Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How unmarked graves are reshaping Decatur’s South Columbia Drive trail plans
You won't want to miss Holidays on Peachtree Street on the Decatur Patch calendar
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:
- How unmarked graves are reshaping Decatur’s South Columbia Drive trail plans
- Free gun safes offered after child’s accidental shooting in DeKalb
- How a Decatur-based food drive turned donations into thousands of meals
Also on today's calendar: Holidays on Peachtree Street and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Decatur? Post it to Decatur photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estatesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 57 and low of 42 degrees.
- Thursday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 58, low: 40.
- Friday: Sunny and breezy, with a high of 51 and low of 29 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Decatur approves additional funds after unmarked graves delay trail project (wsbradio.com) — Decatur’s City Commission has approved over $52,000 to keep the South Columbia Drive multi-use path project moving after unmarked graves were discovered along the route. Engineers will redesign the trail’s northern entrance to avoid the burial sites, delaying completion by about six months but preserving the graves while construction continues under extended oversight. 
2. Girl will survive accidental shooting, father charged (wsbtv.com) — A young child is expected to survive after DeKalb police say she accidentally shot herself at a Turnberry Place apartment, and her father now faces charges. For Decatur residents, police highlight that free gun safes are available at all precincts, including the South Precinct on H.F. Shepherd Drive, to help prevent similar tragedies.
3. DeKalb County Tax Commissioner's Office collects more than 3,770 pounds of food during annual holiday food drive (ocgnews.com) — Based out of Decatur, the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office and partner agencies collected more than 3,770 pounds of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank this holiday season. Donations from visitors at multiple tax office locations will translate into over 3,440 meals for families in DeKalb and neighboring communities, continuing a growing annual tradition of local generosity.
4. Investigation underway after FedEx truck accident claims life of elderly man (roughdraftatlanta.com) — An elderly man was killed when a FedEx truck hit him near the Tucker Target, and a day earlier another pedestrian was injured near East Parkwood Road and West Ponce de Leon Avenue in the Decatur area. Police say DeKalb has seen 284 pedestrian crashes this year, while Tucker officials advance sidewalk and road projects aimed at improving walkability and safety.
5. DeKalb District Attorney Boston congratulates 2025 STRIDE graduates, highlighting second chances for young adults (ocgnews.com) — In Decatur, 17 young adults have just graduated from DeKalb County’s STRIDE pretrial diversion program, earning dismissal of their charges after a year of strict requirements. The initiative, run from the District Attorney’s office, combines counseling, work or school, community service, and restorative justice to reduce incarceration and help participants move into jobs and civic life across DeKalb.
📸 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 ★
- Holidays on Peachtree Street
The Church at Ponce & Highland, 1085 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta
7:00 pm - 11th Annual Procrastinator's Pop-up
4580 Lakeshore Dr, Pine Lake
11:00 am
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Holiday Jingle Jam with Seniors
2711 Lawrenceville Hwy , Decatur
10:00 am - Open Technology Lab
Decatur Library -
11:00 am - Resistance Bands Exercise Class
Decatur Library -
12:00 pm - Caregiver Support Group
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce , 125 Clairemont Ave #235 , Decatur
4:00 pm - Decatur Screen on the Green: “Happy Feet” and free popcorn
Ebster Recreation Center , 105 Electric Ave , Decatur
6:00 pm - A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring The Kyle Bryant Trio
Eddie's Attic , 515 N McDonough St , Decatur
7:00 pm - Game Center Open
Oakhurst Elementary Decatur, GA 30030
8:00 am - Jewelry with Gin
Decatur Library -
11:00 am - The [censored] Memorial Quilt: Honoring Lives, Inspiring Change
Decatur Library -
1:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
📣 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
- Learning Spaces
Scott Candler Library -
10:00 am - DeKalb Public Health Outreach
Decatur Library -
10:00 am - BSSG: Morning Mastermind: Let's Get New Ideas Brewing
Quality Coaching Company , 2310 Parklake Dr. NE , Atlanta
10:00 am - Joyous Club
Flat Shoals Library -
10:30 am
Wednesday December 17
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:
- Epiphany
Got a Startup With Purpose? Apply for 2026 Epiphany Grant! - Atlanta Expert Appliance Repair — (404) 834-5157
Servicing all brand major appliances - Mindful Learning Services LLC — (786) 554-8437
Intervention Specialist
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- UPDATE!!!
All spots are filled! Thank you to EVERYONE that signed up to volunteer! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Calling all volunteers. We need volunteers for our… (Nextdoor Hairston Forest South) - We celebrate Noche Buena;
a big dinner with traditional fare, late in the evening, on Christmas Eve. Some attend church services before the meal, while others attend at… (Nextdoor Briarlake)
- Mathnasium posted a job opening for Math Instructor / Tutor in Decatur. Apply here.
- Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team 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 don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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