🌱 I-285: 2 Lanes Closed Indefinitely + Zoo Active Shooter Drill

Atlanta GA

28 February, 2022

4:53 PM

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Good morning, Atlanta! Let's get you started this Tuesday with everything you need to know going on around town today. First, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 68 Low: 43. Attention, financial planners and advisors — we're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building their client base in Atlanta. Click here to learn more. Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today: Two of four lanes on I-285 northbound near Langford Parkway have been shut down by police in relation to a "road surface collapse," according to the Georgia Department of Transportation, and will remain closed indefinitely for bridge repairs. Just before 3 p.m. Monday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety tweeted that the two lanes between Langford Parkway and Cascade Road would remain closed indefinitely for repairs and the on-ramp from Campbellton Road to I-285 North will stay closed as well. Although few details have been released about the nature of the "collapse," as described by GDOT, the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency tweeted that authorities were investigating a "bridge infrastructure issue" that includes a hole in the bridge deck, Channel 2 Action News reported. Drivers should use the Downtown Connector as an alternate route, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. (Free: CBS46 News Atlanta; Subscription: Atlanta Journal Constitution)Grant Park residents be warned: The influx of SWAT vehicles and firetrucks you may see tonight is the city's first responders conducting active shooter training at Zoo Atlanta. The drill, which will begin at 6 p.m. while the zoo is closed to the public, is something the Atlanta Police Department hosts regularly to prepare officers for real active shooter scenarios, agency spokesman Officer Steve Avery said. In the past, similar exercises have been conducted at Lenox Square and the Georgia Aquarium. "This training is an extremely important part of the ongoing training our officers participate in to remain prepared to respond to and address active shooter situations," the police department said Monday. (Free: WSB Atlanta; Subscription: Atlanta Journal Constitution) Prices at the pump leveled off by midday Monday in metro Atlanta amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although the average price of gasoline was still 27 cents a gallon above its price a month ago. For weeks, gas prices have paralleled the trajectory of world oil prices, driven by fear that Russia's invasion of Ukraine would lead to cuts in the flow of crude oil onto world markets. But, despite the ongoing war, the oil has kept flowing and prices, at least for now, have stopped climbing. Monday, the average price of gas in metro Atlanta was $3.49 a gallon, according to Gas Buddy, compared to $3.33 a week ago and $3.22 a month ago. Nationally, the average price of gas Monday was $3.61 a gallon, according to AAA, compared to an average of $3.50 a gallon statewide in Georgia. (Free: Fox 5 Atlanta; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution) MARTA has launched a new on-demand transit service to provide customers rides to its rail stations and bus stops. A six-month pilot program, the MARTA Reach program will be limited to three areas - West Atlanta, the Belvedere area of Decatur and the Gillem Logistics Center in Clayton County - but could be expanded if it proves successful. A partnership between MARTA and Georgia Tech, the goal of the ride-sharing service is to make it easier and faster for riders to get to and from their destinations using MARTA, minimizing waiting and walking. For more information, visit www.itsmarta.com/reach.aspx. (Free: freshtakegeorgia.org; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)Peter Sagal will be hosting a live "Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!" NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program, in front of an audience Thursday at the Fox Theatre, the show's first in two years. Ahead of the Atlanta show, Sagal joined "City Lights" host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to share trivia and reflections on his over-two-decades experience facilitating countless hours of fun on NPR's most lovable news program. (WABE 90.1 FM) ________________ Looking for a healthy alternative to that mid-week glass (or three) of wine? Our partners at Betera set out to create beverages that were sophisticated and flavorful enough to drink at cocktail hour but with zero hangover risk. (Their motto is "Drink like there's tomorrow.") Betera's drinks are designed by a Michelin-starred chef using natural botanicals — they're lightly effervescent, sippable, refreshingly bitter and at home in a stem glass or in a highball on the rocks. Betera offers three recipes — Rhubarb-Hibiscus, Elderflower-Lime and Ginger-Orange. We've tried all three and loved them equally — we recommend the mixed case as a great place to start.Betera has extended their 15% discount on first orders to Daily readers, in appreciation for the enthusiastic response so far. Enter Patch15 at checkout and https://bit.ly/TryBetera. Today in Atlanta: Fat Tuesday with the DeKalb County Public Library. Stop by the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library for your Mardi Gras beads, while supplies last. (All day) Ready to play Spark Golf at a variety of local golf courses? Spark is a network of 9-hole, social golf leagues organized to be casual and fun, with a touch of friendly competition. (9:00 AM) WorkSource DeKalb's "Jobs Bus," a mobile career and resource center, provides job search assistance. COVID-19 protocols are in place, and masks are required. Subject to change without notice. (10:00 AM) Picturing Women Inventors poster exhibit at Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. View the exhibit and answer trivia questions for a prize drawing at the end of March. (10:00 AM) C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar, Vinings & Sandy Springs, and Hugo's Oyster Bar, Roswell, are celebrating Mardi Gras with their annual Fat Tuesday Party today. All locations will be offering festive food and drink specials such as boudin balls, beignets, BBQ NOLA shrimp, hurricanes and much more! Throughout the evening, guests can also enjoy live music at Vinings and Hugo's Oyster Bar as well as festive music at Sandy Springs. (4:00 PM) From my notebook: Nextdoor Neighbor, Lenox Park: "Looking for handyman/woman recommendations. Need some punch-list things knocked out - minor drywall, light electrical, painting. Thanks in advance for anyone you can pass along." (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, Peachtree Hills: "We just moved into our new build and, unfortunately, the builders' cleaners did not clean the unfinished, walk-out basement to our satisfaction. There is a significant amount of dust and dirt and debris that needs to be removed and, if possible, the cement floor pressure washed or something similar. If you have any recommendations for a cleaning service that can handle this type of mess, please let me know. Thanks in advance." (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, Cabbagetown: "Question regarding unwanted books: I am moving out of state in a couple of months and have a wall of various books. Some are hard backs and many are paperbacks. I would love for them to go to a good place for others to share. I know I could take some to the library but I was wondering if anyone knows of an organization that would come pick up the books and put them to good use?" (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, Riverside: "Anyone have a bunk bed and/or dresser you (or someone you know) are trying to get rid of? I have 2 children coming to live with me to get out of an emergency situation, and I'm trying to make them a home." (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, Toco Hills: "Unbelievable footage from Ukraine. I'm wondering who might be organizing refugee relief and/or accommodation in the Atlanta metropolitan area?" (Nextdoor) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: GO Kickball League Registration (March 9) GO Volleyball League Registration - Brookhaven (March 9) GO Softball League Registration - Piedmont Park (March 9) PRIDE Kickball Atlanta Spring Leagues (March 21) Add your event 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] Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. See you all tomorrow for another update! — Kathy Cioffi