Our network

Cobb Co. to give student athletes concussion tests

Cobb Co. to give student athletes concussion tests

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) -- The Cobb County school district is screening 8,000 student athletes for concussion before the start of the 2011-12 athletic season to create a comparison for when athletes are injured.

The district will announce the new program Thursday during a 10:30 a.m. news conference.

Cobb County is teaming up with WellStar Health System for the tests, which will provide a baseline reading for medical staff in case the student is injured.

The 20-minute test measures cognitive functions like attention span, working memory and reaction time.

Experts estimate U.S. emergency rooms treat 135,000 sports- and recreation-related injuries in children ages five to 18 every year. If left untreated, concussions can cause long-term problems and even death.

The Associated Press

Lawmakers to look for charter school solutions

Lawmakers to look for charter school solutions

ATLANTA -- State lawmakers are planning to meet next week to hammer out solutions for more than a dozen charter schools that face closing after a Georgia Supreme Court ruled the state commission that created them is unconstitutional.

Senate Education Committee Chairman Fran Millar said the meeting is set for June 3 at 10 a.m. at the Capitol. The Atlanta Republican says the goal is to make sure the 16,000 students enrolled in the schools have an "education setting that meets their needs" when school starts this fall.

Millar has invited several state officials, including state schools Superintendent John Barge and Mark Peevy, executive director of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission.

 

DINNERS ON A DIME: Real Southern Bar-B-Que

DINNERS ON A DIME: Real Southern Bar-B-Que

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – This week, Dinners on a Dime features the best in local BBQ. Every Tuesday Where U Live chooses four favorite eats in your area for you to take your family and friends for a fabulous meal for a price that’s economically feasible in today’s economy.

Harold’s Barbeque is a pretty popular restaurant with those of the “old guard” Atlanta. Perhaps, pretty popular is an understatement because according to some Harold’s is “the Georgia Bar-B-Que”. The restaurant which was frequented by the late Southern writer Lewis Grizzard epitomizes old Atlanta; and they even still have a sign sponsored by Coca-Cola. Harold’s is cash only so bring your wallet. The restaurant is located at 171 McDonough Boulevard in Atlanta.

Popular wrestler Abdullah the Butcher chops and smokes the opposition in and outside of the ring.

Writing Tips - Small business advice

Writing Tips - Small business advice

Being Newsworthy

For an announcement to be considered newsworthy it must have a broad, general interest to the target audience and a strong news angle (e.g. material information, new development,drama, human interest, local angle, consequence, etc.). In addition, your release needs to be written in a journalistic, rather than marketing style. It should be objectively written as though a reporter were writing the story for you. Most importantly, your release needs to "inform" people, NOT just sell them something.

Headline Formats

In most cases your headline is the first thing an editor sees when reviewing your release. An effective headline can make the difference between an editor covering your story or hitting the delete button. To create an effective headline consider the following points:

    * Limit your headline to no more than one line.

Contest opens for new Georgia license plate

Contest opens for new Georgia license plate

ATLANTA -- The state wants a new look for license plates and is open to the public's ideas.

The Georgia Department of Revenue reported Monday a contest for the state's next new license plate in 2012. It began May 23 and ends June 17.

The contest is open to all Georgia residents or companies authorized to do business in the state.

The public will select three semifinalists in an online vote from June 24 to July 8. The three semifinalists will then be presented to Gov. Nathan Deal, who will announce the winning design on July 15.

Complete rules, guidelines, design template and an entry-waiver are available here.

Contest submissions may be sent by e-mail to: Georgia.License.Plate.Design.Contest@DOR.GA.GOV

New technology allows residents to search crime data in county

Mableton, GA --  Residents now have the capability of searching an online database known as P2C, Police 2 Citizen, for crime data in any area of interest within unincorporated Cobb County. This is a result of Cobb Police Department's recent transition to a new police records management system.

Types of crime available to search include burglaries, entering autos, thefts and criminal trespass/damage, along with data on robberies and fraud. An additional feature of the system allows people to retrieve their own vehicle crash reports.

Since the system is computer based, it not only makes it more convenient for the public, it also makes operations more efficient, accurate and helps reduce human error.

ADOPT A PET: Meet Mia

ADOPT A PET: Meet Mia

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – If you dream of coming home to a wet nose, wagging tail and tons of kisses (in addition to, perhaps, a half chewed shoe or overturned trashcan) adopt a puppy from your local pet shelter. According to the ASPCA, approximately 5 million to 7 million domesticated animals enter animal shelters nationwide, every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized. However, you can change those numbers but adopting a “companion” for yourself or your family. Pets are an investment but, in our opinion, an investment well worth the money.

Mia, is a Chi-Terrier who needs a home. Before she arrived at the Humane Society, Mia was living chained to a tree with little shelter and no food or water. Since she was turned over to the Humane Society, she has been bathed, had her nails trimmed and has changed her feeding schedule to attain a healthy weight. She’s great with toddlers and loves to play fetch.