Atlanta commuters to "Dump the Pump" by riding transit

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 1:21pm

Atlanta commuters to "Dump the Pump" by riding transit

ATLANTA -- Transportation organizations throughout Atlanta are joining forces for one week while they encourage Atlanta commuters to take public transportation rather than drive.

The Dump the Pump program, according to a spokesman for The Clean Air Campaign, MARTA and GRTA said the initiative was designed to help relieve stress that commuters take on when they drive alone and pay for gas.

Dump the Pump runs from Monday, June 17 - Friday, June 21. Those behind the event hope to raise awareness of transportation options throughout the region, which can help local residents save money and avoid worrying about changing gas prices.

Each year, the spokesman said, an Atlanta commuter spends an average of 51 hours sitting in traffic and $4,000 on commute costs, about $16 per day in gas and auto expenses.

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Responding officer strikes suspect, ending police chase

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 12:42pm

DULUTH, Ga. -- A suspect involved in a brief pursuit Monday was hit by a responding Duluth police officer, and has been taken to the hospital to be treated.

A police officer began a traffic stop on a vehicle in Duluth, but the driver sped off. A chase started, and shortly after, the suspect got out of the vehicle and tried to run from the officer.

According to Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Jake Smith, authorities in the area learned of the chase, saw the suspect on foot and attempted to apprehend him.

While the suspect was running, he was hit by a Duluth police car at the intersection of Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Old Norcross Road. The officer of that car was driving to the scene where he had been called in reference to the chase.

An ambulance took the suspect to a nearby hospital, Smith said.

Duluth police, Georgia State Patrol and GWPD are all on scene investigating.

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Atlanta chef Ford Fry hosts fifth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

Submitted by Brooks McAlister, Social Media Manager

Saturday, June 15th, 2013, 12:21pm

ATLANTA (June 14, 2013) – Join Chef Ford Fry as he hosts the fifth annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on Sunday, July 21 from 1-5 p.m. This year, more than 40 of the South’s top chefs along with 15 skilled mixologists and over 30 farmers are teaming up to create the tastiest tomato concoctions and to help raise money for Georgia Organics.

“Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is absolutely one of my favorite events,” says Ford Fry, owner/chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist. “I love seeing the creativity of all the participants and I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s crop of talent comes up with,” he adds.

Tickets are now on sale for $55 per person and $50 for Georgia Organics members and can be purchased online through Xorbia. Starting Monday, July 1, all ticket prices will increase to $70 per person. A total of 1,400 tickets are available for attendees. Last year’s festival brought in close to $26,000 for Georgia Organics.

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Local nonprofits gain grant to help domestic violence victims in Georgia

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Friday, June 14th, 2013, 7:50pm

Local nonprofits gain grant to help domestic violence victims in Georgia

ATLANTA -- The Judicial Council of Georgia Domestic Violence Committee awarded a grant on Friday that will go towards the work of nine nonprofit organizations in and near Atlanta.

The grant of almost $1.7 billion will help bring legal services to around 4,500 people with low income around Georgia who have suffered from domestic violence and are working to bounce back. A spokeswoman for the Judicial Council reported that the funds are given each year to develop domestic violence training and legal services for victims.

According to the spokeswoman, not included are divorces, deportations and other matters which are not related with the victim's safety, along with economic security.

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The Kitten Patch to save feline lives with adoption event

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Friday, June 14th, 2013, 1:14pm

The Kitten Patch to save feline lives with adoption event

DULUTH, Ga. -- Organizations Planned Pethood and Companion Animal Rescue League (CARL) will team up to host an adoption event, The Kitten Patch in Gwinnett County.

A spokeswoman for the event said those behind the adoption day hope the lives of kittens will be saved as kittens can be adopted on site.

The event is set for Friday, June 21 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Planned Pethood, which is located at 2860 Buford Highway in Duluth.

Along with adoptions, the organizations are featuring a DJ, activities for kids, hamburgers and hot dogs and a bake sale.

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Save a mother's life on Father's Day

Submitted by Bekki Kanter, 11Alive Producer

Thursday, June 13th, 2013, 11:34am

DULUTH, Ga. -- Until recently, Marina Sampanes Peed was known to her friends as a mother, a volunteer and a giving member of the Gwinnett County community.

Today the words "fighter" and "patient" are heard more often. That's because Peed is fighting a disease that she's quietly battled over the past six years. It's a battle she can no longer fight alone.

"Marina is a fighter but she has until the end of the summer before she will likely be too ill for a transplant," said friend Lynn Agnes.

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