I received this notice from District 7 DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson. Beginning in November, it looks like the speed limit for certain parts of I-285 will increase from 55 mph to 65 mph. God help us all. Here’s the letter: 

The idea of people going faster on that road gives me chills.

Here’s a few of the other things in the news that I found interesting.

– Decatur Patch says that tonight (Sept. 26) there will be a meeting about “cityhood” hosted by DeKalb County officials. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Southwest DeKalb High School. According to Patch, “The focus of the meeting will be to provide information to residents on the differences between cities and counties, what it takes to become a city and the impact of cityhood.” Translation of county speak: “Communities in unincorporated parts of the county keep forming new cities and siphoning off more of the county’s tax money. Join us for an objective presentation of the facts about forming a new city.” In a related story, WSB-TV reports that residents of unincorporated DeKalb are exploring the possibility of a new city because of an increase in burglaries. They think that a dedicated local police force could reduce crime in their area.

– If you’re not really a “fiscal implications of a new city” kind of person, could I interest you in a community meeting about a road safety audit? The Medlock Area Neighborhood Association invites the public to hear a report from the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Bike Emory about bike safety on North Decatur Road. The presentation is at 7 p.m. at North Decatur Presbyterian Church.

– Check out Paste Magazine’s cool photos from the recent Madison Avenue Soapbox Derby in Oakhurst.

– According to the Associated Baptist Press (first time I’ve heard of it, too), Oakhurst Baptist recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

– The DeKalb DA is dismissing charges against a man accused of a 2009 car-jacking. 11 Alive broke the story after the station obtained video tape of a DeKalb Detective using a racial slur while he interrogated the suspect. I’m wary about reporting the names of people accused of crimes, mainly because of stories like this. Great work by 11 Alive.

– Kirkwood and East Atlanta’s representative on the Atlanta City Council,  Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong, has formed a task force to address confusion about 911 calls generated by residents of her district, according to The Champion newspaper. Archibong’s council district includes portions of DeKalb County. The Champion reports that problems with figuring out who is supposed to respond to calls have been occurring “for years.” Apparently, officers from both agencies have responded to the same call. Maybe I’m missing something, but I can’t see the disadvantage of having more than one police officer respond when you call 911.