🌱 Sandy Springs Sidewalk Access To MARTA + PD Up Shooter Trainings

Hello, everybody! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Sandy Springs plans to build sidewalk access to MARTA along Roswell Road and residents are invited to share their opinions on the proposed improvements on Aug. 18. The project aims to complete the pedestrian network for MARTA transit users, including walk-up access and sidewalks. To ensure pedestrian safety, the city will add two raised medians and a signalized crossing as well as the new sidewalk and landscape strips. To fund the project, Sandy Springs committed 20 percent of local funding to match up to $1.7 million to get federal funding amounting to $7.8 million. (Reporter Newspapers)
2. Atlanta BeltLine's new budget is 35 percent higher than last year's. Part of the reason for the higher budget is the inflation that is raising prices in every industry. In some areas, BeltLine is intending to spend more than 50 percent of the amount from last year. BeltLine is not the only business making such adjustments — even households are making similar plans where possible to adjust to the new inflation rate. (The Business Journals, Subscription)
3. Three customers have paid almost $45,000 to Billy Cox, an unlicensed contractor, for little to no work. The first known victim, Joe Sgroe, paid $16,500 for a deck that was never completed. Konstynce Eberhard paid $9,200 to expand her grandparents' home, but the Cox and his crew stopped showing up. Another victim, who chose not to be identified, paid Cox for another unfinished deck. All of the projects were started without appropriate permits or to code. (CBS 46 News)
4. In light of recent tragedies, school shooter training for police has ramped up in the metro Atlanta area. Six out of 16 police departments contacted by 11Alive provided details plans for school shooter training. Cobb County's training included simulations with civilian participation to educate the public alongside officers. All trainings incorporate projectile or shock weapons to demonstrate the risks and mistakes in each scenario. (11Alive.com WXIA)
5. A man has been targeted in a deadly shooting outside the Manor III apartment complex in southwest Atlanta. Officers were called to the apartments on Arthur Langford Jr. Place around 8:00 p.m. The man, believed to be between 35 and 40 years old, was found dead with several bullet wounds. The victim's identity has not been released. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in Atlanta:

• Friday Movie Cinema: King Kong (2005) At Scott Candler Library (11:00 AM)
• High Frequency Friday At High Museum of Art (6:00 PM)
• Survival Safari at Zoo Atlanta (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• You may be eligible for free school meals in your district. You can apply in Fulton County here. All families are encouraged to apply as it can also help with academic expenses like internet access or fee waivers for college applications. (11Alive.com WXIA)
• Here are four single-family homes available in the Atlanta area. The available homes range from $450k to $850k and all feature at least 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. (We were particularly charmed by the gorgeous walkway up to the Niles Ave House!) (Atlanta Patch)
• Best Friends in Atlanta has announced a Clear the Shelters event and will be waving adoption fees from Aug. 6 through the end of the month. You can scroll through the abundance of available options here. (CBS 46 News)

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• Introduction to Tai Chi for relaxation, balance, and joint health (August 11)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.