Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in South Fulton, GA

$85K a year for South Fulton's part-time mayor?

Residents of South Fulton are criticizing a proposal put out by the mayor to double his own salary. Some showed up to Tuesday night's City Council meeting to voice their opposition.

A request for a raise that would double the salary of South Fulton’s mayor raised some concerns for residents.

"Being a mayor of 100 square miles and 110,000 people is a full-time job," said Mayor Kobi, City of South Fulton.

On Tuesday, city leaders began discussions about the proposal by Mayor Khalid Kamau, who now goes by the name Mayor Kobi, to increase the pay for his role from $47,000 to $85,000.

"$86,000 to me in a part-time capacity seems to be a bit much," resident Alvin Reynolds told FOX 5.

"We do not agree with an $86,000 raise for the mayor," another resident said during public comment.

That amount was $25,000 over the recommended salary from a pay study in January.

The mayor told FOX 5 he believes the increase was justified by a raise members of council approved for themselves that was 44 percent higher than what was recommended in the pay study.

"To be clear, I believe council deserves every penny," he said.

District 3 City Councilwoman Hellen Willis says despite working well beyond part-time hours, she maintained their roles are currently classified in the state charter as part-time elected officials.

"To get paid full-time pay and we’re classified by the state as part-time is going to be problematic…it’s not fiscally responsible," she told FOX 5.

The proposed increase wouldn’t go into effect until January of 2026, after the mayor’s current term ends. He said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll run for office again.

"I’m actually trying to raise the next mayor’s salary, whoever that is," Mayor Kobi stated.

While some agreed it was time to talk about salary increases for officials in the city still in its infancy, resident Alvin Reynolds said he believes their focus should be on initiatives that benefit taxpayers.

"We just want to make sure we’re using our money efficiently and most of that money is going toward taking care of our city and our residents," he added.

Several council members said they felt the move was premature and that they should first petition state lawmakers to reclassify their roles as full-time positions.

No action was taken on the proposal. Members of council will take it to a vote on Nov. 12.

Early voting in Georgia begins on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Here's a breakdown of how to find your polling locations.

Credit: flysnow - stock.adobe.com

GEORGIA, — Georgians will soon head to the polls to cast their ballots for the 2024 Presidential Election.

Early voting in Georgia begins on Tuesday, Oct. 15, while Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Here's a breakdown of how to find your polling locations.

It's important to note that depending on the county you're voting in, your polling location may change depending on whether you're voting early or on Election Day.

RELATED: 11Alive 2024 election county-by-county voter guide | Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb and Clayton

First day of early voting in Georgia

The first day of early voting in Georgia is Tuesday, Oct. 15.

When does early voting end in Georgia?

You can vote in person before Election Day until Friday, Nov. 1. Dates and times may vary by polling location.

Where do I go to vote?

You can find your polling location through the My Voter Page. Once you log into your account, you'll find the name and address of your voting precinct.

On your My Voter Page, you'll find information on early voting and absentee ballot drop box locations. You can also look at a sample ballot before you head to the polls.

RELATED: Here's what you need to bring to vote in Georgia | List

Scroll below for the list of early voting locations in the "Core 5" metro Atlanta counties: Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb and Clayton. For more information on polling locations across Georgia, log into your My Voter Page.

Early voting locations in Clayton County

In Clayton County, drop box information can be found online here. See below for hours and early voting polling locations.

Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sundays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Early voting locations in Cobb County

In Cobb County, early voting locations and dates and times for voter precincts are listed below. For drop box locations, see the flyer online here.

Monday- Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sundays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

No voting on Saturday, Nov. 2- Monday, Nov. Nov. 4

Early voting locations in DeKalb County

Voters in DeKalb County can cast their ballots before Election Day at the locations listed below:

Monday – Friday (Oct. 15 – Nov 1), 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturdays (Oct. 19 & Oct. 26), 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.Sundays (Oct. 20 & Oct. 27), 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

*These sites are also drop box locations

Early voting locations in Fulton County

During advance voting in Fulton County, voters can cast their ballot at any of the Fulton County Advance locations listed below. However, on Election Day, voters must report to their assigned Election Day polling location to cast their ballot. To find your Election Day polling location, click here.

Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.Saturdays, October 19 and 26, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.Sundays, October 20 and 27, from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

*Asterisk indicates absentee ballot drop box locations

**Double asterisk indicates office location

Early voting locations in Gwinnett County

There are a dozen advance voting polling locations in Gwinnett County. According to the county's elections website, drop boxes are not available at all voting locations and are only available during voting hours and days. Be sure to check your polling location for a drop box ahead of time if you're dropping off an absentee ballot.

Hours may vary depending on the polling location

11Alive is committed to helping you vote confidently by understanding the 2024 election issues that impact you. Our goal is to educate and inform our audience about the election process. We plan to do that by verifying facts, providing context, and explaining the system. Get more election resources here at 11alive.com/vote.

Mom speaks out after child with autism hurt

An injury to a 4-year-old non-verbal girl is raising concerns. The child's mother has pulled her child from Love T. Nelson Elementary School in South Fulton until she gets more answers.

The family of a nonverbal 4-year-old student with special needs at South Fulton's Love T. Nolan Elementary School claims her school dropped the ball after an injury in the classroom in September.

Jernae Johnson says the school called her to report that 4-year-old Jerlani had gone to the school nurse to be treated with ice following an accident with a Lego brick. She says the school insisted her daughter was fine, but when Jerlani got home she had a red mark on her arm near her elbow that later developed into a snake or whip-like scab.

"It's traumatizing," Johnson said. "I want to be sure that my child is safe, and no harm is being brought to her, and if I'm not there, it's really traumatizing for me."

Johnson isn't 100% sure what was described by the school as an accident is one. She calls into question why an accident report was not filled out immediately.

The assistant principal stated that no incident report was done because she wasn't bleeding," the South Fulton mother said. " Like, why wasn't anything being reported?"

Johnson, who moved here to Georgia specifically for autism services, says after complaining about how the incident was originally handled, the school wrote an accident report that was not accurate.

In a statement, Fulton County Schools confirmed an investigation into the 4-year-old's injury is underway:

"Fulton County Schools takes allegations of abuse or unjust injury seriously and follows an established protocol for inquiry and/or investigation. We can confirm that the district's internal audit division is investigating the allegations, but we are unable to elaborate on details while the investigation is in process."

Johnson has been waiting nearly a month for a resolution. She describes her daughter as very lovable, sometimes challenging, clingy, and bright.

In the meantime, she says her little girl will not return to Love T. Nolan Elementary and will be, for now, homeschooled.

A boil water advisory that was in effect for parts of southwest Atlanta and in Fairburn, South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto and Union City was lifted early Tuesday afternoon, officials announced.

The city of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management issued the advisory around midnight Monday. It was in effect for about 36 hours.

Boil Water Advisory: The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has issued a boil water advisory for residents and businesses in the City of Atlanta (from Martin L. King Jr. Drive south of I-20), Fairburn, South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and Union City. Swipe to… pic.twitter.com/IwQVe1WO4z

— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) September 30, 2024

Watershed officials said Tuesday afternoon that sampling confirmed there was no contamination of the public water system.

“Water may be used for all purposes without boiling,” the statement said.

Earlier statements explained the cause of the boil water advisory.

“A failure at the Adamsville Pumping Station has caused a widespread water outage for customers in parts of the City of Atlanta from Martin L. King Jr. Drive, south of I-20, to the City of Fairburn, the City of South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills, Palmetto, and Union City,” the city of Atlanta posted on X.

The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has issued a boil water advisory out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Georgia EPD guidance for public advisory. DWM calls for immediate water restriction for critical uses only to allow system pressures to rebuild. pic.twitter.com/oSX8Nsavmx

— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) September 30, 2024

Residents who experienced water outages or low water pressure were advised to use bottled water or boil all tap water for at least one minute at a rolling boil before using it for drinking, cooking, preparing baby food or brushing teeth.

“Do not drink water from public water fountains in the impacted area,” the city warned in its initial statement. “Infants, the elderly and those with immune deficiencies should be particularly cautious.”

The boil water advisory followed a failure at the Adamsville Pumping Station, the City of Atlanta said.

ATLANTA — UPDATE: A little after noon on Tuesday, the advisory was lifted.

Original story below

A wide stretch of southwest Atlanta and south Fulton County is in a boil water advisory Monday morning.

The City of Atlanta said it followed a failure at the Adamsville Pumping Station.

RELATED: Boil water advisory issued for multiple metro Atlanta cities | What we know

11Alive will be providing updates on the situation. Here's a rundown of basic information so far:

Boil water advisory updates

12:30 p.m. | The boil water advisory has been lifted, according to a city release.

8:50 a.m. | Also, new bottled water distribution information:

DWM ANNOUNCEMENT: BOTTLED WATER DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS#ATLDWM #ATLWatershed #DWMatWork pic.twitter.com/TCBPJLaxor

— Atlanta Watershed (@ATLWatershed) October 1, 2024

8:50 a.m. | ATL Watershed says boil water advisory is still in effect and now "urges immediate water restriction for critical uses only to facilitate the rebuilding of system pressures."

Boil Water Advisory Still In EffectThe Department of Watershed Management (DWM) urges immediate water restriction for critical uses only to facilitate the rebuilding of system pressures.#ATLDWM #ATLWatershed #DWMatWork pic.twitter.com/mgQA7O2dH6

— Atlanta Watershed (@ATLWatershed) October 1, 2024

7 a.m. | So far, no updated guidance has been given by ATL Watershed since the 3 p.m. update yesterday.

3 p.m. | Atlanta Department of Watershed Management and City of Atlanta said people who are in the impacted area will be able to visit the following locations for water until 7 p.m.

8:30 a.m. | Department of Watershed Management posted that you can find an interactive map with a more clearly-defined map of the zone under the boil water advisory here.

6:00 a.m. | Here are the latest communications from the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management and City of Atlanta.

The City of Atlanta last posted just before 1 a.m.:

The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has issued a boil water advisory out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Georgia EPD guidance for public advisory. DWM calls for immediate water restriction for critical uses only to allow system pressures to rebuild. pic.twitter.com/oSX8Nsavmx

— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) September 30, 2024