Metro Atlanta News and Information from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Four DeKalb schools praised

Feb 8, 2012 7:30 pm

Chamblee Charter, DeKalb School of Arts, Dunwoody and Lakeside high schools have been named AP Honor Schools by State School Superintendent Dr.

Lawmakers to discuss school board changes

Feb 8, 2012 7:17 pm

Members of the Georgia General Assembly will give a public update about proposals to redraw school board lines.

Atlanta man nails $500K in second Georgia Lottery win

Feb 8, 2012 6:58 pm

Second time's the charm for one Atlanta man. Erik Holmes, 44, has claimed a $500,000 lottery prize, less than a year after winning $104,000.

Cops: Man tries to kidnap girl at Walmart

Feb 8, 2012 6:28 pm

Police in west Georgia were questioning a man they believe tried to kidnap a 7-year-old girl from Walmart.

Mercer creates Baptist leadership center

Feb 8, 2012 6:03 pm

Mercer University received a $2.5 million grant for a new center for Baptist leadership, officials announced Wednesday.

Gwinnett Sierra Club to get legislative update Feb. 16

Feb 8, 2012 3:28 pm

The Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club will get a legislative update at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn.

Cobb school accreditation issues cleared

Feb 8, 2012 3:25 pm

Cobb County Schools have gotten an all-clear report from thethe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the agency that accredits school systems.

Gwinnett trade mission to Asia begins May 31

Feb 8, 2012 3:05 pm

The Partnership Gwinnett economic development initiative will lead a business mission to South Korea, China and Hong Kong later this year.

Sandy Springs battles coyote problems

Feb 8, 2012 1:22 pm

Officials in Sandy Springs are trying to figure out how to control coyotes amid fears that pets are in danger of being attacked.

I-85 HOT lane toll reaches record high

Feb 8, 2012 1:09 pm

The cost of using the I-85 HOT lane reached a record $4.70 during Wednesday morning's commute, surpassing the previous record of $4.55 set on Monday and matched again on Tuesday.

News from Macon and Central Georgia from The Macon News

Dallemand says plan to save $27 million in 5 to 7 years, but cost at least $7 million to start

Feb 8, 2012 4:51 pm

Bibb County school Superintendent Romain Dallemand’s proposed strategic plan could save the school system up to $27 million during the next five to seven years, he said Tuesday, but it initia...

Man indicted on charge of carrying knife to Bibb high school in 2011

Feb 8, 2012 4:25 pm

Bibb County grand jurors indicted a 19-year-old man accused of carrying a knife while attending Central High School early last year.

Bibb County joining statewide tornado drill

Feb 8, 2012 11:56 am

Bibb County’s tornado sirens are expected to wail after 9 a.m. Wednesday as the state observes a tornado drill as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Macon yard waste law to be refined

Feb 8, 2012 11:56 am

A proposed Macon ordinance to specifically outlaw placing yard debris on city streets or in the storm drainage system, up for a final vote before City Council on Tuesday, got halted and sent back for ...

Parents, students oppose Bibb strategic plan

Feb 8, 2012 11:56 am

Organized protests of Superintendent Romain Dallemand’s plan to overhaul the Bibb County school system are gathering steam, just days after details of the proposal became public.

Bibb commissioners push speech time limits, get tested

Feb 8, 2012 11:56 am

Bibb County commissioners approved time restrictions on public comment Tuesday morning, then let most of Tuesday’s speakers use about twice their allotted 3 minutes.

Sports hall of fame to stay in Macon at least three years

Feb 8, 2012 11:56 am

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame will stay in Macon for at least the next three years.

Tech experts see Macon poised to make push in technology gap

Feb 8, 2012 11:56 am

With the right amount of preparation, Macon and Bibb County are poised to make major strides in becoming competitive in the digital economy.

Macon workers win one, lose one in transfer to Bibb payroll

Feb 8, 2012 11:41 am

Macon city employees being transferred to the Bibb County government payroll July 1 would be paid for their unused vacation time but would no longer get health insurance after their retirement, county...

Repaving begins on Ga. 96 in Twiggs County

Feb 8, 2012 4:13 am

Resurfacing of more than 12 miles of Ga. 96 is under way in Twiggs County and will take several months, according to news release from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

News from South Georgia from WALB

Ga. House rejects charter schools amendment

Feb 8, 2012 7:52 pm

The amendment failed 110-62 on Wednesday. It needed the support of two-thirds of legislators in the House of Representatives to pass.

Three Dougherty schools make state achievement list

Feb 8, 2012 6:25 pm

Three Dougherty County schools were recognized: Albany High and Dougherty Comprehensive High made the 2012 AP Challenge Schools List, while Westover Comprehensive High made the 2012 AP STEM Schools Li...

Oil prices rise after US supply report

Feb 8, 2012 5:36 pm

Oil prices are slightly higher Wednesday following government reports that U.S. crude stockpiles didn't grow as much as expected last week.

Georgia Quail Hunt starts today

Feb 8, 2012 5:30 pm

The 24th annual Georgia Quail Hunt kicks off at 5:30 today at Wynfield Plantation on Leary Road. The Georgia Quail Hunt is one of the state's premier economic development marketing events.

Gingrich keeps bright tone in Ohio despite losses

Feb 8, 2012 5:10 pm

Newt Gingrich is keeping a chipper tone despite his poor showing in this week's GOP presidential caucuses in Colorado and Minnesota.

Ga. lawmakers set to vote on charter schools

Feb 8, 2012 5:10 pm

State lawmakers could soon vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow Georgia officials to create charter schools in the aftermath of a state Supreme Court decision.

Albany Marine Band to play final performance

Feb 8, 2012 4:44 pm

After 22-years of representing the Marine Corps and southwest Georgia well, the Albany Marine Band is preparing for a bittersweet farewell.

Squirrel behind Lee County power failure

Feb 8, 2012 4:43 pm

It was lights out for a squirrel and numerous homes and businesses Tuesday night in Lee County. The outage  knocked out traffic and street lights along Highway 19 snarling traffic.

Study: Latinos less likely to call 911 after stroke

Feb 8, 2012 3:51 pm

Researchers at the University of California San Diego say Latinos are risking their lives more than others by not calling for help when they suffer from a stroke.

Study: Low self-esteem to blame for poor Facebook behavior

Feb 8, 2012 3:44 pm

Many Facebook users have friends who tend to complain and post negative thoughts and feelings on their wall.

Statewide Headlines from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Teen pregnancy rate hits 40-year low

Feb 8, 2012 2:54 pm

The U.S. teen pregnancy rate has reached a 40-year low, a new study finds. The study, by the Guttmacher Institute, found that the pregnancy rate declined 42 percent from its peak in 1990, according t...

Mega Millions rolls to $41 million; Powerball jackpot at $250 million

Feb 8, 2012 12:46 pm

The jackpot for Fridays Mega Millions drawing climbed to $41 million after no players matched all six numbers in Tuesday nights game, but the really big money -- $250 million -- is up for grabs in Wed...

Murph' goes to bat for Romney via Twitter

Feb 8, 2012 10:35 am

Former Braves all-star Dale Murphy is a well-known Twitter fanatic, sharing his insights into the Braves, art and his favorite band, the alt-country outfit Wilco.

Handel resigns from Komen; cites vicious attack' from Planned Parenthood

Feb 8, 2012 2:46 am

Karen Handel accused the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Tuesday of plotting for a month before launching an orchestrated "shakedown" of Susan G.

Social media helps cops charge 3 suspects, clear 27 burglaries

Feb 8, 2012 1:21 am

Social media helped Douglas County authorities clear the books of 27 break-ins and charge three men with burglary and racketeering, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Legislation once again attempts to revive deadhead' logging

Feb 7, 2012 10:41 pm

The logs sank a century or so ago, sentries to history as four Georgia rivers ebbed and flowed around them.

VA to trace veterans' medical history

Feb 7, 2012 9:58 pm

The Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center is one of 50 nationwide selected as an enrollment site for the Million Veteran Program.

Obama administration eying Georgia's immigration law

Feb 7, 2012 8:07 pm

The Justice Department is reviewing Georgias tough new immigration law and is discussing it with businessmen and law enforcement officials here, but it has not decided to sue to block the statute like...

Kemp dismisses birther' challenges against Obama

Feb 7, 2012 7:28 pm

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp on Tuesday said President Barack Obama meets the state's eligibility requirements to be on the ballot in the March presidential primary.

Karen Handel resigns from Komen

Feb 7, 2012 6:06 pm

Karen Handel, the embattled Georgian lauded and criticized for the split between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, resigned today from her post at the b...