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Community Corner

🌱 I-85 Bus Standoff + Retired Teacher Law + 50 Years, 2 Kidneys

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)

Hey, people of Atlanta! It's me again, Kathy Cioffi, your host of the Atlanta Daily.

First, today's weather:

A heavy t-storm in the a.m.. High: 73 Low: 47.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today:

  1. Tuesday morning, the Gwinnett County police SWAT team and other law enforcement agencies responded to an I-85 on-ramp around 9:30 a.m. after receiving reports that a person aboard a Greyhound bus was armed with a gun. A man described by Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle as having a "behavioral health crisis" had pulled a gun on the bus, causing the driver to stop along the on-ramp from Indian Trail Lilburn Road onto I-85 North and get out of the vehicle, along with the other passengers. The interstate was shut down in both directions from Indian Trail to Beaver Ruin Road as SWAT personnel negotiated with the man before finally entering the bus and taking him into custody around 2 p.m. No shots were fired and no one was injured. (Free: 11Alive.com WXIA; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. A bill given final approval Tuesday by the state Senate would allow some retired Georgia teachers to return to the classroom full time while still collecting state pensions. Senators voted 50-1 for House Bill 385, sending it to Gov. Brian Kemp to sign into law. Kemp proposed the bill last year as part of a package to increase teachers statewide. The measure would allow teachers who have 30 years of service to return to the classroom after at least 12 months of retirement, earning both a full salary and their pension. Districts would be free to hire retired teachers in three top need areas, as designated locally by the state Department of Education. (AM 920 The ANSWER)
  3. After being one of the first patients to receive a kidney transplant at Emory Hospital 50 years ago, Atlanta's Steve White - the longest living kidney transplant survivor in the U.S. - is back on the list, waiting for a new donor. Back in 1970, at just 18, White was diagnosed with kidney failure. In 1972, he received a kidney transplant, and out of everyone who had the surgery, he was the only one on his floor who lived through it. In 2016, however, White experienced the first signs that his transplant might be deteriorating. He is currently in stage four kidney failure and on the waiting list to receive another transplant from a donor. However, he remains hopeful and looks forward to getting back to doing the things he loves. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  4. Children forced to flee Ukraine are receiving messages of hope from students at an Atlanta synagogue. Nearly 30 cards were created by fourth to seventh grade students at Congregation Bet Haverim to send to Ukrainian children now living in Israel. The cards will be translated into Ukrainian and electronically sent to Dror Israel, an organization assisting displaced Ukrainian children, Rabbi Dayle Friedman said. ( The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  5. Legislation was adopted Monday by the Atlanta City Council to urge the Atlanta Police Department to enforce a city code ordinance allowing for the removal of vehicles parked in a bike lane. The legislation notes that vehicles parked in bike lanes create safety hazards and put bicyclists and other road users at risk. The council approved legislation in March 2019 to establish a $100 penalty for drivers improperly using designated bicycle routes, lanes and multi-use trails. (Reporter Newspapers)

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Today in Atlanta:

  • ADAC Spring Sample Sale. Don't miss this opportunity to take advantage of discounted pricing on designer brands, high-end indoor and outdoor home furnishings, rugs, lighting and accessories. (10:00 AM)
  • Family Nights at Salvation Army Kroc Atlanta offer a night for the whole family. Come and try one of the many classes we offer. Including, but not limited to, music, drama, dance, fitness, cooking and sports! Class space is limited and registration is required. (6:00 PM)
  • Horizon Theatre Performance of "The Light" at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (8:00 PM)
  • Finely Crafted: Cocktails And Comedy at Old Fourth Distillery. (8:00 PM)
  • "Legacy of Light" at Synchronicity Theatre, a relevant and contemporary comedy that takes us through the science of planets, dark matter, philosophy and fertility as it explores what women contribute to the worlds of science and family. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Atlanta Humane Society says this handsome fella is Kudo and he's looking for a forever family! While other dogs may like to be the center of attention and crave constant activity, Kudo prefers to lead a low-key, relaxed lifestyle. He can't help that he's an old soul! If your ideal evening consists of reading books or watching classic movies with someone you love, Kudo just might be your new best friend! To learn more about Kudo, visit: atlantahumane.org/kudo. (Facebook)
  • Join the Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association at Peachtree Center on April 12! (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Chastain Park: "Hello! I'm Kathryn and recently moved to the Chastain area. I am a former college tennis player and am starting to coach lessons again as the weather warms up. I primarily coach younger children and teens. I have taught many families in the area as well as coached the Byrnwyck tennis camp last year which had around 50 kids. If you or your child would be interested in tennis lessons this spring/summer please don't hesitate to shoot me a message!" (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Parkview: "Join us at Parkview Community Garden to spring clean the park and neighborhood. Lunch will be provided. Bring any garden tools or litter pick up tools you may have." (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Flair Forest: "My son is painting house numbers on curbs and donating 10% to PAWS. If you are interested please contact him directly. Gunnar Dykes: Text or Call: 404-416-5361" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Simple Steps to Balance Your Energy and Activate Natural Healing Power. (March 23)
  • Feeling Overwhelmed? Anxieties? Re-center yourself with Holistic Fitness for all levels! (March 24)
  • High Revelry for the High Museum Wine Auction (March 24)
  • John Stango Artist Show (March 26)
  • Food and Art Walk on the Atlanta BeltLine (March 26)
  • Independent Distilling 8 year Anniversary & Crawfish Boil with Mothers Best!! (March 26)
  • Women's History Month Tasting (March 26)
  • Frank Hyder: Poet of a Threatened Eden (March 26)
  • Add your event

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You're officially in the loop for today. 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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