Thousands enroll in Ga. Pre-K Program

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, 8:54am

(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.

Douglas County's unemployment rate was 7.6 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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Submitted by Don Buckindail, Director of Digital Operations

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014, 12:27pm

The City of Douglasville has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will increase property taxes by 52.13 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the Council Chambers in the Douglasville Conference Center 6700 Church St, Douglasville, Ga. 30134 on July 31st ,2014 at 10:00 am and 6:45 pm . Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at the Douglasville Council Chambers at the Conference Center ,6700 Church St. Douglasville, Ga. on August 7th 2014 at 6:00 pm. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 5.784 an increase of 1.982. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 3.802 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a Fair market value of $ 125,000 is approximately $ 99.10 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $150,000 is approximately $118.92.

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Submitted by Jon Shirek, 11Alive Reporter

Monday, July 21st, 2014, 11:29pm

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (WXIA) -- A big controversy came to a vote in Douglasville Monday evening when the city council decided not to fire Police Chief Chris Womack.

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He had said publicly that officers are quitting the force because of low pay.

Some council members took that as a slap at the city.

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Rain could cancel road projects for the weekend

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, July 18th, 2014, 3:00pm

Rain could cancel road projects for the weekend

(WXIA) -- The threat of rain this weekend could provide some welcome relief for Atlanta-area drivers.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has already postponed a handful of road projects, thanks to the weather.

WEATHER | 11Alive meteorologist Tracy Humphrey has your weekend forecast

Resurfacing on Interstate 20 in Rockdale and Newton counties, and concrete replacement on the west side of I-285 have been canceled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

GDOT said it plans to move ahead with scheduled resurfacing on I-20 between Douglasville and Villa Rica, as it is very close to finishing the work -- well ahead of its projected November completion date. However, rain may briefly halt crews.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, July 14th, 2014, 11:22am

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. -- Keurig Green Mountain will hold a job fair in Douglas County this month.

The fair will be Thursday, July 24 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse. Job opportunities are available in maintenance leadership, engineering leadership and manufacturing engineering.

Visit keuriggreenmountain.com for more information.

Keurig announced earlier this year that it will open a production facility in Douglasville in the near future. Read more about Keurig's growth in Douglas County.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, July 11th, 2014, 3:00pm

(WXIA) -- Metro Atlanta drivers enjoyed a break last weekend when the Georgia Department of Transportation postponed road projects for the July 4 holiday.

But now that the fun is over, the work begins again.

Crews will be on several interstates throughout the metro, working on much-needed improvements. Delays are expected in all areas where roadwork will be performed.

As always, projects are weather permitting. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms could temporarily halt or delay work.

Here is some of this weekend's scheduled roadwork:

Cobb County
* Two right southbound lanes of I-285 will be closed between Paces Ferry Road and South Cobb Drive from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for slab replacement and repair.

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