Atlanta, GA

Community steps up to help metro Atlanta military recruit fulfill dream

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2024

Community steps up to help metro Atlanta military recruit fulfill dream

Veterans help teen join Marine Corps

A metro Atlanta veterans group came together to make sure that 18-year-old Alex Williams could achieve his goal to serve in the Marine Corps, and it came down to the wire.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – A metro Atlanta teenager is heading to boot camp for the Marine Corps next week. His dream was on the line days ago, but thanks to some help from unexpected places in the community, he’ll now be able to head to Paris Island, South Carolina, to start his next chapter.

For 18-year-old Alexander Williams, the first day of boot camp will be the first step in accomplishing his new goal.

“I’ve always heard that it’s like a brotherhood, and the people, once you get in there, they’ll be hard on you at first, but once you get in, you’re in forever. You’re always a brother for life,” Williams said.

In his case, that brotherhood stepped in early. He might not be a Marine yet, but a group of veterans wanted to make sure he got his chance to join.

Jim Lindenmayer is the executive director of the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Project. They typically provide an array of services to veterans in need, but when they got a call about Williams, they made an exception.

Williams needed his GED before he could join. Lindenmayer helped make that happen.

“So what we did is we put together a group with the Marine Corps group of Woodstock, and we were able to get him into the only two days of testing available to him for his GED. And he passed both of them. We just got his other test result yesterday. He took the exam on Tuesday, and he’s going into the Marine Corps on Sunday,” Lindenmayer said.

It was, of course, up to Williams to pass, and he did. The groups also paid for his testing and his hotel.

“Everybody has been very supportive of my journey to this point. They’ve helped me get to wherever I need to be. You know, if I need to get somewhere, they’ve always been willing to step up and help me out. You don’t really run into a whole lot of people like that, but they’ve been like family since I came into their lives and since they came into mine,” Williams said.

Lindenmayer said they were glad to help Williams reach his potential.

“Here’s a kid who hasn’t started yet. Where could he go? He could be the next sergeant major of the Marine Corps,” he said.

While Williams doesn’t know where his new path will take him, he says he is excited about the journey.

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Atlanta, GA

Security tightened for Hanukkah celebrations across metro Atlanta after Sydney mass shooting

Published

7 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Security tightened for Hanukkah celebrations across metro Atlanta after Sydney mass shooting

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Dozens of Hanukkah celebrations across metro Atlanta will go on as scheduled this week.

Security is now top priority following the brutal shooting that killed 15 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

“Of course the minute the news came out from Australia we were in touch with our law enforcement partners,” said Renee Kutner, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. “We went back through the plans. We amped them up where we needed to. People will see extra patrols around, not because there’s threats but because we just want to make sure everybody knows that they’re safe.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta says it spends millions of dollars every year securing its community against antisemitic attacks.

“We are so blessed to have really, really great relationships with law enforcement at every level across metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia,” Kutner said. “And we’ve been in contact with all of them. They are so supportive and they will be at our events – they will amp up the security.”

According to Kutner, the heightened security is out of an abundance of caution.

“We have no credible threats, no reason to believe that lone actors somewhere else will affect anything here, and we want to give our community the chance to celebrate,” Kutner said.

RELATED COVERAGE:

Australia to tighten gun laws after Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre leaves 15 dead

Bystander shown in videos disarming gunman during Australian beach shooting commended for bravery

Father and son gunmen kill at least 15 people in attack on Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers Announce Starting Lineups For Tonight’s Game

Published

20 hours ago

December 15, 2025

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Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers Announce Starting Lineups For Tonight’s Game

The Hawks would love to forget Friday’s embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons.

After an entertaining first quarter, Atlanta was dominated over the final three quarters and ended up losing by 27 points to the top team in the Eastern Conference. They are hoping for a quick bounce back today at home vs Philadelphia and will could use a win to get back on track.

The game is getting closer to tipoff and both teams have announced their starting lineups:

Hawks

G-Nickeil Alexander-Walker

G- Dyson Daniels

F- Zaccharie Risacher

F- Jalen Johnson

C- Onyeka Okongwu

76ers

G- Quentin Grimes

G- VJ Edgecombe

F- Paul George

F- Dominick Barlow

C- Joel Embiid

Deeper look at Atlanta

Dec 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

When previewing the game this morning, our own Rohan Raman took a deeper look at the Hawks’ advanced numbers today:

“Atlanta’s offense has been surprisingly solid without Trae Young, but the Pistons game was a poor showing. The Hawks are 12th in points, 10th in FG%, 10th in 3P%, 17th in FT%, 25th in rebounds (24th in OREB, 22nd in DREB), 1st in assists, and 18th in turnovers per game. They’re 16th in offensive rating this year.

On a per-game basis, the Hawks’ defense rank 21st in points allowed, 18th in FG% allowed, 9th in 3P% allowed, 23rd in rebounds allowed, 4th in steals, and 12th in blocks. They’re 14th in defensive rating on the year, which puts them in a slightly above-average tier despite their recent run of poor performance on end.

Philadelphia is still figuring out how their offense operates when everyone is healthy, but Tyrese Maxey is always dangerous and they quietly have a reasonably deep roster. They’re 16th in points, 24th in FG%, 17th in 3P%, 6th in FT%, 9th in rebounds (10th in OREB, 9th in DREB), 20th in assists, and 11th in turnovers per game. They’re 15th in offensive rating this season.

After a difficult night against a tough Detroit defense, the matchup gets slightly easier against the 76ers. Even so, they’ve been playing good defense as of late – albeit against poor competition. They are 12th in points allowed, 8th in FG% allowed, 8th in 3P% allowed, 21st in rebounds allowed, 19th in steals, and 2nd in blocks. They’re 9th in defensive rating, so this would be the second straight game for the Hawks against a top-ten defense by defensive rating.”

Because they are at home and will have the best player on the floor, I like the Hawks to win this game. Quentin Grimes is someone who has given the Hawks trouble before, and rookie VJ Edgecombe has had a great start to his career. Still, I like Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu to lead the Hawks to a win today at home.

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Atlanta, GA

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

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Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions

The Philadelphia 76ers (14-10) and Atlanta Hawks (14-12) meet Sunday. Tip-off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the 76ers vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Hawks lead 1-0

The 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 115-105 Friday, covering as 5-point home favorites with the Under (221) cashing. C Joel Embiid led the team with 39 points on 12-for-23 shooting. Philadelphia has found its rhythm, winning 4 of its last 5 games while going 3-2 against the spread (ATS). It is 14-9-1 ATS on the season.

The Hawks lost to the Detroit Pistons 142-115 on Friday, failing to cover as 7-point road underdogs as the Over (233) hit. G Nickeil Alexander-Walker led all scorers with 22 points and 4 made 3-pointers. Atlanta, after a 10-5 November, has gone just 1-4 in its last 5 games, covering 3 times in that stretch. It is 14-12 ATS on the season.

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76ers at Hawks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:54 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): 76ers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Hawks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
Against the spread: 76ers +4.5 (-105) | Hawks -4.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

76ers at Hawks key injuries

76ers

C Joel Embiid (knee) questionable
G Tyrese Maxey (illness) doubtful
G Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) out
F Trendon Watford (adductor) out

Hawks

G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) questionable
C Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out
G Trae Young (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

76ers at Hawks picks and predictions

Prediction

76ers 114, Hawks 111

BET 76ERS (+155).

The Hawks have fallen off a cliff, and their defense has gone with them. They are 1-4 over their last 5 outings and have allowed at least 123 points in 5 of their last 8 games. Their offense hasn’t matched that shortcoming, scoring 100 points or fewer in 2 of their last 5 contests.

The 76ers, on the other hand, are surging, and their defense has been much improved from earlier in the season. They have held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 105 points or fewer and haven’t given up more than 112 points in December (through 5 games). Philadelphia has won 3 straight on the road.

Take 76ERS (+155).

PASS.

The preferred option is the moneyline, thanks to the enhanced odds. The spread is also playable, particularly with the 76ers.

BET UNDER 226.5 (-110).

The 76ers have gone Under in 5 straight games, and while their defense has stepped up, they have scored 116 points or fewer in their last 4 contests. They are 11-13 O/U on the season.

The Hawks are 3-2 O/U in their last 5 games, largely due to their weak defense, which is less likely to be exploited given that the 76ers rank 20th in pace. Expect a slower-tempo game and take UNDER 226.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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