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Community Corner

🌱 Ukraine 'Mothers March' + ATL Toxic Superfund Site + HBCU Help

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, neighbors! Kathy Cioffi here with the latest copy of theAtlanta Daily.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 69 Low: 42.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Atlanta:

  1. After weeks of protests against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a rally Saturday took a different approach. Called a "Mothers March." According to a Facebook event created by organizers, dozens of protestors gathered in downtown Atlanta, some carrying dolls swaddled in blankets stained with red paint to symbolize the young lives lost so far in Russia's invasion. With chants of "close the sky" blaring from a megaphone, attendees called on the US and its NATO allies to establish a no-fly zone over the country. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says that 847 civilians — including 36 children —have been killed in the conflict so far, though the organization cautions that those figures likely underestimate the death toll. (Free: WSB Atlanta; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. A pair of residential neighborhoods in Westside Atlanta were deemed a toxic Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday after elevated levels of lead were found on hundreds of properties. The EPA announced the new designation for an area basically composed of the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods. Properties around both neighborhoods have been undergoing testing for high lead levels since 2018, when industrial smelting waste ("slag") was discovered on two lots on Elm Street. Officially adding the neighborhoods to the Superfund National Priorities List will free up increased federal funding for the "long term cleanup of hazardous material contamination." The neighborhoods become one of just a handful of Superfund sites in Georgia, and the only one in metro Atlanta. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  3. Federal investigators met with HBCUs Saturday to discuss ways to improve responses to the recent spate of called-in bomb threats. The meeting between members of the Atlanta University Center Consortium and leaders from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency was held at the Robert W. Woodruff Library on Clark University's campus and was also shown virtually for administrators and law enforcement from dozens of schools outside the metro Atlanta area. At a Thursday afternoon congressional hearing, the FBI said the suspects are juveniles and are believed to be responsible for at least 59 cases of phone threats or threats by email dating back to early January. Earlier this week, the White House announced it would provide more resources for the historically Black schools after the rash of bomb threats. (WSB Atlanta)
  4. A young woman who was shot and killed after a fight over a bowling ball late Thursday evening has been identified as Lakevia Jackson, who has a son with well-known rapper Young Thug. Her mother, Sherina Jackson, said the 31-year-old was celebrating a birthday at the Metro Fun Center in the 1900 block of Metropolitan Parkway in southwest Atlanta when a second group came in and an argument over a bowling ball began shortly after 11:30 p.m. Calling the shooting "truly an atrocity," Atlanta Homicide Commander Ralph Woolfolk said, "A young lady has lost her life tonight as a result of an argument over a bowling ball. ... We will find the person responsible," Woolfolk continued. "You know who you are. Go ahead and turn yourself in. We assure you that we will bring you into custody." (FOX 5 Atlanta)
  5. Expect a gorgeous end to the weekend, with tons of sunshine today. Breezy and seasonably mild in the afternoon, it will be clear and chilly at night. The weather looks equally great early in the week, with a mostly sunny and warm Monday forecast with highs in the low 70s. Some clouds will drift in on Tuesday, but the temperature will be in the low to mid 70s as dry skies continue until late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, when rain and thunderstorms are expected. The risk of thunderstorms decreases by midday and another quiet stretch of weather is likely for late next workweek and into the weekend, with highs dropping into the 60s Thursday through Saturday. (CBS 46 News)

Today in Atlanta:

  • Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig's Adventure at the Fox Theatre will bring the lovable, cheeky little piggy to live audiences. (9:00 AM)
  • Spring Equinox Sound Journey at The Yoga Hive. Celebrate the return of light on the harmonious waves of sound. (2:30 PM)
  • Horizon Theatre Performance of the "The Light" at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (5:00 PM)
  • "Legacy of Light" at Synchronicity Theater, 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. (5:00 PM)
  • Carpool, a Cars tribute band, at 37 Main, Buford. Carpool recreates the sound, feel, look and vibe that made the Cars world famous. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Take a look at this gorgeous full moon in Atlanta via @bywellcarvalho. #atlantasnaps." (Instagram)
  • Mark your calendars 🗓️ to take a ride with MARTA'S team through the Campbellton Corridor on Saturday, March 26, at 10 a.m. On the tour, we will show you our plan to enhance the service area and transform one of Atlanta's busiest corridors. Seats will be limited. Please register: https://tinyurl.com/CampbelltonCorridor. (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Cameron Hall Place: "Hi neighbors! I am working with Lion Pride, which is a nonprofit that supports the kids of Lake Forest Elementary. We are presently fundraising to support a scholarship program to send some of these kids to summer camp! We are hosting a silent auction to raise some funds with some great items: Braves tickets, jewelry, art, restaurant and play tickets! Please check it out and bid if you can! https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/lion-pride-march-maddness-29828" (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Pine Hills: "Need interior remodeling? I highly recommend JC Remodeling! Juan and his crew were fast, communicative and delivered as promised. PM me if you need more info." (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Parkway Villages: "Ladies, join us on April 16 as we discuss mental health and how we can be more confident in who we are! Ticket includes a three-course meal! Registration ends March 31. Link: https://www.pearlsofesther.com/new-products/beyondthemask" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Estate Planning Webinar 3/21 & 3/21 (March 21)
  • PRIDE Kickball Atlanta Spring Leagues (March 21)
  • DeKalb Symphony Masterworks Series No. 2 (March 22)
  • American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
  • 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)
  • Add your event

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

— Kathy Cioffi

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

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