RadioShack to close 1,100 stores

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014, 5:13pm

(USA TODAY) -- After reporting dismal fourth-quarter earnings, RadioShack said Tuesday that it would close about 1,100 poorly performing stores, roughly 20% of the electronic retailer's locations.

The store closings will leave about 4,000 locations in the U.S. The company has been struggling to revamp its stores for the past year.

Total net sales and operating revenues were $935.4 million in the fourth quarter, vs. $1,171.4 million last year, a 20% decline. Comparable store sales were down 19%, which the company blames on poor performance in its mobile phone business.

RadioShack stock was down more than 20% in premarket trading.

"Even in this environment, we're continuing to make progress on the five pillars of our turnaround plan: repositioning the brand, revamping the product assortment, reinvigorating the stores, operational efficiency and financial flexibility," CEO Joseph C. Magnacca said in a statement.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014, 7:23am

Ga. Connections Academy accepting students for 2014-15 school year

(WXIA) -- A few seats are still available at Georgia Connections Academy for the 2014-15 school year.

Georgia Connections Academy is a virtual K-12 public school that allows students to learn at their own pace. It is fully accredited and open to all school-age Georgia children.

"We are enrolling 1,000 additional students across all grade levels for the coming academic year," lead principal Heather Robinson said in a release. "We have a waiting list as we open enrollment, so we encourage parents to get their applications in now."

Georgia Connections Academy will hold a number of information sessions across the state for parents who want to know more. Additional enrollment information is available at connectionsacademy.com/georgia-virtual-school.

Upcoming information sessions in the Atlanta area include:

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, February 28th, 2014, 1:41pm

Weekend roadwork planned for I-85, Ga. 400, Connector

(WXIA) -- With a warm weekend on the horizon, the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to perform some much-needed roadwork throughout north Georgia.

Closures and delays can be expected on a number of major roads and highways.

"Plan ahead -- I can't say it enough," GDOT District Construction Engineer Shun Pringle said in a release. "If you plan ahead, you can avoid some potentially heavy delays."

Some notable roadwork includes:

Downtown Connector
Two right lanes of I-75/85 north near University Avenue will be closed for pavement work Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

I-285
Three lanes will be closed in both directions between West Paces Ferry and Roswell roads for sign replacements. All work will take place overnight -- from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

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Submitted by Keith Whitney, 11Alive Reporter

Thursday, February 27th, 2014, 11:06pm

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- It is a steady staccato beat, unerring and continuous. Just low enough in frequency to be annoying, yet strong enough to literally shake a house.

Several in fact.

Nerves too have been shaken in this community along Little Mill Road in Gwinnett County, when neighbors awoke to the strange vibrations.

"This is my wine cooler," said resident Gayle Akana, demonstrating the way the appliance vibrates. "And if you (touch it), it stops. And that's what happened with the vibration when we like pressed against the wall or bed."

Akana says her house shook for six hours.

"It was just shaking like crazy," Akana said. "It was real quick; I can't even replicate the sound it was making. It was just a constant shaking."

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Submitted by Sam Crenshaw, 11Alive Sports Anchor

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014, 5:54pm

ATLANTA -- As the GHSA state basketball tournament heads for the semifinal round, there is a new edition of the USA Today Metro Atlanta Super 25 Boys Basketball Poll. The GACS boys continue to lead the way.

The Greater Atlanta Christian Boys are marching toward Macon and holding down the top spot, followed by Wheeler, Allatoona, North Gwinnett and Miller Grove.

Berkmar is 6, with Walton, Columbia, Pebblebrook, Stephenson, and Alexander completing the top 10.

The Metro Atlanta Super 25 Poll is computer generated and produced exclusively for 11Alive News and 11Alive.Com by USA Today High School Sports

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014, 11:38am

Woman charged with taking $585K from employer

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- A Cartersville woman has been charged with 15 counts of theft by conversion for stealing money from her employer.

Jennifer Streetman, 39, was arrested when she turned herself in to Cartersville Police Tuesday morning. She is being held in the Bartow County Jail.

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Cartersville Police Capt. Mark Camp said Streetman worked as an officer manager for Telenet Systems. Between June 2012 and February 2014, she reportedly stole at least $585,000 from the company.

Camp said Streetman took the money by recreating paid invoices and writing checks that listed her as the payee for the invoice amounts. She printed 34 forged checks before she was caught.

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Friday, February 21st, 2014, 9:47am

Friday is Family Science Night at Tellus

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. -- Families across metro Atlanta are invited to learn all about aviation at Tellus Science Museum.

Family Science Night: Take Flight! will be held Friday, Feb. 21 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cartersville museum. The fun will begin at 3 p.m. with a special helicopter landing.

Activities include a glider competition and a hands-on way for kids to learn how the Wright brothers became aviation pioneers. Attending children will also get a chance to make their own kites.

A number of "celebrity guests" are scheduled to be at Family Science Night, including Amelia Earhart, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and Sid the Science Kid.

Learn more at tellusmuseum.org.

Tellus Science Museum is located at 100 Tellus Drive.

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