Author: On Common Ground News

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the April 18 armed robbery of the Kay Jewelers, 1620 Dogwood Ave., in Conyers, FBI officials said. Cephos Leyon “Jamal” White, 29, of Sandy Springs, and Sandrika Denise Sears, also known as Nubian Monae, Monae, 31, of Decatur, were arrested July 26 without incident by FBI agents and officers of the Conyers Police Department on warrants charging them with armed robbery. The robbery took place on April 18 about 10:30 a.m., police said. The male suspect entered the store with a black semi-automatic handgun, had a brief conversation with a store employee…

DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw will propose the allocation of $215,000 for improvements to Little Creek Horse Farm in Decatur. Commissioner Bradshaw, who visited the farm earlier this year, will propose the allocation of the District 4 parks bond funding during Thursday’s (July 27) Board of Commissioners’ meeting. Little Creek Horse Farm, a 40-acre park located in Decatur that was refurbished in 2010 with park bond funds, has a 46-stall barn with an indoor arena, wash stalls and lounge. Experienced trainers provide riding lessons at the farm to children and adults of all riding abilities. “Little Creek Horse Farm…

A man convicted in connection with the shooting death of an acquaintance at a Dunwoody apartment complex will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Kashawn Mitchell, 24, has been sentenced to two life terms plus five years in prison for his role in the murder of Jaron Acklin, 24, DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston said. Acklin was shot and killed on Nov. 13, 2015 inside his apartment on Asbury Commons in Dunwoody. His body was discovered three days later by a friend who was checking on him. According to the investigation, Mitchell and an accomplice held the victim…

Late Monday, the DeKalb County Board of Health received its second report of a human case of West Nile virus infection in the county. The patient, a 78-year-old male, living in unincorporated DeKalb, between Chamblee and Tucker, is currently hospitalized. To date, 30 West Nile virus positive mosquito pools have been identified from 14 locations throughout the county. To reduce the spread of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, the Board of Health provides an integrated mosquito control program. Program technicians routinely trap mosquitoes throughout the county, which are tested for viruses. Technicians also work with residents to reduce…

David Garcia-Mendoza, 22 entered a guilty plea to charges of felony murder, kidnapping and other charges in connection with the shooting death of 43-year-old Luz Mariana Matheu, a Chamblee taxi driver, District Attorney Sherry Boston said. Matheu was gunned down on Oct. 1, 2016 shortly after picking up Garcia-Mendoza from a Buford Highway hotel. Witnesses reported seeing the two arguing in the front seat of the taxi while parked at a nearby gas station. Mendoza held a gun to the victim’s head before forcing her to drive away. He pulled the trigger a short distance later, killing her and causing…

You’re Invited!  God’s Vision Ministries Church will host two Back-to-School community events at The Pavilion at 949 South Main Street, Conyers: Friday, July 28, 2017, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Lunch on the lawn (free) while supplies lasts Collection of book bags and school supplies for local charities Collection of used eyeglasses for charity Free Drawing for Eye Exam & Pair of Eyeglasses for school-age children (1 per hour, must be present to win)              Friday, July 28, 2017, 7 to 10 p.m. Free Movie on the lawn by Ice Days Collection of book bags and school supplies…

The Concerned Citizens for Cityhood of South DeKalb Inc. (CCCSD) is launching a new push to establish Greenhaven as a city under Dr. Kathryn Rice, who has returned to chair the organization. Rice founded CCCSD in 2014 to propose and gain approval for a new city in South DeKalb: Greenhaven.  Forming an organization is one of the informal requirements of the Georgia State House of Representatives. Rice left CCCSD in May 2016 to help start the Greenhaven Business Alliance Inc. (GBA), an organization formed to promote the economic development potential of South DeKalb through research, business attraction and investment, and…

Today, the DeKalb County School District kicked off its Summer Leadership Conference at Miller Grove High School. More than 600 administrators, teachers and school leaders in the district came together for the event, held annually, to get ready for the new school year. Students return to classes on Aug. 7. Superintendent R. Stephen Green said he came up with this year’s conference theme, “All Rise,” to inspire and reiterate the district’s commitment to push for student achievement in every school in the district. The goal, he said, is to become the nation’s foremost school district to graduate students…

The months-long search for the suspects responsible for the death of 52-year-old Gerald Lovell Tisdale has ended in New Orleans. Joel Williams, 30, and Alvion Robinson, 27, were arrested in New Orleans and are currently awaiting extradition to Georgia to face charges for shooting Tisdale on March 30, DeKalb County police say. Tisdale was shot during an alleged road rage incident on 78 Eastbound near Mountain Industrial Boulevard. Williams, the alleged shooter, fired at Tisdale from a black Nissan Altima, causing him to lose control and crash into the woodline. Tisdale later died at Grady Hospital. Both, Williams and Robison,…

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest, hosted a back-to-school event on Saturday where over 1,000 book bags and school supplies were distributed for free to the community. The “Summer Lift & Blazing Back to School Festival” was held in partnership with the Savvy Foundation, Nationwide and City of Stonecrest Councilmember Diane Adoma, Walmart and Georgia Home Theater, to name a few. In addition to the book bag giveaway, there were drawings for lap tops, Ipads and games. The festival also featured plenty of family fun and activities including a petting zoo and pony rides, bounce houses, live…