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Hey, Druid Hills / North Decatur! This week: the neighborhood is remembering Emory's transformative former president James Laney, who died at 98, while the Decatur Book Festival just dropped a stacked 80+ author lineup for October. Meanwhile, DeKalb commissioners are weighing a jaw-dropping $233.8 million overhaul of the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, and DeKalb County launched a cow-tastic new art project.

- News — Emory mourns James Laney's legacy, Scottdale celebrates its heritage, and the Decatur Book Festival reveals its 2026 author roster.
- Events — Wild Heaven's Toco Hills stage stays busy all weekend with live music while runners lace up for a breast cancer 5K/10K along S Peachtree Creek Trail.
- Government — A $233.8M water plant contract, a new data center health study requirement, and sidewalk funding headline a packed DeKalb agenda awaiting minutes.
- Construction — Demolition prep hits Clifton Rd, a $500K AC overhaul wraps at Milscott Dr, and LaVista Rd's turn lane and signal work continue.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

James Laney, former ambassador to Korea and Emory University president, dies at 98
James Laney, who served as Emory University's president for sixteen years before being appointed U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, has died at 98. He is widely credited with transforming Emory into a nationally prominent research institution during his tenure.

Scottdale Day celebrates decades of community pride
Residents in Scottdale gathered to mark Scottdale Day, honoring the historic mill town's heritage with neighborhood festivities, local history showcases, and family activities.

DeKalb County shifts student assignment project focus to overcrowding in six clusters
The DeKalb County School District is seeking community feedback on the next phase of its Student Assignment Project, targeting classroom capacity and overcrowding in Lakeside, Cross Keys, Chamblee, Tucker, Dunwoody and Druid Hills clusters. The district-wide planning effort will inform facility expansions, closures and boundary adjustments set to begin in 2027.

Decatur Book Festival announces 2026 festival lineup with more than 80 authors
Organizers have unveiled the author roster for the 21st annual Decatur Book Festival, scheduled for October 2-3 in downtown Decatur. The free event will feature more than 80 authors spanning genres from literary fiction to graphic novels across several venues, including the new Decatur Square Stage.

Emory University student builds AI app to help manage ADHD
Malia Wakesho-Ajwang, a computer science student at Emory University, developed an AI-powered productivity platform designed to assist students managing ADHD. Inspired by her own diagnosis, the app condenses overwhelming task loads into prioritized daily goals.

DeKalb launches 'The Cows Are Coming' public art project
DeKalb County is launching a countywide public art campaign honoring its heritage as the historic "Dairy Capital of Georgia." The initiative will place decorated, life-sized fiberglass cow sculptures in communities across the county.

Brookhaven, Doraville, Tucker emerge as DeKalb County growth engines
A new regional business report highlights Brookhaven, Doraville, and nearby Tucker as prime economic growth corridors leading DeKalb County. The northern DeKalb cities continue to attract significant commercial investment, redevelopment initiatives, and incoming employers.

EVENTS | Presented by

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Monday, August 24
- AgLanta Eats: Neighbors + Flavors | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Tuesday, August 25
- Friends of the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Meeting | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Thursday, August 27
- Candler Fall Convocation and the Installation of Dean Terrence L. Johnson | Emory University

Friday, August 28
- Live Music: Mothman Mothband at 6:30 | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Friends of the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Book Sale | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- LATER: Rex Factor | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- August Front Yard Friday - Dale & Joe | Sagamore Hills Civic Association
- TinFish | Napoleon's Grill

Saturday, August 29
- Monolord with Khemmis | Wild Heaven Beer
- Blackfoot Daisy | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- CANN PRESENTS: YACHT ROCK REVUE – PRIMETIME | Chastain Park
- Disco Biscuits | Variety Playhouse
- Morning Hike | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Run for Breast Cancer 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | S Peachtree Creek Trail (Course Map will be emailed)
- Sloth Run 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | S Peachtree Creek Trail (Course Map will be emailed)
- Friends of the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Book Sale | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- So So Def Bass All Stars: 30 Year Anniversary | Londzell Performing Arts Theatre

Sunday, August 30
- Beatnik Cowpokes | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Commisioner's Town Hall Meeting | Sagamore Hills Civic Association

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
The Board's Committee of the Whole agenda this week was packed with big-ticket items, though minutes haven't been posted yet, so it's not yet clear what actually passed. Commissioners considered a massive $233.8 million contract to overhaul the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, along with nearly $18.2 million more for ongoing water and sewer repairs countywide, spending that will shape your water rates and service reliability for years. The agenda also included funding for sidewalk and trail projects, including a new protected pedestrian crossing on Flat Shoals Parkway and an extension of the Michelle Obama Trail, plus a slate of proposed ordinances covering noise limits, pet store sales, blasting safety, and a requirement for an independent health study before the county's data center moratorium could be lifted. Separately, the Board held a Special Called Meeting where members voted only on procedural motions to enter and exit closed executive session and reviewed upcoming agendas, with no public votes on spending or policy.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners | Aug-25, 9:00 AM | key topics: $233.8M Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant overhaul, data center impact study requirements, Flat Shoals Parkway sidewalks, Michelle Obama Trail extension, and retail pet sales restrictions
- DeKalb County School District — Policy Committee | Aug-26 | key topics: policies on school law enforcement interrogations, student assignment, artificial intelligence guidelines, and literacy program goals
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education | Aug-27 | key topics: stadium and gymnasium electrical renovations, E-SPLOST VI progress updates, capital financing options, and green space partnerships

CONSTRUCTION

Permits
- 1405 Clifton Rd NE — Permit filed for a temporary construction trailer to sit onsite during a demolition project. Expect some noise and equipment traffic near Emory as this one gets underway.
- 1273 S Ponce de Leon Ave NE — Commercial permit application in for paving work. Still needs additional materials before it's approved.
- 699 Ponce de Leon Ave NE — Electrical permit issued to replace the main breaker. The job requires a same-day service disconnect and reconnect, so don't be surprised by a brief power interruption in the area.
- 2685 Milscott Dr — A $500,000 commercial permit closed out for AC replacement and duct work. That's a serious investment in the building's infrastructure.
- 2685 Milscott Dr Ste 200 — Medical office at this address closed out two permits, one for general modifications and another for adding three new sinks. Sounds like a practice expansion or renovation wrapped up.
- Woodland Hills Dr NE — A $53,000 residential permit closed for a front porch addition with a roof, plus extended eaves. Nice upgrade for curb appeal on this one.
- 1925 Ridgewood Dr — Interior basement remodel closed out, adding a family room, office, gym, and bathroom finish. A full basement buildout like this signals more livable square footage for the home.
- 1634 Ponce de Leon Ave NE — Multi-family permit issued for a like-for-like window replacement, three windows total. No structural changes, so minimal disruption expected.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 236 / LaVista Rd EB @ SR 155 / Clairmont Rd Left Turn Lane Extension — Crews are extending the left turn lane on SR 236 / LaVista Rd at the Clairmont Rd intersection.
- SR 236 / LaVista Rd & Shepherds Ln Signal Upgrade — This project is upgrading the traffic signal at SR 236 / LaVista Rd and Shepherds Ln.

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Until next week,
Druid Hills / North Decatur Busybody

Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.