🌱 Missing Persons And DNA Drive Task Force + $1.45 Billion Budget

Great day, everyone! I'm back with your new copy of the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town today. Today you'll find news about:

• A plan to help identify more than 20 unidentified persons.
• Honoring officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
• DeKalb County School Board tentatively approved the district’s 2024 budget.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and less humid. High: 82 Low: 61.

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

1. This month's MARTA meeting will be held on May 11. The meeting will take place in person and virtually. The in-person meeting will take place at MARTA's headquarters located at 2424 Piedmont Road NE in Atlanta on the 6th floor within the board room. The virtual broadcast can be seen on YouTube. There will first be a work session held at noon. Following the work session will be the board meeting, scheduled for 1:30 p.m.: https://www.itsmarta.com/board.... (On Common Ground News)
2. During The DeKalb County School Board meeting on May 8, the board tentatively approved the district’s 2024 budget. The final approval will be determined sometime in June. The budget proposal is $1.45 billion in general funds. DeKalb County Schools Chief Financial Officer Byron Schueneman stated that there will be remaining funds that are within the district's policy. (Decaturish.com)
3. Every year in May, the DeKalb County Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies take time out to honor officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. During this time the families of these fallen officers are also recognized and honored. This year's traditional service, the Fallen Officers Memorial Service, will be held on May 11 at 10 a.m. at the DeKalb History Center; 101 East Court Square in Decatur. Officers who served in Decatur, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, MARTA, and more will be honored during the memorial. The community has also been invited by the Chief of Police Mirtha V. Ramos. (On Common Ground News)
4. The stormwater utility fee may increase for residents in 2023-2025. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners in its meeting yesterday made mention of this increase. The meeting was held at 9 a.m. at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. It was also
   streamed via DCTV. For more details, click here. (Decaturish.com)
5. Sherry Boston, the DeKalb County District Attorney, has announced a plan to help identify more than 20 unidentified persons. A new task force has been put in place, and her office is now in partnership with the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office. The two agencies will hold a Missing Persons and DNA Drive on May 20, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The location will be at the Covington Library; 3500 Covington Highway in Decatur. This has been put into place for families and people alike who have been searching for loved ones. The agencies are asking participants to bring photos of their loved ones, DNA samples, and any other information that could help lead to identifications. (Champion)

Today in Decatur-Avondale Estates:

• Webinar — Small Business Administration Contracting Assistance Programs and Certifications (10:00 AM)
• Mandala Drawing — DeKalb County Public Library (11:00 AM)
• Teen Hang Out — Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library (3:30 PM)
• DHS Volleyball Tryouts — Decatur High School (3:45 PM)
• Band Ensembles Concert — Decatur High School (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations going out to the 8U Softball Red Devils! They were the gold bracket runner-up in the North Georgia Select League (NGSL) end-of-season tournament. Proof that hard work does pay off in the end. (Druid Hills Youth Sports via Facebook)
• Looking for education to engage your congregation this summer? A new workshop and class by Janna Diamond, the Georgia State Coordinator for the Climate Psychology Alliance, might interest you. Click on the link for more information. (Georgia Interfaith Power & Light via Facebook)
• The Rural Welcoming Communities Exchange (RWCE) is comprised of participants from both America and Australia. Participants were immersed in rural communities in California in order to gain an understanding of local approaches to social well-being. (Welcoming America via Facebook)
• A huge thank you went out to the community partners, Color Wheel Studio, for choosing DEF as the recipient of their Empty Bowl fundraiser. The event addressed food insecurities and brought enlightenment to the sensitive topic. The organization raised $3,000 that will go towards the Lighten the Load program. (The Decatur Education Foundation via Facebook)
• The public is invited to join the City of Decatur's workforce! The city is hiring for positions in Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. A hiring event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Legacy Park; 500 S Columbia Drive in Decatur. (Decatur Active Living via Facebook)

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• Clinton Nature Preserve Exploration Challenge Group Hike (May 13)
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That's it for today! See you all tomorrow 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