Allatoona Lake drowning victim identified

Submitted by Duffie Dixon, 11Alive Reporter

Sunday, June 22nd, 2014, 8:22pm

Allatoona Lake drowning victim identified

ACWORTH, Ga. -- Authorities say a man drowned at Allatoona Lake on Saturday.

The man, said to be in his 20s, jumped off a tube into the water at a Tanyard Creek boat ramp and never came back up.

His body was recovered by Department of Natural Resources officials around 8:30 p.m.

Authorities do not believe the man was wearing a life vest.

On Sunday, authorities identified the man as 26-year-old Varun Krishnamurthy.

Last Friday night, 6-year-old Corday Duffy died after falling into Allatoona Lake around the Sweetwater Campground in Canton.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, June 20th, 2014, 3:01pm

Interstate work continues through the weekend

(WXIA) -- Another weekend, another series of road projects -- that seems to be the summertime theme in metro Atlanta.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said the roadwork that has plagued drivers for the past several weekends will continue through Monday morning.

Among the projects:

Cherokee County
* ROLLING CLOSURE: Nightly sweeping on I-575 in both directions

Cobb County
* Two southbound lanes of I-285 will be closed between Paces Ferry and South Atlanta roads from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly for slab replacement.

Cobb/Fulton counties
* Two lanes in each direction of I-285 will be closed between I-75 and New Northside Drive from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for sign construction.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, June 18th, 2014, 9:23am

Staples holding Make 15 Seconds of Fame Happen contest

(WXIA) -- Atlanta-area Staples customers have the chance to appear in a nationwide commercial for the office supply chain.

Staples is holding a Make 15 Seconds of Fame Happen contest. Kids, teens, parents and grandparents can enter by submitting their best videos of them doing the "shopping cart dance."

The contest winners will star in a national back-to-school campaign, and will also receive a $250 Staples gift card.

To enter, visit staples.com/shoppingcartdance. Entrants must film themselves dancing to the commercial song, which is available on the website.

Submissions will be accepted until Monday, June 23 at 5 p.m.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, June 16th, 2014, 11:02am

Cartersville resident to lead Chattahoochee Tech Foundation

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Chattahoochee Technical College has named Melanie Lambert as head of its Chattahoochee Tech Foundation.

Lambert, a Cartersville resident, is responsible for operating the foundation, which provides scholarships and grants for students, and financial support for programs.

She comes to CTC from Emory University, where she served as senior associate director of stewardship and donor relations. She has also worked in the development office at Reinhardt University, where she earned her communications degree.

For her first order of business, Lambert plans to educate CTC students about the opportunities the foundation offers them.

"When students find out that their scholarships are funds provided by people and businesses in our community, they want to show their gratitude," she said. "I want the foundation to provide them with every opportunity to connect with donors."

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Saturday, June 14th, 2014, 3:00pm

(WXIA) -- Public libraries across Georgia will participate in this year's Summer Reading Program and college savings sweepstakes.

The initiative, which is hosted by Georgia's Path2College 529 Plan, will award one grand prize and four regional scholarships to five lucky participants. The winners will be chosen at random from five groups.

The grand prize is a college scholarship worth $5,529 and a $1,529 grant for the winner's library. The runners-up will each get $1,529 to put toward a Path2College 529 Plan and $529 for their libraries.

Georgia parents, grandparents and legal guardians can sign up their children at path2college529.com. Entry closes on Aug. 10.

The program provides students with activities throughout the summer and encourages them to read by giving them prizes for finishing books, ebooks, audiobooks and magazines.

Participating library groups include:

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, June 13th, 2014, 3:30pm

Weekend roadwork to affect I-20, I-285 drivers

(WXIA) -- Road projects are scheduled to take place on Interstates 285 and 20 this weekend.

All work is weather permitting, but drivers should still look out for road crews and plan for possible delays.

Among the scheduled projects:

Cobb County
* Intermittent pacing will take place on I-285 at Atlanta Road from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday

Cobb/Fulton counties
* Nightly sign construction will close two lanes in each direction of I-285 between I-75 and New Northside Drive

Douglas County
* Two westbound lanes of I-20 between Bill Arp and Liberty roads will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly

Fulton County
* Three eastbound lanes of I-285 between Riverside Drive and the Glenwood Connector will be closed nightly

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Submitted by Gary Parkes, Community Blogger

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014, 1:35pm

Dorothea Benton Frank kicks off author lunch series

WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- FoxTale Book Shoppe is kicking off their Fox Lunch & Laugh series with New York Times bestselling author, Dorothea Benton Frank, on Tuesday, June 17 at Vingenzo's Pasta & Pizzeria, just a few doors down from FoxTale.

"Dottie Frank loves her visits to Woodstock, and so do we!" FoxTale co-owner Ellen Ward said. "Once again, FoxTale Book Shoppe welcomes Dottie with the release of her newest book ... this reservations-only luncheon is always a great and fun time."