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🛣️ Tucker Updates Trail Plan, Eyes Federal Funding for Safer Sidewalks and Streets

Tucker's trail master plan is getting its first major update since the city adopted it back in 2019. The original plan mapped out 32 miles of pathways throughout the city, but a lot has changed—most notably Tucker taking over its own public works from DeKalb County.

Consultants shared their progress at last week's council meeting, outlining community priorities for connecting neighborhoods with safer walking routes. The refresh focuses heavily on sidewalk gaps that residents say are critical—particularly paths that would help kids walk to school more safely.

The updated plan highlights three top sidewalk priorities: adding paths along the north side of Hugh Howell Road, both sides of Brockett Road, and the east side of Fellowship Road. Community members backed the idea of dedicating roughly $2 million each year to making these connections happen.

A companion effort is looking at ways to make Lawrenceville Highway less dangerous. Near-term fixes would improve crossings at several busy intersections, while bigger intersection overhauls at Hugh Howell, Idlewood, and Lynburn would come later.

Some council members, including Alexis Weaver, want to see concrete details – a full project list, costs, and timelines – before giving the green light. Cara Schroeder explained the city would work through an initial batch of improvements over three to five years, then reassess and adjust.

Beyond making streets safer locally, approving this plan opens doors to federal grant dollars that require cities to have comprehensive safety strategies in place. Council members expect to vote on everything early next year. See the full presentation from Nov 24 here.

Other Council News:

• Mountain Industrial work approved — $1.3 million contract awarded for intersection upgrades at Hugh Howell; state kicking in $748,000

• Welcome signs coming — $237,780 approved for new gateway signage on Lawrenceville Highway

• Sam's Club land deal — City spending $71,300 for property needed to improve safety at U.S. 78 and Mountain Industrial

Read more from the source: Decaturish

🚓 DeKalb County Pushes Back on Tucker Police Study, Touts Recent Improvements

DeKalb County leaders are questioning whether Tucker could really afford to run its own police department as cheaply as a recent study suggests.

At a Nov. 20 community meeting, DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and other officials responded to a study claiming Tucker could operate its own police force for $10.7 million annually. Cochran-Johnson challenged those numbers, saying the estimate leaves out major costs like pensions, recruitment expenses, housing allowances, and mental health services.

The county acknowledged being severely understaffed after losing 385 officers over four years. But Cochran-Johnson highlighted encouraging recent trends: police applications are up 106 percent over the past six months, new hires increased 31 percent, and the department now has a 98 percent retention rate. The police academy has gone from graduating 6 to now 50 officers.

DeKalb has invested over $30 million in public safety improvements in the nine months since Cochran-Johnson took office, including $8 million for upgraded 911 systems and $2 million for a real-time crime center. She's proposing another $18.9 million for surveillance cameras and drones, with a goal of reaching crime scenes within two to three minutes.

Interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick noted that 86 percent of Tucker's crimes in 2024 were auto break-ins, thefts, and burglaries, concentrated in the business district, Juliette Road, and parts of Lawrenceville Highway. He's focusing on mobile precincts that cost $300K and can relocate to hot spots, rather than building traditional stations.

Outgoing Tucker Mayor Frank Auman said the city needs to understand all implications before deciding, but praised DeKalb's ability to deploy hundreds of officers when needed without leaving Tucker understaffed.

His bottom line: "Are we going to reduce crime? I mean, in the end, that's all that matters."

Read more from the source: Decaturish

🚨 Tucker Salon Owner Criminally Charged After Years of Sexual Battery Allegations

A Tucker hair salon owner is now facing criminal charges following a lawsuit from a former employee—and years of similar complaints that never resulted in prosecution.

John Siggers, who owns Siggers Hairdressers on Northlake Parkway, was arrested and quickly released on Nov. 21. He's charged with two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery related to incidents in 2023 and 2024. The DeKalb County Solicitor General's office confirmed they'll be handling the case and conducting a full investigation.

According to a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year, at least five police reports accusing Siggers of sexual battery were made between 2017 and 2024. The current case involves a woman who worked as a cosmetology apprentice at the salon from March 2023 to May 2025.

The lawsuit describes a disturbing pattern: Siggers allegedly would sit in the salon's basement holding $100 bills and demanding sexual favors, touching the woman without consent while threatening her job.

His wife Carol, who co-owns the business, is accused in the lawsuit of knowing about the behavior but doing nothing—though she faces no criminal charges.

Both John and Carol Siggers have denied all allegations. His lawyers claim he's 87 years old and has dementia.

Siggers filed a motion seeking a gag order to stop the plaintiff and her attorney from talking to the media about the case. Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling emphasized her office will conduct a thorough review while protecting everyone's rights, but declined further comment since the case is now active.

Read more from the source: Decaturish

🎵 Tucker’s 2026 Winter Concert Series

📍Location: Tucker Recreational Center (4898 Lavista Road)
🗓️ Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm; music starts at 7pm

Join us for our 2026 Winter Concert Series! Enjoy a cozy evening filled with great vibes, live music, and feel free to pack your favorite snacks or dinner to enjoy during the show. This is a free event, but preregistration for each attendee is required due to limited space. It’s the perfect way to warm up your winter with fun, music, and community! [Ages 18+]

Dates:

• Friday, January 9, 202

• Friday, January 23, 2026

• Friday, February 6, 2026

• Friday, February 20, 2026

Register here!