It's In DeKalb

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

The Office of DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, and the Decide DeKalb Development Authority partnered to host the 2026 DeKalb County Small Business Summit at the Emory Conference Center Hotel.

This annual event connected entrepreneurs with valuable tools, resources, and networking opportunities to support business growth and help them explore opportunities to do business with DeKalb County.

Attendees participated in workshops and panel discussions, connected with vendors and sponsors, and heard from John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, during a conversation on building wealth through entrepreneurship.

The event also featured a pitch competition showcasing five DeKalb small businesses. Angela Weadon, owner of Music Therapy for Autism, was chosen as the inaugural winner.

📺 Watch DCTV’s coverage of the 2026 Small Business Summit at YouTube.com/DeKalbCountyGov

16/10/2026

🗳️ Make a plan to vote in the November 3 General Election!

DeKalb County residents are encouraged to prepare for Election Day by reviewing their sample ballots, researching candidates, and learning about the issues on the ballot.

Use Georgia’s My Voter Page to verify your voter information and view your sample ballot before heading to the polls.

📅 Key Election Dates
Oct. 13–30: Early voting at 22 locations across DeKalb County
Oct. 23: Deadline to request an absentee ballot
Nov. 3: Election Day

🔗 Get election-ready: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov

15/10/2026

🗳️ DeKalb County voters have three ways to cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 General Election!

📍 EARLY VOTING | Oct. 13–30
Vote at any of DeKalb County’s 22 early voting locations.
• Weekdays: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Saturdays, Oct. 17 and 24: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sundays, Oct. 18 and 25: Noon–6 p.m.

📬 VOTE BY MAIL | Request by Oct. 23
Request an absentee ballot by Oct. 23. Return your completed ballot by mail or to a drop box inside select early voting locations during voting hours.

🇺🇸 ELECTION DAY | Nov. 3
Vote at your assigned polling place. Some polling locations may have changed, so verify your polling location before heading out. Remember to bring an accepted photo ID. Free Georgia voter ID cards are available for eligible voters who need one.

✅ Make your plan to vote!
Find early voting locations, check your voter registration, view your sample ballot and get additional election information at DeKalbVotes.com or MVP.SOS.GA.gov.

13/10/2026

It’s go time, DeKalb! Early voting is officially open. 🗳️

There’s no single “right” way to vote, so pick the path that fits your schedule:

✅ Vote early at one of 22 locations
✅ Request an absentee ballot
✅ Cast your ballot at your assigned polling place on Election Day

Key dates to save:
📍 Oct. 13-30 | Early voting at 22 locations countywide
📮 Oct. 23 | Last day to request an absentee ballot
🇺🇸 Nov. 3 | General Election Day

Before you head out, check the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections website at dekalbvotes.com for the latest dates, deadlines, and polling locations.

Make your plan. Bring a friend. Let’s show up for DeKalb!

12/10/2026

Five DeKalb entrepreneurs. One big pitch. 🎤

Meet the finalists competing in the Small Business Summit Pitch Competition:

🔹 Nazar Bilukha – ITP Training Academy
🔹 Ebony Holified – Holistic Angels
🔹 Justin Maxim – Just Doors
🔹 Angela Weadon – Music Therapy for Autism
🔹 Alisha Williams – YOL Juice Market

These local business owners will pitch live on stage, and first place takes home a $16,500 business growth package! 💰 Every finalist also joins a four-week Growth Incubator, and our semi-finalists completed a two-week Pitch Academy to prepare for the big day.

Join us this Wednesday as we cheer on DeKalb’s small business community! 👏

📅 Wednesday, October 14, 2026
📍 Emory Conference Center Hotel
1615 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
🕢 Registration & breakfast: 7:30 AM
🕘 Event: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration is required. Click the link to reserve your spot! 🔗
https://tinyurl.com/3tuav29a

09/10/2026

⚠️ WEATHER ALERT: DEKALB COUNTY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has declared a local State of Emergency as Hurricane Isaias threatens north and central Georgia with strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and possible tornadoes.

Effective Oct. 9, the declaration authorizes the County to mobilize resources and coordinate emergency response efforts to protect residents, visitors and employees.

🌧️ COUNTY CLOSURES | SATURDAY, OCT. 10
All DeKalb County offices and facilities, including recreation centers and public library branches, will be closed Saturday. All County-sponsored events scheduled for Saturday are canceled. Essential public safety and emergency response operations will continue.

🏠 EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Shelters will open Friday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m., with services continuing Saturday.
📍 Frontline Response International
2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
📍 Golden Door Event Center
2944 Ember Drive, Decatur, GA
📍 South DeKalb Day Center at New Life Community Alliance
3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur
Open Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Individuals may arrive directly at Frontline Response International beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.

🚐 NEED TRANSPORTATION TO A SHELTER?
Call Frontline Response Dispatch at 404-334-3610 to arrange transportation. Pickup routes begin Friday evening, with final transportation sweeps concluding at 10 p.m.

🛑 PREPARE NOW AND STAY SAFE
Weather conditions are expected to worsen Friday night, with peak impacts anticipated Saturday. Residents should:
▪️ Charge mobile phones and backup batteries.
▪️ Secure outdoor furniture and loose items.
▪️ Keep water, nonperishable food, medications and flashlights accessible.
▪️ Avoid unnecessary travel and never drive through flooded roadways.
▪️ Stay away from downed trees and power lines.
▪️ Identify a safe interior room on the lowest level of the home in case of a tornado warning.

📞 Emergency Contacts
• Life-threatening emergencies: 911
• Non-life-threatening public safety matters: 404-294-2911

📲 Stay Informed
Sign up for emergency alerts by texting DEKALBALERT to 67283 or visiting DeKalbAlert.com.

For updated forecasts, visit weather.gov/ffc. Follow DeKalb County's official communication channels for updates on weather conditions, County services, closures, and emergency response efforts.

08/10/2026

⚠️ Georgia Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Isaias

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a statewide state of emergency in preparation for the potential impacts of Hurricane Isaias, effective Oct. 8 through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, unless renewed.

The executive order authorizes coordinated emergency response efforts to protect residents, property, and essential services. Key actions include:

🔹 Emergency response: State agencies will coordinate preparedness, response and recovery efforts, with resources made available through the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

🔹 Utility restoration: State transportation and public safety agencies will help ensure utility crews and equipment can move throughout Georgia to address power outages.

🔹 National Guard support: Up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops may be deployed to assist with emergency operations.

🔹 Commercial transportation: Certain restrictions on commercial vehicle operations and driver hours are temporarily suspended to help maintain the delivery of essential goods and services, including fuel.

🔹 Price gouging prohibited: Price gouging on goods and services needed for emergency preparation, response, and recovery, including gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products, is prohibited.

Residents are encouraged to monitor official weather alerts, follow guidance from emergency management officials, and prepare for potential severe weather impacts.

Stay informed through official DeKalb County communication channels for local updates.

08/10/2026

🗳️ DeKalb voters showed up!

Last night, more than 41,000 residents joined our “What’s on the Ballot” Tele-Town Hall to learn more about the upcoming election and how to prepare to cast their ballots.

The conversation featured:
• DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
• Melissa Faye Manrow, President of the League of Women Voters of DeKalb County
• Keisha Smith, Executive Director of DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections

Our guests shared important information about the voting process and answered questions from DeKalb residents.

Thank you to everyone who participated and continues to stay informed ahead of Election Day. Your vote matters and being informed is an important part of participating in our democracy.

07/10/2026