Brookhaven starts tradition with Cherry Blossom Festival

Submitted by Jennifer Leslie, 11Alive Reporter

Thursday, March 26th, 2015, 7:45am

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. -- Brookhaven will start a new tradition with its inaugural Cherry Blossom Festival, which includes three days of live music, food, children's activities and art from March 27 to 29.

The festival's headliners are rock & roll legends The Coasters and The Drifters, who play back-to-back starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Both groups are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The Beatles tribute band The Return perform at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

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Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015, 7:00pm

Suspicious package forces brief evacuation of Kroger store

BROOKHAVEN, GA (WXIA) -- Police briefly evacuated a Kroger shopping center in Brookhaven late Wednesday afternoon, as they examine a suspicious package near the store.

The store is in the 3800 block of Peachtree Road.

Brandon Gurley with the Brookhaven Police Department says the package is believed to have been at the Kroger location since Tuesday.

After the DeKalb County Bomb Squad examined the package, they were able to determine that it was not a threat, and lifted the evacuation order.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015, 6:33am

(WXIA) -- A new report offers detailed health statistics for each of Georgia's counties.

The findings, which are posted at countyhealthrankings.org, determined that Forsyth is Georgia's healthiest county. Early is the least healthy.

DeKalb is Georgia's 19th healthiest county, according to the data. It ranks 25th for quality of life, 8th for health behaviors (such as smoking and obesity), 8th for clinical care, 64th for social and economic factors (like graduation rates and violent crimes), and 128th for physical environment.

Here are some interesting takeaways about DeKalb County:

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, March 20th, 2015, 2:45pm

(WXIA) -- It's going to be "more of the same" on the Atlanta area's highways and interstates this weekend, as Georgia Department of Transportation crews take to the streets.

Drivers are asked to avoid travel on interstates 20 and 285, if possible. GDOT will close lanes in several areas, which could result in lengthy delays.

As always, all work is weather permitting.

Interstate 20

Three eastbound lanes will be closed between Langhorn and McDaniel streets from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for bridge joint repairs.

Two westbound lanes will be closed between the Downtown Connector and Langhorn Street from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for bridge joint repairs.

Two westbound lanes will be closed between Fulton Industrial Boulevard and I-285 from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for bridge joint repairs.

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Fulton County Commissioner Joan P. Garner Appointed to Atlanta BeltLine Board of Directors

Submitted by AprilMajors on Tuesday, March 17th, 8:23 am

On February 4, 2015, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners appointed Commissioner Joan P. Garner, District 4, to serve on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta BeltLine,” stated Commissioner Joan P. Garner. “This is an exciting time to be part of an endeavor that will enhance and connect the communities located along the BeltLine in District 4.”

Members of the Atlanta BeltLine Board of Directors shall initially serve staggered terms of two (2) years and after the initial terms have expired, serve for a term of four (4) years (subject to the concurrent service requirements set forth herein).

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, March 12th, 2015, 7:45am

Area unemployment rate climbs in January

(WXIA) -- Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate climbed to 6.2 percent in January.

That's up from December's 6.0 percent, but considerably lower than the 7.1 percent in January 2014.

DeKalb County's unemployment rate was 6.6 percent this January.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said the rate increased because of the loss of about 35,100 jobs, mostly seasonal positions.

But the Atlanta area had the largest January-to-January job growth ever recorded, adding 104,400 jobs over the course of the year.

The metropolitan Atlanta area consists of 29 counties, including the recently added Morgan County.

Metro Gainesville had January's lowest jobless rate, at 5.2 percent. The Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest, at 8.3 percent.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, March 6th, 2015, 3:45pm

Several surface streets impacted by weekend roadwork

(WXIA) -- Interstate 20 will bear the brunt of this weekend's roadwork, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Drivers are asked to avoid nonessential travel on I-20, as road projects will require lane closures that will likely result in delays.

A number of surface streets will also be impacted by construction crews.

As always, all work is weather permitting. Get this weekend's forecast.

Cobb/Fulton counties: I-285
2 northbound lanes will be closed between Bolton and South Atlanta roads from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for concrete rehabilitation.

Coweta County: I-85
1 southbound lane will be closed at Sharpsburg-McCullum Road from 9 p.m. Friday to 12 p.m. Monday for barrier wall installation.

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