Uber, Lyft airport pickups to begin Jan. 1

The Atlanta City Council has voted to approve a plan to legalize ride-sharing pickups by Uber, Lyft and other car services at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport. Legal pickups will begin on Jan. 1, 2017.

The city’s plan allows taxis and ride-share companies to pursue either for-hire endorsement or utilize a private background security check, consistent with state law. Companies choosing to use private security checks will be required to pay a security surcharge of $2.35 per ride.

Other highlights of the plan:

• Transportation providers will be required to apply for an annual permit of $50 per vehicle, up to $100,000 annually.

• Per-ride fee of $1.50 will be maintained for taxis and limos, and implemented for ride-shares.

• Ride-sharing vehicles and taxis will be subject to a seven-year age limit.

• Drivers will wait for customers in a designated ride-sharing area supported by geo-fencing technology.

• All vehicles must display a decal while providing transportation services at the airport.

Public Safety Briefs

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (S.A.F.E.R.) Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The $5.6 million grant will enable AFRD to hire 47 new sworn firefighters. This is the second S.A.F.E.R. grant awarded to the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department under the Reed Administration. The first grant for $10 million was awarded in 2011 and resulted in 75 firefighters being hired.

City of Decatur residents can now text 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. Texting to 9-1-1 provides accessibility to the hearing- and speech-impaired population, and provides an alternative to reach help in a dangerous situation when a voice call is not possible or where a voice call fails due to a high volume of phone activity. To use the system, enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field. The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed. Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker. Also do not use abbreviations and keep messages brief and concise.

The Atlanta Police Foundation recently hosted the 13th annual Crime is Toast Breakfast, which included the annual awards ceremony to recognize acts of bravery and dedication by men and women in blue throughout the year. Winners include: Officers Rodney Jones Jr. and Dennis Brooks (Officers of the Year); Investigator Vincent Velaquez (Investigator of the Year); Lt. Anthony Singh (Supervisor of the Year); Automated Fingerprint Identification System Team – Sandra Tullis, Anthony Johnson, Raymond Lauzon and Antoinette Clay (Civilian Employee of the Year); Scandia McCray (Civilian Supervisor of the Year); Officers Ronald Paxson and Kimberly Williams (Department Commendation); Officer Justin FongBorden (Purple Heart); Officer TaSheena Brown (Medal of Honor); Officers Bahri Durmishi and Juan Nunez (Meritorious Service Award); Douglas Evans (Marion Lee Trailblazer Award); Sgt. Alicia Turner (Judge Arthur Kaplan Community Service Award); Investigator David Quinn (Dennis P. Mullen Lifetime Achievement Award); Zone 3 (COBRA-Crime Reduction Award); and Zone 4 (Safe Cruiser Operator Award).

The Atlanta City Council has approved spending up to $300,000 to have the Atlanta Police Foundation install at least 23 additional closed-circuit cameras in Councilmember Yolanda Adrean’s District 8 in Buckhead.

Neighborhood Hot List: Cabbagetown

Nestled on the eastside of the city in the shadow the former Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill, Cabbagetown has long been a haven for Intown’s artist and bohemians. The neighborhood was once home to the mill workers, but has now been reclaimed by singles and families looking for a close-knit community.

1. The Stacks

The massive Fulton Bag & Cotton Mill was renovated in 1999, kicking off the city’s loft craze. The giant smokestacks now preside over apartments and condos.

2. Krog TunnelStreet

The graffiti-covered tunnel that connects Cabbagetown to DeKalb Avenue underneath CSX-Hulsey Yard has been made world-famous in photo shoots and music videos.

3. Dining

Thousands attend this music and chili festival, which will be held Nov. 7 this year, in Cabbagetown Park.

4. Homes

The colorful shotguns and cottages were the homes of the workers at the cotton mill, but are now sought-after by those looking to settle Intown.

Health Briefs

For the fifth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Emory University Hospital the number one hospital in both Georgia and metro Atlanta in its 2016-17 Best Hospitals Guide. For more on the rankings, visit health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.

Potential) EmPower Party on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., at Flourish in Buckhead. The evening opens with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner and program fearing the iconic stars of “Grace and Frankie” and “9 to 5.” There will also be a live auction of travel and dining experiences and sought-after items. For tickets and information, visit gcapp.org/ empower.

Visit

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin will share the stage for GCAPP’s (Georgia Committee for Adolescent Power and

The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy’s (GCCA) Cheer for Children Ball celebrates its 21st anniversary on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at The Foundry at Puritan Mill (916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd.). This year’s theme is “Gatsby: Stepping Back in Time to Make a Better Future for Children.” The largest fundraiser for the GCCA, the event features food, live entertainment, silent and live auctions.

Veteran forensic expert and pathologist Dr. Jan Gorniak has been named the new Chief Medical Examiner for Fulton County She comes to the county after serving as Deputy Chief Medical Examiner in the District of Columbia for the past two years. Prior to that position, Dr. Gorniak spent five years as the Franklin County Coroner in Columbus, Ohio, serving as that county’s first full-time forensic pathologist coroner.

Atlanta-based The FitWit Foundation has been awarded a $20,000 grant as part of Target’s ongoing youth wellness efforts. The FitWit Foundation provides free fitness programs that build strength and develop character in young people in middle and high school. For more information, visit thefitwitfoundation.org.

The James M. Cox Foundation has awarded the Food Well Alliance a $3.75 million grant. To date, Food Well Alliance has provided $950,000 to support more than 200 organizations and over 150 urban gardens through their Local Food Grants, Collaborative Design Initiatives and Community Capital Grants. The organization will continue to make similar investments to strengthen and expand the local food movement. To find out more, visit foodwellalliance.org.