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What is Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit project? | 50 years of local government celebrated

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What is Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit project? | 50 years of local government celebrated


Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit project, started in 1974 by then-Mayor Maynard Jackson, celebrated its anniversary on Monday. The Atlanta City Council honored the unique program to help everyday citizens influence City Hall.

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Atlanta has 25 NPUs that weave all the city’s neighborhood together for more than 50 years. Citizens spend a lot of time in meetings deciding what they want in their communities. They tackle everything from saying no to violent crime to combating too many liquor stores to advocating for more affordable housing or better utilities.

Sherry Williams has been active with NPUs for 14 years. She says it taught her how the city government works.

“All of the city departments have to be present. So, if all of the departments are present, they explain what they do before they give their reports, and so I got great insight,” Williams commented.

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“Anything that you don’t like or have concerns about, you can take that before the NPU to advocate or lobby about things that are of concern to you,” Atlanta City Council member Keisha Waites explained.

Many council members, like Jason Dozier and Byron Amos, got their start rolling up their sleeves in the NPU.

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“I would not be here today without the NPU system. Someone called them super volunteers. That is an understatement,” Dozier said.

The Atlanta City Council issued a proclamation for this visionary program which has survived half a century and serves as a nationwide model.

“Let’s everyone give thanks to our former mayor, Maynard Jackson, for creating this system and allowing the citizens of Atlanta to have a voice in their community,” NPU member Reginald Russin exclaimed.

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The celebration of Atlanta’s super volunteers of the NPUs will continue for an entire year.



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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Braves’ Slugger Set to Hit Major Milestone on Saturday

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Atlanta Braves’ Slugger Set to Hit Major Milestone on Saturday


Atlanta Braves’ star Matt Olson is set to hit a major personal milestone on Saturday when the Braves take on the San Diego Padres.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com on social media:

Matt Olson has played 499 consecutive games, dating to 5/2/21

only longer streaks since 2000:

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2000-07 Miguel Tejada: 1,152
2018-22 Whit Merrifield: 553
2010-14 Prince Fielder: 547
2000-03 Alex Rodriguez: 546
2003-06 Hideki Matsui: 518
2004-07 Mark Teixeira: 507

h/t @EliasSports

Look, Olson is no Cal Ripken Jr., who played in 2,632 consecutive games over his career, but Olson’s streak is the longest active one in baseball and if he stays healthy, he’ll move all the way into second place on that list by the end of this season.

In the era of sports analytics and load management, it’s an incredible feat that Olson has been able to stay in the lineup this long. It’s also a huge accomplishment that he’s been able to stay healthy as well.

Olson, who is 30 years old, played in 156 games in 2021, starting his streak that year. He hasn’t missed a game since.

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A two-time All-Star, Olson has played for the Oakland Athletics and Braves in his nine-year career. He led the majors in home runs a season ago with 54 (and he led in RBIs with 139) and continually ranks as one of the best power threats in baseball.

This year he has started slow, hitting just .227, but he does have five homers and 23 RBI.

The Braves will take on the Padres on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. ET.

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.





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Parents of teen shot at Atlanta pool party faces more struggles

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Parents of teen shot at Atlanta pool party faces more struggles


The family of a 17-year-old shot at a spring break pool party in Atlanta said their son has a long road to recovery. 

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Atlanta police arrested a 17-year-old for the shooting this week. 

On April 2, Robert and Camaria Johnson said their son, Robert Johnson III, was at a spring break pool party at an apartment complex at 935 Marietta Street, when gunfire broke out. 

“Robert was actually a bystander,” Camaria Johnson said.  

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He got hit three times, once in the back, once in the shoulder and once in the head. 

“We couldn’t believe it, we didn’t believe it,” the couple said.  

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They told us doctors had to remove part of Robert’s skull to relieve swelling in his brain.  

Miraculously, Robert survived, but he’s in bad shape. 

He can breathe on his own, but that’s about all he can do at this point. 

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“He’s pretty much in a vegetative state…if his dad comes in and talks to him, he’ll open his eyes, but he doesn’t know which side he’s on,” Camaria said.  

Just this week, APD’s Fugitive Unit arrested 17-year-old Jalin Hammons for the shooting and charged him with aggravated assault.  

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“I’m glad some justice is finally being served…it’s unfortunate, but you caused this issue and now you got to pay for it,” Robert Johnson Jr. said.  

Right now, these parents are more focused on their son’s recovery. 

They said the Shepherd Center told them he wasn’t “rehab-able.” 

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“That’s the word she used, meaning he didn’t have any functions, he wasn’t able to do anything. So, they didn’t see the need to accept him into long-term acute rehab,” Camaria said.  

Robert Johnson III (Supplied)

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After weeks of searching, the couple has found a facility in Indiana that can give their son long-term care in his current condition.  

It’s going to be expensive to transport him there. 

“We’ll probably have to get an Angel flight there if Grady transport can’t get him the 9 hours there so he would need to be flown,” Camaria said.  

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That’s why they’ve started a GoFundMe, to raise the funds to get him to Indiana. 

Doctors didn’t give Robert much of a chance for recovery of functioning. 

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The Johnsons said he’s already defied the odds just by staying alive and believe he can eventually recover some functionality.   

“He wasn’t supposed to make it, with the trajectory of the bullet, he was not supposed to make it to Grady,” Camaria said.   

“He’s fighting every day, he’s a strong kid. I got faith that he’ll come through, even if I don’t get the same son back as I had before, at least my son will still be here. And I can still love him, I can still talk to him, I’m still able to see him, I can still hug him,” Robert Jr. said.  

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They said they don’t like asking for help but need support if they’re going to get Robert to that facility in Indiana.



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12-year-old boy shot multiple times in Atlanta

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12-year-old boy shot multiple times in Atlanta


Police are investigating a shooting incident that left a 12-year-old boy injured in Atlanta. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King Junior Drive NW and Hamilton E. Holmes Drive NW. 

According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers arrived at the scene to find the young boy suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his stomach and arm. Despite his injuries, the boy was able to speak with medics before being transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. 

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The identity of the victim has not been released, and details about the shooter remain unknown. The Atlanta Police Department’s Aggravated Assault Unit is leading the investigation as they work to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. 

Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Atlanta Police Department. 

This story is breaking. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.

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