🌱 Spelman College Bomb Threat + RIP Zoo Atlanta Tortoise Patches

Atlanta GA

08 February, 2022

6:53 PM

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Good morning, Atlanta! Kathy Cioffi, your usual source for the Atlanta Daily, is out today. But Patch still wants to make sure you are up-to-date on all of your local happenings, so I am here to fill in! Please note that during this period your newsletters might be lighter than usual. Now, on to everything you need to know, in 5 minutes or less.- Jeri First, today's weather: Plenty of sunshine. High: 61 Low: 38. One of the easiest ways to connect with local customers and stay top-of-mind in town is to sponsor the Atlanta Daily. Click here to learn more. Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today: Georgia lawmakers will consider reducing the number of counties and school districts in Georgia. South Georgia's Stewart County lost 12% of its population over the last decade. Stewart County is one of 67 in Georgia that has lost population over the last decade, according to the 2020 Census. Recently, some lawmakers said it's time to consider combining some of those counties in decline. Such consolidation could affect metro Atlanta counties as well – particularly at a time when lawmakers have shown they have an appetite to rework the commission districts of several counties. (11Alive.com WXIA) Atlanta police did a sweep of Spelman College Tuesday after another bomb threat to the Atlanta historically Black university's campus. The university's Department of Public Safety received a bomb threat with no information about a location or time of detonation, according to Spelman officials. The campus was closed and classes were suspended while officials and the Atlanta Police Department did a sweep of the university and investigated the threat. The threat to Spelman is the third to the university this year and comes a week after the previous one. (FOX 5 Atlanta)The Atlanta City Council approved legislation Monday to expand the Public Safety Commission's purpose to include crime strategy and add business leaders and neighborhood associations. The commission will now be divided into five working groups designed to focus on crime deterrence and the enforcement and application of existing laws within specific geographic areas of Atlanta aligned with the boundaries of the six Atlanta Police Zones. (Reporter Newspapers)There is more information about the officer that was shot on Monday near the 2300 block of Hapeville Road in southwest Atlanta. The 11-year police veteran, who has not been identified, is recovering in stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital's trauma center following surgery, Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Darin Schierbaum said. The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Christian Eppinger. When the officer, a member of the department's gang unit, tried to arrest the suspect, the two began to scuffle. Eppinger, pulled out a gun and shot the officer several times, seriously injuring him. The officer returned fire and hit Eppinger, Schierbaum said. Eppinger was booked into the Fulton County Jail on aggravated assault, armed robbery, and other charges. He is being held without bond, according to the jail records. (Atlanta Patch)Zoo Atlanta is remembering the life of its giant tortoise, Patches. The Aldabra giant tortoise had been ill for several days when officials decided to euthanize her on Saturday. Zoo officials said the veterinary staff was treating her for lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite and fluid buildup. Medical professionals taking a CT scan found a large mass in her body, among other health concerns, and made the difficult decision to euthanize the tortoise, officials said. Patches was at Zoo Atlanta for 28 years after arriving in 1994 from another zoo, officials said. Although her exact age is not known, it is believed that she was between 70 and 80 years old. (Atlanta Patch) From our sponsor: Today's Atlanta Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com. Today in Atlanta: Take & Makes @ Hairston Crossing Library : Lunar New Year Craft. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Year of the Tiger craft! Stop by the Circulation Desk and take a craft kit to make at home, while supplies last. (12:00 AM) Customers are invited to celebrate National Pancake Month with the Flying Biscuit Café Toco Hills. The restaurant is bringing back its famous Red Velvet Pancakes with cream cheese frosting, topped with fresh strawberries. (7:00 AM) Try this Love on the Rocks Mixology Class at Bellyard, West Midtown Atlanta. Love stinks, let's drink. Discover the tricks of the trade as you create 3 Anti-Valentine's Day themed cocktails. (7:30 PM) From my notebook: Need some ideas for the perfect gift for your favorite Valentine? Join FOX5 Atlanta for a trip through Krog Street Market with an eye toward sweets for your sweetie. (FOX 5 Atlanta)Paces Properties is pleased to share news of the newest tenant to join its Memorial Drive Atlanta Dairies redevelopment, El Malo, anticipated to open in Q4 of 2022. The new destination for music and cocktails, El Malo is a rum bar rooted in deep reverence for the history and culture surrounding sugar cane/agave-based spirits. El Malo joins seven additional tenants that are already open including City Champion, Dairies Coffeehouse and Cold Brew Bar, Paradiso Plant Shop, Proper Wax, Three Taverns Imaginarium, Wonderkid, YOUNG BLOOD, and The Eastern music venue, which most recently debuted with a fall opening last year. (metroatlantaceo.com) The Atlanta Police Department invites the community to join the Connect Atlanta program to help fight crime by integrating your cameras to the existing network. https://buff.ly/3B0Vd8J • Register your security cameras with APD to help identify nearby cameras in case of an incident. An APD investigator will contact you via email if they need your assistance solving a crime near you. (Facebook) Join the Atlantic Bicycle Coalition on Thursday, February 17 at 6:30 pm for its 1️⃣st Stakeholder Briefing of 2022! It will be sharing 2021 accomplishments and the focus for the year ahead. (Facebook) 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) Feeling Overwhelmed? Anxieties? Re-center yourself with Holistic Fitness for all levels! (February 14) 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 featured in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] That's it for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update. — Jeri Karges About me: Jeri Karges has been living in and loving the Sacramento region for over 30 years. Her passion is finding new and unique ways to enjoy the city and surrounding areas. On weekends, you can find her pestering her friends to sample the restaurant that doesn't have silverware, or try their hand at throwing an axe. Jeri also enjoys writing about retirement planning at https://rockinretirement.subst...