DeKalb County Police bodycam video shows a handcuffed man being pulled away from his home toward a mobile crisis unit vehicle, his breathing loud and labored. The man, Arben Pilici, 49, died after he was placed in the back of the vehicle while officers and a social worker stood outside in conversation, according to a […]
Tag: DeKalb County
Posted inColumns
An unlikely duo tackles homelessness and new kind of extended-stay mindset
While a recent hotel closure in Roswell revealed some of the worst conditions found in extended-stay properties, Edward Fernandez runs a hotel he describes as the opposite — clean, secure, and centered on dignity. His 1st Place Hotel, located off Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur, took in several residents from the Economy Hotel, which was […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
New DeKalb schools superintendent addresses plans, teacher shortage for school year
Earlier this month, new DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton met with the press to announce his plans for a successful school year. Horton was appointed superintendent on Jun. 29 and began work on Jul. 1. He began his address by announcing this year’s theme, “disrupting for excellence.” He says the theme references […]
Posted inColumns
In DeKalb’s protest politics, ‘park reopening’ doesn’t mean what you think it means
Even in the creative political wordplay that abounds in the “Defend the Atlanta Forest” and “Cop City” protest controversies, it’s pretty special when the words “park reopening” don’t mean what you think they means. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond last month announced a $1.8 million “plan to reopen” Intrenchment Creek Park, which he ordered closed […]
Posted inHannah Jones
DeKalb County releases new tool to encourage developers to purchase, clean-up contaminated sites
These plots are referred to as “brownfields,” a site where development and reuse are impacted by environmental contamination.
Posted inLatest News
World’s greenest film studio opens its doors in DeKalb County
Electric Owl Studios is the world’s first LEED Gold-certified studio campus.
Posted inLatest News
Three Georgia counties receive more than $3.2M for railroad crossing fixes
Three Georgia counties – including two in metro Atlanta – will receive more than $3.2 million in federal funds for projects aimed at eliminating crashes and blockages at railroad crossings. One project in DeKalb County is just down the street from the City of Atlanta’s controversial new public safety training center project. The funding is […]
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond reflects on his leadership journey
The State of DeKalb County lunch on April 26 had a railroad theme – partly because it was held at Pullman Yards – which once built the luxury Pullman passenger train cars.
Posted inLatest News
Land-swap lawsuit defendant seeks documents from media and activists, raising First Amendment objections
Attorneys for the developer sued for a DeKalb County parkland swap have demanded extensive internal documents from media and activists, raising First Amendment objections.
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb issues land disturbance permit for training center; commissioner may appeal
DeKalb County has approved a land disturbance permit for the public safety training center, but opponents may appeal.
Posted inColumns, John Ruch
A model airplane club defends the Atlanta forest, but is targeted by destructive protests
As controversy over the “Defend the Atlanta Forest” protest movement escalates into terrorism charges and civil liberties infringements, you’d be forgiven for having no idea that a big piece of it revolves around model airplanes.
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb parkland owner demolishes park entrance after protester arrests
The owner of DeKalb County parkland he obtained in a controversial land swap has demolished a park entrance and structures in the wake of arrests of protesters who have long occupied the site.
Posted inLatest News
Group questions legality of public safety training center’s runoff and footprint
Construction of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center may be legally barred by a pollution-runoff cap, according to an attorney for an environmental group that is also questioning the legality of the facility’s footprint.
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb commissioner again retreats from resolution on deeper training center review
Just days after renewing a call for deeper review of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center plan, a DeKalb County commissioner says he will withdraw the resolution due to lack of “consensus.”
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb commissioner renews request for deeper review of Atlanta training center plan
DeKalb County District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry is taking a second shot at calling for deeper review of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center plan.
Posted inLatest News
Arabia Mountain: 50 years and 2,000+ acres later
Over the last few decades Arabia Mountain has become a landmark in metro Atlanta.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
South River Forest civic engagement work can help bridge divide
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Nature Conservancy publicly kicked off its South River Forest Community Engagement process at a meeting Saturday morning at DeKalb County’s impressive Sugar Creek Golf & Tennis Center off Bouldercrest Road.
