Back to school surprise: Weekend roadwork canceled

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, August 1st, 2014, 3:00pm

Back to school surprise: Weekend roadwork canceled

(WXIA) -- This weekend will be a holiday for Georgia families in more ways than one.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has suspended construction-related lane closures on all major interstates and highways within five miles of malls and shopping districts.

This will allow parents and students to enjoy the tax-free shopping weekend without the added stress of road delays.

"The sales tax holiday is an opportunity for Georgians to save a little money during these challenging economic times," GDOT Commissioner Keith Golden said. "The department is glad to offer some relief from lane closures as families prepare for school."

11Alive Ways to Save reporter Valerie Hoff has some of the best tax-free weekend deals. Find out how to get the most bang for your buck.

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Fulton County youth receive school supplies as costs rise

Submitted by FeleciaChurch on Friday, August 1st, 10:10 am

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Shopping for back to school supplies can present challenges for parents trying to make ends meet and the outlook is not improving. Huntingdon Bank’s Annual Backpack Index reports double digit increases in school supply costs.

As Fulton County, Atlanta and other metro Atlanta schools prepare to open for the fall, Fulton County Commission Chairman John H. Eaves, the Fulton County Office of Children and Youth and Fulton County Health and Wellness sponsored a back to school event on Tuesday, July 29 to help parents to obtain needed school supplies.

The event at Atlanta Technical College featured school supply giveaways and free haircuts along with information and education. The event attracted 500 participants with 224 children receiving haircuts and 300 taking home school supplies.

Chairman Eaves distributes school supplies

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014, 5:04am

(WXIA) -- More than 80,000 Georgia children are enrolled in the state's Pre-K Program for the 2014-15 school year.

Pre-K is open to all 4 year olds, regardless of household income. Assistant commissioner Susan Adams said that it is the first school experience for many children.

"For this reason, we take our roles very seriously, and we work really hard to provide Georgia's children with positive and meaningful experiences," Adams said in a release.

In Pre-K, students study language, literacy and math while making new friends and building foundations for lifelong learning. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning recommends parents visit their children's classrooms in advance to familiarize them with their new surroundings, and dress them in comfortable clothes and shoes every day. If students have a tendency to feel lonely, parents can send them to school with family photos to cheer them up, and blankets or stuffed animals to snuggle at naptime.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, July 28th, 2014, 8:04am

(WXIA) -- The unemployment rate in metro Atlanta climbed again last month.

June's rate was 7.6 percent, up from 7.2 percent in May, but much lower than last June's 8.6 percent.

Fulton County's unemployment rate was 8.4 percent in June.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said the increase is due to end-of-summer job loss among non-contract school workers, an influx of graduates and students entering the workforce, and temporary layoffs in manufacturing.

So far, metro Atlanta has gained slightly more than 58,000 jobs in 2014 -- a good sign for those who are looking for work.

Metro Athens had Georgia's lowest June unemployment rate, at 6.3 percent. The highest was 10.4 percent, in the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region.

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Wolf Creek Amphitheater presents an evening of reggae and R&B fusion

Submitted by FeleciaChurch on Thursday, July 24th, 1:15 pm

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Spend your Sunday evening enjoying an evening of reggae and R&B fusion on Sunday, August 3 at the Wolf Creek Amphitheater.

The evening features reggae star Beres Hammond, The Manhattans, featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett, and the reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers. The concert begins at 5 p.m., with concert gates opening at 3 p.m.

Wolf Creek is located at 3025 Merk Road SW in Atlanta.

Tickets for the concert are available through Ticket Alternative and costs are as follows:

• VIP Table seats are $90.00 in advance, $95 on the day of the show.
• Reserved Rows A o F are $65 in advance, $70 dollars the day of the show
• Reserved Rows G to L are $55 in advance, $60 the day of the show
• General Admission lawn seats are $35 in advance, $40 dollars the day of the show

Online and phone ticket sales close at 3:00 p.m. the day of the show. Concert attendees must be 18 years or older.

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Submitted by Don Buckindail, Director of Digital Operations

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014, 10:39pm

For complete results visit www.11alive.com/elections

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Fulton County needs input on consolidated planning document, annual action plan

Submitted by FeleciaChurch on Tuesday, July 22nd, 10:45 am

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Fulton County is in the process of planning and preparing its 5-year Consolidated Planning Document to determine the needs of the community in developing viable urban communities. The plan provides decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities principally for low and moderate- income persons.

The Consolidated Planning Process uses Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The final Consolidated Plan document will describe the County’s plan to pursue the goals for all community planning and development programs serving Fulton County communities outside of the City of Atlanta, Roswell and Sandy Springs utilizing these federal grant dollars from HUD.