🌱 Falcons' Ridley Suspended For Gambling + Rainbow Crosswalk Fix

Atlanta GA

07 March, 2022

6:17 PM

Description

Happy Tuesday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note. First, today's weather: Cooler; a little p.m. rain. High: 61 Low: 54. 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 5 stories today in Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended indefinitely for accusations that he violated the NFL's gambling policy and bet on games during the 2021 season. League officials said Ridley's suspension will go at least through the 2022 season. According to the NFL, during a five-day stretch in late November while he was taking time off from playing for a non-football illness, the five-year veteran placed wagers on NFL games. Although he will have an opportunity to appeal the decision, Ridley will have to wait until Feb. 15, 2023, to apply for reinstatement to the league, according to league officials. (Atlanta Patch) After back-to-back weekends of street takeovers during which drivers did doughnuts atop Midtown's rainbow crosswalks, large metal plates were installed as a preventive measure. On Feb. 21 and Feb. 28, cellphone videos posted to social media showed dozens of spectators blocking off traffic to watch muscle cars leaving tire burn marks scrawled over the colorful crosswalks at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue that were installed to recognize the contributions of the city's LGBTQ community. After the city's department of transportation workers cleaned up the tire marks two weeks in a row, last week the city installed large metal plates. On Monday, Atlanta police said there were no reports of weekend street takeovers at the intersection. (Free: Fox5 Atlanta; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution) Driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, gas prices are rising to historic highs. Monday's national average was just above $4.10 a gallon, marking a new record, according to Gas Buddy. In metro Atlanta, AAA reports the average price per gallon was around $3.97, although CBS 46 News reported prices of $4.59 Monday morning in Buckhead. "The big factor right now is definitely the issue in Ukraine with the uncertainty," said Montrae Waiters, a spokesperson with AAA. Not only are experts unsure about when prices might fall, Waiters speculated that "it could actually be a couple of months before we see any relief." (CBS 46 News) Veteran CBS46 anchor Karyn Greer has been hired as evening anchor by WSB-TV, still reeling from the death of Jovita Moore in October. Due to a non-compete clause in Greer's CBS46 contract, however, she will not be able to be on air on Channel 2 Action News for six months. Moore, who died from an aggressive brain tumor, had been at WSB-TV for decades and had taken over for Monica Pearson in the evening spot in 2012. (Free: GwinnettDailyPost.com; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)Publix aims to end hunger by partnering with local food banks and pantries with its Feeding More Together program. The initiative, launched by the grocery giant in 2021, allows customers to donate any dollar amount at the register that Publix is matching to provide food for local food banks and food pantries throughout the Southeast. Feeding More Together supports food banks in two ways: with nonperishable food items and with fresh produce purchased from Southeastern farmers. All donations support Feeding America member food banks as well as other local food pantries, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank. (Atlanta Patch) Today in Atlanta: Sign up for a free webinar | Michelangelo, Masaccio and Giotto: The Chapels that defined the Renaissance, presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero. (11:30 AM) College students are invited to celebrate the unforgettable story of one of the most iconic groups in modern history as Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta offers a special $30 College Student Rush Ticket for the Atlanta engagement of "Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations," playing the Fox Theatre March 8-13 as part of the 40th anniversary season. (9:00 AM) Celebrate "International Women's Day" with a surprise take-and-make kit at DeKalb County Public Library. (10:00 AM) The Atlanta Preservation Center presents its 19th-annual award-winning Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta's Historic Sites. This month-long event showcases over 50 participating Preservation Partners offering close to 100 in-person and virtual events – free of charge. (2:00 PM) In celebration of this year's International Women's Day, Red's Beer Garden is hosting a tap takeover from March 8 to March 13. The six featured taps at Red's will all be either brewed by women or owned by women. (4:00 PM) From my notebook: Atlanta Falcons offer a team statement on the NFL investigation of Calvin Ridley. (Instagram) The City of Atlanta Government wants to know if the #COVID19 pandemic impacted your business or nonprofit organization? If so, applications are open for Invest Atlanta's Resurgence Grant Fund. Apply today here: https://www.investatlanta.com/.../resurgence-grant-fund. (Facebook) The City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department notes that, between Feb. 27 - March 5, Atlanta Fire Rescue responded to 2,528 calls for service. #AFRD (Facebook) Atlanta Public Schools announces the last chance to apply for APS Pre-K Lottery! Do you know a child who will be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2022? If so, we encourage interested families to submit an APS Pre-K Lottery application by March 11! Visit www.enrollearlyatl.com to learn more and apply today! (Facebook)Atlanta Habitat recognizes Ev and Carson, two of our House Leaders, who lead volunteers on-site and work tirelessly to build affordable housing. Thank you both for all the ways you serve! #WomenInConstructionWeek #WomensHistoryMonth" (Facebook) 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) Feeling Overwhelmed? Anxieties? Re-center yourself with Holistic Fitness for all levels! (March 10) GA Pinners Conference (March 11) Arm of Casso and The Art of Sharpism: Artist reception (March 12) JOIN PICKLEBALL FLEX LEAGUES - Spring Registration Deadline (March 16) Black Wounds: A Dialogue, Reading and Book Signing (March 17) "Carol on Cumberland: A Natural History" (March 19) Barranco Enterprises - 1st Annual Career Fair (March 21) PRIDE Kickball Atlanta Spring Leagues (March 21) Add your event Announcements: Acworth Carpet Cleaning $149 free sanitizer 770-334-9198 (Details) No Down Payment Home Loans - No Housing Counseling Required! (Details) Add your announcement 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] Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update. — Kathy Cioffi