JOURNALISM
Conasauga River headwaters to receive highest level of protection under Clean Water Act
- Georgia has declared the headwaters of the Conasauga River, in north Georgia, as the state’s first “Outstanding National Resource Water.” The designation provides the highest level of protection available under the federal Clean Water Act. Georgia has designated an 11-mile stretch of the headwaters of the Conasauga River as one that receives the highest level of protection under the federal Clean Water Act. Credit: Environment Georgia The Georgia Board of Natural Resources voted Aug. 25 to designate an 11-mile stretch of ...more
Pet euthanasia rates plummet as Fulton, DeKalb approach being “no kill” communities
- After a lot of hard work, the chances have improved significantly that an animal will come out alive from a shelter in Fulton and DeKalb counties – up from 15 animals out of 100 in 2012, to 85 animals out of 100 in 2014, according to the contractor who took over the facilities in 2013. Princess has hopped into the vehicle and is heading home with her family through an adoption arranged by LifeLine at the Fulton County Animal Shelter. ...more
Southern Co. likely to see downgrade of credit rating when it buys AGL Resources
- Moody’s Investors Service has reduced the credit outlook of Southern Co. from stable to negative as a result of Southern’s decision to purchase AGL Resources. Moody’s affirmed Southern’s current ratings, but expects to reduce ratings if the AGL deal goes through as announced. Plant Vogtle is adding to the financial drag that Moodys Investors Service says will prompt it to downgrade Southern’s credit rating as Southern purchases AGL Resources. Credit: georgiapower.com According to a ratings statement Moodys issued Aug. 24: “The Southern ...more
Atlanta Streetcar to accept Breeze Card despite earlier reports of conflict, to get new interim director
- It turns out that the Atlanta Streetcar will utilize the Breeze Card, despite an earlier report by a top city official that it isn’t cost efficient and resulted in no fares being collected this year. In addition, the streetcar has a new interim executive director, according to a statement issued Thursday by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s office. Atlanta’s streetcar system serves the Downtown area. File/Credit: walkableapp.com A main reason for interest in the fare technology is that Reed told Central Atlanta ...more
Red Cross properly manages relief programs in Haiti, says Atlanta’s Joe Beasley
- Atlanta human rights activist Joe Beasley has returned from a site tour of Haiti and determined that the Red Cross has properly managed its earthquake-relief programs in Haiti, despite published reports to the contrary. Joe Beasley visited areas of Haiti where news reports say the Red Cross has failed to properly manage nearly $500 million in relief aid since the 2010 earthquakes. Credit: Garry Calixte/American Red Cross “I was pleased with the work the American Red Cross is doing in Haiti,” ...more
Home prices rise 5.4 percent in metro Atlanta over past year: Case-Shiller index
- Prices of homes sold in metro Atlanta rose by 5.4 percent during a 12-month period ending in June, according to the Case-Shiller index released Tuesday. The results help offset values lost in the ongoing stock market plunge. Pulte Homes is developing Stonehill at Lenox, a community of 3-story townhomes to be priced from the low $500,000s. Credit: pulte.com Nationally, the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices showed an increase of 4.5 percent in the 12-month period ending in June. That’s an increase from ...more
Manuel’s Tavern: First steps begin toward surrounding it with mixed-use project
- Manuel’s Tavern could be surrounded by an array of homes, shops and offices if the Atlanta City Council approves the first step in a rezoning process that is to get its first hearing Tuesday at the council’s Community Development Committee. Manuel Maloof, the tavern’s namesake, posed with a donkey outside the tavern to promote his 1987 campaign for reelection as DeKalb County’s CEO. Credit: dlib.gsu.edu The committee is to consider a proposal that would pave the way for the land beneath ...more
Georgia’s quail recovery program wins kudos, promotes important hunting industry
- Georgia’s population of Northern Bobwhite Quail has declined by 90 percent since 1966, and the state has won national recognition for a program to promote the bird’s recovery – and to stabilize the $125 million quail-hunting industry clustered around Albany. Georgia’s program to promote the Northern Bobwhite Quail has earned national recognition. The bird is at the heart of Georgia’s economically significant quail hunting industry. Credit: remingtoncountryoutfittes.com Quail are relocated from areas where they are relatively abundant, to areas where they ...more
New GSU report shows charter schools raise home values in attendance areas
- Proximity to a charter school increases home values in three metro Atlanta school districts, according to a new report released by Georgia State University. Charles R. Drew Charter School opened in 2000 in Atlanta and has contributed to an increase in property values in the East Lake neighborhood. Credit: rlbrown.com The report determined that home sales prices were from 7 percent to 13 percent higher in areas where youngsters had the greatest chance to attend a charter school. The study examined property ...more
Baltimore, once a beacon for Atlanta’s downtown revitalization, sees its lamp dim
- BALTIMORE – Once upon a time, Atlanta wanted to create the same kind of magic that enabled Baltimore to build a tourism destination around an aquarium. Those days seem long ago. The entrance plaza to the National Aquarium was devoid of pedestrians and vehicles Sunday around noon, about three hours after the facility had opened. Credit: David Pendered On Sunday, spacious walkways around the National Aquarium were mostly vacant. There was no queue at the aquarium’s main entrance. Outdoor cafes on ...more