County by county news for Friday

Councilman Chris Wizner said the intention was for conveyance of two lots in his Warren Creek subdivision when the owners could not be found and the lots were overgrown.

With this change, 100 of the 150 lots in the Cameron Springs subdivision will not have to be turned over to the HOA.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Bids needed for park’s new restrooms

Bids are needed from licensed general contractors to demolish and replace a concession and restroom building, add a new restroom and replace a sewer line at Lost Mountain Park, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at 1772 County Services Parkway, second floor, Marietta.

Bids are due before noon Sept. 11 in the Cobb County Purchasing Department, 100 Cherokee St., Suite 260, Marietta.

Information: Sutton Architectural Services, Inc., Pete Sutton, 770-442-8682 or petesasi@bellsouth.net.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb, Marietta ACT scores top state average

Cobb County Schools and Marietta City Schools high school students taking the 2014 ACT test had composite scores higher than the 20.1 state average and 21 national average. The average score for 191 Marietta High School students taking the college readiness exam was 21.2, one-tenth lower than 2013. Cobb district average was 22.2 for 3,663 students, one-tenth higher than last year. Walton High’s 25.7 average was the highest in Cobb and Osborne High’s 17 was the lowest.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs to spend $45K on signs

The Powder Springs City Council agreed Monday to pay $45,292 to Henry, Inc. for 15 signs around the city.

Some will be gateway or directional, and some will need replacement or cleaning.

Next month two electronic message signs should arrive for City Hall on Marietta Street and for Richard Sailors Parkway.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Historic house renovation of $103K approved

The Powder Springs City Council agreed Monday to spend $103,000 more on renovations for the Historic Bodiford House, 4355 Marietta St., as the city’s museum.

Now the city’s Seven Springs Museum is on Brownsville Road at the railroad tracks, which will be widened by Norfolk Southern during the next few years.

In June, the council voted to buy the century-old house for $175,000 and spend $86,500 for renovations.

The total final cost of renovations is expected to be between $400,000 and $500,000.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs refinancing yields $204K savings

The Powder Springs City Council approved Monday refinancing of 2006 redevelopment bonds at 2.4 percent instead of 4.6 percent interest that will yield $204,000 in savings until 2026.

The $3,355,000 will be refinanced for the city and the city’s Downtown Development Authority by Raymond James and Associates.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Berkeley Lake forming media production ordinance

In a special called council meeting, Berkeley Lake leaders met to consider a media production ordinance to regulate city permits and fees, permitted times, signage, temporary structures and other requirements associated with film production within city limits. The city council hopes to adopt the new ordinance at their regularly scheduled meeting next week. The need for the new ordinance coincides with a request from the production company filming “The Fifth Way,” scheduled to film in September along Lakeshore Drive. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Mosquito spraying resumes in Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill will continue its second round of late-season mosquito spraying on streets and in subdivisions south of GA. Highway 20 Monday through Aug. 29. Shortly after midnight, a city vehicle will drive the streets and spray the insecticide “fog”. The fog is sensitive to sunlight and water, but will work to kill mosquito larva before the chemicals are rendered harmless by morning. Information: www.cityofsugarhill.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Civic group offering ‘Coffee with a Cop’

The United Peachtree Corners Civic Association will host ‘Coffee with a Cop’ 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at Atlanta Bread Company at The Forum shopping center on Peachtree Parkway. Peachtree Corners residents, businesses and surrounding communities will sit down and have a casual conversation with Officer Shane Kelly and other officers from the Gwinnett County Police Department. Learn more about crime prevention and crime in the Peachtree Corners area. Information: www.upcca.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Braselton event to benefit youth homes

Braselton invites motorcycle-loving residents to participate in a fundraiser for the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes during ‘Thunder in the Mountains,’ a group motorcycle ride through the north Georgia mountains beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday departing from the Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street in Gainesville. Information: Deputy Chad Mann or Community Service Clerk Tamara Smith at 770-531-6900, cmann@hallcounty.org or tssmith@hallcounty.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Veterans Resource Center Open House

The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services will be hosting a community open house for their new Veterans Resource Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Gwinnett Government Annex Building, 750 S. Perry St. Suite 300 in Lawrenceville. A luncheon at 11 a.m. will feature keynote speaker Congressman Rob Woodall. The coalition helps meet the needs of Gwinnett Veterans and their families by providing current information, referrals, and resources. Open to the public. Register for luncheon: rsvp@gcveterans.org or 770-828-8652. Information: www.gwinnettcoalition.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Citations issued in alcohol enforcement operation

More than a dozen Forsyth County businesses have been cited for violations involving alcohol sales to minors. The 13 citations resulted from a joint Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office-Cumming Police Department operation to check for compliance with state and local laws on alcohol sales and consumption. Eight of the locations were also charged with city ordinance violations. Nearly three dozen businesses were checked during the operation, all of them within the Cumming city limits.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth replaces part of fire engine fleet

The Forsyth County Fire Department has replaced aging fire engines with brand-new equipment. Department officials say the three new Pierce engines are being housed at Fire Station 1 on Castleberry Industrial Drive in downtown Cumming, Fire Station 10 on Old Atlanta Road in south Forsyth County, and Fire Station 12 on Settingdown Road in north Forsyth. The county has 12 staffed engines currently in service.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth fabrication company expanding

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce says engineering and fabrication company S&S Technical is expanding its operations, having moved from a site near Ga. 9 to a 50,000 square-foot facility at 1900 Grassland Parkway. The company says the change will allow it to meet increased demand from the oil and gas industry. The company, which has called Forsyth home since 2006, also plans to add several new positions.Mark Woolsey

Forsyth tax bills going out

The Forsyth County Tax Commissioner’s Office says 2014 property tax bills have been mailed out and are due Nov 15. Tax officials say to avoid longer wait times and process payments more efficiently, residents are encouraged to submit payments by mail to their main office; 1092 Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, Ga. 30040, through personal online banking or online at www1.forsythco.com/PayPropertyTax.

Information: 770-781-2110. Mark Woolsey

Little River cleanup planned in Cherokee

The cities of Woodstock and Holly Springs, the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Rivers Alive and the Upper Etowah River Alliance will team up to clean up stretches of the Little River Oct. 11.

Volunteers should wear old shoes, clothes that can get dirty or wet, and heavy work gloves. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, water and coffee will be provided. More information: lori.forrester@ccwsa.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock to train trail volunteers

The city of Woodstock is starting a Trailwatch volunteer program, described as a “Neighborhood Watch on trails.“ Volunteers 18-plus who pass a background check will be trained in first aid, CPR and trail etiquette.

They will observe and document trail safety issues, aid trail users and report potentially dangerous situations. A two-hour Aug. 26 class will be held for those with CPR and first aid certifications, and an eight-hour session will be Sept. 6 for those lacking them.

Information: 770-517-6788.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Library building design revealed

Architects will be present with the building design for the new Southeast Atlanta Library, 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Arthur B. Langford Recreation Center, 1614 Arthur B. Langford Place, SE.

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library system has a $275 million building program under way, funded by a library bond referendum approved in 2008.

Eight new libraries are planned including Wolf Creek and Metropolitan. Expansions are planned for Auburn Avenue Research Library, and South Fulton.

Information: 404-730-1972.

ADRIANNE MURCHISON FOR THE AJC

APS to hold meetings on flexibility options

Atlanta Public Schools will hold a series of public meetings to gather community input on the district’s operating model and flexibility options, which affect how the district is overseen and how much freedom it has from state requirements. This fall the district plans to inform the state which model it intends to select. The first community meeting is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at B.E.S.T. Academy High School, 1890 Donald L. Hollowell Parkway NW. For more information, visit www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/42381.

Molly Bloom

Signup open for citizen police course

The Atlanta Police Department seeks participants for the upcoming Citizens Police Academy class. The course runs Wednesday evenings Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and covers crime scenes, procedures, 911, identity theft and more. Participants must be age 21 or older and a metro Atlanta resident.

The Citizens Police Academy program is intended to enhance community relations. The application deadline is Sept. 19. Email: atlantacops@atlantaga.gov. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Police prepare to move into new digs

Deputy city manager Hugh Saxon said Decatur’s police department begins moving into its new building at the Beacon Municipal Complex the first week of September, followed shortly thereafter by the Municipal Court and 911 Center. The two-story structure is the first space specifically designed for the police since the original City Hall opened in the 1920s. Previously the department spent over 30 years in the western wing of the old Trinity High School.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Stone Mountain to hold special election on Freeport tax exemption

The City of Stone Mountain will hold a special election, Nov. 4, in which citizens can vote on a Freeport tax exemption for businesses from manufactured goods stored for shipment outside the state.

Residents can register to vote or check their status online: web.co.dekalb.ga.us/voter/VoterInformation.html.

In person registration is available through Oct. 6 at the DeKalb County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, in Decatur.

ADRIANNE MURCHISON FOR THE AJC

Schools to destroy unneeded records

Parents of former DeKalb County students with special needs have until Oct. 31 to get copies of the documents that were used to provide a tailored education.

To comply with federal and state laws, the DeKalb County School District will destroy school records for recent graduates, the deceased and students who aged out of the system.

Parents and legal guardians or adult students can secure copies by contacting the Special Education Records Office at 678-676-1802. Ty Tagami

Decatur Schools likely to double by 2018

During a community input session Thursday Jeff Prine, program manager for redesigning and new construction of Renfroe Middle and Decatur High Schools, reiterated that both schools will probably more than double enrollment by 2018-19.

Projections have Renfroe, currently with 920 students, jumping to 2225 and Decatur High’s 1060 swelling to 2400 in five years.

RMS will need another 60 to 70 classrooms, DHS about 66 more.

New construction on DHS may start as early as next January. Bill Banks for the AJC

New cities task force sets meeting dates

A DeKalb County task force evaluating potential new cities and the county’s form of government plans to meet weekly until Dec. 1.

The DeKalb Government Operations Task Force or its subcommittees will usually meet on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.

A full listing of meeting dates can be viewed on DeKalb County’s website: www.co.dekalb.ga.us.

Mark Niesse

Dunwoody continues community talk series

The City of Dunwoody will continue its series of community conversations with a Citizen Engagement Meeting 7-9 p.m. Aug. 28 at Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive.

The series is in response to residents’ interest in more direct contact with city officials on ongoing projects and initiatives.

More than 250 people attended a Dunwoody Town Hall meeting, held in February. In addition, Two Citizen Connection meetings with Councilmen Doug Thompson and John Heneghan were held this year, in District 3.

District 1 Council members Denis Shortal and Terry Nall are scheduled to answer citizen questions. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Comment sought on charter proposal

The DeKalb County School District will hold five public meetings to solicit comment about a proposal to convert the district into a charter system.

Georgia is encouraging school districts to consider a change to charter oversight or another system the state calls “IE2” by next summer.

The meetings will be at 6 p.m. at the following high schools and dates: Lithonia High, Aug. 26; Lakeside High Aug. 27; Dunwoody High, Aug. 28; Towers High, Sept. 2 and Stephenson High, Sept. 3.

Information: www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools. Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

Florida firm moves operations to Clayton

A South Florida firm has moved its main operations to Clayton County and is increasing production. Q Gistix will eventually employ up to 150 workers by this time next year, said Mark Sherman, vice president of operations. The company, which repairs and refurbishes electronics, moved into the Southwood Business Park in the Mountain View Opportunity Zone in the northern part of Clayton. Its headquarters will remain in Boynton Beach, Fla. Mark Sherman, vice president of operations at Q Gistix, told Clayton commissioners this week that the company chose Clayton because of its generous incentives which include a $4,000-per-employee tax credit.

Tammy Joyner

College Park music festival Saturday

College Park’s 8th annual CityFest, is expected to draw 2,000 people to the Georgia International Convention Center on Saturday.

Performers include Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, The Manhattans, Preston Shannon, Men of Praise and Assembly Required. Radio personality Mixx Master Mitch is emcee.

Doors open at 4 p.m., music starts at 5 p.m., 2000 Convention Center Concourse.

Community leaders and volunteers will be recognized between sets.

ADRIANNE MURCHISON FOR THE AJC

Information: www.collegeparkga.com.

Fayette rejects church preservation

A proposal to help restore the historic Hopeful Primitive Church fell through recently when four of the five Fayette County commissioners balked at donating a water meter to the site. An agreement drawn up by county staff and members of the nonprofit Hopeful Community Club included measures that would preserve the church and its cemetery, which date from 1825. All but Chairman Steve Brown objected to using county funds to provide the $1,500 meter. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McIntosh teacher wins $500

McIntosh High School math teacher Linda Koroma has won $500 from a local Classroom Cash promotion. She was chosen randomly from a database of teachers who registered for the program, which funds school-related needs. Classroom Cash is sponsored by the Ken Nugent law firm, Atlanta Falcons Radio Network, Sports Radio 790 The Zone and Star94 FM, with weekly drawings during football season. Jill Howard Church

McDonough to host scarecrow contest

The city of McDonough is inviting creative local residents to participate in its “Scarecrow Showcase and Contest” to be held Oct. 1 through Halloween.

The event is hosted by McDonough Main Street and the Greater McDonough Business Association. Individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and local governments in the city and surrounding areas may enter the competition to compete for cash prizes.

Additional information and the registration form, which is due by Sept. 19, can be found at www.mainstreetmcdonough.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Art reception at Piedmont Henry

The Henry Arts Alliance and the Visual Arts Collective are hosting an art reception titled “Art in Unusual Places” from 6-8 p.m. today on the first floor of the North Tower lobby at Piedmont Henry Hospital.

The event features local artists and refreshments will be served.

Information: www.henryartsalliance.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC