Waldrop Place in Decatur. Sgt. J D Spencer said preliminary investigation suggests the location was targeted rather than a random act of violence. The shooting happened on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 7:40 p.m. According to the police report, a witness said she was approached at the door of the home by two black males who pointed a black, 9mm handgun at her and told her to be quiet and run away. She ran and the two males forced McCrary back into the home.  She said she heard…

On August 29, 2019, at approximately 9 a.m., a subject reported leaving a cell phone in a shopping cart at a Kroger, 1745 Highway 138, Conyers.  The individual returned to find the cell phone missing. The subjects pictured were the only two in the area at the time. Any information regarding these persons of interest may result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with any information: Call: 404.577.TIPS (8477) Click:www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org

The legal action to protect the city of Stonecrest in its court battle with former City Councilwoman Diane Adoma cost taxpayers in excess of $13,000, the city said in a news release on Sept. 20. The city had to go to court twice for hearings related to a temporary restraining order against Adoma, the latest hearing on Sept. 17. Adoma could not be reached at On Common Ground News’ deadline for comment. Stonecrest City Attorney Janet Scott and city staff members were in court initially for a preliminary injunction hearing on a temporary restraining order filed by the city against …

By Mackenzie N. Morgan A blaze swept over a wooded area at the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in the City of Stonecrest on Sept. 17. The fire, which was reported around 1 p.m., covered nearly 3 to 5 acres of woodland in a remote area south of I-20. Authorities did not confirm a cause but said that hot temperatures and low rainfall were probably factors. The DeKalb County Fire Rescue team worked relentlessly to contain the fire with help from the Georgia Forestry Commission, which brought in two planes carrying fire retardant and buckets holding up to 26,000…

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Board of Health is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, in the Bohan Auditorium, located in the Richardson Health Center at 445 Winn Way, Decatur. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m.  The public is invited to attend. Agenda items for the meeting include: The approval of minutes from previous meetings; The District Health Director’s Report, including service awards and retirements; Contracts for consideration, to include agreements with Empowerment of Resource Center, Amendment #2; Someone Cares, Inc., Amendment #2; and Positive Impact Health, Amendment #2; and The Board of Heath’s current financial status…