ATLANTA– Avelo Airlines has launched the return of nonstop flights from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport, located between Tampa and Orlando. 

Avelo will operate the route with Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, officials said in a Feb. 13 news release. This flight expands the airline’s affordable, convenient and reliable service first introduced in Atlanta in May 2024. 

There will be four gflights per week on select Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport (LAL). 

 “We are excited to bring Central Florida back to Atlanta’s lineup of destinations, through our convenient airport in Lakeland – this time with more flexibility, more frequency, and even greater opportunity for travelers on both ends

of the route. For those seeking a smoother experience with fewer crowds and shorter lines, this route will be a welcome alternative to getting from Atlanta to Florida’s top attractions,” Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said.

To celebrate the inaugural flight, Avelo offered commemorative postcards and fanfare for departing customers in ATL and arriving customers in Central Florida.

Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 8.8 million customers on over 70,000 flights. 

Avelo serves 32 destinations spanning 12 states and Puerto Rico.

Avelo has ushered in a new era of convenience, choice and competition by flying to primarily underserved communities nationwide. Most Avelo routes include at least one small, convenient airport, making traveling with Avelo a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports, officials said.

Travelers can book at AveloAir.com.

Photo via Avelo Airlines

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ATLANTA – A car plowed through the side of a dry cleaning business in northeast Atlanta Sunday morning, causing parts of the building to crumble and overflow into the street. 

What we know:

Fashionaid Dry Cleaners at 1433 Piedmont Avenue suffered a partial collapse after a vehicle crashed into the side of the building. 

A section of the roadway surrounding the business was blocked off around 10 a.m. while crews worked to clear debris from the collapse. The road has since reopened.

On-scene medics checked out two people who were reportedly alert, fire officials said. 

Atlanta police responded to the scene to assist in shutting down the roadway. 

An investigation is ongoing. 

Car plows through dry cleaners; building partially collapses

Fashionaid DryCleaners suffered a partial collapse Sunday morning after a vehicle crashed through the front of the building. Atlanta police are on-site at Piedmont Avenue, where a car destroyed the storefront and left debris scattered across the sidewalk. FOX 5 is on the scene as crews investigate the cause of the accident and work to determine if anyone was injured in the collision.

What we don’t know:

Authorities have not said what caused the crash. 

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Poncey-Highland business is closed for repairs after its taproom was flooded.

Monks Meadery, located on the ground floor of a three-story building on North Highland Avenue, told Atlanta News First that late Wednesday night a thief ripped out copper piping and accidentally punctured a water line, sending water pouring into the business and flooding the taproom.

“Just covered in water. Water dripping everywhere,” Monks Meadery assistant manager Cassie Brown said. “It has affected all the insulation in our walls and ceiling, and has broken the ceiling and everything. Pieces of ceiling were on the floor when we came in, but basically, we have to get new ceiling, new walls. Everything was covered in water.”

Days later, dehumidifiers continue to run inside the taproom as crews work to dry out the space.

Brown said the water flowed for several hours before anyone realized what had happened.

“I don’t think I knew how bad it was going to be,” Brown said. “I was kind of like, ‘Oh, I have to work tonight — I’ll just go in early and clean up.’ But it was much worse than that.”

Ownership has filed an insurance claim and estimates the damage could cost between $20,000 and $30,000. The taproom will require significant repairs, including replacing or professionally cleaning furniture.

“People have been saying, ‘Oh my God, my second home is flooded,’” Brown said. “We mean a lot to a lot of people, and it’s really heartwarming to see the community come together and ask how they can help. While professionals are handling the cleanup, buying bottles online would really help us right now.”

Brown said the meadery hopes to begin offering in-store pickup within a week or two. In the meantime, Monks Meadery ships to 44 states.

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