News

Community's heart behind 13 yr old transplant recipient

Submitted by Kevin Rowson, 11Alive Reporter

Saturday, May 5th, 2012, 10:54am

CONYERS, Ga -- A community is stepping up for a young Conyers girl who is recovering from a heart transplant. Erin McLeod, 13, received a new heart on Valentine's Day this year.

People in the community and a local Johnny's Pizza at 2445 Salem Road, Conyers are holding a fund raiser from noon to 3PM Sunday.

Erin spoke to 11 Alive News reporter Kevin Rowson at the pizzeria Friday where she shared some pizza with friends. It's what Erin said she missed most for the past 14 months. "The hardest thing is getting used to being normal again," she said. "You know, going back to school, doing normal things, what a normal teenager would do."

Normal was interrupted in March 2011 when Erin was diagnosed with cancer in her right leg. After 18-months of chemotherapy and surgery she was found cancer free last December. "When I was in chemo I did not realize how close I was to dying until now," she said.

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4th prescription drug take-back a big success

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, May 4th, 2012, 12:09pm

4th prescription drug take-back a big success

ATLANTA -- Last weekend's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was a big success in Georgia, with residents turning in an estimated 6,913 pounds of unwanted medication.

This number greatly exceeds the amount of drugs collected during the last take-back event in October, where Drug Enforcement Administration officials collected about 3,794 pounds.

Nationally, the event saw Americans turn in approximately 276 tons (552,161 pounds) of drugs.

"The Prescription Drug Take-Back campaign was a huge success," Harry S. Sommers, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, said in a statement. "This event was critical in stemming the tide of prescription drug abuse in this country."

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Armed 'neighborhood protectors' apologize to new neighbors

Submitted by Jon Shirek, 11Alive Reporter

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012, 1:06pm

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A father and his grown son apologized Wednesday to their two new neighbors.

On the night of April 19, the men had mistaken the couple for burglars breaking into a vacant house. They held them at gunpoint until Sheriff's deputies arrived to arrest the couple.

The husband and wife were, in fact, the new owners of the house (next door to the home of the two men with the guns) in rural Newton County.

The Sheriff threw out the case against the couple and released them from jail, then arrested the father and son on two felony charges: aggravated assault and false imprisonment and two misdemeanor charges: criminal trespass, and loitering and prowling.

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Got old or expired drugs? Dispose of them on Saturday!

Submitted by Michael H. King, Digital Executive Producer

Friday, April 27th, 2012, 6:12pm

ATLANTA -- A lot of us have prescription medications that we are either no longer taking or that have expired. This weekend, you've got a chance to get rid of it.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement agencies have set up all sorts of disposal sites that are available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Last October, a similar collection effort rounded up about 188 tons of unwanted or expired medicines.

To find the location nearest you, click here. You only need to enter your zip code or county, city and state to find a location.

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Summitt receives Wooden Cup in Atlanta

Submitted by Sam Crenshaw, 11Alive Sports Anchor

Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 12:49pm

ATLANTA -- One week after being forced to resign due to early onset dementia, Tennessee coaching legend Pat Summitt came to Atlanta to receive the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup.

Summitt, who led the Lady Vols to 8 national championships during her 38 seasons in Knoxville, was delighted to receive an award that is named for the man who coached the UCLA Bruins to 10 national crowns. Summitt is also proud of his son, Tyler, becoming an assistant coach with the Marquette women's program next season. When asked, would it be ok for Tyler to call for advice she smiled and said "Sure, as often as he likes."

Pat Summitt will stay busy with The Pat Summitt Foundation, that will support the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. She will also be at practice and at the games in her new role as head coach emeritus. Summitt feels she owes it to freshman class that will come to Knoxville in the fall saying, "not a whole lot is going to change."

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Wind Advisory for metro Atlanta

Submitted by Eve Chen, Web Producer

Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 11:01am

ATLANTA -- A wind advisory is in effect for metro Atlanta until 8 p.m.

Gusts could reach up to 35 miles per hour.

The northernmost portions of the state had been under a severe thunderstorm watch as well, but that expired at 1 p.m.

For the full forecast and live radar maps, visit 11Alive.com/weather.

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Rockdale unemployment exceeds metro rate in March

Submitted by Associated Press

Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 8:36am

Rockdale unemployment exceeds metro rate in March

ATLANTA -- The preliminary unemployment rate in metro Atlanta dropped to 8.7 percent in March.

The new jobless rate, which was announced early Thursday morning, is down from a year ago, when it was 9.6 percent.

Rockdale County's unemployment rate was 10 percent in March. Metro Athens had the lowest area rate at 6.7 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11.6 percent.

Labor officials say the overall rate decreased because there were fewer layoffs in construction, manufacturing, trade, and administrative and support services.

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