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Community Corner

🌱 Mom Arrested In Child's Death + It's Tax Time + Cities United

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)

Morning, people of Atlanta! Kathy Cioffi here with the latest copy of theAtlanta Daily.

First, today's weather:

A thick cloud cover. High: 56 Low: 31.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

  1. The mother of a 1-year-old who was shot and killed earlier this month by another child has been arrested. Atlanta police said the toddler and another young child were left unsupervised in a room with a firearm on Jan. 12 when one of the children was able to reach the weapon and fire it. The child who was shot died three days later at a local hospital, authorities said. The child's mother, Amaiya Dachanel Williams, 22, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and is being held in the Fulton County Jail. "This arrest does not bring us solace," an Atlanta Police statement said. "This is a horrific incident with a nightmarish outcome for everyone involved, but especially the baby who never got a chance to live a full life. When children die due to adult negligence or any other reason, it is heartbreaking."(Free: Atlanta Patch; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. Monday was the first day to file 2021 tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That's two weeks earlier than last year and, as the IRS struggles with staffing shortages, backlogs and aging technology, taxpayers are being encouraged to file their 2021 returns electronically and as far ahead of the Monday, April 18, tax deadline as possible. Although most refunds are issued within 21 days from the date a return is received by the Department of Revenue, it may take up to 12 weeks to process a return. (Atlanta Patch)
  3. The Georgia Municipal Association sponsored "2022 Cities United Summit" Monday, which gave state and city leaders an opportunity to hear each other's priorities for the legislative session. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta's new Mayor Andre Dickens, despite being on different ends of the political spectrum, seemed to get along as they each stood before a ballroom attended by leaders of cities and counties across the state. Dickens, a Georgia Tech grad and Democrat, introduced Kemp, a University of Georgia graduate and Republican, who joked, "That tie may be red and blue, but it looks red and black to me." Both men went on to join other leaders in discussing their legislative priorities. (CBS46 News Atlanta)
  4. In an effort to boost interest in one day working for the Department of Natural Resources, Georgia's wildlife officials are launching an academy for high school students. "Lots of young people like to be outdoors," said Career Academy director Lindsey Brown. "Some of them even imagine spending the rest of their lives out there. A desk job is just not appealing to them." The Career Academy will run for one week in July at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield and Georgia 4-H at Camp Jekyll on Jekyll Island. For more information and the application, visit www.GaDNR.org/CareerAcademy. (WABE 90.1 FM)
  5. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has agreed to improve jail conditions for women with serious mental illness to settle a lawsuit alleging that prolonged solitary confinement and unsanitary conditions risked causing them serious psychological harm. According to the class action lawsuit, lawyers who visited the South Fulton Municipal Regional Jail witnessed women in psychological distress lying on the floor, their bodies and the walls of their cells smeared with feces or food. Pools of urine and toilet water were seen in cells and meals of moldy sandwich meat weren't uncommon, the suit said. Jan. 18, U.S. District Judge William Ray gave preliminary approval to the settlement agreement signed by Labat and lawyers for women with psychiatric disabilities held at the jail in Union City. Labat, who took office in January 2021, said he's committed to taking steps to improve the quality of life of the people housed in the jail while also ensuring that his staff can run a secure facility. (USnews.com)

Last week, we told you about our new favorite non-alcoholic go-to — the refreshingly bitter drinks from our partners at Betera. They're chef-created from natural botanicals, lightly effervescent and worthy of life beyond "Dry January." We mentioned that their Ginger-Orange was excellent; we've since tried Elderflower-Lime and loved it as well — light and floral with the perfect amount of zing. We're converts.

Enough of you took Betera up on their 15% discount on first orders for Patch Daily readers that they've extended the offer for another week. Use PATCH15 at checkout. Highly recommended — try Betera here.

Today in Atlanta:

  • Free webinar, "The Splendors of Venice," presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero. (11:30 AM)
  • Cold Beer hosts Kelsey Barnard Clark for book signing event featuring "Southern Gri." (5:30 PM)
  • Broadway in Atlanta offers discounted college student rush tickets for "Tootsie" at the Fox Theatre. (7:30 PM)
  • Horizon Theatre hosts a performance of "Every Brilliant Thing." (8:00 PM)
  • Meditation from Sinai is at Intown Jewish Academy. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • This snowy Atlanta photo was taken just last week! Snap via @gtathletics. #atlantasnaps" (Instagram)
  • Check out this sunrise snap of midtown via @prajwal_mr_3. #atlantasnaps" (Instagram)
  • While exploring history, it's normal to "step back in time," but at Atlanta History Center you can see it up close. Experience Cyclorama: The Big Picture – a 360-degree, 49-foot-tall, 100-plus yard-long painting that illustrates more than 6,000 people fighting in the Battle of Atlanta in 1864. Learn more about the Cyclorama exhibit at this link: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/exhibitions/cyclorama/ (Facebook)
  • Three of the Atlanta Regional Commission's board members are included in Georgia Trend's list of the state's top 100 influencers for 2022. Congrats to Andre Dickens, Kerry Armstrong, and Union City Mayor Vince Williams for this well-deserved recognition! (Facebook)
  • Register now for WorkSource Atlanta's first semi-annual eligible Training Providers Showcase. Training programs are available! Are you an eligible adult residing in the city of Atlanta or eligible unemployed or underemployed workers residing in the city of Atlanta or laid off from an employer that is located within the city of Atlanta? Join us on Hopin! Visit the training providers' booths, chat, download materials, ask questions, network 1-on-1, or schedule an appointment for a follow-up discussion. Attendees must create a profile on Hopin to participate in the event. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Kathy Cioffi

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