🌱'Cop City' Closed-Off To The Community+Teacher Training For Refugees

Hi there everyone! Greetings, Decatur-Avondale Estates. I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including updates on...

• DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael Thurmond issuing an executive order.
• A list of local farmers' markets compiled in order to assist customers in finding the farmers market most convenient for them.
• The Refugee Women's Network nonprofit in Atlanta and International Community School in Decatur teaming up to train refugees.

But first, today's weather: An a.m. t-storm, then breezy. High: 81 Low: 51.

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Here are the top stories in Decatur-Avondale Estates today:

1. DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael Thurmond issued an executive order on March 24. The order restricts access to Intrenchment Creek Park and other county-owned properties in the area. Located near the proposed public safety training center, Intrenchment Creek Park, also known as“Cop City” by activists, is closed off to the community, residents, and visitors. Reports have stated that there have been recent criminal activities and traps set in the area. (Decaturish.com)
2. A list of local farmers markets was compiled in order to assist customers in finding the farmers market most convenient for them. Many of the markets are open longer this year, and some have even opted to be open year-round. The language used by these farmers is very specifically worded and when it's mentioned that a market says it includes “producer-only” vendors, that typically refers to there being no resellers at the market, only vendors who grow, harvest, or make the fruits, vegetables, and other items they are selling. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
3. The Refugee Women's Network nonprofit in Atlanta and International Community School in Decatur are teaming up to train refugees to become teachers in Georgia classrooms. It will take approximately two years for participants to complete their degree program. Once this pilot program is finished it will open up to more applicants. For more information on the Refugee Women's Network, you may click here. (11Alive.com WXIA)
4. The Georgia General Assembly passed a bill that potentially allows DeKalb County to use funds from its special purpose local option sales tax toward parks, libraries, and, the use of transportation. Under the current SPLOST bill, 85 percent of the funds go toward transportation and public safety. 15 percent goes toward capital outlay projects. The updated version allows DeKalb the ability to fully utilize its SPLOST within libraries and parks. (Decaturish.com)

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Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Scavenger Hunt: Spring — DeKalb County Public Library (All Day)
• Diabetes Screening Event (9:00 AM)
• Book sale — Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library (10:00 am - 4:00 pm) (https://events.dekalblibrary.o...)

From my notebook:

• Due to the weather forecast, the annual Touch-A-Truck and Touch-A-Budget event start time is going to be delayed by an hour. The new start time is 11 a.m. today. The location is at East Lake MARTA station, North lot. (Decatur Active Living via Facebook)
• According to a recent article from The Guardian (https://loom.ly/foeFGuM Atlanta has some of the worst polluted air in the country. The worst on record are parts that have people who earn below-average wages. (Georgia Interfaith Power & Light via Facebook)
• March is Social Work Month and Wellroot continues to celebrate the phenomenal social workers they know and love! This week, highlighted will be those who continue to break barriers. (Wellroot Family Services via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters

About me: Cherryl Young DBA MamaNyeMatters. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island and moved to Georgia in 2017. My first children's book, You Are the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow was published in 2021. https://www.mamanyematters.com... I've worked in Atlanta and Gwinnett County Public Schools assisting children who have special needs. I studied Community Development @ Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. My Purpose In Life Is To Connect, Create, Inspire, Write, and Expand and I am ELATED to Be Here as a Contributing Writer @ Patch! Journey With Me...

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