Unemployment rate didn't change in December

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, January 29th, 2015, 9:16am

Unemployment rate didn't change in December

(WXIA) -- Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate went unchanged last month. The rate was 6.4 in December 2014, the same as it was in November 2014. It was 6.8 percent in December 2013.

DeKalb County's December unemployment rate was 6.7 percent.

While the unemployment rate didn't budge, the Atlanta area gained 64,700 jobs last year, the largest December-to-December job growth in nearly 10 years. Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said many of the new positions were in trade and transportation; business services; leisure and hospitality; financial services; manufacturing; education and health care; government; and construction.

Butler said Georgia has been in the top 10 states for job creation every month since October 2012.

Metro Athens had Georgia's lowest December unemployment rate, at 4.9 percent. The Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest, at 8.8 percent.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015, 8:55am

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- Registration for one adult and two youth sports in DeKalb County is now open.

Youth Soccer

Soccer is for children ages 4-14. The season includes eight games. Registration ranges in price from $45 to $85 per child and closes Monday, Feb. 16.

DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May said the county's soccer program is designed to instill skill development, fitness and team training drills.

Adult Softball

DeKalb County offers both men's and co-ed softball leagues. The season begins in March and includes 10 regular games. Registration closes Monday, Feb. 23.

The cost is $420 per team. An additional $20 will be added for each non-DeKalb County resident.

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Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Friday, January 23rd, 2015, 6:48pm

East Atlanta is the No. 3 hottest neighborhood in the country, according to Redfin Corp.'s Hottest Neighborhoods report that ranked neighborhoods in 27 cities.

The Seattle-based real estate brokerage said East Atlanta is exploding with interest from millennials and empty nesters because of the trendy restaurants, bars and boutiques that can be found around East Atlanta Village.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, January 23rd, 2015, 3:30pm

Weekend roadwork: Sign structure and bridge repairs

(WXIA) -- Drivers in the Atlanta area are asked to avoid the southwest side of Interstate 285 this weekend, as construction crews will complete road projects in the area.

Weekend roadwork will take place on several other stretches of highway and interstate throughout metro Atlanta as well. The rainy weather may delay some projects.

Planned work includes:

Coweta County
* 1 northbound lane of I-85 will be closed between two miles north of Highway 34 and McCollum-Sharpsburg Road from 8 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for sweeping.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015, 10:50am

Atlanta Police Department joins 'The First 48'

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Police Department Homicide Unit will be featured on the new season of A&E documentary series "The First 48."

The television program follows detectives as they search for clues and interview witnesses in the first two days of a murder investigation. It has profiled police departments across the country, including DeKalb County.

"The First 48" crews filmed Atlanta's Homicide Unit members as they investigated and solved homicides throughout the city.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, January 16th, 2015, 3:15pm

(WXIA) -- As 2015 rolls on, Georgia Department of Transportation crews will roll too -- to sites across metro Atlanta, where they will work on weekend road projects. (At least it will be sunny!)

This weekend, drivers are encouraged to avoid travel on the west side of Interstate 20 and the east side of I-285, if possible. Delays and lane closures are expected in both areas. All work is weather permitting.

Some of the scheduled projects include:

Cobb County
* 2 eastbound lanes of I-285 will be closed at I-75 Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. for bridge joint repairs.

DeKalb/Fulton counties
* 3 northbound lanes of I-285 will be closed between I-20 and Ga. 400 from 7 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for sign structure work.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Thursday, January 15th, 2015, 8:38am

Joshua Mikel wins Essential Theatre Playwriting Contest

ATLANTA -- Joshua Mikel's new play Lillian Likes It is the winner of the 2015 Essential Theatre Playwriting Contest.

The annual competition gives Georgia playwrights the opportunity to have their work produced. Lillian Likes It will receive a full production in this summer's Essential Theatre Festival. Mikel also received a cash prize.

"Getting a piece through Essential has become sort of a rite of passage for the Georgia playwright, I think," Mikel said. "I'm equal parts anxious and excited. It's a great opportunity, but I know there's a lot of work to be done between now and then ... I'm hyper excited to see this performed with seasoned actors. It's going to be fun. I'm thrilled!"

Mikel is a six-time published playwright, as well as an actor and music video director. He is a graduate of Florida State University's Theatre and Creative Writing programs. Mikel lives in Conyers.

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