County by county news for Friday

The 6.5-acre site on Cole Street near the Marietta Square will become green space.

Low-income families who lived in the development’s 120 units received Section 8 rental vouchers.

Marietta Housing Authority has razed four projects in the city since 2004 and currently focuses on senior housing.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs route switches for sanitation

Tuesday routes for sanitation pickup in Powder Springs will be changed to Wednesday.

No yard waste or brush will be collected during Christmas week. It will resume on Dec. 31.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?nid=387 or Powder Springs Public Works Department at 770-943-8010.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb man among dead in Bartow wreck

Authorities released the names of three people who were killed in a truck wreck early Wednesday that shut down I-75 in both directions between Cartersville and Adairsville in northern Bartow County.

A northbound tractor-trailer driven by George Benjamin White of Hiram left the roadway on the left side, striking a guardrail and a concrete pillar supporting an overhead sign and bursting into flames, officials said. The sign fell onto the southbound lanes and was struck by a southbound tractor-trailer, which then also ran off the roadway.

White, 43, and his passenger, 36-year-old Jermaine Duriel Smith of Douglasville, were killed in the wreck. Hugh Bruce Duling III, 58, of Powder Springs, driver of the second truck, also died. Angel K. Brooks

Cell phones for Soldiers collection underway

Powder Springs American Legion Post 294 is joining with the nonprofit Cell Phones for Soldiers to collect gently-used cell phones at the post home, 3282 Florence Road, Powder Springs.

All donations will be used for free prepaid international calling cards for overseas troops.

Information: 770-439-0956, cellphonesforsoldiers.com or

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver hot meals to homebound seniors in Marietta, Smyrna, Austell, Mableton and Powder Springs.

Cobb Senior Services is also looking for groups to adopt a delivery route. Meals are delivered from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Information: Volunteer Services at 770-528-5381.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs position filled

Powder Springs has filled the position of maintenance worker, but is still looking to hire a police officer.

The police officer position will be open until Dec. 28 with a starting salary of $36,346.

Information: 770-943-1666 or cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?NID=119.

Staff

GWINNETT

Duluth police seek bilingual volunteers

The Duluth Police Department is seeking bilingual residents to participate in its new program called CHIPs, Citizens Helping Interpret for Police.

Volunteers are needed to ride with police on patrol, helping interpret.

Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, will wear T-shirts while on patrol, identifying them as CHIPs.

MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC

Suwanee making I-85 interchange attractive

Work continues on a streetscaping project along Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road from the new Suwanee police substation to Sawmill Road.

The project includes eleven small plazas containing benches, trash cans and abundant landscaping.

The project will include 161 elm, maple, crepe myrtle and magnolia trees; 6,146 holly, juniper and rose bushes; 4,255 plugs of liriope; and more than an acre of sod and should be completed by the first of the year.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth narrows finalists for art project

Duluth has announced 18 semifinalists from 85 applicants who hope to participate in the city’s Gateway Art Project.

When chosen, finalists will be given an honorarium to produce a model of the concept for their original art to be installed in the center of the newly constructed roundabout located at the intersections of West Lawrenceville Street, McClure Bridge Road and Irvindale Road.

This historic location is considered a “gateway” into downtown Duluth, and the piece of art chosen is expected to become a significant icon and symbol to welcome citizens and visitors.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Holidays delay Duluth garbage pickup

Garbage will be picked up in Duluth on Thursday for the week of Christmas and on Jan. 3 for the week of New Year’s instead of normal Wednesday collection.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth offices closed for holidays

Duluth city offices will be closed Monday & Tuesday, Dec.24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday.

All offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Offices will also be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.

All offices will reopen at 8:00 am on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Holocaust exhibit coming to Norcross

Ravensbrück, an exhibit focusing on the notorious World War II women’s concentration camp, will open Monday Jan. 7 at the Norcross Welcome Center & Museum. Opening includes speaker and discussion. For an updated schedule call 678-421-2049.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth to tighten school security

The Forsyth County Schools is beefing up safety procedures in the wake of the Newtown tragedy.

Superintendent Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans told parents and staff that an FCS multi-agency safety committee will set up and meet regularly to discuss safety issues, that school safety audits will be done, that school safety needs will be included in district facility planning, and that the ranks of school resource officers will increase from seven to 14.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton water and sewer rates lowered

Now that Fulton County is saving $6 million per year by closing a water recycling facility in Johns Creek, the County Commission has lowered water and sewer rates by 4 percent. The current water rate of $3.02 per thousand gallons will be decreased to $2.90, and the current sewer rate of $5.74 per thousand gallons will be lowered to $5.51.

Fulton provides water and sewer to most of the county north of the Chattahoochee River, and sewer to Sandy Springs and south Fulton. The rates are now the lowest in metro Atlanta, translating to savings of about $25 to $50 per year. Johnny Edwards

Justice center to be renamed for judge

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted this week to rename the county’s justice center after retiring Superior Court Judge Frank C. Mills III.

Mills, who will leave the bench at month’s end, has been a judge in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit since 1981, after serving as district attorney.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Holiday closings set for Cherokee governments

Cherokee County administrative offices will be closed Dec. 24-26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. The county tax commissioner’s office will be closed the same days. City offices in Woodstock will be closed Dec.24-25, as will Canton city offices. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth incumbent school board sworn in

Three incumbent members of the Forsyth County Board of Education were sworn in for new four-year terms at last week’s meeting. Tom Cleveland, the current chair, is beginning his third term, Darla Light, the vice-chair, her second, and Nancy Roche her fourth. All were elected in November. Board members will elect a new chair and vice-chair at their Jan 17. meeting.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Girls softball registration open

Alpharetta Youth Softball Association is taking online registration for girls softball spring 2013 season. Player evaluations will be held on Jan. 26 with practices beginning Feb. 2.

AYSA will also host a free Winter Warm-Up on Jan. 12 at North Park. The event will include skills, drills, home run derby and a free T-shirt for participants.

Residents of Alpharetta and Milton pay the same registration fee. Others pay a non-resident fee.

Information: www.alpharettasoftball.com. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Housing authority gets new commissioner

Loretta Young Walker has joined the Atlanta Housing Authority’s board of commissioners as an at-large member.

The housing authority is one of the largest agencies in Georgia, but has been operating without a full slate of board members for some time.

Mayor Kasim Reed appointed Walker in October and the Atlanta City Council confirmed the five-year appointment in November.

Walker is senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Turner Broadcasting System. She joined the company in 1999 from BellSouth, where she was director of human resources for the long-distance division.

She earned a degree in computer information systems from Auburn University at Montgomery and a master of business administration degree at Samford University. Jeremiah McWilliams

Missing man found safe, unharmed

A 57-year-old northwest Atlanta man who suffers from schizophrenia was reported missing Wednesday. But he was found safe and unharmed a few hours later, according to police.

Jimmie Brown was last seen around 2:30 p.m. in the 200 block of 17th Street, Officer John Chafee with Atlanta police said shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday. Just before 1 a.m. Thursday, Chafee said Brown had been located. Alexis Stevens

Habitat for Humanity helps in Sandy recovery

Habitat for Humanity recently sent a fleet of 24 Habitat Mobile Response Units to help communities rebuild after Hurricane Sandy.

The units will help people in New York and New Jersey. Estimates of the damage caused by the storm range from $35 billion to $50 billion. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Habitat for Humanity International launched a multi-phase response to help affected communities called, “Repair. Rebuild. Restore.”

Chevrolet donated the Express C-20 Panel Vans that will be specially outfitted with tools and equipment donated by Lowe’s and the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation at a stop in Charlotte. Shelia M. Poole

DEKALB

Floyd resigns as Decatur mayor

Decatur mayor Bill Floyd resigned Thursday to join the Pendleton Consulting Group in assisting businesses and local governments around Georgia.

Mayor since 1999, Floyd said he wanted to avoid a “conflict of interest.”

His resignation is effective Jan. 7.

Decatur, which annually selects its mayor from the city commission, will choose a new mayor at it’s first 2013 meeting on Jan. 7.

It’s expected the Decatur City Commission will call a special election for March 19 to fill Mayor Floyd’s unexpired term as a North District City Commissioner.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Candler Park Market to open Decatur location

The Decatur Commission paved the way this week for the Candler Park Market to open a second location at 712 West College Avenue by rezoning the property from residential to commercial. Pete Whitlock, co-owner of Oakhurst Land Ventures which will renovate the existing 1920s building, said the new market will be 5900 square feet with 29 parking spaces. The CPM is known for a variety of groceries, a deli, 700 different wines, hardware and other non-food items. Construction should begin this spring with the new market opening in late summer.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Nature center to offer winter kid camps

The Dunwoody Nature Center will offer camps for kindergarten through fifth-grade students Wednesdays through Fridays after Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The camps offer an education on the effects of the cold climate on animals, plants and the habitat, through games, crafts, hikes and a wildlife expert.

Early morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-ups will be available. Information: www.dunwoodynature.org/Camps.

Ty Tagami

DeKalb rape crisis center in jeopardy

A nonprofit organization that offers assistance to rape victims in DeKalb County is in jeopardy of closing.

The DeKalb Rape Crisis Center has already begun to stop accepting new clients because of lack of funds. The facility counseled more than 600 people last year and gave hotline help to more than 1,500 callers.

However, center officials said the facility will close its doors by year’s end if it does not receive additional financial support.

More information/to help: 404-377-1429 or www.dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org.

April Hunt

Community Council hosts inauguration trip

The Stephenson Community Council in Redan has partnered with Dream Big Educational Services to offer an opportunity for celebrating the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

The tour departs Atlanta on Jan. 19 and returns early Jan. 22. Cost is $395 per person: 4 to 6 persons (suite) or $595 per person: 2 to 3 persons (single room).

Pricing includes: chartered bus transportation, two-night hotel stay, 9 meals, and guided tours of all venues and events. Information: tinyurl.com/d8vojs2.

Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton will keep in-house lobbyists

Fulton County commissioners will use their in-house lobbying staff to represent them in the upcoming state Legislative session. Commissioner Robb Pitts’ motion to eliminate the $500,000 intergovernmental affairs division, laying off the lobbying staff, failed for lack of a second. The board deadlocked on whether to approve a $260,416 lobbying contract with the law firm Arnall Golden Gregory, whose government affairs team is co-chaired by Rusty Paul, a former Republican state senator. Johnny Edwards

Clayton Fire gets new hazmat trailer

The Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services has a new state-of-the-art mass decontamination trailer for hazardous materials spills and exposures. The 42-foot, 2013 Freightliner, M2 Quadcab trailer cost $375,000 and can hold up to 200 people who’ve been exposed to dangerous chemicals. Some 400 people can be decontaminated when the trailer is used with other fire department equipment. The unit has two interior decontamination lines - one for males, one for females - and an outside line for patients unable to walk due to injury. Tammy Joyner

Fayette schools identify cost cuts

A committee led by Fayette County Schools’ Assistant Superintendent Sam Sweat has recommended outsourcing custodial services, reducing central office staff and revising bus routes.

School closures remain in flux based on the possible sale of Rivers Elementary. The new school board will resume discussion in January. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City recycling expands

Peachtree City residents can recycle more types of materials at the city’s two drop-off sites. Plastics numbered 1-7, aluminum cans, tin cans, aluminum foil and disposable aluminum pans can be taken to the center on Rockaway Road on Wednesdays and Saturdays and daily to the McIntosh Trail bins near the amphitheater.

No aerosol cans or plastic bags are accepted.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette hospital seeks auxiliary volunteers

Piedmont Fayette Hospital is seeking additional auxiliary volunteers to compensate for recent retirements and increased need.

Men and women over age 18 are wanted for a variety of jobs and services. Flexible schedules can include days, nights and/or weekends.

Information: 770-719-7098 or www.piedmontfayette.org/Fayette/VolunteerOpportunitiesfay.aspx. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

East Point offers car recycling program

Keep East Point Beautiful is offering a way for residents to get rid of their unused cars. Recycle your car with Pull-A-Part, the Georgia Recycling Coalition and Keep East Point Beautiful and turn your car into cash.

Give car parts and materials a second chance by helping them to be recycled and reused.

Information: 1-888-237-7198 and mention recycle2. Free towing is also offered. John Thompson for the AJC