New Orleans author to read in Atlanta

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, June 10th, 2013, 1:26pm

ATLANTA -- An award-winning new author will read from his debut novel in Atlanta later this month.

Kent Wascom's book, The Blood of Heaven, tells a story about the early days of the American Republic in what is now the Southeastern U.S.

He will read from and sign copies of The Blood of Heaven Wednesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. at the Highland Inn Ballroom.

A Cappella Books, which is sponsoring Wascom's visit, provided this synopsis of the book:

Angel Woolsack is a preacher's son who flees the hardscrabble life of his itinerant father, then falls in with a charismatic highwayman. He eventually settles along the rough frontier of West Florida where Americans are carving their place out of lands held by the Spanish and French.

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Hearings to begin in APS cheating scandal

Submitted by Duffie Dixon, 11Alive Reporter

Monday, June 10th, 2013, 8:35am

Hearings to begin in APS cheating scandal

ATLANTA -- Three days of motions hearings are expected to begin Monday in Fulton County court regarding 35 educators charged with racketeering, lying to investigators and theft.

Judge Jerry Baxter will oversee the proceedings where it will be argued whether the defendants should be tried separately or as a group.

On Sunday, Mayor Kasim Reed said he could not comment on the pending cases but is certain that systemic cheating in Atlanta's schools will never happen again.

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DeKalb’s Greenspace and Parks committees meet June 12

Submitted by DeKalbCountyGA on Friday, June 7th, 12:12 pm

TUCKER, Ga. -- The joint regular meeting of the DeKalb Parks Bond Advisory Committee and the Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council is Wednesday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m. at Henderson Park, 4000 Henderson Park Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084.

Following a brief meeting near the entrance of the community gardens, there will be a tour of the walking trails. In addition, an update will be provided on greenspace acquisitions and current parks and recreation projects.

The DeKalb Parks Bond Advisory Committee provides advice regarding the use of the proceeds of the 2001 Parks Bonds and reviews the bond proceeds expenditures in an advisory capacity. The Initiative for a Green DeKalb Advisory Council advises, advocates, and establishes a vision for an integrated greenspace system in DeKalb County.

For more information, call Mamie Ellis at 404-371-2082.

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11Alive helps Smart Lunch, Smart Kid

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, June 6th, 2013, 9:46am

ATLANTA -- 11Alive News employees rolled up their sleeves Wednesday morning and assembled 400 bagged lunches for children in need.

This is the second year 11Alive has helped Action Ministries' Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program.

PHOTOS | 11Alive helps Smart Lunch, Smart Kid

Smart Lunch, Smart Kid provides nutritious meals in the summertime for children who normally rely on free or reduced-price lunches during the school year.

WellCare and Gas South employees joined the 11Alive team in making sandwiches and putting together lunch bags. Each Smart Lunch, Smart Kid meal consists of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, fruit snacks and a bottle of water.

Action Ministries hopes to feed at least 200,000 children across north Georgia through the 2013 Smart Lunch, Smart Kid outreach.

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Decatur turns the Square into the beach for annual party

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Monday, June 3rd, 2013, 8:14pm

Decatur turns the Square into the beach for annual party

DECATUR, Ga. -- The City of Decatur will hold its annual Beach Party on June 14 on the Square on Court Street.

From 5:00 - 11:00 that evening, Decatur officials will bring in 60 tons of sand to transform the area in to a beach. Music will be plated for dancing on the Plaza, while the city hosts children's boardwalk games, wading pools in the sand and playtime in a new children's area.

Adult admission to the Beach Party is $10 and may be paid at the door. Children 12 and under get in for free.

Proceeds from the Beach Party will go to downtown improvement projects.

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High court to weigh in on DeKalb school board case

Submitted by Associated Press

Monday, June 3rd, 2013, 6:03pm

High court to weigh in on DeKalb school board case

ATLANTA -- Georgia's highest court is set to consider the constitutionality of a state law allowing the governor to remove school board members.

The Supreme Court of Georgia heard arguments Monday from lawyers for the state and for former DeKalb County school board chairman Eugene Walker.

The school district was put on probation by an accrediting agency in December. Gov. Nathan Deal in February issued an executive order removing Walker and five other school board members.

Walker is challenging the law that allowed that action. The federal judge presiding over the case has asked the state high court to consider two questions about the constitutionality of the law.

The court will hear arguments on those questions and submit its interpretation to the federal judge who will rule in the case.

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Ga. Supreme Court rules school taxes can go to BeltLine

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, June 3rd, 2013, 8:13am

Ga. Supreme Court rules school taxes can go to BeltLine

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's ruling that school tax revenue can be spent on non-educational development projects like the BeltLine.

In the opinion released Monday, a Supreme Court Justice wrote that the high court disagrees with the argument that the tax spending is unconstitutional.

John S. Sherman with the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation filed a lawsuit against the city of Atlanta in late 2008 to prevent officials from using school property tax revenues on projects in the BeltLine and Perry-Bolton tax allocation districts (TADs).

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