County by county for Thursday

The chamber’s overall winner will participate in the Georgia Small Business of the Year competition. Information and full list: www.cobbchamber.org/sboy; 770-859-2341. Janel Davis

Vigil for sexual assault victims Friday

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a vigil for crime and sexual assault victims is set for Friday in Marietta.

The vigil is being sponsored by the YWCA of Northwest Georgia and the DA’s Victim Witness Unit.

The vigil runs from noon to 1 p.m. at the county government building in the Board of Commissioners meeting room, 100 Cherokee St. in Marietta.

Information: 770-427-2902; 770-528-3047 Janel Davis

Smyrna to close road lanes to install bridge

Smyrna’s City Council on Monday approved closing three lanes on a section of Spring Road May 5-6 for the installation of a $1.35 million pedestrian bridge. The 10-foot wide and 227-foot long bridge will give pedestrians a safer route over CXS railroad track south of downtown Smyrna. The bridge will also connect to a county trail system from Kennesaw National Battlefield Park to the Chattahoochee River. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell Community Market opens Saturday

The Austell Community Market and Merchant Bazaar will take place Saturday.

Arts, crafts, yard sale items and food will be available for purchase at Jefferson and Mulberry Streets in the downtown district from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Information: 770-944-4309 or Austell Community Affairs Department, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 101. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Workshop Saturday for homebuyers

Potential first-time homebuyers are invited to a free workshop on Saturday in Marietta.

The workshop is hosted by Cobb Extension and CredAbility, a nonprofit credit counseling and education organization. Participants will receive information about budgeting and credit, down payment assistance, the loan and real estate processes, insurance and inspection.

The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cobb Extension office, 678 S. Cobb Drive. Registration open to first 40 people: 1-800-251-2227. Janel Davis

Senior Citizens Center to hold yard sale

The Powder Springs Senior Citizens Center will hold a yard sale, including arts and crafts, on Friday and Saturday .

Baked goods and hot dog lunches also will be sold from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Bill “Papa” Morris building, 4181 Atlanta St., next to the Powder Springs Library.

Information: Center Coordinator Dee Chappell, 770-943-1555. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

County to install security cameras in parks

Gwinnett County will install cameras at various parks in an effort to improve security. The Board of Commissioners Tuesday awarded a $240,000 contract to GC&E Systems Inc. to install and maintain security cameras over the next year. The county parks and recreation department will use about $170,000 of the contract to install new security cameras at various parks and the remainder for repair and maintenance of existing cameras at county facilities. About two-thirds of the money will come from the county’s special purpose local option sales tax program, with the rest from other funds. David Wickert

Alleged shooter dies after standoff

A man who allegedly shot two women, killing one, before shooting himself during a standoff with Suwanee police has died.

The suspect, Shuaib Omar, 29, died a few hours after Monday’s standoff ended.

Betty Marie Maddox, 35, died after being transported to Gwinnett Medical Center, Auburn Police Chief Paul Nadeau said. The other woman, Monica Long, 32, is in stable condition, Auburn police said. Christian Boone

Senior Services group to hold silent auction

Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services will host a silent auction from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 26 at Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett, 3100 Club Drive, Lawrenceville.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. To donate items for the auction, sponsor the event or buy tickets, call Jennifer Thilo at 770-923-3100 or Charlene Barr at 678-377-6715. David Wickert

Facelift coming for old downtown Duluth

Duluth plans to spend nearly $150,000 to modernize it’s old City Hall block. The city approved expenditures of about $60,000 to demolish three buildings, $50,000 to repair sewer lines and prepare for future restaurants, $30,000 to pave a parking lot and construct a walkway and $8,500 to repair an old warehouse. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Operational railroad model goes on exhibit

North Georgia Modurail and Atlanta Interlocking modular model railroad clubs are sponsoring a free, fully operational scale model railroad exhibit Saturday,through April 29 at Buford Presbyterian Church, 1242 Buford Hwy., Sugar Hill. Model steam and diesel engines and passenger and freight trains will be displayed. Viewing times: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays noon to 4 p.m. and weekdays 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Information: Rob Keeney at largo84@gmail.com or 678-777-4043. Veronica Fields Johnson

Food bank officer to speak to Sierra Club

Fred Conrad, community garden coordinator for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, will speak at the Greater Gwinnett Group of the Sierra Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. todayat Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn.

Conrad will talk about the advantages of fresh food and the resources available to plan and build community gardens. For more information, contact Dan Friedman at dan3688@aol.com. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

12 seniors named National Merit Scholars

Twelve Fulton County Schools seniors were recently named as National Merit Scholars. They were among 1,000 nationwide to qualify for the corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards based on their high scores on the PSAT. The students are Alpharetta High’s Diane D. Lin; Centennial High’s George X. Tang; Chattahoochee’s Manasa R. Bhatta, Sophia Chen and Lily Qiu; Johns Creek High’s Sean Foley and Kelly Tieu; Northview High’s Akash R. Patil and Patrick J. Zhou; and Roswell High’s Willy Chen, Caleb McCracken and Evelyn E. Smith. D. Aileen Dodd

Scholar to lecture on global citizenship

The public is invited to a reception and lecture on global citizenship and social entrepreneurship at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School at 6:30 p.m. on April 25. The school embarked on its global citizenship initiative four years ago, and, to date, has had 50 students visit 30 countries. At the reception, seniors will share their experiences as young social innovators. This year’s lecturer will be education scholar Tony Wagner. His address will draw on the themes of his newest work: Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World. Nancy Badertscher

North Fulton garden fair April 28

The North Fulton Master Gardeners’ will hold its 9th Annual Garden Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 28 on the grounds of Historic Bulloch Hall. Scarecrows and garden vendors with roses, perennials, native plants, stone pottery, birdhouses, food and more will be available. Bulloch Hall is located at 180 Bulloch Ave. in Roswell. Information: http://nfmg.net/index.html. Mea Watkins

Alpharetta wants to update contacts

Alpharetta is seeking updated contact information for homeowners associations and other groups.

Citizens are being asked to complete an electronic form on the city website that will register their groups to receive information, such as updates on road improvement projects, road closures, inclement weather notices and invitations to town hall meetings. The form is available at http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/files/forms/HOA.htm. Patrick Fox

Chamber breakfast to honor valedictorians

Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood together with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce will recognize 2012 valedictorians and their schools with awards at the Greater North Fulton Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast on April 24 in Johns Creek. Keynote speaker will be Georgia School Superintendent Dr. John D. Barge. Kenneth Musisi

HOPE Center to host Walk for Life

The HOPE Center in Woodstock seeks walkers to participate in its third annual Walk for Life event, on April 28. The free event begins at 9 a.m. at Woodstock High School stadium. The HOPE Center is a non-profit pregnancy resource center dedicated to providing help to women with unplanned pregnancies. To register, visit www.supporthopecenter.com or call Lori Griffin at 770-924-0864. Mea Watkins

ATLANTA

Ethics panel moves ahead on complaint

An ethics committee for the Atlanta school board will investigate statements allegedly made by board chairman Reuben McDaniel about former chairwoman Brenda Muhammad. The commission voted Friday to look into a complaint from Atlanta parent and attorney Cynthia Briscoe Brown. According to Brown, McDaniel said Superintendent Erroll Davis had concerns about Muhammad’s handling of vendor matters. Muhammad called the allegations untrue. The commission will take sworn statements from board members and Davis regarding the matter. Jaime Sarrio

Academy to dedicate outdoor classroom

Atlanta’s Burgess-Peterson Academy was scheduled Saturday to dedicate a new outdoor classroom. The addition is named for Kevin Hester, a long-time custodian at the school who died last year. The classroom was funded by a $7,500 grant from the Atlanta Families Awards for Excellence in Education. Info: www.atlantapublicschools.us Jaime Sarrio

Taxpayers group told lunch today

The Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation, a Buckhead-based nonprofit advocating for lower taxes, will hold a luncheon today for potential new members, explaining how the group helps property owners appeal their taxes. It starts at noon at 103 West, 103 West Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead.

Attendees can learn how the appeal process works and how to lock in a tax value for three years. Tickets are $50. To sign up: 404-869-6066 or www.fctf.org. Johnny Edwards

Baisden to speak to CAU business students

Michael Baisden, a nationally syndicated radio personality and community activist will share his thoughts on creating wealth in the black community with Clark Atlanta University’s CEO Academy business students in the multipurpose room of the Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center at 11 a.m. today. The event is part of the Business School’s “Take a Millionaire to Lunch” series. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Hazardous waste collection yields results

A recent household hazardous waste collection event in DeKalb County yielded several thousand pounds of materials collected for proper recycling.

More than 550 cars participated in the event, which collected more than 57,000 pounds of paint, 5,200 pounds of liquid fuel, 4,500 pounds of liquid pesticides, 4,200 pounds of solid pesticides and 2,500 pounds of batteries.

The event safely recycles the waste, keeping it out of the county landfill on Seminole Road.

Those who missed the event can get information about other recycling options at www.earth911.com. April Hunt

Decatur school board OKs SPLOST project list

The Decatur school board recently passed a priority list of projects to be largely paid by the new SPLOST, which could bring in between $12 to $18 million over the next five years. Topping the list is moving the school system’s Central Office out of Westchester, which could then be re-converted into a school.

The system also wants to add four new classrooms to the rapidly-growing Oakhurst Elementary, and four classrooms to the 4/5 Academy. Bill Banks for the AJC

Library offers mobile app for customers

DeKalb County’s library system is offering a free mobile app that will allow users to use library services on the go.

The BookMyne app works on both Android and Apple devices and allows users to search the catalog, check account details, renew items and place or cancel holds.

Information: www.dekalblibrary.org. April Hunt

Tucker needs volunteers for clean-up

The Tucker Civic Association invites the public to participate in the Great American Clean Up from 9 a.m. to noon on April 28 at the Tucker Nature Preserve, 4408 Lawrenceville Hwy. Volunteers are asked to bring loppers, shovels, gardening tools, gloves, wheel barrows and water bottles.

Parking will be available at the Tucker Cofer Library, 5234 LaVista Road. To RSVP and for information email parks@tuckercivic.org. Veronica Fields Johnson

Druid Hills Tour of Homes coming up

The Druid Hills Civic Association will host the 2012 Druid Hills Tour of Homes and Gardens and Artist Market. The tour will feature five homes and a collector’s garden. The event is Friday and Saturday , 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday , 1-5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance: www.druidhillstour.org or www.druidhillsartistmarket.org. Information: 404-524-8687. Kenneth Musisi

Clarkston concert to benefit refugees

The Clarkston Community Center will host a concert titled “Together As One” 2 p.m. -- 5 p.m. April 28.

Concert proceeds will help support Atlanta’s refugee populations. Refugees will be invited to sell their crafts outside the center on the day of the concert. A $10 donation will be requested.

The Clarkston Community Center is at 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. For information: 404-308-1326, or www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org. Laurie Hoffman

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville police probe alleged illegal gaming

Fayetteville police are investigating a business that reportedly was illegally paying cash prizes to customers using video gaming machines. Det. Mike Whitlow said officers, along with agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Georgia Department of Revenue, served search warrants Tuesday at the Fayette Gift Shop at 690 N. Glynn Street following several months of investigation.

Cash and evidence were seized from the location, and police are asking anyone with further information to call them at 770-461-4441. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Free bulk waste disposal on Saturday

South Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards will sponsor another Bulk Waste Amnesty Day, where residents can dump bulk trash for free, on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop offs can be made at the Merk Road Transfer Station, Creel Park and the South Fulton Service Center.

Yard waste will be accepted only at the transfer station. Information: 404-612-1011. Johnny Edwards

Clayton wants to know its centenarians

Know a Clayton County resident who is 100 years old or older? He or she can become a member of The Clayton County Centenarian Club. The program is run by the county’s Senior Services Department. Clayton centenarians are honored by their area district commissioner and presented with a free, lifetime membership to any Clayton County Senior Center. Details: visit Senior Services website at: www.claytoncountyga.gov/departments/senior-services Tammy Joyner

Miles for Meals Walk to be May 5

Miles for Meals Walk will be May 5 at the Jason T. Harper Even Center in McDonough. It is the Henry County Council on Aging’s largest fundraiser. The two-mile walk will take participants through Heritage Park. Registration is at 8 a.m. The walk starts at 9 a.m. and a cookout is 11 a.m. The Harper Event Center is in Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough. Details: 770-288-7010 or MilesForMeals@co.henry.ga.us. Tammy Joyner

Serve up a Taste of Henry on Friday

Got a hankering for Bruster’s ice cream or a Flour Power cupcake or Mellow Mushroom pizza? You can get a sample from each of those restaurants and dozens of others at the Taste of Henry on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Jason T. Harper Event Center at Heritage Park in McDonough. The park is at 101 Lake Dow Road. Admission: $20 adults; $15 seniors and $5 for children 12 and younger. Details: www.tasteofhenry.org Tammy Joyner

Henry parks offer summer day camps

Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is offering Summer Day Camp and Teen Camp, May 29-Aug. 3. Day camp runs 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. weekdays for children 6-12 years old. Teen Camp is for 13 to 15 years old and is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. No camp July 2-6. Weekly rates: $100 for the first child; $90 for each additional child. Teen Camp: $135 a week. Details: 770 288-7300 or www.hcprd.org. Tammy Joyner