🌱Georgia In A State Of Emergency + State Sen. Burke Stepping Down

Grand rising everyone! It's me, Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters, your host of the Decatur-Avondale Estates Daily — back at it with everything that's fit to print and happening in the community today. In today's issue, I have...

• Students protest leads to emails being sent home and a principal and superintendent planning for what's in store for students in January
• Our state is in a State of Emergency due to frigid freezing weather
• The State Sen. Dean Burke is stepping down from his Senate seat on Dec. 31

But first, an exciting local announcement from our sponsor, Realwave Neuropathy: RealWave Neuropathy Treatment Centers opens Jan. 3, 2023, at 315 West Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur.

Click here to make your own announcement in the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter.

And now, today's weather:

Windy and very cold. High: 22 Low: 11.

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. State Sen. Dean Burke is stepping down from his Senate seat on Dec. 31. He will become the chief medical officer of Georgia’s Department of Community Health. The south districts served by Burke include Decatur, Grady, Thomas, Seminole, Brooks, Colquitt and Cook counties. (The Associated Press)
2. More and more people are getting back to work. Data collected in November states that the employment rate in DeKalb County has risen in recent months, which could be great for holiday shoppers and big spenders. (The Chattanoogan)
3. Decatur High School students have staged an outdoor and an indoor protest against the actions taken to discipline their teacher who was suspended for less than a week after using racial slurs in the classroom on Dec. 7. This has been an ongoing issue. Emails have been sent home to parents addressing the incident. The school's principal and the superintendent said they are working on what steps they can take once students return to the classroom in January. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
4. Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency for all of Georgia due to the dangerously cold weather we are expecting beginning today. Georgia hasn't experienced temperatures this low in almost five years. The state of emergency allows for necessities to be delivered to homes and commercial businesses. Precautions are being put into place to assist with getting through this winter frost. ( WSBTV.com)

Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Candy Scavenger Hunt — DeKalb County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Take & Make Salt Snowflake Kit — DeKalb County Public Library (12:00 AM)
• Friday Movies — DeKalb County Public Library (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Wellroot Family Services is sending out a bunch of thank you's to everyone for believing in their vision. Attendees enjoyed some yummy food, fun games, and over-all fun. (Wellroot Family Services via Facebook)
• Doggie Harmony Rescue is one of many animal shelters that are filling up with animals in need of a home. Those interested can assist in finding homes for them and/or donate. (Doggie Harmony Rescue via Facebook)
• The Decatur Education Foundation is asking for public assistance in helping to keep families within the community warm. For more information, you can contact www.decatureducationfoundation.org/donate (The Decatur Education Foundation via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Cherryl Young/ MamaNyeMatters

About me: Cherryl Young DBA MamaNyeMatters. I was born in Providence Rhode Island and moved to Georgia 5 years ago where I wrote my first children's book, You Are the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow. I studied Community Development @Roger Williams University. 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 Daily? Contact me at Decatur@Patch.com