County by county news for Friday

The program, which covers eight counties and 1,900 children each week day, started 18 years ago to feed children in public school free and reduced lunch programs while school was out.

Information:www.mustministries.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Insurance agent charged with fraud

A Cobb County insurance agent, Juan Pablo Navas, 30, of Mableton, has been charged with six counts of insurance fraud, three counts of financial transaction card fraud and four counts of forgery for allegedly pocketing money paid to him for insurance coverage.

Navas, who worked for Norcross-based Velox Insurance Agency, voluntarily surrendered his insurance agent’s license on May 14, Glenn Allen, spokesman for state Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, said. Mike Morris

Smyrna to vote on budget

Smryrna’s City Council will hold a public hearing and vote 7:30 p.m. Monday on a proposed $37.8 million general fund budget for the 2014 fiscal year starting July 1.

The meeting will be at City Hall, 2800 King St., Smyrna. Although the city’s budget has decreased 12.3 percent since 2009, there are no planned cuts in city services or layoffs.

Information: www.smyrnacity.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Jewish American Heritage celebrated

A free program honoring Jewish American Heritage Month will be held from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Friday at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.

Books, songs and music will be a part of the celebration for ages 5 and up.

Information: Julienne Marks, marksj@cobbcat.org or 678-398-5834.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Coliseum authority elects officers

The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority welcomed a new slate of officers at their bi-monthly meeting on May 22.

They are:

Jerry Nix, Chairman; A. Max Bacon, Vice Chairman; Johnny Gresham, Secretary; Michele Swann, General Manager and CEO; Moore Ingram Johnson and Steele, Legal Counsel

The officers serve one-year terms. Staff

Cobb starts bridge, road work this summer

Cobb County will begin improvement projects in the coming weeks that will result in several road closures for all or part of the summer.

The projects include: the Hopkins Road bridge over Wild Horse Creek, the New Chastain Road westbound bridge over Noonday Creek, the Paper Mill Road bridge over Sope Creek, and a hill cut to improve sight distance at Shallowford Road.

Information: cobbcountyga.gov Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Vashaw resigns from Gwinnett County school system

Frank Vashaw, a history teacher and baseball coach at North Gwinnett High School, has resigned, citing personal reasons, school system officials said Wednesday. Questions had been raised about Vashaw’s role in the possible inappropriate use of school facilities, the details of which were not disclosed. Vashaw, it was alleged, did not follow the district’s process for use of school facilities by outside groups. Vashaw, according to a statement from the district, resigned before a human resources’ investigation. As a result, information will be forwarded to the Professional Standards Commission.Nancy Badertscher

Teacher accused of exposing self resigns

A female teacher at Hall County’s Johnson High School reported that another teacher, Tony Ray Wilson, 47, of Buford, had exposed himself to her in a classroom on May 24.

Wilson turned himself in Wednesday charged with a misdemeanor count of public indecency. His bond was set at $1,500. According to the school’s website, Wilson has been head baseball coach for the past eight years. He submitted his resignation to the school system Wednesday. Mike Morris

Norcross seeks use for cotton gin

Several local business owners, residents and city staffers have been tapped to brainstorm uses for the idle Summerour Cotton Gin at 125 Lawrenceville Street, which Norcross recently bought for $632,500. Medical offices are one considered use for the building built in the late 1800s, whose purchase adds more than 8,000 square feet and needed parking to the city’s downtown commercial district. Information: 770-448-2122.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

County offering emergency training

Gwinnett County’s Office of Emergency Management is offering free community emergency response training from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for eight Tuesdays beginning June 11.

The training intends to heighten disaster preparedness, including fire safety, search and rescue and disaster medical operations. Training is open to residents age 18 and older who pass police background checks.

A course review and disaster simulation is scheduled from 8 a.m to noon July 27. Information: ema@gwinnettcounty.com.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Teen driving course offered next month

The Gwinnett Police Department’s crime prevention officers are offering Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error safe driving classes to assist new drivers ages 14 to 16 and their parents 6 to 8 p.m. June 17 at Police Department North Precinct, 2735 Mall of Georgia Boulevard in Buford.

Officers instruct parents and teens on what to expect during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia law. Program is free, but early registration encouraged. Parents must attend.

Register by contacting Officer Aaren Dieffenbacher at 678-442-5005 or aaren.dieffenbacher@gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cops: Drug deal gone bad led to shooting

A man was shot in the stomach during a drug deal behind a Sandy Springs apartment building, police said Thursday.

The victim, whose name was not released, was transported to North Fulton Hospital, according to Capt. Steve Rose with Sandy Springs police. The man is expected to survive his injuries, Rose said. The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Azalea Park Apartments off Dunwoody Place, Rose said.

Police declined to release information about a possible suspect in the shooting, which remains under investigation. Alexis Stevens

Tech professor leads elementary science lab

Mountain Park Elementary School in Roswell is one of only two elementary schools in north Fulton with a dedicated science lab. The lab is run by Georgia Tech principal research scientist and MPE parent Michael Knotts. With the help of parent volunteers students get hands-on learning.

The program at Mountain Park started out as "Science on a Cart," a group of six carts complete with everything needed for experiments for first through third graders. Learn more: www.mpes.org.

Nancy Badertscher

Recycling challenge set to get underway

This year’s edition of the Cherokee County Mayor’s Recycling Challenge will begin June 1. All during June and July, the cities of Woodstock, Canton, Ball Ground, Nelson, Waleska and Holly Springs will compete to see which collects the most recycled household materials. Residents should bring recyclables to a bin at their respective city halls, or to the fire department in Holly Springs.

The winner gets a plaque -- and bragging rights. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton seeking residents’ input

Milton is seeking residents’ ideas for the development of the Arnold Mill Road (Ga. Highway 140) corridor.

Meetings to solicit input are at 6 p.m. June 4 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 12900 Arnold Mill Road, Roswell; 6 p.m. June 6 at Crabapple Kroger, 12460 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta; and in small group meetings between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. June 5 at the Porter Academy, 200 Cox Road, Roswell. Information: Michele McIntosh-Ross, 678-242-2538, michele.mcintosh-ross@cityofmiltonga.us.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Sandy Springs exhibits art in June

The Wayne Sengstock art collection is the June exhibit at Sandy Springs Branch Library, 395 Mt. Vernon Highway.

Information: 404-303-6130

Mea Watkins

Riverside Farmers Market starts Saturday

The Riverside Farmers Market will open its fourth season this weekend. The market, operated by the Fulton County Cooperative Extension, runs from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through September in the parking lot of Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St.

In addition to fresh produce, visitors can get free advice on topics like planting a garden, canning and radon detection.

Information: 404-613-7670 or 404-332-2400. David Wickert

ATLANTA

Man ran blocks with gunshot wounds

Drexel L. Berry, 24, of East Point, died after being shot multiple times Wednesday afternoon in southwest Atlanta, according to police and the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Berry was shot at least three times on Cooper Street and tried to get help from someone on another street around 2:30, according to police.

Berry was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died, police said.

Alexis Stevens

Schools consider 3 furlough days

The Atlanta school district is considering three teacher furlough days next school year to help close a budget deficit that has grown to about $61 million.

The furlough days would save about $4.5 million.

The Atlanta Board of Education Budget Commission heard the budget recommendations earlier this month as it plans to approve a budget by mid-June. Mark Niesse

Watercolors, iPhone art at Buckhead Library

The Atlanta Artist Center presents an exhibition of paintings and photography titled “Marie Matthews – Water Colors and iPhone Photography” today- June 27 at the Buckhead Branch Library, 69 Buckhead Ave. NE.

Information: 404-814-3500

Veronica Fields Johnson

Buckhead sponsors teen photo contest

The Buckhead Library, 269 Buckhead Ave. NE, is looking for youth photography with a summer contest June 1 - Aug. 31 for ages 12-18.

Information: 404-814-3500

Veronica Fields Johnson

Black Music Month concert at library

In celebration of Black Music Month, Gregory McPherson and his band will perform noon June 6 at Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square.

Information: 404-730-1781

Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Avondale Estates adds walkability committee

Avondale Estates is organizing a Walkability Committee as suggested by Dan Burden in the Report and Timeline he recently submitted to the city. The 50-page document includes short-term goals like constructing four crosswalks on U.S. 278 – which the city hopes to complete next month – and long-term goals like a potential roundabout at the intersection 278 and Clarendon Road. The report details creating more pedestrian accessibility and pedestrian destinations in downtown’s 20 vacant or undeveloped acres. Bill Banks for the AJC

Commissioner Gannon earns honors

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon recently earned two state honors for her work serving the western half of the county.

Gannon was selected as one of 34 outstanding Georgians to participate in the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, a seminar that the non-profit will hold later this year.

Gannon also was recently re-elected to a fourth term on the Board of Managers for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia. She serves as the liaison for 10 metro Atlanta counties and the state group in that role. April Hunt

Water quality workshop this weekend

DeKalb County’s Adopt-A-Stream program will host a training workshop June 1 at Stone Mountain.

There is no charge for the session, which will train volunteers how to collect water samples from county streams and how to interpret the data.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stone Mountain’s Confederate Hall Historical and Environmental Education Center, 2003 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Registration/information: Michael O'Shield at 770-724-1456 or msoshield@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Volunteers needed for Beach Party

Decatur is looking for volunteers to help throw the annual street-and-sand party.

Volunteers can work everything from setup in the morning to running booths at the Children’s Boardwalk and handling entry points during the party on June 14.

Information: 678-615-0915 or www.decaturga.com/volunteer.

April Hunt

Fundraiser Saturday for PAWS Atlanta

PAWS Atlanta, a DeKalb County animal welfare group, will host its annual Party for the Paws 7 - 11 p.m. Saturday at the Druid Hills Country Club.

Proceeds from the event benefit the group, formerly known as the DeKalb Humane Society.

Tickets: $100 per person or $150 per couple. Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt

Decatur Pool adds senior swim

Decatur’s three city pools opened this week, with Glenlake Pool adding a new one-hour senior swim from 9 to 10 a.m. for swimmers over 60. Glenlake and McKoy are open through September 3, Monday-Friday 10 am-8 pm, Saturday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm., with McKoy having a Friday-morning baby swim. Hours for both pools change slightly after July 31. Ebster is open through July 1, Monday, Wednesday and Friday noon-5 pm, other days 10 am-5 pm. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Stockbridge High to add STEAM program

Several students at Stockbridge High School will be a part of the inaugural Stockbridge STEAM Academy program when the 2013-2014 school year starts in August. T

he newest "school within a school" will aim to provide a student-centered interdisciplinary education, focused on science, technology, engineering, arts (visual and performing), and mathematics, while engaging students to think critically and compete globally. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us/sh. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Town hall meeting set for June 22

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ next town hall meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Crossroad Christian Church, 5365 N. Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge. The focus will be on various upcoming transportation projects. Special guests include Bert Brantley, deputy executive director for the State Road & Tollway Authority; McDonough City Council member Sandra Vincent; Henry County SPLOST Transportation Director Roque Romero; and Terry McMickle, Henry County’s public works division director. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Stockbridge council changes June meeting

The Stockbridge City Council has changed its regular monthly meeting date for June only. Typically held the second Monday of the month, the next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, at City Hall, 4640 N. Henry Blvd. The agenda is posted at www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City parade taking registration

Registration for Peachtree City's 4th of July Parade begins Monday for city residents and businesses. This year's event will feature a special tribute to Vietnam veterans. Fayette County residents and businesses may register starting June 10. Applications are on the July 4 page of the Calendar listing at www.peachtree-city.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Libraries, camps team up for reading program

Henry County Parks and Recreation Department and the county's public libraries are teaming up for a program called "Library Goes to Camp." Students participating in summer camps through the HCPRD will have the opportunity through the library's summer reading programs to become eligible for free books and other rewards after meeting certain requirements. Information: www.henry.public.lib.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Local artists teaching art classes at gallery

Try your hand at painting at the Arts Clayton Gallery Canvas & Corks classes. Arts Clayton provides supplies, refreshments and beverages. Local artists lead the classes. Artist Ada Astacio will teach the first Canvas & Corks on today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Following the first class, Canvas & Corks will be held at the gallery the last Friday of each month and will be taught by different artists.

Cost: $35. Details: Arts Clayton Gallery at 770-473-5410 or go online to www.artsclayton.org/gallery. Tammy Joyner