🌱 Emory Hospital Not In Compliance With PRA +Camera's In School Zones

Hi everyone. It's me, Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Saturday started off right with a quick guide to the most important things happening these days in town, including updates on:

• Avondale Estates City Manager, Patrick Bryant, addressing issues of the city’s public works department
• Blue Solutions placing camera's within school zones
• Emory Decatur Hospital on the list of hospitals not in compliance with the Federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule

But first, today's weather:

Breezy and cooler with rain. High: 49 Low: 36.

Business owners and marketers in Decatur-Avondale Estates: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Many metro city's here in Georgia have placed camera's within their school zones and the city of Decatur is now joining the mission. Blue Solutions will be responsible for installing and monitoring traffic cameras set in place within designated school zones. Gene Sullivan, who works with the company stated that there is approximately a 90% or greater reduction in speeding when cameras are installed. Furthermore, she stated that in an unfortunate event of a child being hit by a car at 20 mph, that child may have a 9 out of 10 chance of surviving. However, a car travelling 40 mph., striking a child, that child has only a 1 in 10 chance of surviving. Soon drivers will be fined $75 for their first speeding offense and $125 thereafter. Parents who have gone on record support the city's efforts. (WSB Radio)
2. The Federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule which went into effect in January 2021 requires all U.S. hospitals to make the costs of certain services visible online. This practice gives consumers the ability to shop around when choosing the best health care services to fit their needs. However, in a recent report conducted by Patient Rights Advocate, it was revealed that out of the 44 Georgia hospitals 14 of them are not complying with the Federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule. PRA Founder and Chairman, Cynthia Fisher stated that this is a setback for Georgia and is not giving people the opportunity to cross reference different rates. Emory Decatur Hospital is on the list of hospitals not in compliance. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. Avondale Estates City Manager, Patrick Bryant, addressed the issues of the city’s public works department being understaffed and the city's need to replace aging vehicles. The meeting took place on Feb. 8 and was a continuation of the discussion that began last year. In his discussion, Bryant mentioned that the public works department is short staffed by approximately four people, among other issues and shortages. (Decaturish.com )

Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Friends of Decatur Library Book Sale (9:30 AM)
• Take & Make Personal Valentines - DeKalb County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Art In The Neighborhood - Express Yourself (12:00 PM)
• African Beats: Titilayo Dance Company (1:00 PM)
• Paint This & Chill: Tribal and Cultural Art (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Another day , another owl stay. The McCain Library owl is still hanging around. Owl remains 60 feet up in the air, still sleeping most of the day as plans to set it free are in place. (McCain Library, Agnes Scott College via Facebook)
• February is "Love the Bus" Month and the City of Decatur is asking that everyone to take a few moments to thank the school bus drivers for getting students to school and home safely.(City Schools of Decatur via Facebook)
• There will be a free family reunion workshop on Saturday, Feb. 18, located at Doubletree by Hilton, Northeast/ Northlake 4156 Lavista Rd. in Tucker. (https://decaturish.com/categor...)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Shoe Fundraiser - Drive By Drop Off - Briar Vista Elementary School (February 11)
• Healthier, Happier and more balanced life with Coexistence Symposium (February 11)
• "Themes, Variations, Memories" DeKalb Symphony Orchestra (DSO) (February 14)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for 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...

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter? Contact me at Decatur@Patch.com