Clarkston, GA — After a brief executive session, the Clarkston city council voted unanimously to appoint the city’s finance director Dan Defnall as acting city manager. This follows the city parting ways with former city manager Shawanna Qawiy after accusations that she created a toxic work environment and signed contracts for the city without council […]

Decatur, GA — The DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce held its second city summit on Wednesday, Aug. 9, with several local mayors and city officials present to discuss topics such as workforce development, transportation, and affordable housing. The event featured a keynote address from Jay Gipson, managing partner of the Gipson Company, which is developing […]

DeKalb County, GA — At the DeKalb Board of Education’s Audit Committee meeting on Aug. 9, five of the seven board members were in attendance, and the discussion ranged from the audit and compliance department itself and the status of ongoing audits to how both inflation and delays have cost the district money. Director of […]

By David McFarland, contributor  Decatur, GA — A new school year has arrived, and that means it’s time for Decatur High School’s fall sports to kick off another season. The Bulldogs will be in action everywhere, from the football field to the volleyball court, and then some. Girls + Boys Cross Country  The Girls’ Cross […]

Avondale Estates, GA — The Avondale Estates City Commission had a chance to discuss plans for the Kensington MARTA Station with a representative from the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority during its work session on Aug. 9. The redevelopment project will bring hundreds of housing units and thousands of square feet of retail space. MARTA […]

By Atlanta News First staff ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — One person was killed in a shooting in Kirkwood on Wednesday evening, Atlanta police said. Police responded to a shooting near the intersection of Hosea L. Williams Drive SE and Howard Street NE. The shooting seems to have happened near Elmyriachi, a Tex-Mex restaurant. Atlanta […]

Decatur, GA — Road construction and repaving on Church Street and Commerce Drive in Decatur is expected to begin next week, weather permitting. The work will include Commerce Drive from its intersection with Clairemont Avenue to its intersection with Church Street, as well as Church Street from Commerce Drive to Forkner Drive, according to a city website. […]

By Abby Kousouris, Atlanta News First BREMEN, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — COVID-19 cases are on the rise here in Georgia and quickly. In the last week, The Centers for Disease Control reports more than 3,804 people tested positive and 309 people were hospitalized because of COVID-19. Dr. Amy Eubanks at Bremen Primary Care said […]

By Alexandra Parker, Atlanta News First Greater Decatur, GA — A Georgia State Patrol trooper shot at a driver during a car chase, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI said the shooting happened on Wednesday around 9:15 a.m. in Decatur. GSP troopers were helping the Atlanta Police Department find a stolen black […]

Clarkston, GA — Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks said Director of Police Services John Pearson has turned in his badge, gun, and city vehicle as of Aug. 9 and that he won’t be paid by the city after working there for about three weeks. Pearson’s departure comes as the city tries to move forward after parting ways […]