🌱 Police Officer Shot + Jones Drops Out + Frontier, Spirit Merge

Atlanta GA

07 February, 2022

3:41 PM

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Happy Tuesday, Atlanta! Here's everything worth knowing in town today. First, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 56 Low: 35. Are you a financial advisor? Attract clients in Atlanta based on your expertise and local connection through our high-impact native ads. Click here to learn more. Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today: A police officer was shot in the leg Monday afternoon in southwest Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Few details about the incident have been released, but Councilman Dustin Hillis said during a City Council meeting the officer had been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and is stable. The shooting occurred at the Colonial Square Apartment Homes along Old Hapeville Road in southwest Atlanta, according to Channel 2 Action News. At the scene, multiple police vehicles lined the streets just outside the complex, NewsChopper2 showed, and police tape sectioned off a few buildings in the complex. "I want to, of course, keep that officer, his friends, family and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers, and hope for his speedy recovery," Hillis said. (Free: CBS46 News Atlanta; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)Former Democrat Vernon Jones announced Monday that he is withdrawing from the Republican race for governor to run for an open U.S. House seat, a decision that gives ex-U.S. Sen. David Perdue a clearer shot at Georgia's top job. A former liberal Democrat, Jones tried to rebrand himself as a Trump loyalist but trailed far behind Perdue and incumbent Brian Kemp in fundraising and public polls. Even his bit of support, however, could have weakened Perdue, whom he endorsed as a "good man who loves our state and loves our country." Jones didn't say which House race he'll enter, but allies point to the vacant 10th District, a solidly Republican district that stretches across parts of northeast Georgia. His other option is the vacant 6th District, a Republican-leaning district that stretches from Atlanta's northern suburbs to Dawson County. (Free: 11Alive.com WXIA; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution) Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced Monday they are merging into a massive discount airline. Denver-based Frontier and Miramar, Fla.-based Spirit said combining would allow them to "compete even more aggressively, especially against m dominant 'Big Four' airlines, among others." Those four airlines referenced are American, Delta, Southwest and United. At Hartsfield-Jackson, the dominant carrier is Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, which makes up more than 80% of the market including its Delta Connection regional carrier flights. The Atlanta airport's second-largest carrier is Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which has 9% of the market. Even though Spirit controlled less than 3% of the market, that still makes it the third-largest carrier in Atlanta. Some observers, however, said the deal could face antitrust challenges from the Biden administration, which has taken a more aggressive approach to challenging mergers, according to the New York Times. (Free: CNBC.com; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution) Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is joining the ranks of Atlanta-based CNN. "I am thrilled to officially announce that I have joined @CNN as a political commentator," she announced in a tweet Monday morning. Bottoms, who studied broadcast journalism at Florida A&M University, was a guest on CNN and other cable news shows throughout the pandemic and 2020 election cycle. The former mayor, who didn't run for a second term last year, said she applied to work at the Atlanta-based network when she was a student at FAMU. "To now join the team nearly 30 (years) later is a reminder that a dream deferred is never a dream denied," Bottoms tweeted. (Atlanta Patch)Parents in the Atlanta and Fulton County districts interested in a spot on their child's school governance team can now declare their candidacy. In both Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools, governance teams comprised of parents, staff and community members work with principals to offer input on budgets, strategic plans and other decisions impacting that campus. The APS window to declare candidacy is open through Feb. 28, with voting to take place in April to select each school's team members. Parents and staff at the schools determine their representatives. In Fulton County Schools, parents have until March 2 to declare their interest in a spot on a school governance council, with voting to take place from March 23-30. (Free: FultonSchools.org; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution) Today in Atlanta: Black History Month Hunt for Historical Figures at DeKalb County Public Library (All Day) Celebrate National Pancake Month at Flying Biscuit Cafe Toco Hills (7:00 AM)Exercise Your Brain with Brain-Twisting Teasers at DeKalb County Public Library (10:00 AM)Relax and De-Stress with Color Therapy at Scott Candler Library (10:00 AM)A Rapid Virtual Resume Blitz at Conant Performing Arts Center (3:00 PM) From my notebook: The City of Atlanta Police Department congratulates Officer Todd and Officer Adams in their Commendation award! Both men are credited with saving an unconscious man from a burning vehicle after a terrible accident. These two officers worked together, selflessly putting the victim's life and safety before their own, as they pulled him from the vehicle. Officers Todd and Adams reflect our highest ideals, and shine a light on the humanity, training and dedication that they and so many of our officers have. The Zone 5 community and this city is safer with these two on patrol. We are proud of the work of our officers and are always grateful when other people and agencies recognize their heroic efforts as much as we do. We thank Atlanta MetroPol for recognizing this dynamic duo. #APDProud #AtlantaPolice (Facebook) Atlanta Public Schools says that, without school counselors, many students wouldn't receive the support needed to reach higher in their academic endeavors and future careers. In honor of National School Counseling Week, we say thank you to our APS counselors for your tremendous impact! (Facebook) Reminder from MARTA: Federal mandate still requires face masks to be worn at all times while taking transit – including while inside stations, buses, trains and streetcars. Customers who refuse to wear a mask are subject to a 12-hour suspension from the system. Thank you for wearing a mask. (Facebook) When Atlanta History Center marks 100 years of existence in 2026, the United States will mark its 250th anniversary. As people across our city, state and country consider what it means to create a democracy functioning by and for everyone, Atlanta History Center will use its resources to explore the history of the components that make a healthy democratic system, including methods of civic engagement, widespread and informed voter participation, civil rights and community leadership. Our President and CEO shares more: https://www.ajc.com/.../opini.../GZ3PQ6COJ5E2XC76B232RZITKA/ (Facebook) Nextdoor Neighbor, Sandtown Center: "Hi there! - This is a reminder of the Spring Brunch Social honoring our seniors, CoSF trachees, elected officials and first resonders. Save the date and register by sending an email to [email protected]" (Nextdoor) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: Black History Month Program (February 10) FREE COVID-19 VACCINES & BOOSTERS at BEN HILL UMC (February 12) Atlanta Gathering of Angels (February 16) Anna Razumovskaya Artist Show (February 18) GO Volleyball League Registration - Brookhaven (March 9) GO Softball League Registration - Piedmont Park (March 9) Add your event Announcements: The NFMG Spring 2022 Gardening Lecture Series begins February 6 (Details) Add your announcement For sale: Valentines gifts for everyone (Details) Add your item Loving the Atlanta Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business showcased in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] That's it for today. I'll see you around! — Kathy Cioffi