Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a northwest Atlanta street crossing changed one family’s Christmas

Coming up on the Atlanta Patch calendar: Peach Bowl Blood Drive

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Monday December 22nd Patch AM
Monday December 22nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Atlanta! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a northwest Atlanta street crossing changed one family’s Christmas
  • How a Facebook Marketplace meetup at an Atlanta gas station turned dangerous
  • How inflation is changing Atlanta’s last-minute Christmas shopping rush

Also on today's calendar: Peach Bowl Blood Drive and 5 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Monday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 58 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Increasing amounts of sun, temps: high: 65, low: 53.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 71 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 8-year-old Atlanta girl hospitalized over Christmas after being hit by car (11alive.com) — An 8-year-old girl is recovering at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta after being hit by a car while crossing Joseph E. Boone Boulevard in northwest Atlanta, leaving her hospitalized over Christmas with a serious spinal injury. Her mother is juggling hospital time and care for other children while relying on an online fundraiser, and Atlanta police say the driver will not face charges.
   

2. Man arrested after Facebook Marketplace sale gone wrong, APD says (wsbtv.com) — Atlanta police say a Facebook Marketplace meetup at a Pryor Road gas station turned violent when a buyer allegedly grabbed an iPhone and tried to escape, injuring the seller and crashing into a gas pump. Officers arrested the suspect and booked him into Fulton County Jail on multiple charges. APD is urging Atlanta residents to use public locations and police exchange zones for online sales.
   

3. Inflation may be affecting last-minute holiday shoppers: ‘Definitely having to budget more' (wsbtv.com) — Atlanta shoppers are packing metro stores in the final hours before Christmas, but many say inflation is forcing them to budget more carefully. A local shop owner in Atlanta describes scrambling to buy inventory ahead of tariffs, only to be left overstocked as prices climbed. Economists say prices are up about 2.7% over last year and urge residents to hunt for last-minute deals.
   

4. Campus News: Belmont University's Fall 2025 Dean's list (macon.com) — Two Atlanta students from the 30339 ZIP code earned spots on Belmont University’s Fall 2025 Dean’s List, alongside high-achieving classmates from Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, and other nearby suburbs. The university says about 55% of its nearly 7,000 undergrads qualified, highlighting strong academic performance across the region.
   

5. Incoming PSC member ‘skeptical' massive energy boost is in ratepayers' best interest (atlantanewsfirst.com) — Georgia’s Public Service Commission, meeting in Atlanta, has approved a $16 billion expansion of Georgia Power’s grid to serve booming data center demand, while pledging to freeze rate hikes until 2028. A Democratic commissioner-elect from Atlanta is criticizing the rushed process and warning of higher long-term costs and pollution, even as Georgia Power touts future bill savings and economic growth.
   

📸 Around Atlanta

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Atlanta

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📣 Atlanta Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday December 22
  • Crafty Expressions: Mixed Media Creativity Exhibit
    Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library -
    10:00 am
  • Decorate an Ornament for the Tree
    Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library -
    10:00 am
  • Take & Make: Rocking Snowman
    County Line-Ellenwood Library -
    10:00 am
  • Blood Drive
    Flat Shoals Library -
    10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Buckhead Heritage Awards Honor Preservationists of the Year and Volunteer of the Year —Tim Small Read on Patch
  • Due to a trespasser previously affecting the trackways at GA State, delays occurring with Blue line service. (X: MARTAservice)
  • DISTURBING FIND: Hall County officers seized 100 animals from a Gainesville home in a large hoarding case./... (X: FOX5Atlanta)
  • Georgia Staffing posted a job opening for Seasonal Camp Director - Atlanta - Sandy Springs in Atlanta. Apply here.
  • GAT Airline Ground Support posted a job opening for B6 - Ramp Agent 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 feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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