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City of Decatur and Surrounding Area News
Decatur awards food cart licenses to King of Pops, Buenos Dias Café, and Icing on the Cake
Decatur, GA — The city of Decatur has awarded licenses to three mobile food cart vendors as part of a new food cart program. Starting Aug. 1, Buenos Dias Café, Icing on the Cake and King of Pops will be able to operate food carts in the city, according to a press release. “We are thrilled […]
(PHOTOS) Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights holds Back-to-School Supply Drive
Decatur,GA — The Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights put on a Back-to-School Supply Drive for the new school year in the upper parking lot of Decatur High School on Thursday, July 27. The drive was held in partnership with City Schools of Decatur and sponsored by Davis Bozeman Law Firm with support from […]
Accusations fly at Clarkston town hall that prompted resignation of city councilmember
Clarkston, GA — The city of Clarkston held a town hall meeting on July 27 to hear public input about recent problems at city hall involving City Manager Shawanna Qawiy. The meeting’s highlights included accusations, bizarre statements from the city manager’s brother about the racial purity of the city’s police chief, and the surprise resignation of […]
Clarkston Councilmember Susan Hood resigns, giving city manager job security
This story has been updated. Clarkston, GA — Clarkston City Manager Shawanna Qawiy, who has faced allegations of creating a toxic work environment and questions about how the city has awarded contracts, will keep her job through January, if not longer. City Councilmember Susan Hood, who was one of three votes in favor of taking action […]
DeKalb DA announces indictment of Decatur man accused of blowing up North DeKalb Mall ATM
DeKalb County, GA — On July 27, the DeKalb County District Attorney announced the indictment of Abdurrahim Jalal, 53, who is accused of blowing up an ATM at North DeKalb Mall back in March. “Abdurrahim Jalal, 53, was indicted Wednesday by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on charges of Use of a Destructive Device with Intent […]
Clarkston’s police director sworn in; police chief asked him to turn in his badge, gun and vehicle
Clarkston, GA — Earlier this month, Clarkston City Manager Shawanna Qawiy demoted Police Chief Christine Hudson and hired John Pearson as the city’s director of police services. There’s a problem, however. Pearson was never sworn in as a city officer and wasn’t on the city’s payroll, but was still issued a badge, gun, and city police […]
Judge: Opponents of public safety training center can collect votes
By Tim Darnell, Atlanta News First ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A federal judge on Thursday ruled in favor of DeKalb County residents who were seeking to collect signatures for a referendum on the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. According to the Stop Cop City Vote Coalition, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Howard […]
Avondale Estates, Stone Mountain hosting National Night Out events on Aug. 1
DeKalb County, GA — Local police departments will be hosting national night out events on Aug. 1. The Avondale Estates Police Department will be hosting an event from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Town Green, located at 64 N. Avondale Road. The family-friendly event will kick off the start of the new […]
Toll Brothers townhome project nearly complete in Avondale Estates
Avondale Estates, GA — Toll Brothers is building 33 townhomes in Avondale Estates and the project is near completion. The Avondale Estates City Commission, at its July 26 meeting, discussed the final plat and infrastructure for the project. The project is located at 3039 Wells Street. The city commission will vote at its next regular […]
Clarkston City Council plans town hall, shows no signs of acting on allegations against city manager
Clarkston, GA — Nearly a week after Clarkston’s finance director raised questions about payment requests he received from City Manager Shawanna Qawiy, Clarkston’s City Council shows no signs that it plans to take any action or investigate the matter further. A new legal analysis by the city attorney obtained by Decaturish raises new questions about contracts […]