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🌱 Patch AM: ATL Jail Fire Injures 5 Inmates, 4 Staffers

Spotted on the Atlanta calendar: Holidays on Peachtree Street

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Tuesday December 16th Patch AM
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Hi Atlanta! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Shower fire at Fulton County Jail sends nine people to hospital
  • How dialing 311 brings Atlanta’s diversion team instead of police
  • How will APS’s new Literacy Council change early reading success?

Also on today's calendar: Holidays on Peachtree Street and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Atlanta? Post it to Atlanta photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 54 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 56, low: 41.
  • Thursday: A shower in the p.m.; breezy, with a high of 62 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ATL Jail Fire Injures 5 Inmates, 4 Staffers (patch.com) — A fire inside Fulton County Jail’s Rice Street facility in Atlanta injured five inmates and four staff members after an inmate allegedly ignited plastic bags in a shower area. Atlanta Fire Rescue quickly put out the blaze, and all injured people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation while investigators continue examining what happened.
   

2. Atlanta's Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative hosts community open house (theatlantavoice.com) — Atlanta residents are being urged to use 311 instead of 911 when they see someone in crisis, sending the Atlanta-based Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative instead of police. The nonprofit, founded in Midtown, showcased its clothing closet, housing support, and diversion work at a recent open house, highlighting efforts to ease overcrowded jails and train neighbors to respond to mental health and homelessness concerns.
   

3. Atlanta Public Schools creates Literacy Council (wsbradio.com) — Atlanta Public Schools has launched a new Literacy Council to tackle low reading proficiency, with only about one-third of Atlanta students currently on grade level. The council of literacy experts and community leaders will focus on building stronger skills before third grade, while encouraging parents to support reading at home from the earliest years.
   

4. Atlanta Jewish community responds with unity after deadly Bondi Beach attack (fox5atlanta.com) — Metro Atlanta’s Jewish community is responding with unity after a deadly antisemitic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, saying the tragedy is deeply felt here. A public menorah lighting in Sandy Springs went ahead with heightened security as a visible show of resilience, faith, and determination not to let fear overshadow Hanukkah observances across the area.
   

5. Wholesome moment along Beltline goes viral after deadly antisemitic attack in Australia (atlantanewsfirst.com) — An Atlanta rabbi’s simple conversation on the BeltLine between a Jewish teacher and a Muslim passerby has gone viral for its message of unity after a deadly antisemitic attack in Australia. Rabbi Leivy Lapedis, known online as the “Beltline Rabbi,” says the heartfelt exchange shows how small acts of kindness in Atlanta can counter hate and inspire millions online.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Southern Soul Music - “A Great Awakening” the Final Review 2025 —Dr. Jazz' Thomas-Jones Read on Patch
  • The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority Launches a Food Security Collaborative in Partnership With Organizations —Betsy Helgager Hughes Read on Patch
  • Realtor® Jamie Mock Partners with FGP Home Services to Offer Clients Home Repair and Improvement Solutions —Julie Herron Carson Read on Patch
  • Update—Radar has been safely returned to his family!!!
    Found dog at Einstein’s on La Vista and North Druid Hills. He’s white with brown ears. Very sweet to humans and responds to basic commands. No collar… (Nextdoor Historic Brookhaven)
  • ATTENTION I found a small black pitbull puppy on Connally dr sw tonight at 7:15.
    He had been outside howling and crying and I was afraid he'd freeze to death. If you know anyone missing a puppy please let me reach out to me! (Nextdoor Greenbriar)
  • Atlanta, have you signed up for NotifyATL? Staying informed keeps our communities safe and connected. With NotifyATL, you’ll receive emergency alerts... (X: CityofAtlanta)
  • Senate Special Committee on Investigations to Hear Testimony from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Read more:... ... (X: GASenatePress)
  • Signia by Hilton Atlanta posted a job opening for Housekeeping Clerk in Atlanta. Apply here.
  • Loews Hotel & Resorts posted a job opening for Housekeeping Houseperson in Atlanta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Atlanta here.

Ok Atlanta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
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