🌱 Patch AM: 2 New Flu-Related GA Deaths As DeKalb Cases Climb

Hi Decatur! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Flu-related 911 calls surge as DeKalb officials urge vigilance
• Are you missing out on a 2026 DeKalb homestead tax break?
• Where can Decatur residents legally drop off old tires?

Also on today's calendar: Kate Dramis & Julian Barnes - The Odds of You and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Sunny and not as cool, with a high of 59 and low of 40 degrees.
• Friday: A few afternoon showers, temps: high: 58, low: 48.
• Saturday: Periods of rain, with a high of 58 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2 New Flu-Related GA Deaths As DeKalb Cases Climb (patch.com) — DeKalb County officials are warning residents about a sharp rise in flu-related 911 calls and urging people, including those in Decatur, to watch for severe symptoms that may signal complications like pneumonia. With Georgia now in a very high flu category, local emergency partners outline when to call 911, how nurse navigation may redirect non-emergencies, and steps like vaccination, hygiene, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
   

2. Online filing for DeKalb County homestead exemptions opens Jan. 1 (ocgnews.com) — If you own and live in a home in Decatur or elsewhere in DeKalb County, you can apply online for homestead and special senior or disability exemptions between Jan. 1 and April 1 to lower your property taxes. You’ll need DeKalb-based vehicle registration, a Georgia ID at your home address, and supporting income or disability documents for special exemptions.
   

3. Dumping old tires is illegal. Here's what to do instead (wsbtv.com) — If you’ve got old tires piling up in Decatur, you can’t legally dump them, store too many at home, or take them to a landfill. Instead, the state recommends using permitted recyclers, local tire collection events, or CHaRM centers, including the Decatur location, to safely and legally dispose of them.
   

4. Auburn expected to lose true freshman WR to transfer portal, per report (saturdaydownsouth.com) — Auburn wide receiver Sam Turner, a true freshman from Decatur plans to enter the transfer portal with four years of eligibility left. While he saw little playing time this season, his departure adds to a growing exodus of Tigers wideouts and slightly dims the local bragging rights for Decatur fans following his SEC career.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday January 2

• 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

Saturday January 3

• 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
• The [censored] Memorial Quilt: Honoring Lives, Inspiring Change
  Decatur Library -
  1:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Kate Dramis & Julian Barnes - The Odds of You
  Eagle Eye Book Shop , 2076 N Decatur Rd , Decatur
  7:00 pm

Friday January 9

• Warehouse Liquidation FINAL Sale! 50% OFF!
  Classic Staging LLC , 1349 Old 41 Hwy NW , Marietta
  9:30 am

Tuesday January 13

• Van Jensen & Delilah S. Dawson - Godfall
  Eagle Eye Book Shop , 2076 N Decatur Rd , Decatur
  7:00 pm

📣 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

Thursday January 1

• Art Exhibit: Savannah Summer '73
  Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library -
  10:00 am

Friday January 2

• New Year's Scavenger Hunt
  Hairston Crossing Library -
• Take & Make: Vision Boards
  Flat Shoals Library -
• Take & Make: Polar Plate String Art
  Redan-Trotti Library -

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:

• Atlanta Expert Appliance Repair — (404) 834-5157
  Servicing all brand major appliances
• Epiphany
  Got a Startup With Purpose? Apply for 2026 Epiphany Grant!
• 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
• Mindful Learning Services LLC — (786) 554-8437
  Intervention Specialist

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

• Hi Neighbors,
  My 4 year old German Shepherd is missing. He was last seen on Emerald North Drive. His name is Shadow. If you see him, please contact me. He’s a… (Nextdoor Emerald Estates)
• Missing a pet?...
  a female pit showed up at our front door this morning. We live off Boring Road, call (404)957-7221 for more information. (Nextdoor Woodland Hills)

• Dunkin' posted a job opening for Team Member in Decatur. Apply here.
• Goodwin Recruiting posted a job opening for Assistant Manager- Fast Casual 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 just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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