Road work continues this weekend over parts of Metro Atlanta

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Friday, April 11th, 2014, 5:46pm

Road work continues this weekend over parts of Metro Atlanta

(WXIA) – Motorists will face a number of lane closures this weekend around Metro Atlanta.

I-285 Northbound from Hollowell Parkway (US 78/278) in Atlanta to Paces Ferry Road in Vinings will have one left lane closed for sign replacement.

I-20 West and Eastbound will have two left lanes closed between Ga. 5 in Douglasville to Liberty Road in Carroll County for ongoing concrete construction.

Nightly lane closures will continue on the Downtown Connector, along with portions of I-75 and I-85 inside the Perimeter for overhead sign replacement.

Retaining wall construction continues on Techwood Drive between 16th Street and 18th Street in Midtown Atlanta.

Construction continues on I-75 Northbound between I-675 and Mount Zion Boulevard in Clayton County. Two right lanes are closed in that area.

Landscaping operations are continuing along I-285 Westbound near Bouldercrest Road in DeKalb County.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014, 12:18pm

9 DeKalb high schools among America's Most Challenging

(WXIA) -- The Washington Post has unveiled its 2014 list of America's Most Challenging High Schools.

The newspaper determines the annual rankings through a ratio: the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests a school gives each year, divided by the number of graduating seniors.

Nine DeKalb County schools made the list, which features more than 2,000 high schools across the country. The listed numbers are each school's national ranking.

178. DeKalb School of the Arts
325. Chamblee Charter HS
606. Tucker HS
808. Dunwoody HS
935. Lakeside HS
1241. Druid Hills HS
1666. Southwest DeKalb HS
1687. Arabia Mountain HS
1962. Cross Keys HS

Additionally, Decatur High School, which is part of a charter system, is No. 205 on the list.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Monday, April 7th, 2014, 7:17pm

ATLANTA -- We have big news about a three-year-old with Downs syndrome who became a trending topic nationally last month.

Will Markwell, famously known by the #WillRocks hashtag, is out of the hospital after undergoing open-heart surgery three days earlier.

"Best result possible," said father Zack Markwell. "He had the surgery 8:30 on Friday morning. By noon he was down in the ICU, and 24 hours later, he was sitting up, waiting to go on a wagon ride."

ID=7441151

Just before noon on Monday, Will was wheeled out of his room at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, April 4th, 2014, 3:00pm

Weekend construction to continue despite rain

(WXIA) -- Rain is in this weekend's forecast, but that won't stop Georgia Department of Transportation from working on scheduled road projects throughout the area.

GDOT District Construction Engineer Shun Pringle said the department expects more people than usual on the road, as school districts begin and end their spring breaks.

"Call 511 or look at a mapping website before you leave home," Pringle said in a statement. "Motorists, including spring breakers ... need to plan ahead to avoid delays."

The new flyover ramps on the Interstate 85/Georgia 400 Interchange project are open, but crews still need to perform a little last-minute work on them. Lanes will be closed in places.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014, 12:15pm

Atlanta Track Club launches scholarship program

(WXIA) -- Youth running groups, rejoice -- the Atlanta Track Club has created a scholarship program just for you.

The Peachtree Jr. Participant Challenge will award scholarships to the three organizations that have the most children registered for the 2014 Peachtree Jr. or Lil' Peach Dash.

The first place team will be given a $1,500 scholarship, a $1,250 cash donation from the Atlanta Track Club and $250 in Sports Authority store credit. Two runners-up will each get $750 scholarships, $500 donations and $250 in Sports Authority credit.

"Through the Peachtree Jr. Participant Challenge, we are able to give back to organizations that share our goal of inspiring children to be healthier and more active," Atlanta Track Club Executive Director Rich Kenah said in a release. "Atlanta Track Club is proud to partner with Sports Authority to offer these scholarships to provide extra motivation to keep kids moving."

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014, 9:47am

(WXIA) -- The number of fatalities on Georgia's highways fell in 2013.

The Georgia Department of Transportation announced Monday that 1,186 people were killed in car crashes on state roads last year, 13 fewer than in 2012. It's the eighth year in a row the total number of deaths has fallen.

"The reduction in fatalities over eight years means that more than 500 additional persons will get to celebrate the life events that are special to us all," Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Harris Blackwood said in a release. "We must continue to work toward reducing injuries and death on Georgia roads."

Georgia's worst year on record for highway fatalities is 2005, when 1,748 people died.

Nation statistics are not yet available. In 2012, the number of fatalities increase about 5 percent to 36,200.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, March 31st, 2014, 12:21pm

(WXIA) -- Last week, 11Alive News received a shocking video clip from a viewer. The footage showed a teenage boy being repeatedly punched in the face in a locker room at Parkview High School in Gwinnett County.

WATCH | Teen beaten at school

The video prompted an investigation into reports of violence and fights in Georgia's public schools. The Georgia Department of Education provided 11Alive News with four years' worth of discipline incident reports for every school in the state.

WATCH | 11Alive's Doug Richards investigates violence at school

View Comments | Post a Comment