County by county

The City Council has tentatively adopted a 4.046 millage equal to last year’s.

Georgia law requires cities to hold hearings on reassessed properties even if the millage rate remains the same.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov. — Tucker McQueen for the AJC

City honors employees for decades of service

Austell city employees Anita Denney-Moore and Jim Graham have been recognized for their decades of service with a reception, plaques and pins from Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins and the City Council.

Denney-Moore, a supervising utility billing clerk for the city’s Finance Department, has been with the city for 30 years.

Graham, director of the city’s community development and parks departments, has served the city for 20 years. — Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta plans Civil War events

Civil War historian Michael Shaffer will talk about the military use of technology during the war at a free lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Charles D. Switzer Library, 266 Roswell St., Marietta. A re-enactment of a review of troops and lying in state of Union Gen. James McPherson also will also be take place Tuesday on the Marietta Square. The events are part of Marietta’s Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration. Information: www.mariettaga.gov. — Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs seeks stormwater plan

Powder Springs is seeking proposals for a stormwater management plan that must be received by 4 p.m. Thursday at the Office of the City Clerk, Powder Springs City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. Mayor Patricia Vaughn and the City Council are expected to review the proposals on Aug. 13. Information: www.cityofpowdersprings.org. — Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell aims to fill 2 positions

Austell wants to hire a utility meter reader by a July 25 deadline, and a firefighter/EMT-1 position, open until the job is filled. The meter reader job pays around $25,000 and the firefighter position about $34,000. Info: austellga.gov, click “Position Details” on the right. — Carolyn Cunningham

Austell opens gym for employees

Austell opened a gym for its 100 city employees and their families this week in a building next to the city’s Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road.

Fire Chief Tim Williams, chairman of the city’s Wellness Committee, said the 5,000-square-foot gym includes refurbished gym equipment and recycled air-conditioning units from houses acquired by the city that were damaged during the 2009 flood.

Funding for the gym has come from a $5,000 Georgia Municipal Association grant, $75,000 from city funds and $23,614 from the 2014 SPLOST for paving of the gym parking lot. —Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

DEKALB

Schools accreditation kept at ‘warned’ level

The DeKalb County School District has made “material progress” addressing the concerns of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, but the organization declined to restore full accreditation after a recent monitoring visit.

SACS will keep DeKalb’s accreditation at the “warned” level, a couple of notches below full accreditation, says a July 2 report by the organization that DeKalb released Friday.

The district has completed work on nine of 14 “required actions” but faces important changes in leadership. The election this year, culminating with Tuesday’s runoff, will alter the makeup of the school board. Also, the district will need to find a successor to Superintendent Michael Thurmond by June. — Ty Tagami

Ministry to present ‘Jaded’ performance

Gospel of Faith Worship Center will host the summer stage production, “Jaded,” at 7 p.m. July 26 at 3897 Covington Highway, Decatur. Doors open at 6 p.m. “Jaded” is a coming-of-age play about faith, family values and facing one’s fears. The drama by playwright and actress Niata Key is presented by N. Key Productions and Divine Vision, the dramatic ministry led by Key at Gospel of Faith.

Tickets to the performance at $20 in advance. Information: www.nkeyproductions.com or 404-484-5419. — Kent A. Miles

Input sessions set for renovating schools

City Schools of Decatur has set two dates for residential input sessions on the renovation and new construction of Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High.

Architects and design personnel, selected by CSD, will field questions and suggestions on Aug. 14 at the high school and Aug. 19 at Renfroe.

Design plans for both schools should finish by late fall/early winter, with Phase I construction on the high school — most likely new classrooms — beginning in January. — Bill Banks

Tucker to mark Civil War anniversary

The Tucker Historical Society and Tucker Civic Association will mark the 150th anniversary of the city’s role in the Civil War with events today.

A commemoration of the anniversary will take place at 10 a.m. at the Browning Courthouse in front of the Tucker Recreation Center, 4989 Lavista Road. The historical society will host an open house featuring a series of speakers who will discuss the Civil War period.

The civic association and other community groups will have booths on the front lawn with information about their organizations. Information: www.tuckercivic.org or www.tuckergahistorical.org. — Kent A. Miles

‘Doctor’s Bag’ event for kids, parents

“What’s in a Doctor’s Bag,” a free presentation for children and their parents about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, will take place at 10 a.m. July 26 at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St., Decatur.

There will be health screenings , and elementary school students will receive a backpack filled with school supplies.

Dr. Neil Shulman, an author, associate professor at Emory University’s school of medicine, and associate producer of the 1991 comedy based on one of his books, “Doc Hollywood,” is the featured presenter.

Info : ourseedstomorrow.org or 470-257-2600. — Kent A. Miles

GWINNETT

New code enforcement officers ready for duty

Three new quality of life officers will hit Snellville streets next week to make sure residents maintain their property and are not in violation of city codes.

The reserve officers for the Snellville Police Department will work part-time with the city’s Planning Department, which oversees quality of life control.

The employees, Laura Shook, Johnny Greene and James McClure received training this week in preparation for their new duties. www.snellville.org. — Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Opportunity Aug. 4 for dialogue with council

The Duluth City Council along with the Development and Redevelopment departments will meet for an informal chat with citizens at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4 at Point Berkeley International Village, 2645 North Berkeley Lake Road. Learn about things happening in Duluth and bring topics you wish to discuss. Information: www.duluthga.net. — Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Museum to celebrate trains, trucks, tractors

The Southeastern Railway Museum will host the Trains, Trucks & Tractors festival to celebrate the workhorses of transportation past, present and future 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 2-3 at 3595 Buford Highway, just north of Pleasant Hill and south of downtown Duluth. The event will include exhibits, a mix of modern and antique tractors, trucks and historic locomotives and railroad cars. Information: southeasternrailwaymuseum.org. — Karen Huppertz

Winder residents to pay higher sewer rate

Following a study to determine the costs to operate and manage the wastewater system, Winder officials announced on July 10 a sewer rate increase effective June 1. The increase is due to higher costs of materials, increased regulations/standards and the need to continually upgrade and rehabilitate facilities and equipment. Citizens inside the city limits will pay a base rate of $17.80 per 1,000 gallons and $4.50 sewer charge based on 90 percent volume. Outside the city limits, the base rate will be $30.30 per 1,000 gallons and $5.80 for sewer. Info : www.cityofwinder.com. — Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee PlayTown celebrates 10 years

Suwanee residents are invited to celebrate the 10th birthday of PlayTown, the community’s super playground, 10 a.m.-noon today with balloons, a DJ, clown, face painting, and, of course, birthday cake. Young residents will be invited to create a hand-painted tile, similar to those created 10 years ago for the playground. The new tiles will fill in available spaces among the tiles placed 10 years ago. Info : www.suwanee.com. — Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners to host state of the city

The Peachtree Corners Business Association will host Mayor Mike Mason and the City Council at a State of the City Address 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. July 21 at Atlanta Marriott Norcross, 475 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners. Reservations: www. peachtreecornersba.com. — Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

UPS to further expand early morning delivery UPS said it is further expanding early morning deliveries to boost its competitive position.

The Sandy Springs-based shipping giant said it is adding hundreds more ZIP codes that can get deliveries by 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. UPS said it has offered “Early A.M.” service since 1994, expanded it to an additional 400 ZIP codes earlier this year and on Friday announced it is adding 766 more ZIP codes. The company said more than 87 percent of U.S. businesses can get the service. — Kelly Yamanouchi

Donations sought for seized dogs

The Cherokee County animal shelter is seeking donations for what it calls the “quite expensive” task of caring for roughly 350 dogs seized from an east Cherokee kennel earlier this week. Shelter director Sue Garcia said needs include beds, food, washable dog toys, shampoo, cotton swabs and some medical supplies. Cash and checks also are welcome. Garcia said extra volunteer help and juggled staff schedules are helping care for the animals, said to have been living in filthy conditions. No timeline has been set for when they’ll be put up for adoption. Donation information: cherokeega-animals.org. — Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth approves property tax rates

Forsyth County property tax rates will stay level, but some property owners will still see an increased bite due to reassessments. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Thursday approved a total millage rate of 7.656, unchanged for the fifth year.

County officials say that was made possible by a 5.2 percent growth in the tax digest, signaling increased total collections. Of that figure, 3.4 percent came from new construction, with the other 1.8 due to increased values resulting from property reassessments. — Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Early voting results vary on northside

Two northside counties are seeing different results as early/advance voting for the July 22 runoff comes to an end. Cherokee County acting elections supervisor Kim Stancil said as of late Thursday.

A total of 2,334 had voted in person, with 447 mail ballots returned, for a just over 2 percent voter turnout. She said that’s light, even for a runoff. In Forsyth County, elections chief Barbara Luth said turnout has been “a little heavy,” with 4,799 in person and 374 mail ballots returned as of noon Friday. That equates to a 4 percent turnout. — Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cumming lane shift schedule moved up

Georgia DOT officials say a traffic lane shift on a major intersection improvement project in Cumming will happen more quickly than planned. All lanes of Ga. 9 at Ga. 141/Bethelview Road, plus turning lanes onto Ga. 141, will now open overnight tonight.

The shift had been planned for overnight Sunday. Crews will then finish paving on Ga. 141.

All work on the $5 million project is scheduled to completed by July 29. — Mark Woolsey for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City police earn safety award

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has awarded the Peachtree City Police Department first place in the National Law Enforcement Challenge for traffic safety in 2013.

The department was judged against other agencies of similar size regarding best practices in officer training, public education and law enforcement.

It was the only department in Georgia to place in this year’s challenge. — Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Hapeville to host independent film tour

The city of Hapeville was selected as a host of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers.

The tour of six independent films is presented by South Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. South Arts organization supports the advancement of art and cultural activities in southern cities.

Hapeville is one of 17 cities on the tour. One film will be screened each month starting in September at Historic Christ Church Building and Carriage House in Jess Lucas Y Teen Park, with an appearance by the filmmaker for a Q&A session with the audience. — Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Town hall meeting to focus on education

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ next town hall is 9 a.m. July 26, at the Fairview Recreation Center, 35 Austin Road, Stockbridge. The meeting will focus on education . Guests include Superintendent Rodney Bowler, Henry County Chamber of Commerce education committee chair Toni Davis, Academy for Advanced Studies CEO John Uesseler, and Board of Education members-elect Donna McBride and Annette Edwards. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org. — Monroe Roark for the AJC

Applications taken for housing rehab funds

Fulton County is accepting pre-applications from homeowners seeking housing rehabilitation assistance.

Apply for deferred payment loans to bring substandard, single-family, owner-occupied properties into compliance with federal regulations and county codes. The Housing Rehabilitation Program funds are made available annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Deadline: July 31. Information. www.fultoncountyga.gov or 404-613-7944. — Kent A. Miles

Lincoln, Obama together in stage play

President Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama match wits in the play “Lincoln’s Last Debate: A Staged Reading,” this month, at Hapeville Village Church. In the play, the two presidents draw parallels on their presidencies, discuss the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, leadership, national pride and American character.

Playwright and actor Gene Griessman, Ph.D. portrays Lincoln. Morehouse graduate Julius Pryor III plays President Barack Obama. The play is directed by Robert English, a former news director and producer .The play starts at 7:30 p.m., July 26 and 27 at Hapeville Village Church, 3418 Dogwood Drive . Tickets are $10-$20. Visit www.presidentlincoln.com. — Adrianne Murchison