News

'I loved him,' Ga. boy says of dog that mauled him

Saturday, August 2nd, 2014, 3:59pm

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - A 10-year-old Athens boy says a pit bull terrier that mauled his face and attacked a police officer before being shot had been one of his favorite pets.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports Jeremy Martinez required 30 stitches after the dog he had grown up with for four years unexpectedly attacked and tore off a piece of the boy's face Tuesday.

Jeremy told the newspaper, "I loved him. He was my favorite because we had him since he was a baby."

After the attack, the dog bit a police officer who came to the scene. The officer shot the dog several times, killing it.

Jeremy's mother says once her son's stitches are removed, a plastic surgeon will examine the boy to determine if he needs reconstructive surgery.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, August 1st, 2014, 2:00pm

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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Submitted by Associated Press

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014, 7:13am

UGA Pharmacy students plan tobacco cessation class

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Pharmacy students at the University of Georgia are planning sessions to help people quit smoking or chewing tobacco as the campus prepares to go tobacco free.

University System of Georgia officials approved the system wide tobacco ban this spring. The ban starts Oct. 1.

The students will hold their first six-week session for 20 UGA employees or Athens residents starting Aug. 26.

University officials say the pharmacy students will lead the group program and hold individual coaching session to help participants quit using tobacco.

They are planning a second session aimed at UGA students in the fall.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, July 28th, 2014, 7:38am

(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.

Clarke County's unemployment rate was 6.8 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 Associated Press

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014, 6:52am

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - A judge has ruled that a man accused of fatally shooting a northeast Georgia police officer will stand trial in Athens, with jurors brought in from another county.

Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard ruled this week that jurors for the trial of Jamie Hood will be chosen from Elbert County.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Hood and District Attorney Ken Mauldin had expressed concerns about selecting an impartial jury from the local jury pool. Media coverage of the case has been extensive in the Athens area.

Hood is accused in the death of Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian. Authorities say he also wounded a second officer in 2011.

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Submitted by Don Buckindail, Director of Digital Operations

Monday, July 21st, 2014, 7:20am

Making restaurants more friendly to moms

There is big push in Athens to make restaurants more accommodating to breastfeeding mothers.

A group called "Community Breastfeeding Coalition" is launching a campaign to offer Athens restaurants opportunities to list themselves as breastfeeding friendly online.

Restaurants would have to pay for that listing.

The group also wants stickers in windows of those restaurants to help moms.

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Submitted by Associated Press

Saturday, July 19th, 2014, 12:24pm

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - University of Georgia administrators say summer enrollment has declined for the fourth straight year.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports UGA had 13,549 students enrolled as of July 9. That's just a few students less than UGA had last summer, but it's 14 percent drop from 2010 when summer enrollment was 15,731.

Administrators at the Athens campus say the economic recession that began in 2008 is still partly to blame. But they also say recent policy changes have made it harder for students to afford summer classes. Lottery-funded HOPE scholarships stopped covering full tuition for most students in 2011. And policy changes have made need-based Pell Grants tougher to get during summer.

UGA's summer enrollment figures no longer reflect the actual number of students on campus. Many now take courses online.

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