🌱 NW Atlanta Stairwell Falls, Kills 1 + Science Festival Returns

Kathy Cioffi
Updated ·7 min read

Happy Wednesday, neighbors! Let's get this day started. Here's what's happening today in Atlanta.

First, today's weather:

Occasional rain. High: 61 Low: 49.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Atlanta:

  1. A concrete stairwell collapsed, killing a worker at an apartment in northwest Atlanta Tuesday afternoon, Atlanta Fire Rescue said. Atlanta police, fire crews and EMS responded to the accident at 1220 Gun Club Road following reports that the stairwell fell on a construction worker at the Hollywood/Shawnee apartment complex. The man, who wasn’t breathing when police arrived, died a short time later, according to a spokesperson. Representatives from Atlanta Gas Light headed to the scene, as well, since the falling concrete struck a gas meter, and released a statement saying the falling debris did not cause any leaks. (Free: WSB Atlanta; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

  2. After two years of quarantine, the Atlanta Science Festival is back in full force, featuring two weeks of hands-on and online scientific fun through March 26 for enthusiasts of all ages. Saturday, Georgia Tech physics professor Sabetta Matsumoto and artist and architect Amy Landesberg discussed some common threads between art and science during "Conversations in Creativity," presented by Science Gallery and WABE at Pullman Yards. The Atlanta Science Festival will feature 100 events capped off with the Exploration Expo March 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Piedmont Park. (WABE 90.1 FM)

  3. Georgia has recorded the fewest confirmed COVID cases since the delta variant began its surge in July 2021. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there were 182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday. The last time numbers were that low was July 4, 2021, when DPH recorded 182 cases. This week is the two-year anniversary of the World Health Organization declaring the COVID-19 epidemic to be a global pandemic. In the past two weeks, confirmed COVID-related deaths have decreased by about 30 percent and hospitalizations are down 37 percent, according to Channel 2 Action News. (Atlanta Patch)

  4. Monday, dozens of residents and local advocates protested the city of Atlanta’s planned removal of an installation on Peachtree Street downtown that dedicated two lanes to walkers and bicyclists. For over 200 days, a city-sponsored pilot program to reimagine three blocks of Peachtree, between Baker and Ellis streets, featured bollards and planters that protected lanes from cars on both sides of Peachtree. Thursday, the city announced that the pilot project was coming to an end this week, catching supporters by surprise, especially since future phases of the project had been partially funded. The day before the announcement that the installation would be taken down, in fact, the Atlanta Regional Commission approved a $1.2 million grant for the project, with the city contributing an additional $300,000. Officials haven’t said what could happen to those funds. (Free: Urbanizecity.com; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

  5. Walmart and Capital One are locating tech hubs in Atlanta, bringing hundreds of tech jobs to the city. The announcements are a reflection of major employers being increasingly drawn to the metro area, citing its growing number of technology graduates from colleges like Georgia Tech and efforts to boost racial diversity in tech ranks.Walmart’s Global Tech division will be hiring 140 in fields such as data science and software engineering. Capital One said it will be filling hundreds of jobs for engineer positions focused on cloud, data, machine learning and cybersecurity, as well as product managers. While Walmart has not yet found office space, Capital One said its 15,000 square foot office will be located in Ponce City Market in the Old Fourth Ward. (Free: Bexarcountynewsonline.com; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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Today in Atlanta:

  • Leprechauns on the Loose at DeKalb County Public Library (All day)

  • Free Walk-Up COVID-19 vaccine/booster clinics in partnership with the Dekalb County Board of Health. You don't need an appointment, ID, proof of citizenship or health insurance. Open to the entire Oglethorpe and DeKalb community! (10:00 AM)

  • L5P Biz Association member meeting at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (10:00 AM)

  • Women in Design Breakfast, part of Georgia's Women’s History Month featuring panel discussions, masterclasses and practical workshops to support and celebrate women's careers, education and business ventures. (11:00 AM)

  • The Atlanta Science Festival is a two-week celebration of local science and technology taking place March 12-26 throughout metro Atlanta. Explore the world of STEM with approximately 100 engaging events for kids and adults. Learn more: atlantasciencefestival.org. (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Cooks Landing: "Jovan Trash Hauling Services special for the month of March. Book your appointment today. Let's get those cars in the garage, safe from criminals and the sun! #jovantrashhaul #jovanenterprisesllc #trashhaul #junkremoval text 404-759-8841" (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Briarlake: "Cedar waxwings! Before we get too far into spring (which I love), I wanted to post these photos of cedar waxwings that I took in our neighborhood in February. They are such fascinating birds. Don't they look like masked bandits?" (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Charleston Pointe: "Hi Neighbors! I hope each of you are doing well! Our Troop still has Girl Scout Cookies for sale. Everything pictured here is what’s left. 😊" (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Midtown West: "Hey neighbors! If you didn't hear, Mayor Dickens announced the immediate demolition of the shared Peachtree space at Andrew Young International Boulevard and Peachtree Street. If you like having pedestrian-friendly additions to our town and moving toward a greener city, please take a few seconds to check out www.savesafepeachtree.org and if you agree with what you see, sign the petition. Thank you!" (Nextdoor)

  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Summerhill: "March 18: Get vaccinated! Free gift cards while supply lasts." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Black Wounds: A Dialogue, Reading and Book Signing (March 17)

  • "Carol on Cumberland: A Natural History" (March 19)

  • Estate Planning Webinar 3/21 & 3/21 (March 21)

  • Barranco Enterprises - 1st Annual Career Fair (March 21)

  • PRIDE Kickball Atlanta Spring Leagues (March 21)

  • DeKalb Symphony Masterworks Series No. 2 (March 22)

  • American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)

  • Independent Distilling 8 year Anniversary & Crawfish Boil with Mothers Best!! (March 26)

  • Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Kathy Cioffi

This article originally appeared on the Atlanta Patch