🌱 ITT Tech Loans Canceled + Decatur Hit-And-Run Driver Wanted

Morning, neighbors! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now...

First, today's weather:

A p.m. thunderstorm in spots. High: 81 Low: 68.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

1. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education announced that $3.9 billion in loan debt will be wiped out for students who attended ITT Technical Institute from January 2005 through its closure in September 2016. ITT had four different locations throughout metro Atlanta. According to federal officials, the school misled students about helping graduates find high-paying jobs and also used deceptive recruiting tactics. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. Police are searching for the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run that happened in Decatur on Monday night around 11:35 p.m. According to officials, the incident occurred at the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Clairemont Avenue. Initial reports show that a male pedestrian was crossing the street using a crosswalk when an unknown vehicle fatally struck the victim. The vehicle fled the scene. Witnesses are encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department with information. (CBS 46)
3. Decatur will house the Pan African Festival, hosted by the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights, on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 2-10 p.m. on Decatur Square. The festival this year will focus on voters' rights, culture, and cooperative economics. There will be music, cultural events, art activities, and more. Each night will feature different events, so check the line-up and purchase tickets here. (Decaturish.com)

Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Coffee With A Cop In Avondale Estates At Banjo Coffee (7:00 AM)
• Decatur Farmer's Market At First Baptist Church of Decatur (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The city of Avondale Estates is hosting a capital projects open house on Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Avondale Estates City Hall, 21 N. Avondale Plaza. City staff and representatives from Pond Engineering will be at the open house to review concept designs for road improvements to Laredo Drive. The city is seeking to make the road more pedestrian-friendly and connect to the PATH Foundation’s Stone Mountain Trail. (Decaturish.com)
• Have you heard about the FREE community concert hosted by the Decatur Education Foundation in partnership with Amplify My Community and presented by Bark - Parental Controls? B.Y.O.P. (picnic) on Saturday, Sep. 10 from 4-8 p.m. to enjoy some live music from The Sundogs and JohnBoy And SurroundSound! CSD Decatur High School musicians and seniors paytonkashdanmusic and Nate Helfrich will be opening acts. (The Decatur Education Foundation via Facebook)
• Comedian Damon Sumner will host a comedy night on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. at SQ/FT in Decatur, located at 149 Sycamore Street. Sumner will host a lineup of comedians who will perform standup There is limited seating and tickets are available for purchase to reserve a spot. (Decaturish.com)

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Events:

• BIG Clearance Book Sale ($5 a Bag) (August 19)
• Flamenco Tablao (August 21)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.