COBB
No storm shelters in Austell this week
Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins said Monday afternoon there are no plans for the city to open any storm shelters for those who may be stranded in this week’s winter storm. CodeRED weather warning notifications are available by signing up through the city’s website. Information: austellga.gov or
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Powder Springs postpones meeting
Powder Springs is postponing a pre-proposal meeting for potential contractors for the Dallas-Powder Springs Road bridge from 10 a.m. Feb. 12 to 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St., where bids must be submitted by 10 a.m. Feb. 26.
Communications about this proposal should be sent to Croy Engineering LLC, 770-971-5407 or jimcroyjr@croyengineering.com by 5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Information: cityofpowdersprings.org/Bids.aspx?bidID=70.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Development Authority elects officers
The recently renewed Development Authority of Powder Springs has new officer: Chairman, Murray Homan; vice chairm, Patrick Bordelon; treasurer, Nancy Arnold; secretary, Krystal; members at-large, Sylvia Huber, Joseph Pitman and Iris Anthony; city council liaison, Councilman Chris Wizner.
Information: 770-743-1666 ext. 345 or saylworth@cityofpowdersprings.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Business associations host after-hours
The South Cobb and Marietta Business Associations will hold an after-hours event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Holiday Inn Express, 3741 Tramore Pointe Parkway, Austell.
Sweetwater Mission and the Etiquette School of Atlanta are the event’s sponsors.
Information: sc-ba.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Kennesaw museum to honor attorney
The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History will honor supporter and donor Fred D. Bentley, Sr. at a gala sponsored by the museum’s foundation.
Bentley’s law firm has served as legal counsel for the city of Kennesaw for more than 35 years.
The gala will be 6:30 p.m-9 p.m. March 7 at the museum, 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw.
Information: www.southernmuseum.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
State group recognizes councilman
The Georgia Municipal Association has recognized Marietta Councilman Anthony Coleman, Ward 5, with a certificate of excellence.
The fourth-term council member completed more than 120 units of credit and nine required courses at the Georgia Municipal Training Institute and the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute.
Information; www.mariettaga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Duluth judge to perform mass vow renewal
Judge Charles Barrett will conduct a mass vow renewal beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 on the Duluth Town Green. Event is free and couples renewing vows are encouraged to invite family and friends to witness the wedding vow renewal ceremony. Information: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Buford invites public input on city plan
Buford hosts a workshop to discuss its five year update to the city’s comprehensive plan 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at City Hall, 2300 Buford Highway. Discussion topics will include overall city goals, needs, and opportunities as well as the future development vision. A second public meeting will be held on March 18 to present the draft plan at an open house, prior to its finalization. Questions: Amanda.Hatton@jacobs.com or www.cityofbuford.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth state of the city address rescheduled
Due to impending inclement weather Duluth’s State of the City Address scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10 has been rescheduled for 7:15 p.m. March 10 at City Hall, 3167 Main St. Information: www.duluthga.net or awilliams@duluthga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn to dedicate greenway trail
Residents are invited to join Lilburn at 10 a.m. Saturday for the dedication of the Camp Creek Greenway Trail as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat. The event, part of Lilburn’s Arbor Day activities, is sponsored by the GFWC Lilburn Woman’s Club conservation program. Following the dedication, the Ladybugs Garden Club invites volunteers, or those interested in learning more, to join them for trail maintenance. Information: www.cityoflilburn.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
College selected as Peace Corps Partner
Georgia Gwinnett College is one of six universities and colleges accepted into the Peace Corps Prep Program. A typical Peace Corps Prep Program consists of two years of coursework with a focus on international development, internship or volunteer experience related to Peace Corps’ project areas, and foreign language study. Students can apply to GGC’s Peace Corps Prep Program beginning with the fall 2014 semester. Information: www.ggc.edu.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee hosts Police Academy
Residents interested in learning more about how the Suwanee Police work and ways citizens can prevent crime may join the next eight-week round of the city’s Citizens Police Academy 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Police Training Center, 2966 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.
Notarized applications available at www.suwanee.com due Wednesday.Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
New middle school on the way in Cherokee
The Cherokee County Board of Education has cleared the way for a new/replacement Dean Rusk Middle School in the Hickory Flat area. Board members voted unanimously to accept a $38.6 million low bid from Womack, Lewis and Smith Construction. The new campus, set to open in August of 2016, is being funded by SPLOST revenue. The school will be able to house 1,600 students and is designed to relieve growth-related overcrowding.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Blaze destroys Cherokee home
Five people were displaced after fire destroyed their southeast Cherokee County home Monday morning. The blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. at 4193 Earney Road. Three adults and two juveniles escaped without injury. The Red Cross is assisting them. A Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services investigator is looking into the cause. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Career expo upcoming in Forsyth
More than 60 companies will look to fill jobs at an upcoming career expo in Forsyth County. It’s set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 25 at Lanier Tech’s Forsyth campus, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Manufacturing, computer, healthcare and retail employers will be among those on hand.During the expo, job seekers can join a live chat with experts on resumes, interviews and other job hunting topics. It’s sponsored by Lanier, the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Labor. More information: swat@gdol.ga.gov
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Reinhardt sets Black History Month events
Reinhardt University in Waleska will commemorate Black History Month with a series of speeches, a knowledge bowl contest and a poetry slam. A civil rights symposium is set for 3- 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Hasty Student Life Center on campus. Georgia State University history professor Lonnie King, Jr., will talk about his more than 50 years of activism in the civil rights movement. Information: reinhardt.edu Mark Woolsey
Registration open for fun run
Registration is under way for the fourth annual Wiphan Warthog Waddle and 1K Fun Run, 8 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Fellowship Bible Church, 480 West Crossville Road, Roswell.
Proceeds from the event will provide educational services, school lunches and medical care to over 500 orphan.
Information: www.active.com or www.wiphan.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Historical society seeks award nominees
The Cherokee County Historical Society is seeking nominees for its 2014 Historic Preservation Awards. To be nominated, sites or structures have to be at least 50 years old and exhibit outstanding historic preservation success. The awards will be given out at the group’s annual banquet March 21 at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Nomination forms: rockbarn.org. For more information: 770-345-3288.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Superintendent may be named in April
Atlanta’s Superintendent Search Committee plans to recommend a slate of about four candidates for the city school board’s consideration by early March, said committee Chairwoman Ann Cramer.
The school board will then narrow the list to three or fewer finalists in late March or early April, and that’s when their names will become public.
Cramer said she’s excited about the candidates who have applied, and the school board intends to announce a new superintendent in April.Mark Niesse
Excellent educators to be rewarded
Atlanta and Fulton County educators are being encouraged to apply for the 2014 Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education, which provides $7,500 to each winner.
The awards are intended to recognize, retain and inspire the best teachers and leaders who raise student achievement, enhance students’ self-esteem and collaborate for the benefit of students.
Nominations and applications may be submitted at www.atlantafamilies.org through March 21. Mark Niesse
Film screening at Central Library
A screening of “The Triptych” by the Auburn Avenue Research Library will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square.
Produced by Afropunk Pictures, the documentary features conversations with contemporary artists Sanford Biggers, Barron Claiborne and Wangechi Mutu. The event is open to the public.
Information: 404-730-1700.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Israeli diplomat to give address
Ron Prosor, Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, will give a speech at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Katherine and Jacob Greenfield Hebrew Academy auditorium, 5200 Northland Dr. Free, but registration is required: speakers@ghacademy.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Brookhaven creates assistant city manager
Brookhaven recently promoted two city employees, including one who will become the assistant city manager.
Susan Canon will take on the new post in addition to her current duties as the community development director.
Ben Song, who had been working as the city’s planning and zoning manager, will serve as a new assistant director in community development.
April Hunt
Breakfast to focus on business development
DeKalb Workforce Development will host a breakfast 9 a.m. Tuesday at the workforce offices, 774 Jordan Lane, building 4 to highlight and explain new initiatives to spur hiring and worker retention.
DeKalb recently launched three separate programs, using federal funds, to subsidize training for new and existing workers and a program to find qualified candidates for open jobs. Information: 404-687-3400. April Hunt
County fills ethics board
After a five-month delay, DeKalb County Commissioners recently appointed the seventh member to serve on its ethics board.
Clara Black Delay, a retired senior ethics attorney for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, marks a full board for the first time in years. A special grand jury looking into allegations of corruption in DeKalb singled out the board as a lagging watchdog in the county. April Hunt
Events to help residents with ACA
Navigators to help residents enroll in the federal Affordable Care Act will be on hand Thursday and next Saturday in DeKalb County.
The workers will help people find coverage plans and help if they qualify for additional programs.
The first event runs from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday 2/13 at the Gresham Library branch, 2418 Gresham Road, Atlanta.
The second meeting runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Scott Candler Library, 1917 Candler Road. April Hunt
Grant to fund study of potential bike lanes
Avondale Estates was recently awarded a $50,000 grant by the Atlanta Regional Commission to fund a feasibility study of a road diet along US 278 from Sams Crossings to just past North Clarendon Avenue.
The long-term goal is to make that stretch more bicycle and pedestrian friendly, including one scenario of reducing 278 to two automobile traffic lanes.
The study, which should last through July, also includes considering a possible roundabout at North Clarendon and 278.
Total cost is $62,500 counting the city’s 20 percent match.
Bill Banks for the AJC
DeKalb officials holding food drive
DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon, Solicitor Sherry Boston and County Clerk Debra DeBerry have started a food drive to help residents struggling in the new year. Donations of nonperishable food items will be given to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Donations will be accepted through Valentine’s Day at the Maloof building and county courthouse as well as the tax commissioner’s office, 4380 Memorial Dr. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Dam projects prompt road and path closings
Repair work on two Peachtree City dams will cause road and cart path closures for several months.
Portions of Kedron Drive will be shut down through October, and the path near Rockspray Pond will be detoured until mid-September.
Signs will be posted in both areas, and golf carts may not use Peachtree Parkway.Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Commissioner hosts town hall Feb. 22
Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host his monthly town hall meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Fairview Recreation Center, 35 Austin Road in Stockbridge.
This month’s meeting will feature a varied slate of topics with elected officials including state Sen. Emanuel Jones and state Reps. Demetrius Douglas, Sandra Scott, Pam Stephenson and Brian Strickland.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
New hospice program at Piedmont Henry
A new program is now available to help patients in need of hospice care at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
t is managed by Hospice Advantage with Piedmont Henry hospitalist Emmanuel Onasile, M.D. serving as physician liaison overseeing patient care and assisting in support for both the patient and their family during end-of-life decisions.
Information: piedmonthenry.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette school transfers available
Fayette County parents who want to have their students transferred or reassigned to another school for 2014-15 may apply to do so from now until March 3.
Requests will be evaluated based on criteria related to relocation, medical or emotional needs, or curriculum factors.
Information and forms are at www.fcboe.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Baseball/softball registration underway
Registration for youth baseball and softball in Union City is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Ronald Bridges Park Etris Building, 5285 Lakeside Dr.
Prices range from $65 for 3- and 4-year-olds to $120 for 13- to 14-year-olds.
Information: 770-964-1236
Arlinda Smith Broady
Registration open for homestead exemptions
Senior citizens in Peachtree City can begin applying for their annual homestead exemption.
Qualifying homeowners must be age 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2014 and have a household income under $30,000. Forms are at City Hall and must be filed with documentation by Feb. 28.
Information: 770-487-7657 or info@peachtree-city.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
