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Community Corner

🌱 Mega-Testing Site At MBZ Stadium + Reward Doubles In Shooting

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, Atlanta! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday, January 14 off on an informed note. These are the most important things happening in Atlanta today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 55 Low: 36.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today:

  1. A COVID-19 testing mega-site with a daily capacity of 2,000 people opens today at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. According to a joint statement, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Fulton County Board of Health, and the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency are partnering to open the drive-up site at The Home Depot Backyard, 1 Backyard Way, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The site will be open every day except Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice. These PCR tests are free to all Georgians, but insurance will be billed if available. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made online at https://viralsolutionsga.com/register. (Free: 11Alive.com WXIA; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. The reward has doubled for a man accused of shooting two Thomas County Sheriff's Office deputies earlier this week. According to the Georgia Bureau of investigation, Tyler Keith Henderson shot the two deputies around midnight Tuesday in Ochlocknee, Ga. The U.S. Marshals Service originally offered a $5,000 reward for any tips leading to Henderson's arrest, an amount that now stands at $10,000. If anyone knows Henderson's whereabouts, call 911 or the Thomas County Sheriff's Office at 229-225-4151. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at this link, or by downloading the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app. (Atlanta Patch)
  3. Dunwoody has become the latest city to made it illegal to rent a home for the explicit intent of throwing raucous, consequence-free parties. These wild house parties , which became a problem in nearby cities during the pandemic, have already been outlawed in Atlanta and Sandy Springs. Monday, the Dunwoody City Council voted to allow police to fine violators up to $1,000 or throw them in jail for up to six months. The city's policy, which mirrors the restrictions passed by Atlanta and Sandy Springs, defines a party house as a residential home that's available for rent, generally through a service like Airbnb, specifically for the purposes of large, commercial-type gatherings. The council also said it could tweak the policy down the road to punish the homeowners and not just the party hosts. (Free: ReporterNewspapers.net; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  4. During the Atlanta Hawks' annual MLK Day Game presented by Chase Monday at 6 p.m., the club will unveil the new "MLK Wall." Providing an educational experience on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the MLK Wall is located by Atlanta Social on the Terrace level at State Farm Arena. The MLK Wall serves as a special tribute to the team's work last season through a partnership between the King Estate, NBA, NBPA and Nike. For tickets to the game, visit Hawks.com/Tickets. (CBS46 News Atlanta)
  5. The Atlanta Debutante Club 2021 has presented its 31 new members. See the group of young women selected this year by the Atlanta Debutante Club, founded in 1911. (MDJOnline.com)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Atlanta:

  • Skate the Station at Atlantic Station's ice-skating rink (4:00 PM)
  • Couples Yoga at alt kula, Atlantic Station (6:00 PM)
  • Free Final Resting/Funeral/Cremation Webinar (6:00 PM)
  • Wanted (The Bon Jovi Tribute) with Special Guest Radiostar at 37 Main Buford (8:00 PM)
  • Hot Licks & Rhetoric (Steely Dan Tribute Show) at 37 Main Avondale Estates (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • The Atlanta Police Department is pleased to highlight the work of the Zone 2 Bike Patrol Unit. These individuals, in partnership with the MARTA PD Bike Unit, are making a notable difference in the Atlanta-Lingbergh-Morosgo Neighborhood and can be credited with a 32 percent Part 1 crime reduction during their first 6 months of deployment (since summer of 2021).
  • Since 2019, the Atlanta Humane Society has partnered with Meals on Wheels Atlanta to provide pet food to seniors with pets. This month, we're running low on small bags of cat food. 3- 4-pound bags of dry cat food are the most needed! Help seniors and their pets by purchasing food from our Amazon wish list! https://a.co/aKfizln(Facebook)
  • Amazing progress is being made along the Atlanta BeltLine's Westside BeltLine Connector and the Westside Trail. (📸: @beltlinejohn) (Facebook)
  • Produce grown in the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Edible Garden that is not used in on-site classes or in Longleaf restaurant is donated to organizations like Concrete Jungle , Free99Fridge, International Rescue Committee, and the Captain Planet Foundation. (Facebook)
  • Remember that time when folks thought a Civil War-era locomotive was unearthed in pristine condition on the site of the former Cyclorama building, and it was shared more than 39,000 times on social media? Thank you India Today for formally debunking the myth. All aboard for an official history lesson on how the Texas Locomotive made its way to Atlanta History Center! (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • What No One is Telling You Free Final Resting/Funeral/Cremation Webinar- Friday Jan 14, 6 pm EST (January 14)
  • Qigong stretching and breathing (healthy body, calm mind) (January 20)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Kathy Cioffi

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

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