🌱 Patch AM: Why won’t DeKalb officials say when Decatur’s jail escape was discovered?

Hello again Decatur! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why won’t DeKalb officials say when Decatur’s jail escape was discovered?
• Could your Decatur business face a multimillion-dollar verdict like this?
• Got old tires in Decatur? Here’s how to ditch them legally

Also on today's calendar: Kate Dramis & Julian Barnes - The Odds of You and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Turning sunny and colder, with a high of 40 and low of 27 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 49, low: 35.
• Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 56 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. DeKalb County sheriff won't clarify timeline of inmate escape (atlantanewsfirst.com) — DeKalb County Jail in Decatur is under scrutiny after three inmates escaped, allegedly kidnapped a Lyft driver, and were later caught in Florida, while officials still won’t clarify when the escape was discovered or the public alerted. Investigators say the men exploited security weaknesses at the aging jail, even as county leaders have already approved millions for repairs. Residents are left with unanswered questions about oversight and safety.
   

2. Recent Georgia Jury Verdicts (jdsupra.com) — A federal jury recently ordered a Memorial Drive motel in Decatur to pay $40 million to a trafficking survivor, underscoring how seriously courts now treat business negligence. Another DeKalb County jury hit a spa with a $13 million verdict over assaults by an unlicensed masseur. Local business owners are urged to tighten training, security, and compliance to avoid similar liability.
   

3. Dumping old tires is illegal. Here's what to do instead (wsbtv.com) — Decatur residents stuck with old tires have several legal options that don’t involve dumping them in woods or landfills. State rules limit how many tires you can store or haul, but CHaRM centers serving Atlanta, Decatur, and Athens, plus local collection events and permitted carriers, can help you recycle them safely and avoid fines.
   

4. Deaths of Notable Christian Leaders in 2025 (ministrywatch.com) — One of 2025’s notable Christian leaders with Decatur ties was Walter Brueggemann, a renowned Old Testament scholar who long taught at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. This roundup remembers him and other influential pastors, theologians, and ministry leaders who died this year, highlighting how their teaching, activism, and organizations shaped churches across the country and world.
   

📸 Around Decatur

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Decatur

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 31

• Noon Year's Eve
  Decatur Library -
  11:15 am

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

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

📣 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

Tuesday December 30

• Preschool Yoga
  Northlake-Barbara Loar Library -
  11:30 am
• Cricut Creations
  Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library -
  1:00 pm
• New Year's Eve Headband
  Embry Hills Library -
  2:00 pm
• Wesley Chapel Book Club (In-Person & Online)
  Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library -
  6:00 pm

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
• 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!

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

• She was just reunited with her owners ♥️
  Lost dog found in Oak Grove Sunday 12/28. If you believe this is your dog please dm w dog’s name and description. (Nextdoor Oak Grove Road)
• Walk for Peace!
  Walk map included in this post from facebook/meta. Hope to be able to cheer the monks along their journey. Buddhist monks cross into Georgia during… (Nextdoor Toney Valley)

• Dunkin' posted a job opening for Shift Leader in Decatur. Apply here.
• Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Cashier 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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