Woman gets $1.61 mortgage interest rate cut

A Bank of America sign in New York's Times Square

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. -- Kimberly Smith was relieved to learn that she would finally get her interest rate down so she could stay in her home. 

What surprised her was that the adjustment was only a mere: $1.61. Yes, only $1.61.

Smith couldn't believe it. 

"It has to be a Halloween joke. They have got to be kidding.
$1.61?" Smith said. "I mean they wasted more on postage and FedEx than what I am getting as a reduction." 

Smith's mortgage modification program with Bank of America is through the federal Making Homes Affordable program.

In accordance with the program, modifications are based on fixed percentages of gross income. However, the fact is that Smith's salary took a nosedive as she got into the modification process.

"My job was on the line and I had to either take a pay cut or probably would not have a job," she said.

When the 11Alive Help Desk learned of her situation, they contacted Bank of America for answers.

Bank of America said her salary cut was included and under the guidelines of the Federal program the scant reduction was accurate. However, the bank has decided the revisit their original decision. 

Bank of America is already in touch with Smith to find another way to get her monthly payments way down. Our 11Alive Help Desk Team is taking an in-depth look at the mortgage and foreclosure situation in our community.

If you are afraid of losing your home and you feel comfortable talking about it, we want to hear from you. We are working on a special project to find solutions to help our community. 

Visit the 11Alive Help Desk online and complete the mortgage and foreclosure questionnaire. 

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

VP Debate: Biden, Ryan at each other on everything

DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Republican Paul Ryan said there aren't enough rich Americans to tax to pay for all of President Barack Obama's spending.

Ryan told viewers of the vice presidential debate, quote, "Watch out, middle class. The tax bill is coming to you."

Ryan said he and Mitt Romney want to give Congress a framework for taxes that involves lowering rates by 20 percent. He said the guarantees can be paid for by closing loopholes, mostly on the upper class. But he didn't saying which loopholes he'd close.

Vice President Joe Biden said the only way to pay for Romney's plan is to raise middle-class taxes, claiming Republicans insist on needless tax cuts for the rich and are holding hostage middle-class tax cuts that Obama wants to make permanent.

Vice President Biden and congressman Ryan clashed over their plans for Medicare and Social Security, government programs for seniors.

Often appearing exasperated by Ryan, Biden said he and President Obama would never sign onto the sort of voucher program proposed by Ryan and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Ryan fired back that the Republican plan would give seniors more choice in their medical care.

Romney's plan would introduce subsidies to help future retirees buy private insurance or join a government plan modeled on traditional Medicare. Obama's health care law cuts Medicare spending for hospitals and other providers by more than $700 billion over a decade.

Biden said Republican Mitt Romney's opposition to the auto bailout and government steps to prevent foreclosures "shouldn't be surprising" given his comments about the 47 percent of Americans who don't pay income tax.

Biden was referring to remarks Romney made to wealthy donors. In a secretly recorded video, Romney said 47 percent of Americans believe they are victims and entitled to government help.

Biden said some of those people are senior citizens living off social security.

President Obama never mentioned Romney's comments in his first debate, to the dismay of many Democrats.

Romney has since said his comments were wrong. Biden said Thursday night if voters believe they were a mistake, he has "a bridge to sell you."

The two said their Catholic faith informs their public policy decisions, but they come down on different sides of the abortion debate.

Biden said his Catholicism teaches that life begins at conception but that he would not impose that belief on people of other faiths. Ryan said he opposes abortion but that the policy of a Romney administration would include exceptions in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at stake. 

Biden claimed his administration has the toughest sanctions in history on Iran, even as his Republican rival said the White House has no credibility on the issue.

In the debate, Ryan said President Barack Obama has allowed Iran to get four years closer to building a nuclear weapon.

Biden said he is "quite confident" the administration could deal a serious blow to Iranian's nuclear ambitions.

The vice president called Ryan's criticisms of his foreign policy a "bunch of malarkey," but Ryan contended he would stand up for Israel. 

On Libya, Ryan slammed the Obama administration for failing to call the attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya a terrorist attack.

For his part the vice president criticized Ryan and Mitt Romney for launching political attacks before they knew the facts on the ground.

Ryan said the U.S. is witnessing the unraveling of President Barack Obama's foreign policy. He said the attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens shows the U.S. is projecting weakness abroad.

Biden responded that's, quote, "a bunch of malarkey." He said the U.S. will bring those responsible to justice and ensure any mistakes aren't repeated.

Associated Press

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

ASO's 'Defiant Requiem' honors holocaust victims

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra staged an one-of-a-kind performance of Verdi's Requiem Thursday which paid homage to victims of the Holocaust and the unique way in which they managed to resist Nazi oppression.

The "Defiant Requiem" tells the story an unique artistic community that somehow flourished in the middle of the Terezin concentration camp.

Starting in 1941, the Germans converted the city of Terezin into a Jewish ghetto and forced labor camp. It eventually became home to tens of thousands of Jewish prisoners -- many of whom were intellectuals, artists and musicians.

Conditions in the camp were harsh and unforgiving. There were too many people and too little food. Overcrowding and deprivation led to disease. But even if they survived, tens of thousands of Jewish prisoners were eventually shipped to the death camps and the gas chambers.

In 1943, Jewish composer Rafael Schachter organized a ragtag group of volunteer musicians and singers to stage a performance of Verdi's Requiem -- the Catholic funeral mass set to music.

ASO Guest Conductor Murray Sidlin says the Requiem's themes of redemption and judgement resonated with the prisoners, allowing them to sing to their German captors things they could not say aloud.

Schachter performed the Requiem a total of 16 times, often being forced to replace musicians and singers who'd been shipped to the death camps.

After his final performance, Schachter too was shipped from the camp and died a short time later.

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

FUGITIVE OF THE WEEK | Troy Hardy

ATLANTA -- Troy Hardy is 11 Alive's Fugitive of the Week for October 10, 2012. Hardy is wanted by the US Marshals Counter Gang Unit and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office for a probation violation.

The probation violation stems from an arrest and conviction in a 2008 carjacking case in Atlanta. "He and three other males robbed a victim at gunpoint and stole his Mercedes on McDaniel Street," said Deputy US Marshal Eric Heinze.

Heinze said Hardy led police on a chase in the stolen vehicle the next day. "Hardy led police on a brief chase which ended when Hardy crashed the stolen vehicle at the Capitol Vanira Apartments located on Hank Aaron Drive," he said.

Heinze said Hard ran but was apprehended by Atlanta Police after a brief foot chase.

Hardy is a member of the Atlanta Blood Gang (ABG) and has a lengthy criminal history of burglaries and possession of stolen goods, according to the US Marshals.

Hardy is 11 Alive's Fugitive of the Week and featured on Rowson's Crime Scene. If you know where he is you can email the US Marshals from that site or call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS(8477).

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @kgrowson 

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Copper thefts knock out thousands of phone customers

ATLANTA -- Copper wire thefts are becoming an epidemic for telephone companies like AT&T. A company spokesperson said thefts of telephone lines off of power poles has nearly doubled in the past couple of months. "It's a statewide problem and it is a growing problem," said Lance Skelly.

On Atlanta neighborhood defines the problems the thefts cause. Last Friday morning thieves cut one of the main telephone cables off of power poles on Linkwood Road and put thousands of AT&T customers in the Kevin Heights Community out of phone service to their homes.

Resident James Tyler said he has been without phone service for nearly a week. "It affects my security system, my wife works from home at times, when we have internet," he said.

Tyler and some of the residents wonder if the phone company cares about them. "Friday AT&T was out and then all of a sudden Saturday and Sunday they were not here," said C. Henry Adams.

But Skelly said there's a good reason some never got their service back. He said the thieves came back for more. "It was repaired and thieves came back to the same area again, and I don't know if it was the exact line but the same customers were affected again," he said.

The problem has become so bad AT&T is offering a $3,000.00 reward for anyone who helps them catch a thief. "People can remain anonymous," Skelly said. "Just call the authorities if they see something that just doesn't look right."

Skelly said he hopes all the phone service will be restored in the Kevin Heights Community by Thursday.

Atlanta city council member C.T. Martin told residents of the community they will have extra police patrols in the neighborhood.

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @kgrowson

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

The October Wildflowers of I-75

Bartow County, Georgia-- This is a great month for pumpkins, colorful leaves, and German beer. October is also a great time to see wildflowers in bloom along a stretch of interstate known better for pileups and law enforcement speed guns.

How rare indeed, the beauty of I-75 in Bartow County on a wonderful fall evening.

Acres and acres of pink wild flowers lining the interstate.

It's an extraordinary site- - that can make a wrong turn all right.

Jack Hollis lives in Canton, he missed his turn but was happy to to stop.

"It's just gorgeous, I'm glad I turned wrong and now I'm seeing these flowers."

Flower petals and bees beckoning weary travelers to skip the Cracker Barrel gift shop for something more substantive.

Vehicles are stopped these days with I-phones outstretched from arms capturing their moment in the sun.

Mohammed Farid and his family live in Cobb County when they stopped to take pictures," This time of year most things have died- - to see such beautiful flowers surprises us"

It surprises thousands who pass this stretch on an hourly basis. The visceral beauty is a welcome respite from the endless ribbon of interstate asphalt.

The flowers are a lasting legacy of former Georgia First Lady Rosalyn Carter when she met with Lady Bird Johnson, the former First Lady of the United States.

Mrs. Johnson had created a wildflower project in her native Texas that had drawn national praise. 

In 1998 Georgia voters amended the constitution and approved those wildflower vehicle tags.

The cash infusion keeps G-DOT busy and the flowers blooming with vivid color right into fall.

April showers bring October flowers and motorists pulling over with their cell phone cameras.

But with the Autumn chill they won't last long.

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dismissed North Atlanta High Principal speaks out

ATLANTA - A handful of parents greeted the ousted former principal of North Atlanta High with applause Tuesday morning when he showed up Atlanta Public School headquarters.

Mark Mygrant came to file a formal Open Records Request asking about an anonymous teacher's alleged claims of racism against two of his former administrators.

Mygrant believes that's why he was suddenly dismissed last Friday and several administrators transferred, one month before the retired interim principal was to have been replaced anyway.

"I would have gladly put the keys under the mat and rode off into the sunset and I was prepared to do that until I heard that other administrators were taken down by this," he said.

He and his supporters insist the allegations are unfounded and shameful.

"I truly believe that it stems from the very highest up; there might be even board involvement and that it's just political greed gone wild," Mygrant added.

About two dozen angry parents and students held a silent protest at North Atlanta High on Tuesday afternoon.

They accuse the school system of keeping them in the dark about what really happened.

"This is not open; it's not anybody taking accountability for it; it's cowardice in my opinion and it's inappropriate," said parent Millie Dunn.

"I don't feel there is a racial issue, not at this point," said parent Terri Gordon, who is African-American.

"The administrators should (not) have been marched out and made to feel like they've done something criminal," she added.

Nearly four days after the leadership housecleaning, APS Superintendent Erroll Davis is set to meet with upset parents at students at North Atlanta High on Tuesday evening to give his version of what happened.

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Body found in concrete slab may be ex-newspaper reporter

WINDER, Ga. -- Police from Pensacola, Fla., said Tuesday they were working with Winder Police to determine if the body of a man discovered encased in concrete was that of a former reporter for the Pensacola News Journal.

Winder Police discovered the body encased in a concrete slab in the backyard of a Winder home Monday afternoon. The body was found at a home in the 200 block of 6th Avenue after receiving a tip from Pensacola Police. 

MUG SHOT GALLERY | Gotta see 'em to believe 'em

An autopsy performed on the body revealed that the person died from "blunt force trauma to the back of the head." 

Authorities in Pensacola said Sean Dugas, 30, had not been heard from since August 27, when he spoke with a friend by telephone. 

Pensacola Police said their investigation led them to contact Winder Police on Monday.   

Investigators said Pensacola twins William and Christopher Cormier, 31, have been charged with concealing a death. The two men recently moved to the house in Winder with their father. 

William Cormier is being held in the Jackson County Jail, while Christopher Cormier is in the Barrow County Jail. Police said additional charges may be forthcoming.

Pensacola police today explained the circumstances of Dugas' disappearance and their involvement in the case.

Alexander said Dugas' friend reported him missing Sept. 13, after repeatedly failing to find him after their missed lunch date.

When she went to Dugas' house to get him on Aug. 27, a man who lived there told the woman Dugas was scheduled to return at 3 p.m.

The woman left a note asking him to contact her, but he didn't. She continued trying unsuccessfully to contact Dugas over the next few days. When she returned to the house Sept. 7 to check on him, the house was empty except for a television.

The woman asked neighbors if they knew what had happened to him, Alexander said. Neighbors told her a U-haul truck was there on Sept. 3 and they saw at least one man removing items from the house. Neighbors asked the man about Dugas, and the man said Dugas had been beaten and was going to live with him.

Meanwhile, the female friend continued trying to reach Dugas, and when she couldn't, she contacted police on Sept. 13. Alexander said Dugas' name was then entered into the National Crime Information Center's computer database as a missing/endangered person.

(The Pensacola News Journal contributed to this story.)

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Superintendent: North Atlanta High failing to meet standards

Parents and students protest at North Atlanta High School

ATLANTA - Parents and students packed the North Atlanta High School gym Tuesday night, anxious to know why nearly half a dozen top administrators were suddenly removed without warning.

Last Friday, Principal Mark MyGrant and four other administrators were told they'd been removed from the school. MyGrant, one month from retirement, was dismissed; the administrators were reassigned to other schools in the district.

RELATED: Dismissed North Atlanta High principal speaks out

For the first time since the reassignment, Superintendent Erroll Davis addressed parents and students Tuesday night, many of whom claim they were left in the dark about the changes.

Davis said the decision was based on school performance: North Atlanta High School needs to improve quickly, he said, and the current leadership team was not performing.

"This school needs to be a lot more than it is now," Davis said. "With the amount of parent support and resources, this should be one of the premiere schools in our system."

Instead, Davis said, the school failed to meet AYP five years in a row, from 2007 to 2011. The graduation rate lingers at 62 percent.

"The standard for this school, for this community, should be a lot higher," Davis told reporters after Tuesday's meeting. "And we're bringing in people that I think will help us meet that standard."

Davis spoke for 15 minutes before opening the session for questions. For the most part, the crowd was unforgiving and grilled Davis for more than an hour, angry at what they call a lack of communication.

As parents and students left the meeting, some said they were still upset with Davis' method, but understood the personnel shakeup.

Michelle Nelson, who has a ninth grade daughter at North Atlanta, said she was pleasantly surprised.

"Honestly, his explanation made more sense to me than what I was anticipating coming in tonight," she said.

Junior Oro Omene called the experience bittersweet; she had formed a bond with her former administrators, she said, but realized the move was best for the school.

"What [Davis] said this evening really reassured me that everything is gonna be OK," she said.

But other students were not convinced. As she left the gym, senior Brianna Green muttered, "he basically just lied to us."

"If he came and talked to us personally without all the cameras and extra people here, it would be more personable and we would feel more compassion from him," she said. "Because right now, it feels very estranged."

Davis stressed that no employees were escorted from the building and the four administrators were reassigned to positions of equal title and pay level.

Since Friday, parents and students have voiced their outrage through blogs and school protests.

Former principal Mark MyGrant called the dismissals corrupt and influenced by "political greed."

"I would have gladly put the keys under the mat and rode off into the sunset and I was prepared to do that until I heard that other administrators were taken down by this," he told reporters Tuesday morning.

The five-year principal officially retired from his job last spring, but was asked to serve as interim while the school hired a replacement. He made a brief, surprise appearance during Tuesday's meeting, to which the crowd responded with a booming standing ovation.

Davis said MyGrant's dismissal involved a personnel issue, but would not elaborate.

The new principal, Dr. Gene Taylor, will take over later this month. Davis said he wanted to make the change before his arrival.

"I would not want to put the principal in the position of having to face a group of angry parents," Davis said.

"I would rather have people angry at me for the decisions I've made instead of angry at the new principal."

15.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fashion Topi Menjadi Trens

Fashion Topi Menjadi Trens Topi identik dengan pria, sebagian besar bagi tren fesyen topi selalu digunakan oleh kaum pria. Tidak hanya sebagai menambah gaya  bagi mereka tetapi juga dapat melindungi kulit kepala dan rambut, meskipun dapat membuat pria terlihat jantan. Seperti apakah fesyen topi untuk pria di tahun 2012 ini?

Jika kita berada di pantai, topi menjadi suatu kewajiban untuk dikenakan. Beberapa topi dalam terlihat bagus jika dikenakan dalam keadaan kasual, hippie, cowboy look atau bahkan pemakaian untuk sehari-hari. Dikutip dari Blodsky,  fesyen pria di tahun 2012 akan lebih sering menggunakan topi.

Dikatakan mengenakan topi umumnya ditentukan berdasarkan jenis pakaian atau wajah.
Setiap topi memiliki keunikan untuk menentukan sikap seseorang. Topi koboi membuat wanita berpikir bahwa pria tersebut jantan, topi bajak laut membuat wanita berpikir pria tersebut terlihat nakal, topi golf menambah penampilan pria terlihat berkelas dan sebagainya. Ini beberapa tips untuk mengetahuinya.


1. Untuk bersaing dengan "hattitude" / tren topi, orang perlu mengetahui apa jenis topi apa yang  sesuai dengan kepribadian dan perilaku. Pria pendek atau pria dengan wajah yang kecil harus memilih topi yang tidak memiliki tepi yang lebih luas.

Bagian sampingnya juga perlu minimal (pas dengan kepala) sebagai desain lama yang membuat pria dengan wajah kecil terlihat lucu (seperti topi koki)

2. Pria yang tidak memiliki wajah panjang (atau dagu panjang) dan terlihat gemuk tidak harus memilih topi yang memiliki bagian sebaliknya, ia harus memilih topi yang bermodel mengikuti trend atau topi datar.

3. Warna topi juga perlu dipertimbangkan. Topi tentara yang berwarna hijau mungkin trendi dan terlihat sangat jantan, namun, terlalu banyak warna dapat membuat anda terlihat seperti gypsy dan santai, checks dan topi stripped, dengan kulit hitam polos dan putih tampak formal baik untuk ke pesta.

4. Itu baik jika memiliki warna-warna lembut seperti abu-abu, khaki, krem dan cokelat untuk membuatnya terlihat sangat laki-laki. Juga, sudut dalam mengenakan topi, benar-benar menambahkan fesyen pria. Lihatlah penampilan yang diberikan designer dalam memakai topi dan itu dapat menjadikan inspirasi dalam mengenakannya.

5. Cocokkan topi dengan pakaian yang anda kenakan merupakan hal yang penting. Kain, desain, dan warna harus sesuai dengan model pakaian. Sebagai contoh, topi golf tampil menarik dengan T-shirt dan celana panjang, beberapa pakaian kasual cocok dengan topi lebar dan tuksedo.

Karena busana 2012 adalah vintage, pria dapat memamerkan style topi mereka seperti topi wol atau topi otomotif dll. Beritahu pasangan anda untuk segera mencobanya Fashion Topi Menjadi Trens

17.54 | 0 komentar | Read More