County by county for Thursday

The departures follow that of Gregory Simone, WellStar’s former CEO, who was fired by the board in September, and the general counsel, Bonnie Wilson, who was fired the same week. WellStar hopes to have Simone’s position filled by the June. Janel Davis

Away From Home recycling starts April 30

Cobb Commissioners approved the Away From Home recycling drop-off program on Tuesday for residents to take advantage of no-charge recycling. One county fire/police station in each of the four commission districts will be designated as a drop-off location for paper, plastic, aluminum, steel and cardboard recyclables. No glass will be accepted. The 15-month pilot program will launch on April 30. . Information: http://kcb.cobbcountyga.gov. Janel Davis

Refurbished fountain back in Marietta Square

The Marietta Square’s fountain started bubbling again Wednesday after a $7,500 renovation. Robinson Iron, the Alabama company that made the 3-tier fountain 25 years ago, removed the fountain in February after Marietta workers discovered it was rusting from the inside out in the upper bowl. The restoration was completed ahead of schedule and in time for the Glover Park concert series starting April 29. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Birrell holds first town hall meeting

Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell will host her first town hall meeting today.

The meeting for district three residents will focus on Mabry Park, the passive east Cobb park that volunteers are raising money to develop. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Rd. in Marietta. Information: 770-528-3317. Janel Davis

Fire chief Heaton wins leadership award

Sam Heaton, Cobb County’s Fire Chief and acting Public Safety Director was awarded the county’s Silver Eagle leadership award Tuesday for his work in 2010. Heaton was selected for the award by other county department directors.

He took over the public safety position in August when Mickey Lloyd resigned amid allegations that he exaggerated his military record.

Heaton has worked in the county’s fire department more than 20 years and was appointed fire chief in 2008. Janel Davis

‘Ragtime’ at the Strand this weekend

The Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School is returning to The Strand Theater with the musical Ragtime. The show will run Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. They are available through The Strand’s box office at 117 North Park Square in Marietta. Information: 770-293-0080. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Suwanee set to build new police substation

The City of Suwanee has contracted with a company to design a new police substation in the Suwanee Gateway area.

Construction is expected to begin as early as the end of 2011 on a 1.1-acre parcel on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, previously the site of a BP gas station. The facility will be approximately 7,000 square feet.

The substation will be paid for with SPLOST (penny sales tax) funds. The City will pay Atlanta-based company TSW $118,220 for design and pre-construction services. Andria Simmons

Suwanee hires firm for strategic planning

The Suwanee City Council has approved Interface Studio of Philadelphia to coordinate the city’s 20/20 Vision strategic planning initiative.

The project is a community-intensive effort to create a long-term strategic plan for the city of about 15,500 people. The company will work with city staff to schedule community conversations and gather input on preparing the blueprint for development. Those who are part of the process will participate in 4-6 small group meetings over about a four-month period. Patrick Fox

Football, cheerleading program Saturday

Registration for Lanier Athletic Association’s football and cheerleading programs will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lanier High School, 918 Buford Highway, Sugar Hill.

The association will field football teams for children 6 years old through eighth grade. It will field cheerleading squads for children in first through eighth grade and for cheer mascots in kindergarten.Information: www.lanieraa.com. David Wickert

Chamber to hold Valor Awards Friday

The Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce will honor public safety workers at its sixth annual Valor Awards at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Atlanta Marriott-Gwinnett Place, 1775 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth.

The reception honors Gwinnett public safety professionals and features awards in seven categories. Tickets cost $45 for chamber members and $55 for non-members. Information: www.valorawards.com. David Wickert

‘Take me fishing’ at Tribble Mill Park

Gwinnett County will sponsor a “take me fishing” event for children of all ages from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville.

The free event will feature fishing, contests, crafts, games and other activities. Information: 770-418-2331. David Wickert

Norcross school raises money for food bank

The Norcross food bank will be the recipient of proceeds from Norcross Elementary’s annual Montage and Empty Bowls program. Art students have created ceramic bowls and will sell them with a serving of ice cream, starting at 5:30 p.m. March 28. The money raised will go to the food bank. There will be plenty of entertainment as well, including a song-and-dance routine, performances by the chorus and a parachute routine. Nancy Badertscher

NORTHSIDE

Student faces discipline after ‘Columbine’ prank

An Alpharetta High School student is facing disciplinary action after admitting to writing the word “Columbine” in a boy’s bathroom Tuesday, Principal Gene Dunn says on the school’s website. The student claimed it was just a prank, but Dunn said school officials take seriously any reference to the killing of 12 students and a teacher at the Colorado high school in April 1999. “Those of us who remember that day are forever changed by it, and because of this, we react appropriately to any potential safety situation,” Dunn wrote. Nancy Badertscher

11-year-old serves as Milton Mayor for a Day

Nick Tucker doesn’t have a lot of political experience, but he was ready Monday night. The 11-year-old left his post beside Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood to address the City Council about road repairs in his neighborhood. Then, the youth “Mayor for a Day” returned to his seat beside Lockwood on the dais. Tucker was selected for the honor in February by winning an essay contest. Patrick Fox

Young Heroes program to honor students

The Young Heroes of North Fulton Program is getting ready for its annual celebration of students, grades 6 through 12, who have made a positive difference in their community or overcome adversity. Created in partnership with Roswell Rotary, the program recognizes young leaders who epitomize the ideas of “service above self” and/or are inspirational to others. School winners will be recognized at a reception on April 28. Student applications are due to school-based coordinators Friday. Nancy Badertscher

Forsyth moves to buy 14 cars for sheriff

The Forsyth County commission moved in a 5-0 vote Tuesday to approve the purchase of 14 Chevrolet Caprices, for $372,000, as squad cars for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, whose budget is approved by the commission. Sheriff Ted Paxton told the commission his office is buying the cars from Jim Ellis Chevrolet, on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, because Ellis made the best offer, and a local Chevrolet dealership did not respond to a request for a bid. The money for the purchase is coming from the county Vehicle Replacement Fund already set aside. Jeffry Scott

Alpharetta pool passes for sale March 28

The Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell Street, will begin selling family and individual pool passes beginning March 28. Purchases made before May 31 receive 10 percent off the resident rate, a $15 dollar savings for a family pass and $7 savings for an individual pass. The pool opens May 28. Information: 678-297-6100 or email aquatics@alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox

Homestead exemption deadline is April 1

The deadline for filing a homestead exemption in Forsyth County to get the benefit of the exemption in 2011 is April 1. Applicants need: a driver’s license (if you drive); a copy of a recorded warranty deed, and a letter from the previous county where you lived stating that homestead has been removed. Information: 770-781-2106. Jeffry Scott

ATLANTA

Public asked for input on Beltline money

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has said the city of Atlanta will ask for money for the Beltline transit loop in the 2012 regional transportation referendum. But which piece of the Beltline? Southwest Atlanta? Intown Atlanta? The public is invited to express opinions on the subject at meetings on today and Monday from 6:30 p.m. The Southwest study group is today March 24 at West Hunter Baptist, 1040 Abernathy Blvd. SW. The Westside study group is Monday at Community Food Bank at 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. ARIEL HART

Speech school wins praise, accreditation

The Atlanta Speech School recently earned high praise and accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “Not only is the school a model in terms of its research-based approach and life-long professional learning, but it is also a warm, nurturing place in which students feel safe and happy,” said Patrick Cuneo, chair of the SAIS-SACS visiting team. Nancy Badertscher

Inman principal receives alumni award

Inman Middle School Principal Betsy Bockman has been selected to receive an alumni award from the University of Georgia’s College of Education.

Bockman, who was nominated by a parent for her work in Atlanta Public Schools’ Grady cluster, is being recognized for the contributions she has made throughout her career in education. Kristina Torres

Truck driver gets 12 life terms for rapes

An Atlanta truck driver on Thursday was sentenced to 12 consecutive life terms after being convicted of sexually assaulting seven women between 2005 and 2009. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Constance Russell handed down the sentences against Marvin Martin, 33, who searched for victims along the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor. Martin would coax women into his 18-wheeler and force them to have sex with him, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

DEKALB

Melanne Verveer to speak at Agnes Scott

The first U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues will serve as the commencement speaker for Agnes Scott College, officials said Wednesday.

Melanne Verveer will receive an honorary degree from the women’s college during the May 14 ceremony on the Decatur campus. Laura Diamond

Commission to hold budget retreat today

DeKalb County department heads hope to get some answers on how to proceed with their budgets today.

The County Commission will hold a budget retreat at Agnes Scott College to discuss the 2011 budget. Last month, the commission rejected a property tax increase and voted to cut $33.6 million from the budget.

Despite the cut, commissioners say they do not expect any layoffs or major service reductions. CEO Burrell Ellis and department heads say that is not possible. Megan Mattuecci

17,000 of raw sewage spills into water Tuesday

About 17,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into DeKalb County waterways Tuesday.

County water reports show a 12,000 gallons spilled into the North Fork of Peachtree Creek from the 2300 block of Chamblee-Tucker Road in Chamblee. A 4,980-gallon spill was also reported in Snapfinger Creek from the 4500 block of Birch Ridge Trail in Stone Mountain. Megan Matteucci

Summer food program deadline Friday

The DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department will host the Summer Food Service Program, June 6-Aug. 5. The deadline to apply for the Summer Food Program has been extended to Friday.

Agencies interested in becoming a site for this program should contact Rose Myrick at 678-698-1114. Applications for the program are at Tucker Recreation Center, 4898 LaVista Road, Tucker 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m. weekdays or online at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks. Information: 404-371-3643. Staff reports

Meetings slated for zoning on care homes

DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability will host public information meetings to review the proposed zoning ordinance to regulate personal care homes and child-care institutions.

Meetings are 6:30 -- 8 p.m. at the following locations:

Thursday at Dunaire Elementary School, 651 South Indian Creek Dr., Stone Mountain

Tuesday at McNair Academy, 2162 Second Ave., Decatur.

March 31 at OneDeKalb Northlake Resource Center, Northlake Mall (lower level next to Macy’s)

Information:404-371-2155 or email mspann@dekalbcountyga.gov. Staff reports

Decatur sets tax payment due dates

Decatur’s City Commission adopted a billing ordinance establishing due dates for this year’s property tax payments. The first installment will be mailed next week with payment due by June 1. The second payment is due Dec. 20. City Manager Peggy Merriss said, as in past years, there’s a 10 days grace period following each due date, after which the bill goes up 10 percent, plus one percent interest per month. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

College Park man’s conviction upheld

The Georgia Supreme Court recently upheld the murder conviction against a College Park man who shot a man in the head as he drove to make a drug deal. The court rejected Melvin Johnson’s arguments that his conviction should be overturned. In 2004, Johnson killed Casimiro Ybarra, 20, as Ybarra’s fiance drove them to buy cocaine. Ybarra and his fiancee had picked up Johnson, who was a drug dealer, and another man and were driving to a house where they expected to buy drugs when the shooting occurred, the ruling said. Johnson was convicted in 2007. Bill Rankin

Clayton 8th graders do well on state writing test

Eighty-five percent of Clayton County eighth-graders met or exceeded state writing assessment standards, up eight percentage points from a year ago. Gains were made in every Clayton middle school that has been open at least two school years. Clayton students, as a whole, outperformed their Georgia peers this year in the writing assessment area. Statewide, 82 percent of eighth-graders met or exceeded writing assessment. Clayton students focused on expressing their thoughts in writing, which was 40 percent of the assessment score. Tammy Joyner

Schools sponsor juvenile justice forum

Fayette County Public Schools and the NAACP will sponsor a Juvenile Justice/Community Awareness Forum on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Whitewater High School. The focus will be on the hazards of drinking or texting while driving, but other legal issues will also be discussed. Speakers will include judges, attorneys, school officials and law enforcement officers. The program is aimed at students in eighth grade through high school and their parents. The event is free. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fulton courts opens self-help center

Fulton County courts are opening a free Self-Help Center Thursday to help litigants representing themselves in misdemeanor or civil cases in state and magistrate courts. Located in the Fulton County Court complex, the staff won’t offer legal advice but will help fill out paperwork and advise on procedures and choices and other places to get assistance. Contact: Cicely Barber, 404.613.4245 or cicely.barber@fultoncountyga.gov or the center at 404-613-4116. Steve Visser

Library offers 2-week amnesty period

If you’ve got overdue books from any Clayton County library, here’s a chance to return them without penalty. The library system begins a two-week amnesty for overdue books April 2. On April 19, the library will work with Unique Management Services to recover overdue materials and fees. Tammy Joyner

Paint, electronics disposal event Saturday

Keep South Fulton Beautiful is offering residents an opportunity this weekend to get rid of a variety of items lying around the house. From 9.a.m-3 p.m. Saturday, residents can drop off electronics, old paint and stain at the Hapeville Charter School and Academy at 6045 Buffington Road in Union City. Information: 678-699-0383. John Thompson for the AJC