🌱 Couple Scams $1.5M Unemployment Benefits + All Lanes Reopen On I-85

Hey, everybody! It's Thursday in Atlanta and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 84 Low: 61.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Shenita Daniel, 42, and Wayne A. Lowe, Jr., 43, of Atlanta have been accused of scamming the unemployment system for over $1.5 million in benefits. As part of the alleged crimes, Daniel and Lowe are also alleged to have stolen multiple identities to steal unemployment insurance benefits by creating fake employer accounts with the Georgia Department of labor. Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey said, "Their desire for money, power and material items, drove them to perpetrate crimes against our unemployment insurance system and prey upon many individuals within our community." (FOX 5 Atlanta)
2. All lanes have reopened after a major crash on I-85 that injured five people. Three of the five injured people were listed in very serious condition. One critically injured person was flown to the hospital via helicopter. The cause of the crash is currently unclear. (WSB Atlanta)
3. The "Pianos for Peace" Festival, one of Atlanta's largest art projects, aims to make art accessible to all. Composer and pianist Malek Jandali created the program in 2015. Every year, the organization places colorful pianos decorated by local artists around the city for the public to enjoy. (WABE 90.1 FM)
4. Second Helpings Atlanta and Hello Fresh have partnered to distribute 500 thousand meals to families in need. Together, they spent the last year rescuing food around the community before it was thrown away. The fresh food was then packaged and distributed by volunteers to families struggling with food insecurity and inflation costs. (CBS 46 News)
5. A recent ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the renovation of affordable housing by the Beltline. Residents were reportedly thrilled with the results. Columbia at Capitol View in Adair Park was acquired by a new company responsible for renovations in 2018. (CBS 46 News)

Today in Atlanta:

• Teen Take-and-Make: Cyanotypes At Decatur Library (All Day)
• Beginner Sewing Lessons At Clarkston Library (2:00 PM)
• Nerd Night: Tabletop Gaming At Decatur Library (4:00 PM)
• Live Music At The Office Bar (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is giving away free one-day guest passes until Sep. 18. It will also be waiving fees and holding cultural events this week to boost memberships. ( The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
• The Atlanta Humane Society will be at New Realm Brewing tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for a Foster Dog Happy Hour. New Realm Brewing Co. will also be donating a portion of its proceeds from the event to the Atlanta Humane Society. (Atlanta Humane Society via Facebook)
• Looking for a new home? There are a handful of new houses available in and around Atlanta. We were in awe of the Habersham Road home with all that brick. (Atlanta Patch)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.