Latest news with #MetroAtlanta
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
An All-Black Boys Gymnastics Team Is Fighting To Keep Its Program Alive
Ashepacks up his floor mats and gymnastics equipment, James Jones is stressed. Since 2019, Jones has been inviting Black boys in Georgia's Clayton County to join his James Jones Gymnastics Academy, an operation he primarily runs solo. Now, the gymnastics coach is searching for answers as the lease for his current Metro Atlanta gym expires this week. Some of the boys he currently trains have outgrown the current space, a former office within a shopping plaza. 'The ceiling is only 13 feet high. And so when we first came here, the boys were small. These boys are teenagers, and most of them are almost 6 feet,' Jones, who also works as an attorney, says as he packs up his things. 'They're literally kicking the ceiling.' Stringent zoning restrictions are preventing him from moving elsewhere within the county, he explains. 'For a year, I've been trying my best to relocate us to another location in Clayton County because this is one of the cheaper counties for commercial real estate,' Jones, who operates the all-Black boys gymnastics club, says. 'There are so many warehouses and buildings that are vacant and empty, but we can't move to any. And at this point, I'm constructively being forced to close down because I can't relocate the gym anywhere else.' Despite only having been in action for nearly six years, the gymnastics team has become a pillar of its community. Around 600 boys and teens have trained through his academy for free or reduced rates, he says. The Clayton County Board of Commissioners honored Jones and his gymnastics team with a proclamation during its July meeting, celebrating the team's recent victory at the Louisiana State Championships. 'We really want to keep this program going for the community,' Kecia Blackmon, whose child participates in the academy, told WSB-TV. 'It means a lot to us. It means a lot to the community. So please help us if you can.' Jones works with low-income families, which means parents aren't able to take their children to other areas of Georgia to participate in gymnastics programs due to the cost of travel and traffic. 'If you go to the city of Sandy Springs, if you go to Cartersville, if you go to Roswell, they have fully funded gymnastics programs that are paid for by their citizens through Parks and Rec programs,' he says, mentioning cities in nearby counties. Jones put out a call for assistance on social media. Donations started to pour in, and even celebrities like actor Viola Davis and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles are sharing the effort. Chiles sent a donation of $1,000 to the program. But Jones says finances aren't necessarily the issue — though donations are appreciated due to the high costs associated with gymnastics. 'This isn't an issue about money. It is an issue about zoning. A gym supporter posted an old fundraising campaign from a competition that took place a couple of months back. And people started donating there,' Jones explains. 'That just became the new fundraiser to try to get us into a new location.' A Clayton County spokesperson said Tuesday the properties James proposed did not meet their zoning requirements. Warehouses, which are preferable locations due to space and size, are largely in areas zoned for heavy industrial use, meaning they are designated for manufacturing or disposing of junk, for example — not sports activity. 'The County is committed to working with Coach James or any applicant to find solutions in line with the County's zoning policies,' the spokesperson said in a statement. Since his initial post on social media, however, the gymnastics coach says he is feeling hopeful. Jones is currently in talks with local leaders and is heartened by the outpouring of support. He is still on the hunt for a property that will accommodate his team. Jones hopes the support will encourage more parents to consider putting their young Black boys in gymnastics. 'I think that there is a huge misconception amongst parents that their sons would not like gymnastics,' he says. 'I think that a lot of parents stifle the interest of their sons because they don't even give them a chance to develop an interest in the sport.' 'If Black boys see other Black boys doing gymnastics, or boys in general, if it piques their interest, they will want to do it. They will want to join in as well.'
Associated Press
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Atlanta National Pickleball Club Welcomes Legendary Coach Chris Wolfe as Director
07/28/2025, Alpharetta, GA // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Atlanta National Pickleball Club has officially named Chris Wolfe, legendary coach and co-founder of the PPA Atlanta Open, as its new director of pickleball. The appointment is a bold step forward as the club strengthens its standing as the premier destination for both high-level competition and community-focused play in Georgia. With Wolfe at the helm, Atlanta National Pickleball Club gains a Certified Master Instructor and one of Atlanta's most respected pickleball leaders. His contributions to the sport are far-reaching, from co-creating the Atlanta Open in 2017 to launching one of the city's earliest leagues and coaching extensively across the Metro Atlanta area. 'I'm so excited to announce I'm the Director of Pickleball at the new Atlanta National Pickleball Club in Alpharetta!' Wolfe shared. 'Pickleball has been a huge part of my life, and I look forward to building something truly special with this incredible club.' As pickleball continues to surge in popularity across Georgia, the Atlanta National Pickleball Club is raising the bar with the appointment of Wolfe as its new director of pickleball. He brings decades of experience and impeccable timing to a club poised to become the Southeast's premier indoor pickleball destination. Known for his ability to connect with players of all levels, Wolfe will lead the club's programs with passion, purpose, and expertise. Through personalized instruction and dynamic lessons, he will help players sharpen their skills while cultivating a culture where energy, talent, and community thrive. Wolfe's influence has already left a mark on both regional and national pickleball, with deep roots in Atlanta's earliest organized leagues and tournament development. His efforts helped lay the foundation for consistent league play, structured pickleball lessons , and player development that didn't previously exist. His guidance has turned beginners into competitors and sharpened veterans, often on the same indoor pickleball courts that set today's training standard. 'Sharing my love for this sport and helping players grow has always been my passion,' Wolfe said. 'I've known many of you for years and recently met even more at our booth during the Atlanta Pickleball Championships. I'm excited to continue building this incredible community.' Under Wolfe's leadership, the Alpharetta-based pickleball club is becoming far more than a recreational facility. With premium indoor pickleball courts, tailored instruction, and inclusive leagues, ANPC provides a full pickleball lifestyle experience. Players can expect expert coaching, along with both open play sessions and structured playing opportunities, designed for all skill levels. To learn more about membership, upcoming events, or pickleball lessons at Atlanta National Pickleball Club, visit About Atlanta National Pickleball Club Atlanta National Pickleball Club is Georgia's top destination for indoor pickleball. ANPC will showcase 18 beautiful indoor courts with state of the art lighting and tournament quality spacing between courts. The club will also have luxurious locker rooms with saunas and showers, a fully equipped fitness floor, and various additional wellness and spa services. Finally you'll also enjoy a full service restaurant on the main level, as well as a massive mezzanine overlooking all 18 courts, which will feature a full bar, private & corporate event space, and large flexible work/play/socialize space for the members. ANPC offers a high-energy environment where players can grow, compete, and connect. Whether one is new to the game or an aspiring pro, the club provides more than a place to play. It is a community built for those who love the sport and want to be part of something bigger. ANPC is also planning a future outdoor phase, to include outdoor courts, dining, and concert/event space to further enhance the member experience. ### Media Contact Atlanta National Pickleball Club Phone: (770) 675-4633 Address: 10800 Davis Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30009 Website: newsroom: Source published by Submit Press Release >> Atlanta National Pickleball Club Welcomes Legendary Coach Chris Wolfe as Director
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in GA says he'll ‘kill some more' after parents found dead in FL home
A 38-year-old man facing murder charges made some bizarre claims before deputies found his parents dead. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On June 6, around 11 a.m., deputies in Sumter County, S.C., received a call about a disturbance involving a gun on Green View Parkway. The suspect left before deputies arrived. Witnesses told investigators the suspect, identified as Nikolas Steven Kirchner, 38, pointed a gun at multiple people and threatened to shoot them. Investigators said he allegedly held a family member at gunpoint and forced another to go inside the home to get someone else, threatening to shoot the hostage in the head if they didn't do what he said. According to reports, a family member came out of the house armed, causing Kirchner to get his car and drive away while the family member was on the phone with dispatch. TRENDING STORIES: Rick Ross Car Show causes traffic troubles at another event miles away Former 'RHOA' star Kim Zolciak, ex-Atlanta Falcon Kroy Biermann removed from mansion, court docs say Metro Atlanta parents 'made a dumb decision' by giving 1-year-old beer, report says Just before 4 p.m., Taliaferro County deputies received a 911 call about a driver who saw a suspicious person on the shoulder of the highway. The witness told deputies the man was wearing a white and red baseball cap, kneeling with one hand raised. When deputies searched the man's name in the database, they confirmed it was Kirchner. The TCSO said they also learned he was the same person wanted out of Sumter, S.C. and was a suspect in a recent homicide in Pinellas County, Fla. During the investigation, officials said the 38-year-old admitted to killing two people and said that he had abandoned a stolen Nissan Pathfinder along Interstate 20. Deputies found the car in Pinellas County, Fla. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Simultaneously, the Pinellas County Sheriff's office in Fla. was conducting its own investigation into two homicides. Pinellas County authorities said, around 12:35 p.m., that Friday afternoon, deputies executed a welfare check at a home on Saunders Avenue in Largo, after a company said an employee did not show up to work. When deputies arrived, they found Elizabeth Lee Kirchner, 53, and Steven Eric Kirchner, 64, dead in the living room from apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives said they learned the victims' son, Nicholas Kirchner, left the home. Detectives got a call from Sumter County authorities regarding the incident Nicholas was involved in earlier. According to officials, during the incident, Nicholas Kirchner said, 'I've already killed two people – I'll kill some more.' Nicholas admitted multiple times that he killed his parents and described it as a 'righteous kill,' according to the PCSO. Nicholas was ultimately arrested and taken into custody by the Taliaferro County Sheriff's Office. Nicholas was transported to the McDuffie County Jail in Georgia with a felony warrant for two counts of first-degree murder premeditated.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Little Five Points shooting victim was trying to protect a group of women, police say
The victim of a shooting Sunday night in Little Five Points may have been trying to protect a group of women. Officers responded to Euclid Avenue in Northeast Atlanta shortly before midnight. Their preliminary investigation revealed that the gunman shot a man who intervened after that gunman was disrespectful to a group of women. Atlanta police have not released the victim's name or condition. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Man tried using Hooters visit as alibi after being caught on camera shooting, killing girlfriend Metro Atlanta nurse says she worked three 12-hour shifts before deadly crash UGA student who went viral for smiling mugshot arrested again [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lanes closed on Southwest Atlanta road while crews resurface
The Atlanta Department of Transportation will temporarily shift traffic patterns on a Southwest Atlanta road for resurfacing. Peyton Road SW from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SW to Benjamin E. Mays Drive SW is the affected area. Lanes will be shifted through Friday, March 28, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Traffic lanes will remain open to vehicles during the closure. Sidewalks will be available to pedestrians. Enforcement officers and flaggers will assist with traffic control. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: UGA student's smiling mugshot breaks the internet 18-year-old shot, killed at Newton County park, shooter on the run Metro Atlanta activists react to Trump's repeal of segregated facilities ban in federal contracts [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
