🌱 International Women's Day Statue Unveiled + ATL Housing 5-Year Plan

Welcome back, Atlanta. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today you'll find news about these stories and more...

• Atlanta college student in Mississippi accused of rape, previously charged in Fulton County in 2019
• Atlanta trailblazer honored with a downtown statue on International Women's Day
• Atlanta Housing unveils plan for the next five years

But first, today's weather:

A bit of afternoon rain. High: 58 Low: 48.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. A 22-year-old college student, Xavier Antwon Yarbough of Atlanta, has been arrested and charged with two counts of statutory rape in Jackson, Mississippi. The college student has been accused of similar crimes four times over the past four years, making him an alleged serial rapist, according to the FBI standards. He was previously charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery in Fulton County in 2019. Investigators believe Yarbough used drugs to prevent his victims from resisting, and there is a possibility that other victims may come forward. (11Alive.com WXIA)
2. A statue honoring Xernona Clayton — a Civil Rights Movement figure, television pioneer, and philanthropist — was unveiled in downtown Atlanta yesterday (Mar. 8) on the corner of West Peachtree and Simpson Street. Clayton, now 92, worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during her time with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was the first Black person with her own television show in the South. The eight-foot statue will serve as a tribute to her invaluable contributions to the city, state, and the world. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. Atlanta Housing has unveiled its five-year Strategic Plan with a focus on creating and preserving affordable housing units in the city. The plan includes the creation and preservation of 5,000 affordable units each, a commitment to enhancing housing assistance resources, the creation of opportunities for individuals, families, and children to thrive, and more. The department has identified previously demolished federal housing sites that will be repurposed to address the city's affordable housing shortage. (SaportaReport)
4. Atlanta City Council members received an audit report on the Municipal Market in Sweet Auburn and raised questions about the city's support for the business. City Hall has not collected any rental payments from the market since its inception in 1993, leading to debates on how to manage the Auburn Avenue business. An independent auditor recommended that the city finance team should discard the old agreement and develop a new one for the market. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
5. Atlanta police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the 400 block of Cleveland Avenue. One man was killed and another was injured in the incident, which police believe was the result of an argument. As of Wednesday afternoon, no details about the suspect have been released. (Atlanta Patch)

Today in Atlanta:

• Communication Workshop At Conant Performing Arts Center (3:30 PM)
• Orny Adams At The Underground – Atlanta (7:00 PM)
• Bobby Lyle Feat. Ragan Whiteside At Suite Lounge (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening this week in the Atlanta area at the link. (Atlanta Patch)
• The Fulton County Library System has released its 2022 Year in Review, which highlights that online programming became the primary medium for delivering services to library patrons during COVID-19 restrictions. As library users return to in-person services and programs, library usage is on the rise and nearing pre-COVID levels, while digital library services continue to increase. (Press Release Desk)
• The Daily, a Charleston-based coffee shop and cafe, is opening its Inman Park location on Mar. 13! The new location will feature the same menu as the Berkeley Park location, with the addition of a bread and pastry operation and the launch of its wholesale business. (Eater Atlanta)

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Featured events:

• Bobby Lyle Feat. Ragan Whiteside At Suite Lounge (March 9)
• Viernes Tropicales Latin Night Atlanta @ Sanctuary Night Club (March 10)
• 3wk East Coast Swing Dance Class Atlanta Starts march 13th (March 13)
• Music from Seven Continents (March 18)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.