Cobb
Kennesaw approves increase of blight tax
After two public hearings, Kennesaw City Council approved increasing an ad valorem tax on blighted properties Monday at seven times the millage rate, for structures determined to be unsafe, abandoned or uninhabitable.
The added tax will be removed after the property is repaired. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Schools group plans forum for candidates
The Pope High School cluster of PTSAs, foundations and school councils are hosting a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Hightower Trail Middle School, 3905 Post Oak Tritt Road, Marietta.
Invited participants include candidates for governor, the legislature and the Cobb County Board of Education. There will be a meet-and-greet session before and after the forum. Nancy Badetscher
Gwinnett
Peachtree Corners to offer app for work
Peachtree Corners will unveil a free app, "Click-N-Fix," in May for reporting code violations, road hazards and maintenance issues. Information: www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Cherokee
Main Street program boundaries discussed
The Holly Springs City Council agreed to designate the Main Street program’s boundaries in a one-mile radius from the Holly Springs Train Depot Community Center on Hickory Road. A formal vote is set late this month.
Main Street is a downtown redevelopment assistance program administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. City officials expect to be fully accredited under the program sometime this fall. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
DeKalb
Westchester work to begin in May
Renovation of Westchester Elementary, which reopens as school in 2014-15 after being shuttered for 10 years, begins the third week in May.
The work, which costs about $500,000, includes painting, equipping the kitchen, constructing a media center and new playground, and knocking down temporary walls to give the mid-1950s building its original classroom configuration. Bill Banks for the AJC
Fulton
College Park to inspect fire hydrants
College Park Fire Rescue will begin inspecting hydrants around the city starting today. The testing will be conducted Mondays through Thursdays and will take about two months to complete. The testing is part of twice-yearly maintenance to ensure that the hydrants will function properly in case of emergency.
Information: www.collegeparkga.com. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Rockdale
Women’s conference to take place in Conyers
Haven of Light International Inc. is hosting the Grate or Great Women’s Conference at 9 a.m. April 26 at the Branch Worship Center, 2285 Iris Drive, Conyers.
Author and relationship coach Lin Sons is the scheduled guest speaker. Registration is $25, and proceeds will help to fund a home for women and children who suffered from the effects of domestic violence and are seeking to rebuild their lives.
Information: www.haven-of-light.org. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
