Fresh Loaf

Polish your Glocks, licensed firearm carriers. On July 1, your lifelong dream to legally carry a pistol on the city’s public-transit system will be realized. In uneasy anticipation of the event, MARTA’s trying to get the word out.

So sayeth the people-moving machine:

Georgia law prohibits the carrying of a pistol, revolver or other firearm on public transit unless a person has a valid firearms license to carry a gun. This license must be carried at any time that an individual is carrying a firearm on MARTA. MARTA police will strictly enforce all provisions of this law. Any individual found to be carrying a firearm without a permit will have it confiscated and will be issued a citation pursuant to Georgia law.

Ya hear that? You gotta have a license.

MARTA’s work rules strictly prohibit all employees, whether licensed or not, from the possession of any type of firearm while on MARTA property. This prohibition applies to employees’ vehicles while vehicles are parked on any Authority property designated as a secured employee parking area.

If you work for MARTA, no dice.

When taking MARTA to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, customers need to be aware that firearms laws governing the Airport are different from those governing MARTA. Please see the Airport’s website to review their firearms regulations.

If you see something creepy, MARTA advises you to discreetly contact a staff member, press the emergency call button, or dial (404) 848-4911 or by pressing #MPD on any AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint/Nextel cellular phone. Blackberry users can press #673.

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FEE FOR ALL: Atlanta City Councilman Jim Maddox proposes taxing $1 for tickets to pro sporting events and major concerts in the city to help soften the looming $140 million budget shortfall.

14TH STREET BRIDGE: Dead to us.

GET OUT OF MY CAR: Between March 2007 and March 2008, American driving dropped at the steepest rate since record keeping began in 1942.

ABATED BREATH: Beginning next year, asthma sufferers will have to switch to the more expensive CFC-free inhalers for environmental reasons, good for ozone but a blow to Atlantans who already live in an asthma-unfriendly city.

YOU GOT CONSERVED: As utilities start raising rates to make up for reduced usage, the dark side of conservation is rearing its head across the Southeast.

ONE FLU OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST: Study released Monday says strains of bird flu are getting closer to conditions that could lead to a human pandemic.

GETTING BROWSY: The “browser wars” of the mid-’90s are heating back up, as Mozilla readies Firefox 3.0 for release in June and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 is due later this year.

FRIGHTENING IN A BOTTLE: Orlando man sells bottles that he claims have ghosts in them.

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Expect Monday traffic to be especially lousy in and around Downtown as crews continue working on downed power lines, damaged traffic signals, and debris removal.

If you can, city officials advise you to use MARTA. If not, be patient and prepared. Below are traffic details from the city.

From a release:

Traffic will be severely limited in an area bordered by: Andrew Young International Blvd., Phillips Drive NW, Centennial Olympic Parkway Dr. NW, Marietta Street NW/Decatur Street SE, and Peachtree Center. Consider planning a route that does not travel through downtown and plan extra time to get to work.

Police advise motorists coming to the city from the south, who work north of Harris Street, to continue on 75/85 past downtown and double back in to avoid the worst-hit areas. Those living north of the city, and working south of Marietta Street should plan to travel past the downtown exits and travel back. Exits to avoid off the 75/85 are Edgewood and Andrew Young International.

The following street closures are still in effect as of 5:30 pm:

Jessie Hill from Coca Cola to Armstrong
Auburn Ave from Bell Street to Jesse Hill
Coca Cola Pl. from Jesse Hill to Pratt Street
Boulevard – Gartrell to Memorial
Jackson – Gartrell to Todd Streets
Park Pl – Edgewood to Auburn Streets
Marietta St – Peachtree to Fairlie – westbound only
Luckie St – Peachtree to Forsyth
Peachtree – Marietta to Harris St
Andrew Young International Blvd – Peachtree to Spring Street
Harris St. – Spring to Peachtree
Marietta Street – Centennial Olympic Parkway to Andrew Young International Blvd
Spring Street – ML King to Walton

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