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Community Corner

🌱 Mega-Testing COVID Sites + APD Rebuts Rumors + Helping Animals

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)

Up and at 'em, Atlanta! Let's get you started this Sunday with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy, a t-storm in the p.m.. High: 58 Low: 39.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today:

  1. As the Omicron surge strains testing resources, Georgia's Department of Public Health said Friday that two "mega-testing" sites are now open in metro Atlanta. DPH is partnering with the public health agencies in DeKalb County and Cobb County, as well as testing company Viral Solutions, to open the sites. The locations are: In DeKalb County, at 2994 Turner Hill Rd., Stonecrest; and in Cobb County, at Jim Miller Park Gate 1, 1295 Al Bishop Dr., Marietta. The testing sites are open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, DPH said, with daily closures from 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. for lunch. They'll also be open Saturdays 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tests will be free to all Georgia residents, though insurance will be billed for those who have it. DPH stressed that both mega-testing sites are accessible by appointment only. Click here to make an appointment.(11Alive.com WXIA)
  2. The Atlanta Police Department has taken to social media to refute rumors it's lowering its standards to reach a goal of hiring 250 new police officers. "We are in no way, shape or form reducing the standards of the Atlanta Police Department so that we can get more employees," Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said Friday. "When people think that there's misinformation, it's our job to correct that." Although Bryant didn't name the Buckhead City movement by name, he said the rumors have been spreading around the north Atlanta neighborhood for days. In a post on several social media platforms, APD said, "we must stand up for our department and our troops, and we must refute false claims and misinformation recently made." Buckhead City movement leader Bill White said in a tweeted response, "Facts matter. Why we put them out. We love the men and women of APD, and they know that. City's lying, and we stand by the statement." But Bryant said hearing misinformation about his department makes him angry. "When you are one of the premier police departments in the country, and people think you are lowering your standards for any reason, that's concerning," Bryant said. (WSB Atlanta)
  3. January, typically a quiet month for animal shelters after December's flurry of fundraising and end-of-year donations, is anything but, thanks to Betty White. When White, a staunch advocate for animals, died Dec. 31, a surge of support for animal shelters followed. "People are sending their love and appreciation for Betty White by making donations to Furkids," said Samantha Shelton, the CEO and Founder of Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters. Furkids is among animal support groups locally and nationwide experiencing overflowing support in response to social media's "The Betty White Challenge." The challenge invites people to donate at least $5 to a rescue or shelter on or by Jan. 17, which would have been White's 100th birthday. This week alone, those donations allowed Furkids to transport cats north to "no kill" shelters and to pull more than two dozen cats from animal control Thursday. "We're forever grateful for her voice and that she chose to help animals across our country," Shelton said. (WSB Atlanta)
  4. And, speaking of animals, Hayden Hurst, an Atlanta Falcons tight end, is tackling mental illness among veterans by donating $20,000 to Top Dogg K9 Foundation and sponsoring a service dog to help Atlanta military veterans struggling with their mental health. TDK9 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to pairing veterans with trained service dogs to help reduce the number of military families impacted by suicide due to mental illness. Hurst, who hopes to break the stigma behind mental health, created the Hayden Hurst Foundation to raise awareness and to help children and adolescents by funding mental health services and programs. "The military is something that is at the top of our priority list," the NFL star said. To find out more about Hurst's work and donate to TDK9 visit their website. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  5. In Georgia Capitol news, Gov. Brian Kemp announced a proposal Friday to give a $5,000 annual pay raise to state agency employees as lawmakers review what's likely to be a prosperous state revenue picture. Through November, state revenues were running more than $1 billion ahead of budget. Additionally, Kemp wants lawmakers to boost teacher pay by another $2,000, completing his promise to give teachers a $5,000 raise over four years, at a cost of about $461 million. Another $383 million would be needed to fully fund the state's K-12 funding formula. While a tax cut may focus on reducing the state income tax, lawmakers could also be called on to determine how to spend a $2.2 billion surplus from last year. (WRDW-TV)

Today in Atlanta:

  • 2022 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day 1M 5K 10K 13.1 26.2 - Benefitting Concerns of Police Survivors (9:00 AM)
  • Acceptance: A Transformative Power at Kadampa Meditation Center Georgia (10:30 AM)
  • Pretty Girls Brunch at Revel Atlanta (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The newly formed APD TITAN's Unit, formally known as the A.P.E.X Unit, was formed in the Summer of 2021. This is just one of several specialized units focused on combating violent crime in the city. (Facebook)
  • The Atlanta Regional Commission said the broader #Art Walk vision calls for a #pedestrian promenade and linear park stretching five blocks, or roughly half a mile, between MARTA's Midtown and Arts Center stations. The project "will deliver a highly visual and #interactive urban experience with public art, street-level galleries, artist studios, and outdoor dining. (Facebook)
  • HEADS UP: MARTA's job fair that was previously scheduled for Jan. 8 was canceled, but MARTA is still hiring! You can still apply online to join our team at https://itsmarta.com/current-job-openings.aspx (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Peachtree Hills: "Looking for a local historian - I've recently received some items that could be US historical artifacts. In need of an expert to go over some items with me. And to help me figure out the next step for these items. Items could date back from the Civil War." (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Chamblee Dunwoody: "Writing tutor for 1st, 2nd and 3 rd grade - Hi! Looking for a tutor who could help my 3 elementary age boys with their creative writing and language arts. Thanks in advance!" (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update!

— Kathy Cioffi

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

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