UPDATE: The AJC reports that the suspect has been identified as Khalif Edwards by Channel 2 Action News.

The AJC reports that an Atlanta Police officer was hit by a driver that he had pulled over just outside of the Decatur city limits at College and Sisson Avenue, near the old Dannaman’s grocery store location this evening.

According to the AJC, 9-year veteran of the Atlanta Police force Patrick Apoian got into an altercation with a driver after a traffic stop.

Apoian was run over and was alert while being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of leg and chest injuries. He was in stable condition late Thursday night and is expected to survive his injuries, police said.

The suspect had not been located as of 9pm this evening and that he may have had kids in the car with them.  Fox5 says police are looking for a gold Honda.

I saw Atlanta Police rush down DeKalb Avenue this afternoon around this time and turn down onto College Ave.  This must have been the reason.  Geez…

I’m reposting Deputy Police Chief Lee’s recent comment in hopes that even more people see it.

Sergeant Jennifer Ross has requested I post this statement for Decatur Metro readers:

“I have been researching Robert McKenzie for the past several months as we were made aware of discussions and warnings circulating via email, mostly due to McKenzie’s interactions with local cyclists. However, most of the information I have was third party from someone who heard about an incident or concerns regarding McKenzie. I am reaching out to ask anyone who has had direct contact with McKenzie of a harassing, threatening or intimidating nature to please send me an email explaining the incident. Please provide the approximate date, location and circumstances. I am aware that incidents with McKenzie are not contained to Decatur but span through Atlanta, Dekalb, Decatur, Avondale and Stone Mountain. I am asking for information on any incident with McKenzie, not just those in Decatur. I am also still trying to locate the father and child from the recent incident at Glenlake Pool and ask that if you know how to contact this family, please ask them to contact me. Thank you.”

Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross

City of Decatur Police Department

Criminal Investigations Division

jennifer.ross@decaturga.com

In related news, I just got a tip that Channel 2 Action News is currently filming at Glenlake Park.

For the third straight year, all Decatur schools made Adequate Yearly Progress as defined under the Federal “No Child Left Behind Act”, while the percentage of schools that passed across the State of Georgia dipped 8 points from 71% to 63%.  (You can view the AJC’s system-by-system data tables HERE if you’re interested in digging)

As explained by the AJC, the overall state decline is due in part to the increasing levels required to meet AYP each year under the Act until 2013-2014, when 100% of schools across the country are required to make AYP.

Most Decatur schools have been meeting AYP for in excess of 5 years.  However, back in 2008, both DHS and Glennwood Academy failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress in Math.   At that time CSD implemented a Math Improvement Plan and since then both schools have passed.

Green Building Chroncile reports that the Atlanta City Council will hold a public hearing tonight at 6pm on permitting rainwater harvesting systems designed provide water inside the home.   The city is hoping to come up with a permitting process and establish fees on “potable rainwater catchment systems for residential use.”

“Charge me for harvesting rainwater?!  That’s ridiculous!”, you say.

Well, slow down there Rainy Jane.  This isn’t about the rain barrel you use to water your vegetable garden.  Uncle Sam isn’t interested in getting between you and Mother Nature when it comes to that.  I’ll let Mr. Edelstien explain…

What the ordinance would do is set up a permitting system to treat rainwater and to use it inside the house. The potentially controversial part regards what happens next: Household water must then be disposed of through the sewers and treated as wastewater, which means there’s a public cost.

In Atlanta, as well as other municipalities in Georgia, potable rainwater systems currently live in a sort of purgatory: They’re not illegal to install, but there’s no permitting system that allows them to be operated.

If approved, Edelstein says that Atlanta’s ordinance could become a model for the rest of the country.

Photo ripped from Creative Loafing since I can’t find the “City of Atlanta” source file.

SJVRS writes in…

I drive to work every day on Clairmont and pass the VA Hospital where there are sometimes a bunch of geese on the side of the road.   Sometimes in the road.

Today I saw one that must have been hit by a car. There is no sign posted (that I have seen) that alerts drivers to go careful around there as there may be geese crossing in the road. Do you know if there is any way to relocate this group to a new home – away from such a busy road?

I’m think it has something to do with that pond between the two apartment complexes, no?  (Here’s the Streeview of what I’m referencing)