Stan Watson hosts DeKalb Community Cabinet Breakfast

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Monday, April 29th, 2013, 6:26pm

Stan Watson hosts DeKalb Community Cabinet Breakfast

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Commissioner Stan Watson's DeKalb Community Cabinet Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday at Chapel Hill Middle School.

The breakfast will run from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. For May, several guests are attending, including MARTA CEO and GM Keith Parker, Chief Cedric Alexander of the DCPD, Delores Crowell, Regional Manager of External Affairs for AT&T, and Debra Moss, Manager and Customer Relations of the Atlanta Gas Light Company.

The Black Top Circus will also give a special performance.

Chapel Hill Middle is located at 3535 Dogwood Farms Road in Decatur.

Commissioner Watson holds the breakfasts to join officials and the community. The breakfast is free to attend and open to the public.

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National Drug Take-Back Day

Submitted by Don Buckindail, Manager of Digital Content

Saturday, April 27th, 2013, 7:00am

It's an opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted and unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take-Back Initiative takes place Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in various locations throughout the state.

Find a drop off spot nearest you here.

In the five previous Take-Back events, the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners, have collected more than two million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medication from circulation. The National Prescription Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

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Motorist killed by flying tire on I-85 Friday morning

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 7:01pm

DEKALB COUNTY, GA -- A Tucker woman was killed Friday morning by a tire that flew across several lanes of traffic and through her windshield. Investigators said the tire came from a Cartersville man's pick-up truck.

As he was driving, it came off his vehicle and flew across the northbound side of the highway and over the median wall. It then hit and killed 47-year-old Avila Masuda of Tucker. She was driving in the opposite direction on I-85, just north of Clairmont road.

Family members said Masud was driving her 16-year-old daughter to high school in the HOV lane. The teen was sitting in the passenger seat during the accident, but was unharmed.

The wreck happened at about 8:30 a.m. Police say any charges will depend on what caused the vehicle's tire to come loose.

The family held a funeral service Friday night, in accordance with their Muslim tradition.

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Running around Metro Atlanta this weekend

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 2:53pm

ATLANTA - This weekend's race calendar includes runs in Norcross, Woodstock, Sandy Springs and Inman Park.

For the last weekend in April, runners can lace up their shoes starting Friday night.

The Atlanta edition of the Vampire 5K kicks off - for both vampires and citizens - Friday night at 7:45 at Six Flags Over Georgia. Racers will be able to pick up packets inside the pavilions underneath the Great American Scream Machine from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Race Day Registration is available for $55 per team or $60 per individual. The race course runs through service roads and parking lots, but also takes a jog through the amusement park itself. For more information, visit Vampire5k.com.

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Jobless rate drops to 7.9 percent

Submitted by Associated Press

Thursday, April 25th, 2013, 8:17am

ATLANTA -- Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate dropped to 7.9 percent in March, down four-tenths of a percentage point from 8.3 percent in February.

In DeKalb County, the jobless rate was 8.2 percent in March.

State labor officials said Thursday the rate declined because of an increase in the number of jobs and fewer new layoffs.

Metro Athens had the state's lowest jobless rate at 5.9 percent.

The Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.4 percent.

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4 ousted DeKalb School Board members ask for reinstatement

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, 7:43pm

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Four of the six DeKalb County School Board members removed from office by Gov. Nathan Deal have written formal requests for reinstatement.

The four - Pam Speaks, Sarah Copelin-Wood, Jesse Cunningham and Donna Elder - have submitted formal letters requesting that Deal reinstate them to their positions on the school board. Speaks made her request about a week ago.

MORE | Ongoing coverage of DeKalb School Board issues

All three, along with Jesse Cunningham, Nancy Jester and Eugene Walker, were removed from the nine-person school board in late February by Gov. Deal after a recommendation by a state panel examining the board and the school system.

Six people were named in March to replace the people ousted from the board.

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DeKalb Co. adding to Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Planning Board

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, 12:25pm

DeKalb Co. adding to Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Planning Board

(WXIA) -- The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners is seeking candidates to appoint to the Region Three Planning Board of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

A spokesman for DeKalb Co. said anyone can apply, but the Board prefers those with experience in mental health services.

The DBHDD works to give services and programs to residents with mental health, substance abuse disorders and developmental disabilities.

The Region Three Planning Board includes Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Counties. When it was established, the Board wanted to empower consumers in the area. Members come up with suggestions for the Board to help develop services and annual plans. Plus, members work along with public officials to fill any gaps in coverage and needs.

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners appoints all members, according to the spokesman.

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