County by county news for Friday

“I think he and his wife want to be closer to home,” Vaughn said. A few weeks ago, Eckert said he wanted to be closer to his home in Colorado, where his 100-year-old mother resides.

However, he currently is a finalist to be city administrator in McDonough. An interim has not been determined, said Vaughn who has served as the interim city manager twice. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Police search for driver who struck girl

The pickup truck driver who police said drove away after hitting a young girl in Cobb County early Wednesday remained at large on Thursday.

The 7-year-old girl was struck by a white, Ford F-150 pickup truck on Booth Road just before 6:45 a.m., according to Cobb police Sgt. Dana Pierce.

The girl was treated for minor injuries . The incident happened near the Country Pines Apartments on Booth Road off South Cobb Drive. Mike Morris

Two Cobb EMC board members bow out

Cobb EMC board members Johnny Gresham and Kay Anderson will not seek re-election when their terms expire on March 31. Both have served on the co-ops board since 2006.

Elections for six seats on the EMC’s board are also scheduled for March 31; qualifying ends March 2. Along with Gresham and Anders, the other four incumbents have also decided not to run again, according to EMC officials. The March election will be held at Piedmont Church in Marietta. Janel Davis

Free seeds and seedlings at four Cobb parks

Free seeds will be given away Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at four Cobb County parks by Keep Cobb Beautiful in celebration of Georgia’s Arbor Day.

Vegetable garden seeds and maple and sawtooth oak tree seedlings will be available at Lost Mountain Park, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs; East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta; South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive, Austell; and Harrison Park, 2653 Shallowford Road, Marietta. Information: Terrilyn Hannah at keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org or 770-528-1135. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Youth tennis tourney this weekend

Admission is free to watch a youth tennis tournament this weekend in Powder Springs.

The Lost Mountain Junior Satellite Tournament will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at the Lost Mountain Tennis Center, 4845 Dallas Highway. Information: Traci Thomas at traci.thomas@cobbcounty.org or 770-528-8525. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Wheeler opens applications for camps

The Center for Advanced Studies at Wheeler High School in Marietta has opened registration for its 2012 summer camps. The Science Spectrum Summer Camp will be June 4-8 for middle school students. Camp G.A.M.E.S. will be June 11-15 for girls who have completed third, fourth, or fifth grade. Information: www.wheelermagnet.com or call 770-578-3286 and ask for Stacy Regitsky or Tiffany Stark. Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

County launches volunteer website

Gwinnett County has launched a new website as part of its effort to reach one million volunteer hours by 2015.

Last year volunteers provided 471,000 hours of service to the county.

Through the Volunteer Gwinnett program the county hopes to make it easier for residents to get involved in county government. County officials see the volunteer effort as a way to save money on providing county services.

Information: www.volunteergwinnett.net. David Wickert

State of county address online, TV

Gwinnett residents can watch County Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash’s “state of the county” address at the county’s website and on its cable television channel beginning at 8 p.m. today.

Nash delivered the annual address to hundreds of business and community leaders Wednesday. The speech will be broadcast at 8 p.m. today on TVgwinnett. It also will be available for viewing at the county’s website, www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Firefighters get grant for equipment

The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services has received a $5,000 grant from the Leavitt Group and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company to pay for cooling rehabilitation equipment for firefighters.

The money will be used for a portable shelter, cooling chairs, portable toilets, a misting fan and core cooling towels. Rehabilitation stations provide them a place to rehydrate and recharge. David Wickert

Group offers humane traps for feral cats

A grant from The Binky Foundation has made it possible for Duluth non-profit Planned PEThood to purchase a large number of humane traps.

Traps are available to the public for the Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) of stray cats. There is no charge to borrow a trap, only a refundable deposit.

Trapped, feral cats can be brought to Planned PEThood’s clinic to be spayed or neutered, get a rabies vaccination and identifying ear tip for $25. This helps prevent the many litters of homeless kittens that appear every spring. Info: 678-561-3491 or info@PlannedPEThoodGA.com. Andria Simmons

GMC celebrates new heart center

Gwinnett Medical Center will host a community celebration to recognize the opening of the new Strickland Heart Center on Saturday from 8-11 a.m. Take the Pledge for a Healthy Heart is a free event open to the public, where attendees will be encouraged to live a “heart healthy” lifestyle. To register, call 678-312-5000 or visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/classes and choose Take the Pledge Event. Carrie Teegardin

Christian Academy to hold open house

Gwinnett Christian Academy at 2306 Bethany Church Road, Snellville, will hold an Open House on Saturday from 1 p.m. -- 4 p.m. Information: 770-982-3773 or visit www.gwinnettchristianacademy.org. Kenneth Musisi

NORTHSIDE

$2 million in library contracts approved

Fulton County has approved another $2 million in library contracts, bringing the total awarded to almost $12 million in a voter-approved, countywide construction program.

Architectural and engineering contracts approved: $311,507 to Houser Walker Architecture for the new Palmetto branch, $489,304 to Stanley, Love-Stanley for the new Southeast Atlanta branch, $636,275 to Stevens Wilkinson GA for the new Milton branch and $541,939 to McAfee3 Architects for the expanded South Fulton branch. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs asks public’s feedback

Sandy Springs has launched a new feedback program to encourage public input about its performance.

City Manager John McDonough said city staff will soon distribute business card-sized survey reminders as they work with homeowners, developers and builders. Cards also will be located in the planning office. The cards contain a quick response code to enable users to participate in the survey via their smart phone, as well as a web address for those who prefer to take the survey on their computer.

Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov, 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox

25 teens inducted on youth commission

Twenty-five high schoolers have been inducted as Fulton County Youth Commissioners for 2012. The teens, hailing from throughout the county, will act as advisers to elected commissioners on youth issues.

They were sworn in during Wednesday’s commission meeting.

Youth commissioners also take on community projects and attend monthly meetings. The program is designed to cultivate future civic leaders. Johnny Edwards

Genealogy workshop Saturday in Roswell

Roswell’s Smith Plantation will host an African American genealogy workshop in conjunction with Roswell Roots at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center, 830 Grimes Bridge Road.

Genealogist Melvin J. Collier will instruct attendants on research methods using oral histories, DNA testing and slave documents.

Collier appeared as one of the expert genealogists on the Spike Lee episode of “Who Do You Think You Are?” and is the author of two books, “Mississippi to Africa” and “150 Years Later.”

Admission is $5.

Information: 770-641-3978. Patrick Fox

Cherokee voters could get HOST vote

Cherokee County voters may be able to vote to cut their tax burden in the November general election.

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, announced this week that he’s introducing legislation to allow voters to decide in a referendum whether to implement a 1 percent Homestead Option Sales Tax.

Rogers says proceeds from the HOST tax would be used to eliminate the county portion of property taxes for homeowners, and partially eliminate it for business owners, if passed. Mark Woolsey

ATLANTA

CAU program wraps up with gala tonight

Clark Atlanta University’s School of Business will wrap up it’s 17th Annual Leadership Entrepreneurship and Development (LEAD) Week today with a black-tie gala and silent auction. This year’s theme, for LEAD Week is “Transformational Leadership: Global Investment, Innovation and Impact,” and focuses on leadership, networking, entrepreneurship and personal finance. The gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Omni Hotel, 100 CNN Center. Tickets are $60. Information: 404-880-6335. Ernie Suggs

Atlantic Station plans St. Patrick’s Day party

Atlantic Station and Meehan’s Public House plan to team up on March 17 to throw a large St. Patrick’s Day party called “ShamRock the Station.”

Events will be in and around Central Park, between Rosa Mexicano and Strip Steaks and Sushi. East District Avenue and West District Avenue will be open for pedestrian traffic only. Adult admission is $10. Jeremiah McWilliams

LEGOLAND to hold hiring fair

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta is hiring more than 100 part-time jobs for the new amusement depot, opening March 17 in Phipps Plaza.

A job fair takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead, 3405 Lenox Road.

Questions can be emailed to atlanta@legolanddiscoverycenter.com. Melissa Ruggieri

Boys choir grand finale concert Saturday

The Georgia Boy Choir Festival’s grand finale concert will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta. The grand finale of the two-day festival will feature all five choirs of the Georgia Boy Choir, along with visiting choirs: the American Boychoir, the Florida Boychoir, the Palmetto State Boy Choir, the Newark Boys Chorus, the Greater Anderson Music Consortium Boychoir, and the McCallie Men’s Chorus. Admission is $15. Purchase tickets at www.georgiaboychoir.org. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Legislators to discuss cellphone tower ban

Lawmakers will hold a hearing on a proposal to ban cellphone towers from school property.

State Rep. Karla Drenner, D-Avondale Estates, said she plans to introduce legislation banning construction of the towers near schools because of concerns about radiation safety.

The DeKalb County School District recently entered an agreement allowing T-Mobile to build towers at nine schools, eliciting an outcry from parents.

The hearing is at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in room 415 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, across the street from the Georgia State Capitol. Ty Tagami

School chief to give speech Thursday

DeKalb County Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson will give a state of the school district address Thursday.

Atkinson, in office since late last year, has been studying an overhaul of the administrative organization chart and other staffing changes. She’s also looking to overhaul teaching with her “excellence in education” plan.

She is scheduled to speak at 8 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Decatur, said her spokesman, Walter Woods. Ty Tagami

Old House Fair in Decatur Saturday

Decatur’s Old House Fair is Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the newly-renovated Courtyard Marriott in downtown (former Holiday Inn).

Learn, among other things, about wood window repair, researching your house history and energy efficiency for older homes. The two primary speakers are HGTV personality Jodi Marks, who’ll give a presentation on “Fun Projects to Enhance Your Home,” and Roger Moss who’ll speak on “Exterior Paint Colors from the 19th Century to the Mid-Century Modern.”

For information go to http://decaturoldhousefair.com/. Bill Banks for the AJC

Library raises money for literacy program

DeKalb County’s library system is promoting a campaign this month to raise money for its literacy program called “love your library.”

A $1 donation at a library branch or online at dekalblibrary.org/support/library-foundation.html will buy a paper heart and money will be used for programs for children and adults learning to read or learning to speak English.

There also are programs for homeless children and homework assistance and to promote county health programs. Rhonda Cook

Storytelling fest in Decatur this weekend

The 30th annual Storytelling Festival hosted by the Southern Order of Storytellers, is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday in Decatur.

The headliner is two-time Grammy-award-winner and National Public Radio commentator Bill Harley.

But a total 30 national, local and regional storytellers will present a lineup of 13 all-ages concerts, performances and workshops. Venues include Atlanta Friends Meeting, Decatur Presbyterian Church and Eddie’s Attic.

For more information go to www.SouthernOrderofStorytellers.org. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

County names interim purchasing director

Felecia Strong-Whitaker, a deputy director for Fulton County’s purchasing department, will serve as interim director following the resignation of Cecil Moore. The director is charged with overseeing the county’s system of selecting contractors for millions of dollars in government work. Moore, who had been taking heat from commissioners lately, quit effective Feb. 24 and will be assisting in Strong-Whitaker’s transition, a county spokeswoman said. Citing policy, the spokeswoman would not say what prompted the resignation. Johnny Edwards

Auletta is Henry’s new county manager

Henry County Commissioner Fred Auletta is the new county manager, replacing James C. “Butch” Sanders who abruptly quit Monday. Auletta’s appointment came during a special-called commission meeting Wednesday. He resigned his District 2 commission post and left his job at Bennett International. Auletta has 45 years of management and financial experience which he will need to tackle the county’s 2012-13 budget. The county tax digest is down nearly $1.4 billion in the past three years, resulting in a 25-percent drop in the county general fund budget. Tammy Joyner

Henry police look for stalker-burglar

Henry County police are looking for a stalker and burglar seen lurking in the Stockbridge area.

For the last week, police say the man has on eight different occasions been suspected of stalking homes in the area of Turning Point Drive. “The subject burglarized a home, stealing two butcher knives and left notes directed to the victim,” Henry police spokesman Sgt. Joey Smith said. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Det. Melinda Sens at 770-288-8265 or to email her at msens@co.henry.ga.us. Marcus K. Garner

Contract awarded for new park construction

Reeves Contracting Company has been awarded the construction project for the new Riverdale Regional Park in Clayton County. The project will include a sports facility, concession stands and restrooms, bleachers and playground equipment for the new fields that will be the centerpiece of the Riverdale Regional Park. This is the fourth park project for Reeves Contracting. Tammy Joyner

East Point to hold citizens police academy

East Point’s Citizen Police Academy is now accepting applications for a 10-week program designed to acquaint citizens with the organization and interior working of the East Point Police Department. To register: Det. Donna Bridges at 404-559-6282 or email at dbridges@eastpointcity.org. The class begins March 6. John Thompson for the AJC

Henry Lions Club to give away trees

The Lions Club of Henry County will be donating approximately 75 crape myrtle trees on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 17 East Main St., Hampton. The Hampton Tree Board will also assist in planting some of the trees near the Hampton Train Depot. Sandra Marshall Murray