County by county news for Friday

The council voted 5-1 to lower the 85-foot limit to a maximum 54 feet or four stories. Those changes could affect Goldstein’s plans to build a five-story building on North Park Square. The councilman, a major property owner on the Marietta Square, did not vote. City attorney Doug Haynie said the councilman’s objection is generally filed before a law suit. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs looks for new police chief

Powder Springs has launched a national search for a new police chief to replace ousted longtime chief L. Rick Richardson. The former chief was fired in February over irregularities in the sale of at least two city-owned vehicles. The search was delayed pending Richardson’s appeal of his firing, which ended this week when he dropped his fight to get his job back, said City Manager Rick Eckert. Interested parties should contact Eckert at City Hall, at 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs, Ga., 30127. Rich McKay

Pro-SPLOST group raises $232,900

Citizens for Cobb’s Future, the group supporting extending the county’s current sales tax, raised $232,900, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday. The largest contribution, $100,000, was from the Cumberland Community Improvement District, with several other contributions from developers that regularly work on county projects. SPLOST opponents, led by the Cobb County Taxpayers Association, have raised about $500 in cash and $1,000 in in-kind contributions.

Early voting is underway for the March 15 referendum. Janel Davis

Join Powder Springs mayor for breakfast

Starting Saturday, Powder Springs residents are invited to join Mayor Pat Vaughn and the City Council for informal question and answer sessions over breakfast on every second Saturday of the month at Bailey’s Diner, 4093 Marietta St., at 9 a.m. Rich McKay

County recognized for medication disposal

Cobb County was recognized recently by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia for its development of a program to safely collect and burn medications and other personal care pharmaceuticals.

Cobb along with Clayton, Dawson, Sumter, Glynn and Oconee counties earned Georgia County Excellence Awards for developing innovative programs. Another medication disposal day in Cobb is scheduled for March 26. Janel Davis

Acworth adult flag football back again

The Acworth Adult Flag Football League is back for its second season. Last year’s league had a turnout of 120 players and 11 teams. Registration is $350 per team, which covers all your team’s league expenses.

If you don’t already have a team organized, Free Agent Sign-up is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 14 at Logan Farm Park.

The Free agent fee is $35. Information: Frank White at 770-917-1234 or jwhite@acworth.org. Rich McKay

GWINNETT

School board to bring meetings to citizens

The Gwinnett County school board will be bringing its meeting to residents starting late this month.

The district will be kicking off a series of area board meetings to hear from parents, students and community leaders. School officials also will discuss academic initiatives. The first area board meeting will be held on March 29 at 7 p.m. at Lanier High in Buford. School board member Dan Seckinger will host the event. A second will follow on March 31 at Norcross High. Three others will be held in April. A reception will be held before each meeting at 6:30 p.m. D. Aileen Dodd

100 pounds of pot seized in traffic stop

Gwinnett police officers seized about 100 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on I-85 Tuesday night near Flowery Branch Road in unincorporated Buford. Police arrested Tyron Alexander, 33, of Greenville, S.C. A K-9 dog searched the car and police pulled two large, black trash bags from the trunk of the car – each one containing five bricks of marijuana as well as one large plastic bag of marijuana.

He was charged with trafficking marijuana, providing false documents and driving on a suspended license. Kristi E. Swartz

Mock trial finals take place March 19

Eighteen high school teams -- 16 regional champions and two wild card picks -- are now preparing to compete in the upcoming state mock trial finals, the State Bar of Georgia said.

The state champ will be decided during a weekend of competition on March 19 and 20 at the Gwinnett County courthouse in Lawrenceville.

The winner will represent the state in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, to be held in Phoenix in May. The defending state champ, Grady High School, which finished third in the 2010 national competition, will be competing. Bill Rankin

I-85, Jimmy Carter ramp closed on Sunday

The northbound entrance ramp to Interstate 85 at Jimmy Carter Boulevard will be closed for repairs Sunday, weather permitting, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Workers will repair a small sinkhole found on the ramp. The repair is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday and will continue through 5 a.m. Monday. David Wickert

County hosts health fair for seniors

Gwinnett County will host a health fair for seniors from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 18 at Prime Timers Pointe at George Pierce Park, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee. The free event will feature fitness activities, health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations and other events. David Wickert

Arts and crafts event for kids March 17

Gwinnett County will host an arts and crafts event for children age 3 and up from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 17 at Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center, 4651 Britt Road, Norcross.

The cost is $3 per person. For more information, call 770-723-9516. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Alpharetta man sentence in bankruptcy fraud

An Alpharetta real estate broker was sentenced Wednesday to prison for his role in a bankruptcy fraud scheme.

Robert Negrelli, 65, who owned a real estate company that specialized in high-end homes, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. During a 2005 bankruptcy, Negrelli said his business income was $81,000 for the previous two years, when IRS records showed he reported about $560,000. When confronted, Negrelli said he had made more income from Negrelli Realty, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Principal under investigation resigns

Crabapple Middle School Principal Kimothy Jarrett resigned amid an investigation into allegations that she was conducting business for her part-time job as executive director of the Georgia Middle Schools Association during school time. The Fulton County school system’s human resources department found that Jarrett conducted association business during work hours and had a designated phone line at the school for the association. The investigation also found no evidence that Jarrett’s part-time employment was authorized, according to information provided by the school system. Nancy Badertscher

CRCT prep classes at Roswell library

A series of CRCT prep classes for students ages 11-14 starts Monday at 10 a.m. at the Roswell Branch library, 115 Norcross Street. Following classes will be at the same time on March 21 and March 28. The sessions will cover test strategies and techniques, with assessments of study needs and customized study packets. Information: 770-640-3075. Johnny Edwards

Forsyth votes to restructure 911 center

The Forsyth County Commission moved by a 5-0 vote to restructure the county’s 911 Advisory Board so that the director of the center remains on the board, which advises the 911 facility, but no longer has a vote. The director, Pat Giordano, could not be reached for comment. District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent strongly pushed for the change because he said the current advisory board has run the center since 2005 and still not yet put policies and procedures into place. Jeffry Scott

Four tapped to Forsyth facilities authority

The Forsyth County Commission moved Tuesday to appoint four of five members to the county’s currently unstaffed Public Facilities Authority.

The appointments are: District 1, Michael Gravitt; District 3: Edward Kroell; District 4: Paul Kreager;District 5: Richard Ward. Chairman and District 2 commissioner Brian Tam has not announced his appointment. Jeffry Scott

Milton bulk trash day March 19

Milton residents dispose of bulky household items March 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents of Milton can bring items to the Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road in Roswell from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Proof of residency will be required, and utility bills are preferred. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

$9.2 million goes to GSU health program

A policy center at Georgia State University has received more than $9.2 million to improve health care access in rural communities. The Georgia Health Policy Center within the university’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies won the three contracts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The money will support four grant programs: Delta State Rural Development Network, Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development and Rural Health Workforce Development. Laura Diamond

Young, Rushdie to speak at Morehouse

Andrew Young and Salman Rushdie will sit down for “A Conversation” on March 23 about democracy and globalization. The two will speak at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on the Morehouse College campus. Young is a former U.S. Ambassador and Atlanta mayor. Rushdie is a renowned novelist and essayist. The event is being sponsored by Morehouse College, Emory University and the Andrew Young Foundation. The event is free and open to the public. Ernie Suggs

Tuberculosis Walk to be March 19

Fulton County’s Health and Wellness Department will sponsor a Tuberculosis Walk on March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Grant Park to raise awareness of the worldwide epidemic. Registration starts at 8 a.m.

The department will also have health screenings and education sessions on March 24, which is World TB Day, at the Aldredge Health Center near Grady Memorial Hospital. Information: 404-730-1450 or 404-730-1469. Johnny Edwards

Tech professor on national academy

Georgia Tech professor William J. “Bill” Cook has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, a distinction considered one of the highest professional honors awarded to an engineer. Cook is a professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Laura Diamond

DEKALB

Public input wanted for growth plan

Plan 2040, a blueprint for growth in 18 metro Atlanta counties, will host one of its community forums in Decatur on March 31.

The forum is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive. Residents will have the opportunity to discuss land use, transit, housing, economics, human services, greenspace, and water and air quality. Information: www.atlantaregional.com/transportation/plan-2040. Joel Anderson

Dunwoody officials host Ukranian legislators

Dunwoody officials will host a group of Ukrainian legislators next week as part of the Open World program, an initiative that introduces leaders from Eurasian countries to American political and civic life.

Five Ukrainian delegates will meet with Dunwoody officials and participate in informal and interactive meetings with various city departments to learn about all the aspects of running a city. The delegates are visiting Georgia for 10 days and will also meet with officials from Atlanta and DeKalb County, among other municipalities. Joel Anderson

Reward offered in rape at church

Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering a reward for tips to find the man who assaulted a woman on Feb. 26 at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain.

The victim, 53, is a staff member at the church and was working alone when she opened the church door to a man asking for help. The victim was then raped, beaten and robbed. Anyone with any information should call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-557-8477. Staff reports

Business a finalist in Flavor of Georgia

Dunwoody business Emily G’s has a food product selected as a finalist for the annual Flavor of Georgia food product contest. Winners will be announced by Gov. Nathan Deal on March 22 as part of Georgia Agriculture Awareness Day.

Emily G’s Pear Honey Jam is one of three finalists in the jams, jellies and sauces category of the contest.

Winners earn the right to have their products stamped with the 2011 Flavor of Georgia logo. Staff reports

Brookhaven Boys/Girls clubs go high tech

The Boys & Girls Club in Brookhaven launched a new computer center program Tuesday. The Club Tech Center of Excellence is the brain child of Microsoft Corporation, which is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs around the world.

The digital literacy curriculum will teach kids skills they need to excel, said program coordinators.

Comcast is joining in the expansion into the Metro Atlanta area. Staff reports

2011 Tucker Day celebration cancelled

The Main Street Tucker Alliance announced the cancellation of the 2011 Tucker Day celebration. This year, the Main Street Streetscape project will still be underway in May, making Main Street inaccessible for the event. Instead, in the fall, the MTA plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a celebration of Tucker’s newly redesigned Main Street business district. Staff reports

SOUTHSIDE

Commissioners plan day-long retreat March 30

The Fulton County Commission will have a day-long planning retreat on March 30, and the county is seeking bids for a facilitator, according to Chairman John Eaves.

The goal is to devise a three-year plan, starting in 2012, Eaves said. Other topics likely to be discussed: whether commissioners should have 10-minute time limits when speaking in meetings about topics that aren’t up for vote, and whether commissioners should be allowed to hire more than the current limit of four staff members if they stay within budget. Johnny Edwards

Deal names Henry pair of advisory board

Henry County Board of Education vice-chairman Erik Charles and East Lake Elementary teacher Amy Steele have been named to Gov. Deal’s Education Advisory Board, which was announced Feb. 25. The entire board consists of 13 superintendents, 13 principals, 14 teachers and 13 local school board members from across the state. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Norton Arts Center opens new gallery

Hapeville’s latest contribution to the arts community is having its grand opening today from 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.. The Norton Arts Center located at 781 North Central Ave. offers a new gallery space for exhibitions. The opening exhibit features the work of Shannon Lake, who recently completed a mural in downtown Hapeville. Live music, food and drinks are provided at the opening. To RSVP, email hapevillearts@hotmail.com John Thompson for the AJC

Clayton schools hosts student competition

Clayton County Public Schools will host the Georgia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Students Taking Action with Recognition (FCCLA-STAR) Region 4A event Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The event will be at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, 6237 Garden Walk Blvd., behind Southern Regional Hospital. More than 180 students from 25 Atlanta area schools will compete. Tammy Joyner

Fayette school approved for JROTC

Fayette County High School has been approved to offer a U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program during the 2011-12 school year. Enrollment is open to Fayette students in grades 9-12. Students who live outside the FCHS attendance area may request a transfer to participate in the program, but must do so by April 1. Applications and transfer forms are available at www.fcboe.org. Jill Howard Church

Peachtree City preps hydrants for painting

Peachtree City’s Fire Department is pressure washing fire hydrants throughout town in preparation for repainting. The hydrants will be painted silver for better reflective visibility, with caps color-coded to indicate pressure.

Officials are reminding residents that hydrants are in the city-owned right of way, and that no landscaping should be placed between a hydrant and the street, within 10 feet on either side or three feet behind.

The hydrant project will continue through April. Jill Howard Church