🌱 SEC Championship Game + Dec. 25 Snow? + Slain Officer's Honors

Atlanta GA

03 December, 2021

6:55 PM

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Hey, Atlanta! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right. These are the most important things happening today in town. First, today's weather: Warm with periods of sun. High: 73 Low: 52. Here are the top stories in Atlanta today: Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the scene of the latest showdown between No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Alabama as the teams face off in the SEC Championship Game today at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs are undefeated this season and the Crimson Tide are in search of back-to-back SEC titles on the heels of a quadruple overtime win against rival Auburn. This will be the 10th time in 20 years the two teams will meet, and the fourth time in the past three calendar years. The Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1 SEC) have won six games in a row over the Bulldogs (12-0, 8-0), who enter the game as the favored team. (CBSsports.com)Will it be a white Christmas for Atlanta this year? According to recently released forecasts from the Farmers' Almanac and Accuweather, fresh snow in Georgia on Christmas this year isn't likely. Instead of a white Christmas, Georgia residents and others in the Southeast can expect the weather to be dry and cold for Dec. 25 as well as through the weekend. (Atlanta Patch) Services for slain Clayton County Police Field Training Officer Henry Laxson have been announced, as well as the names of the women killed in the deadly Rex shooting that also injured a 12-year-old boy. In addition to Laxson, Mary Gilliam, 70, and 32-year-old Dominique Bibbins were killed during a domestic dispute Tuesday evening. Public visitations will be held for Laxson on Monday, Dec. 6, from 4-8 p.m., and again on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon at First Baptist Jonesboro, 147 College Street, Jonesboro, after which a life celebration ceremony will follow, beginning at noon at First Baptist Jonesboro. A GoFundMe page has been created to help support Laxson's family. (Atlanta Patch) After being convicted of stealing the identities of more than 75 elderly people by purchasing their information on the dark web, two Atlanta men have each been sentenced to federal prison, according to officials. Durrell Tyler, 29, and DeShawn Johnson, 30, each pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity, said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Kurt Erskine in a news release Thursday."Deplorable felons who purposely prey on elderly victims are among the worst criminals there are," said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Steven R. Baisel. "We will work tirelessly to pull them from their hiding places." (Atlanta Journal Constitution)After nearly 15 years, Ford Fry is closing JCT Kitchen and Bar at Westside Provisions following dinner service on Dec. 31, to make way for a new Ford Fry restaurant there in 2022. Fry and Rocket Farms Restaurant group announced the decision Thursday evening on social media. Construction on the new restaurant in the Howell Mill shopping and dining district is set to begin in January, according to the announcement. (Eater Atlanta) Today in Atlanta: Enjoy Free Admission this Weekend to Local Museums with Bank of America Museums of Us (9:00 AM) Pet Photos with Santa (10:00 AM)Toast to the SEC Championship With Wild Heaven Beer (4:00 PM)Head to Firepit Pizza Tavern for SEC Championship Game Day Fun (4:00 PM)Don't Miss Dantanna's for the Ultimate SEC Championship Viewing Party (4:00 PM) Atlanta Patch Notebook MARTA: "Atlanta is hosting the SEC Championship Game this weekend and MARTA is the easiest way to get around & avoid traffic and expensive parking fees. SEC FanFare events and the game can be accessed by taking the train to the GWCC/CNN Center Station. Learn more: https://itsmarta.com/sec-championship.aspx" (Facebook)Atlanta Botanical Garden: "Garden Beer is spreading holiday cheer with notes of coffee, nutmeg and cardamom ! Try season 8 on your next visit to the Garden! 🍻" (Facebook) Atlanta Regional Commission: "New development of one-bedroom micro homes in the densely-populated city of Clarkston, the first-of-its-kind in the metro #ATL region, fosters home ownership." (Facebook) Isha Foundation: "Give the gift of sustainable, 100% natural body care from Isha Life this holiday season. Natural Radiance Collection from 'Conscious Holiday Gift Ideas' includes: Toothpaste- Uniquely formulated dental care drawing on the wisdom of Ayurveda made with 9 plant extracts. Handmade Soaps- Vegan with certified organic ingredients Neem Comb- Ecofriendly, durable hair comb made from neem wood. Cotton Bath Towel- Soft, 100% cotton towel. Shop at https://buff.ly/3losWSG" (Facebook) Atlanta BeltLine: "Are you a real estate professional working in Atlanta's intown neighborhoods? Want to learn about a new tool that is creating and preserving affordable housing along the BeltLine? Atlanta Land Trust (ALT) is hosting a virtual training session on Thurs., Dec. 9, 2021, where you can learn about the community land trust model and how it can help low- and moderate-income home buyers not served by traditional lenders. This is a continuing education class and a portion of the registration fee will go toward supporting the important work being done by ALT." (Facebook) From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Add your business here Events: "Big Psychic Fair (December 4) Nativities Exhibit (December 4) Thomas Arvid Annual Holiday Show (December 4) Free Aura Reading at Downtown Decatur (December 4) Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 6) Boost your Energy, Reduce Stress, Help your Immunity and Improve Sleep (December 7) Taxes In Retirement Seminar (December 8) Whitefield Academy Lower School Tour for PreK - 4th Grade (December 9) Free Aura Readings in Buckhead (December 10) Stepp Stewart's A Soulful Christmas 10th Anniversary Shows Dec 2-5 & 10-24 (December 10) Atlanta New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance Party (Latin dance & Top 40s room) (December 31) Add your event Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you around! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe. — Kathy Cioffi Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Atlanta Daily? Reach out anytime to [email protected].