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Tollway Authority to host ‘Chat with the Chief’

Xpress is inviting residents to discuss with Chief Transit Officer Gail Franklin how SRTA is moving forward with Xpress service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event takes place at noon Wednesday.

The State Road and Tollway Authority will host an hour long, virtual WebEx information session called “Chat with the Chief ” to discuss the state of the Xpress transit system in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The discussion will include plans to restore service levels, practicing physical distancing on Xpress, implementation of safety measures for drivers and customers and more. Participants will also have the opportunity to pose questions to Franklin in advance.

Questions may be submitted today via email to Xpressyourself@srta.ga.gov.

To access the Cisco WebEx Teleconference — Chat with the Chief:

Meeting number (access code): 716 035 108

Meeting password: Fr3awip9VS2 To view updated schedules: www. xpressga.com

SRTA is a state-level, independent Authority created to operate tolled transportation facilities within Georgia and acts as the transportation financing arm for the state. SRTA manages the collection of tolls on Georgia’s Express Lanes System through the use of Peach Pass; administers the Atlanta region’s vanpool program; and manages the Xpress regional commuter coach transit service. In 2017, SRTA combined with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) to jointly provide the services of both state authorities. The GRTA Board of Directors oversees Developments of Regional Impact, air quality reporting and regional transportation plan approval.

Upcoming

■ #Above4 Funding for Black Women Artists. TILA Studios of Atlanta is launching a recurring monthly fund, beginning at $1,000, to support black women artists nationwide who represent 21% of all women-owned businesses. On average, a black woman needs at least $500 monthly to operate her business successfully. The monthly funding will continue until August 2020. Apply: TILAstudios.com

Samantha Gentry, of Palmetto, was a candidate for graduation at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for the 2020 Spring semester.

Studentsfrom Chamblee Charter High School placed at the State National History Competition: Second Place Senior Group Exhibit to David Welsh, Eric Xu and Jake Potthoff;

First Place Senior Group Performance, Outstanding Use of the New Georgia Encyclopedia, Outstanding Use of Digital Library of Georgia Resources to Brandon Leonard, Jayden Jones, Layla Burrell and Gabrielle King; First Place Individual Website, Outstanding Entry in Military History, Outstanding Entry in Economic History to Emily Sharpe; First Place Individual Website to Gabriel Lerner-Sperow; Third Place Senior Group Exhibit to Navya Narula and Sanchit Sehgal;

Honorable Mention to Keerthana Kumar; Excellence in a Project on Maritime History to Alison Myers-Beck, Faria Chowdhury and Kayla Gurbaxani; Honorable Mention to Fiona Lamkin; Other honors: Regan Drummond for Cochlear Implant; Martin Gerstle for The History and Morality of Columbus Day; Savannah Russell for Katherine Johnson; Zahavi Areeb for Apollo Space Program: Breaking Barriers.

Annika Smith and Maggie Simonian, juniors at Fayette County’s Starr’s Mill High, qualified for the Digital Stories for Change with a video blog about how a person’s actions can have a positive impact on their community.