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Atlanta hair stylist holds fundraiser for house, apartment fire victims

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Atlanta hair stylist holds fundraiser for house, apartment fire victims


An Atlanta hair stylist held an American Red Cross fundraiser Sunday to raise money for victims of house fires. He was motivated to do so after seeing the aftermath of the Reserve at LaVista Walk apartment fire in November.

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“I think it’s just really crucial right now to just help out. Lend a helping hand,” DL Norwood, senior stylist at Van Michael Salon, said.

“I know what it’s like to not have and go without. Those people just needed some comforting, and they lost everything,” he added.

What happened to the Reserve at LaVista Walk apartments?

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The Nov. 8 fire at the Reserve at LaVista Walk apartments left 283 units destroyed or with significant damage.

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Two people were arrested and charged with criminal damage to property for setting off fireworks on the roof which are believed to have started the blaze.

From left to right: Robert Stokes and Charnelle Gunn (Credit: Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

On Sunday, Van Michael salon in Buckhead held cuts for a cause partnering with the American Red Cross to raise money for displaced residents at the Reserve at LaVista Walk as well as others who have lost their homes in fires.

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“I couldn’t imagine losing my stuff like that and not having anywhere to lay my head, and so I just felt like they needed a little bit of love and care and attention,” Norwood said.

The American Red Cross helped over 350 people impacted by the reserve at LaVista Walk fire alone, serving over 500 meals and snacks to displaced residents.

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The Red Cross says home fires are the country’s most frequent disaster with around seven people dying in home fires each day across the country.

What does the local Red Cross do?

“Every single night there are Red Cross volunteers that are going out to people’s homes to give that care and comfort and support to provide prescriptions, eyeglasses, a place to stay, food and clothing,” Kim Lane of the American Red Cross of Georgia explained.

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Norwood hopes his efforts to spread awareness of the need for home fire victims will make a difference for LaVista Walk residents and others beginning to move forward after these disasters.

“It’s just something that was screaming my name,” he explained.

Norwood’s campaign with Van Michael can be accessed here. You can also donate to the Red Cross here.

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Atlanta, GA

Update on travel conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson airport

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Update on travel conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson airport


It’s a busy day of travel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. And although there are a few delays, there have not been any cancelations as of noon. We also now have more info about what happened to the flight to Amsterdam that was canceled on Tuesday night.



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Atlanta, GA

Man killed in northwest Atlanta shooting, police say

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Man killed in northwest Atlanta shooting, police say


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A man was shot to death at a northwest Atlanta apartment building on Tuesday night, according to police.

Atlanta police said they responded to a person shot at an apartment building located at 361 Oliver Street NW, near the Vine City neighborhood.

Officers reportedly found a man with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not released further details, including the victim’s name or if they’ve identified suspects.

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This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.



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Atlanta, GA

Westside residents push back on APS plan, call for inclusion in decisions

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Westside residents push back on APS plan, call for inclusion in decisions


Concerned residents on Atlanta’s Westside gathered Monday night for an emergency community meeting in Vine City, saying a proposed Atlanta Public Schools plan to repurpose 16 schools will disproportionately impact their neighborhoods — and deepen what they call decades of disinvestment.

‘A crisis’ for Westside

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What they’re saying:

The meeting, held at Live Life Tabernacle, drew a small but passionate group of residents who said they’re tired of being overlooked when it comes to city funding and educational resources.

“We have a crisis,” one speaker said, as community members nodded in agreement.

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Under the APS proposal, a majority of the 16 schools slated for closure or repurposing are located in Atlanta’s western neighborhoods, including Vine City and nearby communities.

Alton Peterson, a longtime resident and small business owner, voiced frustration over what he described as another blow to struggling families.

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“They closing down schools. What can kids going to do?” he said. “They probably have to travel farther — and parents can’t do that because they’re struggling to pay rent and other bills.”

Concerns over city spending and gentrification

What they’re saying:

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Residents also pointed to what they view as a longstanding disparity in how Atlanta’s tax allocation district (TAD) funding is distributed. The program was designed to spur development and improve infrastructure in underserved areas — but locals say the benefits haven’t reached them.

“We need oversight,” one attendee said. “We need to make sure it actually goes toward projects that actually help the people.”

Last month, Mayor Andre Dickens proposed using $5 billion in TAD funds to expand access to jobs, education, and food, while extending the program through 2055. But residents worry that the plan won’t arrive soon enough to slow gentrification and prevent more long-time families from being displaced.

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Ann Breedlove, a Westside business owner, said her community has watched property values rise while Black residents have been forced out.

“The property owners and investors that have taken our properties in these neighborhoods — they have studied, pushed out African American people,” she said.

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Calls for inclusion and accountability

What they’re saying:

For Peterson and others, the solution begins with inclusion — ensuring Westside residents have a voice in how development dollars are spent.

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“My concern is just that the money’s going into the right places,” Peterson said. “Up the street, you’ll see folks laying on the sidewalk, folks asking you, ‘Can I get a quarter?’ It shouldn’t be that.”

Those who attended Monday’s meeting said this was just the beginning. They hope to strengthen dialogue not only within the neighborhood but also with city leaders and APS officials.

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo attending the meeting and listening to speakers.

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