Email: Ralph.ellis@patch.com
Phone: 404-234-8734
Hometown: Waynesville, N.C.
Birthday: July 31
Bio: Ralph Ellis is a veteran journalist who has lived in Decatur since 2007. He serves on the homeowner’s association board for the 335 West Ponce condo building in downtown Decatur.
Ralph has extensive experience as a writer and editor for newspapers in the Southeast. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1990. He reported on a variety of subjects, such as a couple coming to grips with their son’s homosexuality, the high cost of local elections in North Fulton County, and a man who started a Kenyan orphanage for children with AIDS in honor of his late wife.
Ralph is married to Susan Puckett, the former food editor at the AJC.
He has three grown children, Robert, David and Julia.
When he’s not working, Ralph likes to walk, swim, read, and play with his greyhound, Laney. Ralph belongs to the Atlanta Writers Club and has written a mystery novel (unpublished) and is working on a second novel.
Ralph's Beliefs At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
I have moderate Democratic leanings, but I’ve voted for some Republicans.
Religion
I was raised a Methodist and am now a member of Kairos Church in Grant Park, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
Local Hot-Button Issues
People in Decatur and Avondale Estates care deeply about quality of life issues, and that starts with the local school systems. Both towns have become magnets in recent years for couples with young children, so the emphasis on education will only increase.
Other issues people care about: Dogs, backyard farming, food and drink.
On Sunday night, men dressed in black knocked an employee at the Decatur restaurant unconscious before forcing other employees to lie on the dining room floor.
On Sunday night, men dressed in black knocked an employee unconscious before forcing other employees to lie on the dining room floor.
You can take class for small business owners who want government contracts, meet a Bravo executive who just wrote a book, attend an art exhibit opening, parade with your pet and laugh along with a stand-up comedian.
You can take a home buying class, learn to build birdhouses, attend a festival along Olmsted Linear Park, become educated about mushrooms and go to a book swap.
Naty's Closet moved into the space at 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. previously occupied by Sheepish yarn shop.
You can enjoy pop-up art, music and comedy at Kavarna, a writers festival at Agnes Scott, free jazz and an author appearance.
The Avondale Estates City Commission and residents talked about the speeding problem on Kensington Road.
The Decatur Schools superintendent is asking the school board to postpone the Tuesday night vote on a massive school renovation plan. The vote would be held May 14 following community input meetings.
Police said the vehicle was parked at a residence on Majestic Circle when the break-in occurred Monday night.
The owner hopes Square Convenience Store will open in mid-April. It will be located near the Associated Credit Union and the Pita Pit.
George Carley, the retired chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, administered the oath of office to Scott Drake.
"The Master Plan will take many steps and there will be many modifications before the CSD Board of Education makes decisions on any specific structures."
The DeKalb County Mobile Career Center stops at the DFCS office on Sams Street. It will also make stops this month at the Covington Library and the Villages at East Lake.
The King of Pops cart will be parked on the Decatur Court Square from noon to 8 p.m. today and giving away free treats to celebrate the company's third anniversary.
Spread a blanket and enjoy the free music at the Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite.
DeKalb Medical Maternity Services is sponsoring three free movies with baby themes. The first is "What To Expect When You're Expecting," which was filmed in Decatur and Atlanta
Police said somebody grabbed a student's phone and camera that she left unattended. The suspect escaped but the student's camera was recovered.
Scott Drake will officially take the Decatur City Commission seat that Bill Floyd held for more than 20 years.
The office is located at 113 Clairemont Ave. across from the Courtyard Marriott.
Share your photos and video from the Avondale Estates Dog Parade and Easter Egg Hunt.
