Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: 1 Dead, 2 Injured In 4-Vehicle Pileup In DeKalb
Coming up on the Decatur Patch calendar: Radio Cult at Napoleon's on NYE!
Good day Decatur! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Driver killed after risky pass sparks four-car crash near Decatur
- How did Decatur become Georgia’s first official “Bird City”?
- Why won’t DeKalb officials clarify the jail escape timeline?
Also on today's calendar: Kate Dramis & Julian Barnes - The Odds of You and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 52 and low of 32 degrees.
- Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 58, low: 36.
- Friday: A few afternoon showers, with a high of 58 and low of 50 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. 1 Dead, 2 Injured In 4-Vehicle Pileup In DeKalb (patch.com) — Residents near Decatur are being alerted to a deadly four-vehicle crash on Panthersville Road that left one driver dead and two others with non-life-threatening injuries Monday morning. DeKalb County Police say the wreck began when a driver tried to pass in a no-passing zone, triggering a chain-reaction pileup that shut down the busy corridor. Authorities have not yet released the deceased driver’s identity. 
2. Georgia has its first ‘Bird City.' Here's how it protects winged residents. (macon.com) — Decatur has been named Georgia’s first official “Bird City,” thanks in large part to habitat at Legacy Park and citywide efforts to protect birds. Local programs are adding dark-sky lighting, promoting native plants, and organizing volunteer cleanups, while residents and birders are helping document and celebrate the city’s remarkable bird diversity.
3. DeKalb County sheriff won't clarify timeline of inmate escape (atlantanewsfirst.com) — Residents should know that three inmates escaped from the DeKalb County Jail in Decatur, then were later captured in Florida after an alleged kidnapping of a Lyft driver. Officials have not clearly explained when the escape was discovered or when the public was notified, and the sheriff’s office is declining detailed questions while the investigation continues.
4. Dumping old tires is illegal. Here's what to do instead (wsbtv.com) — If you’ve got old tires piling up, Decatur residents can legally drop them at the CHaRM Center for Hard to Recycle Materials instead of risking fines for illegal dumping. The piece explains Georgia’s limits on storing and transporting tires, highlights DeKalb County’s cleanup efforts, and outlines recycling facilities, collection events, and permitted carriers as options.
5. 8 Best Places to Retire in Georgia for Lower Cost of Living, Affordable Housing, and Tax Perks (travelandleisure.com) — Decatur is highlighted as one of Georgia’s top retirement spots, praised for its walkability, festivals, restaurants, and access to Emory University and Emory Decatur Hospital. The piece compares Decatur with seven other Georgia communities, outlining housing costs, tax perks, and amenities that may appeal to seniors considering a move within the state.
📸 Around Decatur
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Radio Cult at Napoleon's on NYE!
Napoleon's Grill, 2836 Lavista Rd, Decatur
9:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Take & Make: Polar Plate String Art
Redan-Trotti Library - - Game Center Open
Oakhurst Elementary Decatur, GA 30030
8:00 am - Building Blocks
Redan-Trotti Library Meeting Room Redan-Trotti Library -
11:00 am - The [censored] Memorial Quilt: Honoring Lives, Inspiring Change
Decatur Library -
1:00 pm - Take & Make Saturdays
Decatur Library - - Family Yoga: Yoga with Your Little Yogi
Decatur Library -
10:00 am - Early Readers Storytime
Redan-Trotti Library -
11:00 am - Kate Dramis & Julian Barnes - The Odds of You
Eagle Eye Book Shop , 2076 N Decatur Rd , Decatur
7:00 pm - Warehouse Liquidation FINAL Sale! 50% OFF!
Classic Staging LLC , 1349 Old 41 Hwy NW , Marietta
9:30 am - Van Jensen & Delilah S. Dawson - Godfall
Eagle Eye Book Shop , 2076 N Decatur Rd , Decatur
7:00 pm
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Tuesday January 6
Friday January 9
Tuesday January 13
📣 Decatur Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Noon Year's Eve Celebration
Scott Candler Library -
11:00 am - Noon Year's Eve
Decatur Library -
11:15 am - New Year's Eve Balloon Drop Family Swim Event
2846 Lavista Rd , Decatur
4:30 pm - A Moment Between - New Years Party at the Avondale Arts Center
Avondale Arts Center , 84 N Avondale Rd , Avondale Estates
8:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Decatur PatchAM possible:
- Mindful Learning Services LLC — (786) 554-8437
Intervention Specialist - Epiphany
Got a Startup With Purpose? Apply for 2026 Epiphany Grant! - Atlanta Expert Appliance Repair — (404) 834-5157
Servicing all brand major appliances - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Transit CPR LLC — (678) 856-6115
Life-Saving CPR Training to Your Team—Any time, Anywhere
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- There was a discussion on ND about the feasibility of restaurants giving food to those experiencing homelessness.
There were quite a few Hallmark comments on those posts, but here is the law, in case someone wants to turn their passion into action. Yes,… (Nextdoor Brook Glen) - Update: We spotted her today two yards down from us in a very overgrown and congested series of fences.
She seemed to respond to me calling her, so we will keep trying. Missing cat!!! Our indoor cat Ellis escaped the house early this morning and my dog… (Nextdoor Sargent Hills)
- Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for NORTH DECATUR Back of House Team Member in Decatur. Apply here.
- Ross Stores posted a job opening for Retail Associate in Decatur. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Decatur here.
Ok Decatur! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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