AirTran Airways and Delta Air Lines. Atlanta's top two airlines ranked Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, among 14 carriers in the annual Airline Quality Rating released Monday. Travelers flying Delta or AirTran in 2012 had a better chance of an on-time arrival, for example, than those on airlines that dominate in other parts of the country, including US Airways, United and American, the report said.
Joe Seconder. Efforts by the Dunwoody cycling enthusiast to get dedicated bike lanes installed on Northridge Bridge in Sandy Springs over Ga. 400 paid off. When Seconder discovered early this year that dedicated bike lanes were not in the design plans, he got busy, phoning friends and transportation contacts. On March 29 he learned that a redesign included two bike lanes without changing the width of the bridge.
Leslie Gordon. The director of the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University was recognized by the French government with the honor of Knight in the National Order of Arts and Letters Wednesday. The award was established in 1957 to recognize eminent artists, writers and people who have contributed significantly to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world.
It was a bad week for ...
State Rep. Chuck Sims, R-Ambrose. For the second time in three years, he is facing charges of driving under the influence. Sims was arrested in Coffee County shortly before midnight April 2 after a Douglas police officer reported seeing Sims' car accelerate and slide onto the shoulder of one of the city's main highways. He was booked into the Douglas County jail and later was released on $1,487 bond.
Billy Skaggs and Oscar Garrison. The chief operating officer and director of the food safety division respectively with the state Department of Agriculture have resigned after a former employee complained the pair led a drunken "fraternity party" during an agency training session that ended in co-ed skinny dipping at a South Georgia resort on Sept. 17.
State taxpayers spent more than $32,000 on the training seminar, although an investigation into the incident shows no taxpayer funds were used to purchase alcohol. Sometime during the night, a state vehicle assigned to Skaggs was damaged, and agency funds were used for repairs. The report notes that Skaggs agreed to repay the state the $151.65 used to fix the car.
Allergy sufferers. Atlanta's spring pollen season soared into high gear this week with the count topping the 1,000 mark Sunday for the first time this year. The climb continued with Monday's count of 2,093 and peaked Thursday at a count of 8,163.
Copyright 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
