Many good things have contributed to the amazing start to the season for the Braves. One of the biggest factors is how well many of the depth position player signings and acquisitions have worked out for Atlanta, such as Dominic Smith and Jorge Mateo. But the best of all was the trade for Mauricio Dubon, whose versatility has been extremely valuable for the Braves. Alex Anthopoulos has always made good moves on the margins, and this year is no different.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Water Safety Coalition working to increase access to water-safety programs
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Roughly 70% of the earth is covered in water, and yet, many people do not know how to interact with it.
That problem is especially prevalent in African-American communities. According to the National Institutes of Health, from 2019 to 2020, the drowning rate for Black or African Americans ages 29 and under increased by 23.7%.
That problem was a catalyst behind the 2023 creation of the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition.
“We have to do something,” said Allison Toller, the Chief Social Impact Officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.
Swimming is a life skill that has struggled to wade into some metro Atlanta communities. For people who don’t know how to swim, the idea of being close to large bodies of water can be terrifying. And if parents don’t swim, there’s a good chance their children don’t either.
“The highest rate of death in children is a result of drowning,” Toller said.
This is the thinking behind the AWSC, a union of the YMCA of metro Atlanta, Atlanta Parks and Recreation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Red Cross.
“We share our resources, and we come together and share ideas, and we use those ideas to help advocate for water safety,” said Atlanta Aquatics Director Marcus Byams. “Some people may have a fear of water, and we’re here to help them overcome those fears as well.”
That’s especially true for the area surrounding the Villages at Carver Family YMCA in Southwest Atlanta.
“In those brown and black communities, the percentages of drownings have increased,” Byams said, echoing the NIH data.
Part of creating access is spreading the word, something addressed in the showing of the documentary, Drowning In Silence at the ‘Carver YMCA’ on Thursday night.
“The documentary sheds a light on a few families that have experienced drownings and the effects it had on their lives,” Byams explained.
The message is spreading. David Goldstein swims at the Carver YMCA five times per week and has seen the plan in action.
“You can tell each time the kids come they get more comfortable, and they really do a good job with their youth program, teaching kids to swim,” Goldstein said.
While the AWSC is barely six months old, the coalition has created an excellent jumping-in point to teach people to safely interact with 70% of the earth.
“We’re just getting started,” Toller said.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Falcons sign Drake London to four-year extension
One of the most inevitable moves of the summer is complete. The Atlanta Falcons have given Drake London a lucrative four year deal worth up to $150 million, locking up their top receiver for the foreseeable future.
It’s a deserved extension for a physical, sure-handed talent who has been consistently excellent in Atlanta despite a constantly rotating cast of quarterbacks. London, who has averaged 1,086 yards over four NFL seasons and has 22 touchdowns over that span, has also emerged as one of the locker room’s most vocal and accountable players.
The 2022 first round pick came into the NFL catching passes from Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder and flourished immediately, with 806 yards and four touchdowns in year one and 905 yards and two touchdowns in year two. When the coaching staff turned over and Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. entered the picture, London exploded for 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2024, following that up with 919 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games a year ago. Through just four seasons, London is already 10th in team history in receiving yards, eighth in receptions, and 13th in touchdowns, and mixes that with solid blocking. He’s been the ideal receiver for the last two iterations of this Falcons offense, and I have no doubt that will continue here.
The contract’s guaranteed money would be tops in the NFL if the $100 million figure is accurate, but by overall money it’s just the third most lucrative contract in the league, and will likely be hovering near the bottom of the top ten in a couple of seasons. The Falcons were never going to risk losing their top receiving option, and if all goes well, London will continue to thrive in Atlanta and set his sights on surpassing some franchise legends in the years to come. I’m glad the deal is done, and we’ll see the exact terms soon enough.
How do you feel about this extension?
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves News: Mauricio Dubon, Hurston Waldrep, Week Ahead, More
Andrelton Simmons plies his trade in Mexico
The Athletic caught up with former Braves shortstop – and one of the most gifted defenders at the position in the history of the game – Andrelton Simmons who, at 36, returned to organized baseball in Mexico last season.
Link below.
In a fun “Where are they now” segment, here is an update on Andrelton Simmons.
Atlanta, GA
Woman fatally stabbed on MARTA train near Oakland City Station; riders question transit safety as World Cup nears
A man accused of fatally stabbing a woman aboard a MARTA train is now in custody, as the violent attack raises new concerns about safety across Atlanta’s transit system.
According to police, 52-year-old Margaret Swan was riding a MARTA train near the Oakland City Station on May 30 when she was stabbed to death.
Investigators say officers quickly arrested the suspect, identified as John Elijah Matthews, at the station shortly after the attack.
Swan’s ex-husband, Jerry Swan, said he was devastated when his daughter called to tell him what happened.
“I was happy they caught him, but in my mind the thought was why did he do that to such a nice person,” he said.
Jerry Swan described Margaret as a devoted grandmother who loved spending time with her family.
“She was on her way to keep one of her grandbabies when it happened,” he said.
The deadly stabbing has also left some MARTA riders uneasy about safety on the transit system.
Nahsar Alexander, who says he rides MARTA every day, told CBS News Atlanta the attack is alarming.
“That was an innocent lady,” Alexander said. “If she didn’t do anything, what’s stopping someone from hurting me?”
MARTA officials say nearly 300 officers are assigned throughout the transit system to help keep riders safe. Additional officers were visible Monday at stations, including patrols on motorcycles.
The agency says security measures are also expected to increase ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when Atlanta is expected to see a major influx of visitors.
MARTA says its current security resources include more than 12,000 cameras across rail stations, buses and railcars, along with a Real Time Crime Center monitored during operating hours. Officials also say undercover officers regularly patrol stations, buses and trains.
Ahead of the World Cup, MARTA plans to activate its Emergency Operations Center during matches and fan events, deploy its Mobile Command Vehicle at key locations and partner with outsidxe law enforcement agencies for additional support.
Officials say additional train patrols and crowd control teams will also be used throughout the system.
Some riders say the increased police presence is reassuring, but concerns remain.
“Yes, but even with more police officers crime is still going to happen,” Alexander said.
Matthews is facing a murder charge.
MARTA says all staff not directly involved in operations or policing will also serve as Transit Ambassadors during the World Cup to assist riders and monitor activity across the system.
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