🌱 Patch AM: Will Decatur city workers see extra cash in their next paycheck?

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:

• Will Decatur city workers see extra cash in their next paycheck?
• How a former recovery house in Oakhurst is transforming women’s futures
• Need a free gun safe? Here’s where Decatur families can go

Also on today's calendar: Holidays on Peachtree Street and 8 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Decatur? Post it to Decatur photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 53 and low of 32 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 55, low: 41.
• Thursday: A shower in the p.m.; breezy, with a high of 61 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Decatur commission to discuss pay raises for city employees (wsbtv.com) — Decatur city commissioners are set to consider one-time merit-based bonus payments of $500 or $1,000 for eligible city employees at their Monday meeting, aiming to offset rising living and health insurance costs. The proposal, backed by City Manager Andrea Arnold, would cover part-time and full-time staff who worked specified hours since July 1, including school crossing guards and after-school counselors.
   

2. New Oakhurst women's program to provide transitional housing, wraparound support (saportareport.com) — A newly renovated house next to Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur will soon provide transitional housing and workforce development for up to 11 women experiencing homelessness in DeKalb County. Run by Georgia Works with local partners, the Oakhurst-based program offers mental health care, medical support, and job readiness services, a move Decatur’s mayor says will help women rebuild stable, independent lives.
   

3. Police say young girl expected to survive after accidentally shooting self in Stonecrest, father facing charges (11alive.com) — A young girl is expected to recover after accidentally shooting herself in a Stonecrest apartment, and her father now faces criminal charges. DeKalb County Police are urging safer gun storage and are offering free gun safes at all precincts, including the South Precinct on H.F. Shepherd Drive in Decatur, where residents can pick one up on weekdays.
   

4. DeKalb County announces retirement of Director of Public Safety Joseph Lumpkin (ocgnews.com) — DeKalb County, based in Decatur, has announced that longtime Director of Public Safety Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin will retire on December 31, 2025, after leading major improvements in policing, fire services, 911, and emergency management. He’ll stay on through February 2026 to help with the transition, and county leaders say a detailed succession plan will be shared in the coming weeks.
   

5. Fulton County approves $15.8 million for behavioral health (roughdraftatlanta.com) — Fulton County has renewed $15.8 million in behavioral health contracts, including $2.3 million for Step Up on Second Street in Decatur to provide supportive housing for 250 units. The funding will help more than 7,000 people countywide through school-based services, clinics, and housing support, significantly expanding access to mental health care.
   

📸 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 ★

Saturday December 20

• Holidays on Peachtree Street
  The Church at Ponce & Highland, 1085 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• 11th Annual Procrastinator's Pop-up
  4580 Lakeshore Dr, Pine Lake
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 17

• Holiday Jingle Jam with Seniors
  2711 Lawrenceville Hwy , Decatur
  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
• Ribbon Cutting at L&L Crafty Finds
  DeKalb Chamber of Commerce , 4421 Glenwood Rd Suite 600 , Decatur
  1:00 pm
• An Afternoon of Sewing with Jessica
  Decatur Library -
  3:00 pm
• Stitches and Stuff
  Decatur Library -
  3:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• 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 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 16

• Toddler Storytime
  Clarkston Library -
  10:30 am
• Preschool Storytime
  Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library -
  11:00 am
• Building Blocks
  Flat Shoals Library -
  11:00 am
• Gingerbread Houses and The Grinch
  Scott Candler Library -
  2:00 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:

• Epiphany
  Got a Startup With Purpose? Apply for 2026 Epiphany Grant!
• Atlanta Expert Appliance Repair — (404) 834-5157
  Servicing all brand major appliances

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

• Help us find Kitty!
  If anyone has seen our cat, please let us know as the temps are plunging and she is not home as usual! She was home this early morning but hasn’t… (Nextdoor Diamond Head)
• Anybody missing 2 puppies??
  Found on Glenwood near Austin. They have collars but no tags. It’s freezing out and they were in the middle of the road. (Nextdoor Green Forrest)

• Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Decatur. Apply here.
• Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk 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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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