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Community Corner

🌱 FAA Chief Quits, ATL Bound + Black Walk of Fame + Back Wages

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Atlanta.

Kathy Cioffi, Community Contributor
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(Patch)

Get on up, Atlanta! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday, February 18 off on an informed note. Here's everything worth knowing around Atlanta today.

First, today's weather:

Breezy and cooler. High: 55 Low: 32.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Atlanta:

  1. Federal Aviation Administrator Steve Dickson is stepping down from the agency to return to Atlanta. Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines executive, was nominated for the position by President Donald Trump in 2019, taking the reins of the FAA when the agency was facing harsh criticism for being too lenient in its safety oversight role after two Boeing 737 Max planes crashed, killing a total of 346 people. Now his resignation comes during another safety controversy: The expansion of 5G near airports. Dickson, whose family remained in Atlanta while he worked in Washington, D.C., said "After sometimes long and unavoidable periods of separation from my loved ones during the pandemic, it is time to devote my full time and attention to them." (Free: NPR.org; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. Wednesday, the new Black Music and Entertainment Walk Of Fame held its second induction ceremony in front of Mercedes Benz Stadium, on the sidewalks of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Northside Drive. "I think it's a beautiful way to let folks know not just acknowledging our past but inspiring the future," said Michael Mauldin, record executive and chairman for the Black American Music Association. Wednesday's induction ceremony honored 15 individuals and groups, including icons like Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, New Edition and Berry Gordy. Visitors can stop by and use the QR code along the walk to learn about each Black legend's story. (CBS46 News Atlanta)
  3. Two Atlanta area healthcare agencies withheld more than $355,000 in back wages to employees, according to the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. The two agencies under investigation were Regency Home Care of North Georgia and Edlyn Healthcare Services Inc. in Atlanta. After finding both employers had not been paying their healthcare workers overtime correctly, the investigation led to 108 workers receiving compensation for missed payments. According to a DOL press release, Regency Home Care paid $228,464 in back wages to 61 employees and Edlyn Healthcare Services paid $127,084 to 47 employees. The Wage and Hour Division urges healthcare workers and employers to reach out if they need assistance, either by visiting their website here or calling 1-866-4-USWAGE. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  4. Many of the gospel music industry's heavyweights have roots in Atlanta, including Dottie Peoples, Dorthy Norwood, Byron Cage, and the legendary Pace Sisters, to name just a few of the genre's notable industry leaders. And, as the city welcomes more artists who are finding their place in the industry, the sound and impact of gospel music is going beyond the pews. "It tells a story of the Black culture and how we were brought up and how we've overcome so much," said Kevin Lemons, a choir director of more than 25 years based in Atlanta. "It's the good word of hope, the good word of deliverance, the word of joy, just being sung verbally." (CBS46 News Atlanta)
  5. Wondering what's happening this weekend in metro Atlanta? Check out this list of over 20 ideas, featuring everything from music and food events to special shows and Black History Month activities. (CBS46 News Atlanta)

From our sponsor:

Today's Atlanta Daily is brought to you in part by Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas. In honor of Bahamian culture, Atlantis Paradise Island welcomes its guests to join in the Taste of Paradise, a two-week celebration of food and beverage prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients and an innovative eye taking place from March 2 to March 13.

Today in Atlanta:

  • Family Matters Productions Filming Inside/Outside Shifalo Cafe and Dooley Suite at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (8:00 AM)
  • American Red Cross blood drive at the DeKalb County Public Library (10:00 AM)
  • Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds," featuring music and lyrics by the reggae legend himself, and based on the story by his eldest daughter, Cedella Marley, is a jammin' musical that's perfect for the whole family, at Synchronicity Theatre. (7:00 PM)
  • Horizon Theatre Performance of "Every Brilliant Thing" at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community (8:00 PM)
  • Excitable (The Def Leppard Tribute) brings a high energy tribute to Def Leppard, bringing a huge smile to your face as you relive the classic rock staples that we know and love at 37 Main in Buford. (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Want to see Atlanta in a whole new light? Check out this snap via @craiglou_. #atlantasnaps" (Instagram)
  • 🌸 Did someone say party? 🎉 Mark your calendars for the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Party 2022 on Saturday, March 26. More details coming soon! (Facebook)
  • Have you been looking for a way to start a career working with animals? Join the Atlanta Humane Society's team as a Veterinary Assistant! We're looking for motivated individuals to work alongside our Shelter Medicine team at our Alpharetta Campus. As a veterinary assistant, you'll be working hands-on with our animals and making an impact in their lives every day. To learn more about this role, visit: https://www.paycomonline.net/.../jobs/ViewJobDetails... (Facebook)
  • Alert from the City of Atlanta Police Department: Stop leaving your vehicles running! If we said it once, we've said it 1,000 times! The Atlanta Police Department continues to see a rise in vehicle thefts due to irresponsible drivers leaving their vehicles unattended. Too many people leave their keys and key fobs in their cars while away from their vehicles. A few seconds is all it takes for someone to steal a car. Thieves love people who are too busy to pay attention to what they are doing. Car theft is an ongoing concern and is not always preventable, but taking proactive measures can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Let's make it harder for criminals to take what is ours. (Facebook)
  • Mayor Andre Dickens congratulated inductees at the 2022 Black Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony. Inductees include legendary Gospel artist, Yolanda Adams, R&B group New Edition, and Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Anna Razumovskaya Artist Show (February 18)
  • Meet & Greet the Artists - Garry & Lois Colby (February 20)
  • Mindful Movement For Flexibility and Peace (February 22)
  • Hammond B3 Jazz Legend Tribute to Jimmy Smith Emory University Performing Arts Studio (February 25)
  • Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
  • Get A 'Taste Of Paradise' During This Exclusive Event At Atlantis (February 28)
  • GO Kickball League Registration (March 9)
  • GO Volleyball League Registration - Brookhaven (March 9)
  • GO Softball League Registration - Piedmont Park (March 9)
  • Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Kathy Cioffi

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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