Good morning Decatur! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Tuesday Music Together Preview Class and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Decatur Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Decatur Patch AM possible.
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1. DeKalb County property tax bills are in the mail, property owners can sign up for e-alerts online (ocgnews.com) — If you own property in Decatur or elsewhere in DeKalb County, your 2026 tax bill is on the way, with options to pay online, by phone, mail, drop box, or in person at Decatur offices. You can split payments between September 30 and November 16, use new digital payment tools, and still remain responsible for deadlines even if a paper bill doesn't arrive.
2. Survey ranks Decatur among top small U.S. cities for AI-focused businesses (thechampionnewspaper.com) — Decatur has just been ranked the fifth-best small U.S. city for AI-focused business growth, thanks to its educated workforce, proximity to data centers, and connection to Atlanta's tech ecosystem. The survey highlights how Emory, Georgia Tech, and strong labor participation make Decatur especially attractive to AI companies, potentially shaping future jobs, investment, and economic opportunities close to home.
3. Report: No traces of Beacon Hill community left on ECLC site (decaturish.com) — City Schools of Decatur now has an archaeological green light to move forward with a proposed early childhood learning center on the former Beacon Hill/Allen Wilson Terrace site at 346 W. Trinity Place, after consultants found no remaining artifacts. The report documents the displaced Black Beacon Hill community and Muscogee history, while legal and funding questions still leave the $22 million project awaiting a final school board decision.
4. Decatur weighs Flock camera use amid privacy concerns (fox5atlanta.com) — Decatur officials are rethinking how the city uses Flock license plate reader cameras, balancing police claims of crime‑fighting value against residents' growing privacy and misuse concerns. A recent City Commission work session highlighted worries about data access and abuse, including reports of officers elsewhere allegedly using the technology to track people for personal reasons.
5. The Anchor School unveils new high school wing, more to come (decaturish.com) — A Decatur-based state charter school, The Anchor School, has opened a new high school wing for ninth graders, adding classrooms and a dining commons ahead of the 2026–27 year. Leaders plan more classrooms, labs, and creative spaces as they grow toward a full 6–12 program, emphasizing project-based learning, unique electives, and small cohorts that involve students in shaping their school's future.
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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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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