Brookhaven changed a lot in 2025. We got a new city hall, eliminated a founding promise about taxes, completed numerous public improvements, saw major developments move forward and watched as our county school system’s superintendent was indicted amid a complex redistricting process.
Those stories will run through 2026 — and I want your help following them.
When you signed up for Brookhaven News Now, you (well, most of you) filled out a quick survey about what you wanted to see in Brookhaven News Now. The most common answer was news: local government coverage, school updates and information about what's really happening in Brookhaven.
As we head into 2026, I want to know: What are the Brookhaven-related questions you want answered? For example:
Are those kids zipping around on e-bikes safe and street-legal?
What’s with all the crashes at that intersection?
Why does the AC keep breaking at my kids’ school?
You can click reply and tell me directly, or use this form if you want to be anonymous.
And, to be clear, our food and dining and “things to do” coverage isn’t going away — I know it’s information many of you rely on. (Pumpkin custard pie, amirite?) So if you have questions or suggestions in those areas, I’m all ears.
Read on for some of the top Brookhaven stories of 2025 and a quick roundup of holiday events.
—Molly
Editor, Brookhaven News Now
NEWS
Top stories of 2025
CITY HALL
New city hall opens
The City Centre building, at the intersection of Peachtree Road and North Druid Hills Road, was formerly the site of a MARTA parking lot.
➡️ The colored glass panels installed in the building's signature dome were removed after they appeared more colorful than expected and placed in storage.
Brookhaven removes tax rate cap from city’s charter
Brookhaven’s city charter requires the city’s tax rate to be capped unless put to a citywide vote. This fall, the current City Council voted unanimously to get rid of the tax rate cap and instead allow the council to increase local property tax rates as they see fit.
➡️ While the tax rate itself will be set in the spring, city officials are projecting a $240 tax increase for the average homeowner next year.
LOCAL SCHOOLS
DeKalb County Schools superintendent Devon Horton indicted
Horton is accused of wire fraud, embezzlement and tax fraud crimes related to his time leading an Illinois school district.
➡️ DeKalb Schools Chief of Student Services Norman Sauce, a longtime educator whose previous roles include a stint as principal of Chamblee High School, was named interim superintendent.
School redistricting process moves forward
Under the leadership of Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce, DeKalb County Schools moves forward with plans to redistrict and close schools in the face of declining enrollment.
➡️ Brookhaven schools, which are mostly at or over-capacity, are unlikely to see closures, but overcrowding at Ashford Park Elementary School is a top concern.
GROWTH
Two major mixed-use developments move ahead
Northbend — a 30-acre development planned for the current Corporate Square office park site — could eventually generate $8.2 million in annual tax revenue for the city. And the city is working with MARTA on a study on building another new mixed-used development in the parking lot of the Brookhaven/Oglethorpe MARTA station.
➡️ Northbend is expected to break ground in summer 2026.
New private jet hangars are coming to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve eight new hangars despite concerns from residents about increased noise and health and safety impacts. The commissioner representing Brookhaven, Michelle Long Spears, was the lone no vote.
➡️ In January, the County Commission will consider temporarily pausing new hangar developments at PDK.
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EVENTS
Free free ice skating, Santa Paws photos and more
⛸️ Free ice skating at Brookhaven Park
Saturday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Jan. 4, 2026
Brookhaven Park, 4158 Peachtree Road
Register online for free 45-minute ice skating sessions, with a limited number of walk-ups permitted.
🎅 Photos with Santa at City Centre
Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9 a.m.-noon
Brookhaven City Centre, 4001 Peachtree Road NE
Walk-ups welcome.
🎅🐾 Santa Paws pet photos & free mobile pet clinic
Sunday, Dec. 21 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Brookhaven Park Dog Park, 4158 Peachtree Road NE
Free photos for pets with Santa plus free mobile vet clinic for DeKalb County residents offering vet exams, vaccines and microchips. Walk-ups welcome.
Want to see your event featured? Email [email protected]
EAT
Christmas dinner, gift card deals and more
🍨 Eggnog frozen custard
Try eggnog, candy cane and sticky toffee pudding frozen custard Friday-Sunday at Southern Custard.
🍖 Christmas dinner to-go
Dixie Q is offering a three-course dinner that feeds four for $240.
💰 $25 bonus gift card
At Marlow’s Tavern, get a $25 bonus gift card with every $100 gift card purchase.
Want to see your event featured? Email [email protected]
