County by county for Saturday

The Moore and Cubbedge report said the city had $6.3 million in revenues and $5.7 million in expenditures.

The city also has $2.7 million in its unassigned fund balance -- enough to cover six months of its operating costs.

Separately for its enterprise fund, the city had net increases of $295,000 for water and $12,000 for sanitation.

The total equity -- of assets minus liabilities -- is $8.8 million for the enterprise fund. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Alcohol Taskforce sponsors video contest

The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce, along with county schools and state health officials, are co-sponsoring a youth video contest aimed at preventing underage drinking.

The contest is open to students in grades 6 through 12 who represent a school or community group based in Cobb County. The video public service announcements must be 30, 60 or 90 seconds, and address the problem of adults providing alcohol to underage youth, or how youth can change attitudes about underage drinking. Submission deadline is 5 p.m., March 30. Information, rules: www.cobbat.org Janel Davis

Austell closes off greenspaced street

The Austell City Council voted Monday to permanently close a portion of a formerly flooded street. They want to discourage dumping on Brooks Drive, which was flooded in September 2009. The city has purchased two houses on that street, demolished them and converted the property to greenspace.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta gears up for July 4 parade

Marietta started registering groups this week for its Independence Day Parade. The city expects 110 entries and 2,000 participants including beauty queens, marching bands, military units and civic groups. Applicants can sign up online at www.mariettaga.gov or at the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. The deadline is May 31. Information: 770-794-5601. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kiwanis Clubs to host youth golf tourney

The Lost Mountain and Marietta Golden “K” Kiwanis Clubs will host their 17th annual youth charity golf tournament May 2. The event will kick off with registration at 9:30 a.m., and a shotgun start at noon. The tournament will be at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm, 3030 Bradshaw Club Drive, Woodstock. Proceeds will help support local youth organizations. For information: 770-596-8906. Laurie Hoffman

Free health screenings at senior center

Free health screenings will be offered this month at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs. Hearing screenings will be provided from 9:30 a.m. to noon March 16. Then from 10 a.m. to noon March 19, assessments will be offered to check balance and help prevent falls.

Advance registration is required either online at https://www.cobbpsrs.org/Start/Start.asp or by calling 770-528-8200.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Sunday alcohol sales delayed in Buford

Stores in Buford won’t be able to sell alcohol this Sunday after all. The new rules approved by voters Tuesday can’t take effect because election results haven’t been certified yet. That should happen Monday, so stores can start selling March 18, Planning Director Kim Wolfe said.

Previously, city officials had said sales could start the weekend after the election. Fifty-eight percent of Buford’s voters approved Sunday sales, one of many local referendums made possible since the Georgia legislature lifted a statewide ban last year. Johnny Edwards

County maintains Class 4 fire rating

Gwinnett County scored well on a fire preparedness rating used to set insurance rates for county residents and businesses. Gwinnett maintained its Class 4 rating from the independent Insurance Services Office. ISO rates communities on a 10-point scale, with 1 the highest score. It considers factors like water supply and fire personnel, stations and equipment.

If Gwinnett had slipped to a Class 5 rating, it could have cost the owner of a $200,000 house an extra $60 to $80 a year for insurance, Fire Chief Bill Meyers told county commissioners Tuesday. David Wickert

Brookwood High holds Harlem Legends event

Brookwood High will host the Harlem Legends in a charity event for the Amanda Riley Foundation today at 3 p.m. The Legends team members are former Harlem Globetrotters. They will compete in a game against the Amanda Riley All-Stars, comprised of Brookwood coaches and teachers and other members of the community.

The Amanda Riley Foundation was created to honor a Brookwood High student who lost her battle against cancer. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Info: 770-736-2088, or email donna_faulkner@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. Nancy Badertscher

GMC to hold seminar on sports medicine

Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville will host a symposium on high school sports medicine today, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for students interested in sports medicine careers.

Physical trainers, physical therapists, and physicians will discuss taping, heat illness, first aid, personal protective equipment and splinting. Advanced topics will include rehabilitation skills, injury recognition, injury prevention and anatomy.

The event will be held at the GMC Resource Center, 665 Duluth Highway. It costs $10 to attend.

Call 678-312-5000 to register. Misty Williams

County holds fix a leak workshop today

The Gwinnett Department of Water Resources is sponsoring a Fix A Leak Workshop today from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Suwanee’s Gwinnett County Public Library, 361 Main St. Leaks account for more than 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home each year due to running toilets, dripping faucets and failing pipes.

Participants will receive a free low-flow retrofit kit. Seating is limited and pre-registration required. Email dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com or call 678-376-6722. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth man found shot to death in home

Authorities in Forsyth County are investigating the slaying of a 42-year-old man found shot to death inside his home late Thursday. The shooting happened at a home on Aldridge Court north of Cumming. Channel 2 Action News reported that Ronald Priester’s wife came home to find her husband dead of a single gunshot wound. Investigators believe Priester might have known his killer, according to the station. “Robbery does not appear to be a motive,” Forsyth Sheriff Ted Paxton said. “There does not appear to be anything disturbed inside the home.” Mike Morris

Wreck kills Canton man, hurt another

A Canton man was killed Friday in an early morning wreck in Cherokee County.

The two-car accident happened about 2:30 a.m. on East Cherokee Drive at Union Hill Road in the Union Hill community, Cherokee sheriff’s Lt. Jay Baker said.

Baker said James Allen Pressley, 48, was ejected from his vehicle and died at the scene.

The other driver, Darrell Carl Smith, 21, of Canton, was taken to North Fulton Hospital, and was in critical condition, Baker said. Mike Morris

Cherokee issues alert on rabid kitten

Cherokee County environmental health officials are asking that anyone who may have been exposed to a rabid kitten to call their local environmental health office or health care provider. The stray kitten, described as gray-striped with medium-length fur, hung around a Starbucks on Riverstone Parkway in Canton from Feb. 22 to March 1, and was later taken to homes in Canton and Lumpkin County, and a Canton veterinarian office before being found dead March 4. The cat tested positive for rabies on March 7. Information:

N. GA. Health Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Library offers CRCT pre classes

A series of Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests prep classes for students ages 11 to 14 starts at 6 p.m. Monday at the Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St. Classes that follow will be at the same time on March 19 and March 26.

Sessions will cover test strategies and techniques, with assessments of study needs and customized study packets. Space is limited, and participants must sign up for all three sessions. Reservations: 770-640-3075. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs looks for youth leaders

Leadership Sandy Springs is seeking 30 high school students to participate in its 2013 youth leadership program. To be eligible, students must be rising sophomores or juniors who live or go to school in Sandy Springs. Information: Polly Warren, 404-252-2787; or e-mail YLSSDirector@leadershipsandysprings.org. Patrick Fox

Event raises money for cystic fibrosis

The Baker Financial Foundation will hold “ShamRockin’ for a Cure 2012,” to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. today at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. Tickets are $85. For information and tickets, visit www.shamrockinforacure.com. Mea Watkins

ATLANTA

APS schedules hearings on closures

Atlanta Public Schools has scheduled a series of public hearings in advance of 13 planned school closures. Information will be provided about the closure process and district officials will answer questions. Two public hearings are scheduled for each school slated for closure under the massive redistricting. The first meeting is at Herndon Elementary, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. For a complete list: talkupaps.wordpress.com Jaime Sarrio

Groups rally in effort to save school

Parents and community members Saturday will hold a rally to protest plans to close Coan Middle School in East Atlanta. Atlanta Public Schools is planning to close 13 schools as part of a major redistricting. Coan would be closed and used as a sixth-grade annex for students from Inman Middle. Students from the East Atlanta area would attend King Middle. The rally will take place from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. at Coan Middle, 1550 Hosea Williams Dr., Atlanta. Jaime Sarrio

Boy, 15, arrested in girl’s shooting death

A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday for a triple shooting that left a 15-year-old girl dead, Atlanta police said.

Police found the girl’s body early Saturday when they arrived at a home on Altoona Place in southwest Atlanta, Channel 2 Action News reported. Two other people were found wounded on the scene. Angel K. Brooks

Groups join to remove dumped tires

Environmental Community Action, Georgia State University’s Institute of Public Health and Liberty Tire Recycling joined together to remove tires that were illegally dumped in the Adair Park, English Avenue, Pittsburgh, Mechanicsville, Peoplestown, Summerhill and Vine City communities.

Using GPS systems from Georgia State University, residents found more than 1,600 tires in areas identified as hotspots for tire dumping.

The effort continues through today. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Judge Seeliger to seek re-election

Judge Clarence Seeliger, one of the longest-serving jurists in DeKalb County, will seek another four years on the bench.

Seeliger, a DeKalb Superior Court judge for 28 years, said Friday that he will seek another term this year. “I am in good health, and I enjoy the work,” he said.

In addition to presiding over murder and robbery cases and lawsuits, Seeliger served six years as chair of the State Commission on Family Violence. The Women’s Resource Center of DeKalb, which operates a hotline and shelter for battered women, named a local award after him in 2008. Ty Tagami

Dunwoody inveils redevelopment plan

Dunwoody unveiled a new redevelopment initiative Thursday establishing a public-private partnership to develop 35 acres in the Georgetown area. The city is encouraging interested developers to submit designs for the project on North Shallowford Road in Dunwoody. It includes a 16-acre parcel owned by the city and a 19-acre property the city has under contract.

Land uses in the Georgetown Master Plan include parks, owner-occupied low-density residences, a small commercial development and civic facilities. The city intends to add parks, open spaces, multi-use trails and possibly a municipal complex on about 17 acres. Patrick Fox

Public input wanted on river cleanups

Residents who want to help direct DeKalb County’s clean-up efforts of the South River and two other creeks can offer their input during three upcoming meetings.

The first meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Toco Hills Library, with a focus on the South Fork Peachtree Creek Basis. A second meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at the Wesley Chapel Library, with a focus on the Snapfinger Creek basin. The final meeting, at 6:30 p.m. March 20 at Flat Shoals Library, will focus on the South River basin.

Information: 404-687-3542 or 404-371-4066. April Hunt

County to offer special for pet adoptions

DeKalb County is offering adoption specials on pets from its animal services offices as part of a St. Patrick’s Day celebration this week. Cost to adopt between Tuesday through Saturday is $60, a savings of up to $30 per animal based on current adoption fees. The cost includes the regular treatments such as spay/neuter, vaccines and other medical tests. Animals can be seen at the animal services office, 845 Camp Road, near Decatur, or online at www.dekalbcountyanimalservices.com. Information: 404-294-3088. April Hunt

Officer honored for stopping dog attack

DeKalb Police Sgt. R.B. Peeler was recently honored for his efforts to save a young girl from a dog attack two years ago.

Peeler was the first officer to arrive when two dogs were mauling Erin Ingram near her Lithonia home in 2010. He told a jury in the criminal case against the dog’s owner that he rushed to the girl’s aid and beat the dogs with a metal baton to stop the attack. He ended up shooting and killing one of the dogs after it turned to attack him.The DeKalb Police Alliance presented Peeler with its Valor Award for his efforts that day. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Home invaders pistol-whip, rob victims

Police Friday were investigating an overnight home invasion robbery in south Fulton County that sent several people to the hospital. Four men and two women were inside an apartment in the 4300 block of Cascade Road when the robbery took place around 1 a.m., Fulton County police Cpl. Kay Lester said.

She said the intruders demanded money pistol-whipped the victims. Two men and a woman were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries. Investigators have no suspects, she said. Mike Morris

Fayette commission holds planning meeting

The public is invited to join the Fayette County Board of Commissioners today for Part II of its Annual Planning Meeting.

The board will receive and discuss information from staff regarding critical issues for fiscal year 2013, including capital projects, financial planning and operational issues.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues through the afternoon in the conference room at the Administrative Complex, 140 Stonewall Ave. West in downtown Fayetteville. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Workshop helps seniors lower taxes

Seniors can learn how to lower their property tax bills with homestead exemptions on Monday. Fulton Housing and Community Development and the county tax assessors office will host another “Home Sweet Home” workshop, starting at 10 a.m., at Quality Living Services, 4001 Danforth Road, Atlanta.

The deadline to apply for exemptions is April 2.

The class will cover other tax reductions available for seniors age 62 and older, and how to apply for them.

For information, and to request special accommodations, call 404-612-9184. Johnny Edwards

Awards ceremony to honor art students

Congressman David Scott will host an awards ceremony to honor students participating in his 10th annual Congressional High School Art Competition.

The reception is March 17 at 10 a.m. at the Arts Clayton Gallery, 136 South Main Street, Jonesboro.

More than $300,000 in scholarships have been given to students in the last decade. This year’s top winner gets a $10,000 Art Institute of Atlanta scholarship; $3,000 from Savannah College of Art and Design; 1-Year Young Patron membership to the High Museum of Art . The artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year. Tammy Joyner

Whitewater saxophonist wins scholarship

A Whitewater High School saxophone player is one of only four Georgia students to receive a special music scholarship.

Jay Newsome earned an All-State Band and Orchestra Scholarship from the Georgia Music Educators Association. The award is available to seniors who have been a member of an all-state band or orchestra for at least three years and plan to major in music in college.

Newsome will attend Lee University this fall in pursuit of both master’s and doctorate degrees in music education. Jill Howard Church for the AJC