First Slice 1-21-16: A new bill would end felony charges for marijuana possession

Plus, the fiery reign of PARKAtlanta comes to a close and a new bill could make sure it never reboots.

Photo credit:
If passed, a new state bill would end felony charges for possession of marijuana in Georgia. Senate Bill 254 wouldn’t legalize possession, but it would keep punishment limited to a misdemeanor charge.

More exciting prospective bill news! Mayor Kasim Reed still hasn’t renewed a contract with PARKAtlanta and if one Atlanta lawmaker has his way, Reed never will. Sen. Vincent Ford (D-Atlanta) plans to introduce a bill to prevent the city of Atlanta from hiring private contractors to handle parking fines. Atlanta’s current contract with PARKAtlanta expires later this year.

Speaking of fines, Gwinnett County reportedly collected about $2 million last year in fines from motorists caught on camera passing stopped school buses. The going rate for a first offense is $300. That jumps to $750 second time and $1000 if you’re bold or dumb enough to violate the law a third instance.

DAS BBQ, slated to open in the Westside in June, presents a barbecue restaurant aimed to appeal to women and children (in that order), owner Stephen Franklin told Atlanta magazine. Finally someone’s hustling to remedy the conundrum of a dainty lady person trying to balance a hankering for smoked meats and a crushing “threshold anxiety.” 

2 Chainz surprised a family of 11 on the verge of eviction with a new house. He’d seen the family’s GoFundMe video outlining their current living situation with black mold and a bad pest problem. The father and two of the children were also suffering from serious health issues, so Tity Boi awarded them a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home. ”I’ve been in a real giving mood,” he says. No joke. The rapper raised $2 million from sales of his Dabbin’ Santa Ugly Christmas Sweaters recently, and forked over a good chunk of those funds to his charitable T.R.U. Foundation. 






Activism
Issues
The Blotter
COVID Updates
Latest News
Current Issue