Emory / Druid Hills: Trails, Toast, and the Great Doughnut Departure

Good morning, Emory and Druid Hills! Spring is officially in the air, which means it's time for farmers markets, fresh trails, and unfortunately, a few more orange cones on North Druid Hills. Today we're catching you up on a legendary brain surgeon, a heartbreaking doughnut departure, and why your commute might be getting a scenic upgrade very soon.

- Big Stories — From trail expansions to legendary local legends, we've got the scoop on everything shifting the landscape of the neighborhood this week.
- Local Business Updates — We're saying a tearful goodbye to a doughnut icon this week.
- Upcoming Events — Whether you want to learn ancient hieroglyphs, hunt for Easter eggs, or see a world-famous violinist at Emory, your social calendar is about to be booked solid.
- Local Government Discussion — We're breaking down the latest on school boundary tweaks and why DeKalb leaders are hitting the "pause" button on massive data centers.
- Development & Construction Nearby — Between hospital safety glow-ups and some truly aggressive potholes on Oakdale, here's where to watch your step (and your tires) this week.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

DeKalb County Schools makes changes to closure list (March 23, 2026) The "maybe" list for school closures just got a major makeover. DeKalb is walking back some of those scary redistricting plans after hearing from plenty of loud (and rightfully stressed) parents, so you'll want to check if your local spot is still on the hot seat.

Popular South Peachtree Creek greenway scores money for expansion (March 16, 2026) Your weekend walk (or stressful commute) might actually get a scenic upgrade very soon. Fresh funding was just approved to stretch the South Peachtree Creek Trail all the way from I-85 to Emory, providing some much-needed off-street access to our local job hubs and retail centers.

Emory neurosurgery chair Dr. Daniel Barrow wins 2026 Lifetime Achievement award (March 19, 2026) It turns out we have a literal legend in the neighborhood. Dr. Daniel Barrow has spent over three decades leading Emory's neurosurgery department, and he's finally being toasted for a lifetime of fixing brains and training the next generation of docs—talk about a solid resume.

DeKalb County water department to close part of North Druid Hills for sewer main repair (March 18, 2026) Consider this your official "avoid this road" warning for the week. The county is digging in for sewer repairs on a chunk of North Druid Hills, so expect some orange cones and the inevitable traffic headache near our favorite shortcuts.

Parents question DeKalb Schools' storm safety protocols after tornado confirmed near 3 campuses (March 18, 2026) Last week's EF-0 tornado touchdown left more than just fallen trees in its wake. Local parents are now demanding answers on why kids weren't moved to safer areas of their schools faster when the sirens started blaring—definitely a conversation to keep an eye on at the next board meeting.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Sublime Doughnuts - closing - Pouring one out for our favorite Briarcliff sugar haunt. After nearly ten years of serving up those iconic star-shaped treats at the Village at Druid Hills, they've officially turned off the fryers. Our morning coffee breaks just got a lot less sweet, and we're going to miss that A-Town Cream fix.
(March 17, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get ready to clear your calendar — the neighborhood has plenty going on this week. From the legendary Itzhak Perlman at Emory to Easter egg hunts around the area, there's no shortage of reasons to get out of the house. Whether you're hunting for Easter eggs or diving into ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, this is the week to get out and explore.

Monday, March 23
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Mason Mill Walking Trail
- 2026 Healthcare Ethics Consortium Annual Conference: The Stories We Tell | Emory Conference Center Hotel
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library
- Toddler Storytime | Avis Williams Library
- JWJI Colloquium featuring Adia Harvey Wingfield | Emory Bookstore
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library

Tuesday, March 24
- Preschool Prom | Avis Williams Library
- Mahjong new club meet up | Druid Hills Civic Association
- Jean Becker & Collamore at the Carter Presidential Library | Eagle Eye Book Shop
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park

Wednesday, March 25
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library
- AI and Pediatrics Mini-Symposium | Emory University
- Drop-In Technology Support | Avis Williams Library
- Decatur Farmers Market | First Baptist Church of Decatur

Thursday, March 26
- Resistance Bands Exercise Class | Avis Williams Library
- Turkish Lecture 2026 | Emory Conference Center Hotel
- Theater Emory: BRIGHT STAR | Mary Gray Munroe Theater
- Itzhak Perlman | Cherry Logan Emerson Concert Hall
- Twilight in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Friday, March 27
- Friday Movies: Rental Family | Avis Williams Library
- Piper & the Hard Times | Rod Hamdallah | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
- March Front Yard Friday - Chris Rapalje and Keith Petroni | Sagamore Hills

Saturday, March 28
- Morning Hikes | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- David George Haskell and Sally Bethea at Trees Atlanta | Eagle Eye Book Shop
- Decatur Easter Egg Hunt | First Baptist Church of Decatur

Sunday, March 29
- Sunday FUNday: Write like an Egyptian - Hieroglyphs | Michael C. Carlos Museum
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- VaHi Yard Sale | Virginia Highland District
- Egg Hunt | Candler Park

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

The DeKalb County School District's Policy Committee spent its March 19 meeting doing some heavy-duty housekeeping on the rules that govern daily life in local schools. While "policy review" might sound like a snooze, the items on the table—ranging from who can give the district money to where your kids actually go to school—are the foundation for how the district operates.

The most significant item for families in the Emory and Druid Hills area is the review of Student Assignment (Policy JBCC). This policy is the rulebook for school boundaries, attendance zones, and the transfer process. While the committee didn't whip out a red pen to redraw any specific maps this week, they are refining the criteria that dictate how those assignments are made. For a neighborhood where school choice and enrollment numbers are always hot topics at the dinner table, this is the "foundational" paperwork that eventually leads to those big boundary-change meetings we all know and love.

Meanwhile, the committee also tackled the business of "Gifts and Bequests" and "Solicitations." Essentially, they are tightening up the rules on how schools accept donations and who is allowed to sell goods or hand out flyers on campus. They also took a look at "Administrative Records" to ensure the district is keeping (and tossing) paperwork according to state law.

But here's the thing: a late addition to the agenda was a new Equity Policy (Policy BAC). This policy is designed to codify the district's commitment to distributing resources and opportunities fairly across all schools. It's a high-level document, but it sets the stage for how the board will prioritize spending and program placement in the coming years.

Also worth noting: All of these policies were presented as "First Reads" or were being prepped for action. This means nothing is set in stone just yet. These recommendations will now move toward the full Board of Education for further debate and a final vote. If you have strong feelings about how student transfers are handled or how equity is defined in DeKalb, now is the time to start paying attention before these hits the "Final Vote" stage.

The committee is slated to pick these discussions back up at their next meeting on April 23, 2026.

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

It was a quiet week at the APS Center for Learning and Leadership. The Policy Review Committee met on Thursday, but with only three of nine voting members present, they lacked a quorum and couldn't take any official action. However, that didn't stop the present members from diving into some "discussion only" items that could eventually change your student's daily routine.

On the agenda for discussion: screen time limits and tablet usage in schools. The committee is looking at how to strike a better balance between high-tech learning and traditional classroom engagement. They also had student attendance tracking (Policy JB) on the docket, which governs how the district monitors who's showing up and when—any tweaks here usually result in those automated "your child was marked absent" phone calls that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere.

Meanwhile, for the high school crowd, the board had the role of community service in graduation requirements listed for discussion. They are weighing how those hours are tracked and whether the current hurdles are helping or just giving seniors one more thing to stress about. Also worth noting: the "Accountability Commission" met the day prior, but in a move that feels peak bureaucratic, the official minutes recorded "No Minutes." They spent a chunk of time in an Executive Session to discuss confidential matters like personnel and litigation.

But here's the thing: while no major actions were taken this week, these agenda items set the stage for the next full board meeting. Expect the screen time debate and the attendance policy updates to resurface once enough board members actually show up to make it official.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

DeKalb leaders spent the week wrestling with the county's literal plumbing and its digital future. The biggest item on the table was a $300,000 deep dive into the county's Water and Sewer system. Essentially, the county is trying to decide if it should keep running the pipes as-is, outsource the work, or create an independent "Water and Sewer Authority." It's a move toward long-term stability for a system that has seen its fair share of headlines over the years.

Meanwhile, the county is looking to hit the "pause" button on data centers. A new resolution would require a third-party baseline assessment of health and environmental impacts before any new data centers get the green light. If you've heard the roar of cooling fans from these massive facilities in other Georgia counties, you'll understand why DeKalb wants to check the vibes (and the noise levels) first.

The commissioners also took a look at some futuristic and literal "ground-breaking" policies. Commissioner Ted Terry introduced an "AI Tech Dividend Fund" proposal, though the specifics of how the fund would work are still being developed. On the more traditional side of things, a new "Control Blasting and Safety Ordinance" is in the works to keep a tighter leash on developers using explosives to clear land. All of these items, along with a controversial proposal to crack down on "unauthorized camping" and public nuisances, were moved forward to this coming Tuesday's full board meeting for a final say.

In terms of regional housekeeping, the committee gave the thumbs up to spend nearly $840,000 on airfield repairs at PDK Airport and approved various park improvements across the county.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners, March 24, 2026 at 9:00 AM – The Board is ready to open the checkbook, with over $45 million in sewer and water infrastructure contracts up for approval and $22 million earmarked for a new fleet of police and administrative vehicles. They will also hold final discussions on the data center health studies and the new "unauthorized camping" ordinance. A residential deannexation request in Stone Mountain is also on the docket.
- Committee of the Whole, March 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM
- Board of Commissioners - Zoning Meeting, March 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM – This is the one to watch if you care about local traffic. The headliner is a controversial proposal from Scope Builders to put a gas station and a drive-through pharmacy on North Decatur Road. The Planning Commission has already recommended a "no" on this one, so expect a spirited debate when it hits the commissioners' desks. The board will also weigh in on various cottage home and senior housing developments across the county.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 1364 & 1365 Clifton Rd NE — Emory University Hospital is undergoing a major safety "glow-up." Between multiple fire alarm renovations, sprinkler modifications, and a lobby-level medical suite renovation in Clinic A, expect to see plenty of technicians and service vans around the complex.
- Lavista Rd — Make room for a massive newcomer. A permit was closed for a $550K project to build a 7,000-square-foot single-family home. With a basement and two stories of new construction, the crews will likely be making some noise on this stretch for a while.
- Oxford Rd — Someone is treating themselves to a serious upgrade. A $400K renovation is in the works for a two-story home, adding a new primary suite and a covered porch. It sounds like the perfect spot for some high-end lounging once the dust settles.
- 855 Emory Point Dr NE — It's out with the old and in with the new for the HVAC system at Emory Point. Not the most glamorous update, but we'll all appreciate that fresh AC once the Georgia humidity officially arrives.
- The Local Hustle — Beyond the big projects, there's a staggering $1.8 million in other commercial work happening behind the scenes (mostly electrical and interior tweaks). Add in 28 smaller residential permits for things like new decks and HVAC units, and it's clear the Druid Hills area is keeping our local contractors very, very busy.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 236 & Shepherds Ln Signal Upgrade (DeKalb County) — Heads up, Woodland Hills! Crews are actively upgrading the signals where Lavista Rd meets Shepherds Lane. It's a small footprint, but keep an eye out for bucket trucks and temporary light patterns that might mess with your morning flow.
- SR 236 EB @ SR 155 Left Turn Lane Extension (DeKalb County) — If the Toco Hills intersection wasn't chaotic enough, there's active work to extend the eastbound left turn lane from Lavista onto Clairmont. It'll be a major win for traffic flow near the shopping centers eventually, but for now, expect some lane squeeze while you're navigating the heart of the neighborhood.

Construction Work Program
- SR 155 & SR 236 at North Druid Hills Rd (DeKalb County) — Big walkability upgrades are coming to the Toco Hills area. We're looking at a brand-new shared-use path on the south side of North Druid Hills and fresh 6-foot sidewalks on the north side. It's still in the "get ready" phase, but eventually, your trek to Bagel Palace will be much friendlier.
- Scott Blvd Complete Streets Plan (DeKalb County) — This major artery is officially on the books for a "Complete Streets" makeover. It's still in the planning and bidding stages, but the goal is to transform this high-speed corridor into something a bit more neighborly.
- Ponce De Leon Ave (SR 8) over Lullwater Creek (DeKalb County) — The bridge right by the edge of the Emory campus is slated for structural maintenance. It's a key link for the Druid Hills commute, so we'll be watching closely for when the orange cones actually arrive to avoid a Lullwater bottleneck.
- Clairmont Rd (SR 155) @ Lavista Rd (SR 236) (DeKalb County) — This legendary intersection is due for a restriping project. It's a simple fix, but anyone who has ever been "lane-confused" while turning toward the VA hospital knows that some fresh paint will go a long way.
- Ponce De Leon Ave (SR 8) Roundabouts (DeKalb County) — Change is coming to the intersections at Eastlake and North Ponce/West Parkwood. The plan involves two new roundabouts to keep traffic moving along the corridor. It'll be a learning curve for some, so prepare for a little "after you, no after you" energy.
- Ponce De Leon Ave (SR 8) Drainage Improvements (DeKalb County) — To stop Ponce from turning into a lake during our standard Georgia downpours, GDOT is planning drainage upgrades between South Ponce and Ridgecrest Road.
- North Druid Hills Road Bridge at CSX (DeKalb County) — Major bridge work is brewing for the stretch of North Druid Hills between Spring Creek Drive and Willivee Drive. This is a massive corridor for anyone heading toward the Medlock area, so this bridge TLC will be a big one to watch.

Service Requests
- Potholes — Reported at Oakdale Rd NE (four of 'em!), Ponce de Leon Ave NE, and Clifton Rd. Your car's suspension is currently filing a formal protest against these axle-snappers.
- Sidewalk Maintenance — Coventry Rd needs a little love. Mind your ankles while the city works on smoothing things over for the neighborhood power-walkers.