Atlanta, GA
Changes to Atlanta city employee salaries could happen in weeks, councilman says
Atlanta city employees will keep extra hazard pay
City of Atlanta employees are breathing a little easier with the news that they’ll get to keep the extra hourly hazard pay they began receiving during the pandemic.
ATLANTA – Atlanta city employees can rest a little easier knowing they’ll get to keep the extra hourly hazard pay they began receiving during the height of the pandemic. This comes after concerns they’d lose the added income that was previously funded by federal dollars.
“There’s no way … There’s no way that I would be able to continue to live,” city employee, Michelle Chapman, told members of Atlanta City Council Monday.
What started as a bump in pay for risking exposure to COVID-19 has become an essential part of these employees’ livelihood.
“It’s the difference between them eating, and having a place to stay,” another employee, Tim McClain, told council members.
That difference is a $4.12 hourly increase that was funded by the federal government up until the funds ran out last year.
Chapman and McClain were among nearly a dozen city employees who went before council on Monday pleading city leaders would consider a solution that allowed them to keep the extra pay they’d grown to rely on.
“I come to work every day and I do the very best that I can,” Chapman said. “Find it in your hearts to make this a permanent part of my salary. I could not live without it.”
Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond says despite some confusion about the funding source, the added money was never in jeopardy.
“Everything because of inflation has gone up. That includes groceries, that includes gas,” he stated. “The City of Atlanta has assumed that burden now that the federal government will not be continuing to pass on that payment.”
At Monday’s council meeting, city leaders also discussed plans to make the $4.12 raise a permanent part of employee salaries that would be reflected in their pensions.
“They’re already still receiving the money, but we just need to make that legal distinction that this is now part of their permanent salary,” Bond explained.
He told FOX 5 that change to employee salaries could happen in a matter of weeks if council approves adjustments to the city’s personnel ordinance. Be sure to stay with FOX 5 Atlanta for the latest updates.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad
ATLANTA – An Atlanta man faces a potential life sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of terrorizing two young children during his military service abroad.
What we know:
A federal jury found 39-year-old Adam Schlueter guilty on Friday following a four-day trial. He was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Schlueter was stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany, from 2009 until 2013 while enlisted in the Army. During this time, prosecutors say he physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two victims who were under the age of 10.
Both victims testified during the trial that Schlueter beat and choked them. One victim recalled an incident at age 8 where Schlueter pushed him through a second-story window and dangled him above the ground. Evidence also showed Schlueter threatened victims and witnesses who spoke about his crimes.
What they’re saying:
“When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “Excellent work by the prosecutors and investigators assigned to this case will ensure that Schlueter is suitably punished for his wickedness.”
What’s next:
Schlueter is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. He faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years of imprisonment for each of the aggravated sexual abuse convictions and may be sentenced to life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leanne Marek and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower are prosecuting the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from federal prosecutors with the Northern District of Georgia following the conclusion of a four-day federal trial.
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.
Ozzie Albies hit an RBI double and Austin Riley also drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five in a row and nine of 11. It was Atlanta’s first series sweep of at least three games at Philadelphia in 10 years.
Kyle Schwarber went deep for the Phillies, who have lost five straight and 10 of 13. They were outscored 56-33 on a 2-7 homestand against the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Braves, leaving Philadelphia 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division standings.
Raisel Iglesias escaped trouble in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out, but Trea Turner struck out and Schwarber lined out to right field on an excellent running catch by Ronald Acuña Jr.
Tyler Kinley (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.
Schwarber’s two-run shot in the first gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.
Harris homered leading off the third before the Braves went ahead in the fifth with three runs against rookie starter Andrew Painter (1-1) and lefty reliever Tim Mayza.
Painter was lifted after he opened the inning by allowing singles to Harris and Acuña. Mayza loaded the bases with a walk, and the Braves tied the game on Matt Olson’s groundout. Riley’s dribbler to third went for an RBI infield single, and Albies’ double to the left-field wall made it 4-2.
Riley saved at least one run while ending a Philadelphia threat in the bottom of the fifth with a stellar defensive play at third base.
Braves starter Grant Holmes allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings.
On a chilly night, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out after leaving Saturday’s game with lower back tightness.
Up next
Braves: Begin a four-game series Monday night at Washington. RHP Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77 ERA) opposes Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16).
Phillies: Open seven-game trip Monday night with the first of four games against the Cubs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-4, 4.03 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63).
Atlanta, GA
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