COBB
Woman, 79, struck, killed on Roswell Road
Maria D. Roxo, 79, was hit by a vehicle and killed just after 7 p.m. Wednesday on Roswell Road near East Piedmont Road.
A Nissan 300 ZX was eastbound on Roswell Road in the right turn lane when, “for reasons unknown, a female pedestrian entered the roadway and was struck by the car,” police said. Roxo, of Marietta, was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Pierce said investigators do not expect to charge the 25-year-old woman driving the Nissan. Mike Morris
Lawmakers honor Cumberland CID
The Georgia General Assembly this month honored the Cumberland Community Improvement District for 25 years of private investments in public infrastructure. The House and Senate presented resolutions to the district and highlighted the positive impact CIDs have had since legislation allowed them in 1984. The Cumberland CID was the first in Georgia and covers 5.5 square miles along the intersections of I-75, I-285 and U.S. Hwy. 41. Jaime Sarrio
Austell business group will meet Tuesday
The Austell Business Association will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday in the first floor courtroom, City of Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road.
Cost is $10 for members or $12 for guests. Reservations: suiteassetsllc@gmail.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Cobb Chamber names new COO
Sharon Mason has been named the new chief operating officer of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Mason joined the chamber in 2007 and has occupied several roles, including most recently serving as senior vice president of the membership division. Jaime Sarrio
Commissioner seeks applicants for boards
Commissioner Lisa Cupid, who serves south Cobb, is accepting applications until April 5 from residents in District 4 to serve on a county board or authority.
Applications are available at www.cobbcounty.org/cupid or county facilities in south Cobb.
Information: 770-528-3311 Saleemah.Johnson@cobbcounty.org Jaime Sarrio
Cobb EMC Board to hold town hall
The Cobb EMC Board of Directors will hold a town hall meeting for customers 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta, in the Cobb EMC community room. The event will provide customers an opportunity to interact with directors and receive an update on board activity. To register call 678-355-3102 or visit www.cobbemc.com/townhall. Photo identification is required. Jaime Sarrio
Wheeler to host STEM symposium
The Wheeler High School Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Mathematics and Technology (STEM) will host a STEM symposium for students to present their research.
The event, which will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 21 at the school, is free and open to the public. Daarel Burnett II
GWINNETT
Medlock heir to develop live-work-play space
Peachtree Corners was prepared to purchase 20.6 acres across from the Forum shopping center to prevent construction of an apartment complex. Now, Bob Cheeley, the great-great-grandson of Robert David Medlock, the 1800s Medlock Bridge Road name-sake, has the city’s tentative approval to pursue a mixed-use development to include 100,000 square feet of retail, 50,000 square feet of office space, a full service hotel, and about 480 residences. Plans also include a 1,000 seat outdoor amphitheater for concerts, green space and walking trails. Questions: communications@upcca.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lilburn police to offer gun safety seminar
The Lilburn Police Department will host a Firearm Safety Seminar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, with location to be announced. Topics will include gun safety, gun laws, home defense weapons and alternative weapons information.
Citizens need not bring anything to the class. Gun locks will be provided free of charge to attendees. Register by emailing Training Coordinator Sgt. Tim Allen at tallen@cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Farmers market vendors wanted
The Suwanee Farmers Market is looking for farmers and vendors. Applications due Monday. Vendors may attend the Suwanee Farmers Market annual meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Ave. Information: www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Homestead exemption deadline is April 1
Gwinnett is reminding residents the application deadline to file for homestead exemption to reduce property taxes is Monday, April 1. Apply online or contact the Property Tax Department for an application. Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year. For information, visit www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com or contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office at tax@gwinnettcounty.com or 770-822-8800. Karen Huppertz
Chattahoochee access to be easier in Duluth
Duluth broke ground for the construction of a canoe launch at Rogers Bridge Park to be completed by May. It includes a walk-down canoe ramp, a step-down boardwalk, a viewing area, and natural plantings.
The canoe launch project is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Interior, State Department of the National Park Service, and the City of Duluth. Construction will be paid for using Park SPLOST funds.
Information: Kathy Marelle at kmarelle@duluthga.net or 678-417-9269. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Special needs students to get transition help
The Gwinnett County Public School System’s annual Transition Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16 at Peachtree Ridge High, 1555 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee.
This event is open to students from all clusters to help with the transition from school to adulthood.
Information: 678-301-7121. Nancy Badertscher
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth arts group to hand out grant money
The non-profit Forsyth County Arts Alliance wants to hand out grants to local/regional arts providers. The Alliance estimates about $50,000 will be available.
Interested groups are encouraged to attend a grant application/ information workshop at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Road, Cumming.
There’s no charge to attend.
Information: 770-887-6461.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth courthouse, jail project progressing
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Thursday approved schematic designs and budget figures for the $100 million planned new courthouse and jail expansion.
Commissioners also approved naming the new courthouse “The Forsyth County Courthouse,” with the existing structure carrying a “courthouse annex” designation. Construction is set to begin in July.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell hosts MARTA expansion meeting
MARTA’s third public meeting to address extending its north line from North Springs to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta is 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mimosa Elementary, 1550 Warsaw Road, Roswell.
The meeting will include discussion of transit technologies and station types.
The GA 400 Corridor Transit Initiative website is www.itsmarta.com/north-line-400-corr.aspx.
Information: MARTA Project Team, 404-524-1822, connect400@itsmarta.com.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Chinese -American artwork on display
The Chinese American Artists Association of Atlanta art collection will be on display through March 31 at the Sandy Springs Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs.
The exhibit features the work of artists Lee-jan Jan, founder of the association, Tain Wang, Karen Chen, James Zhong, Nana Huang and Chiu Hsia.
Information: 404-303-6130.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Forsyth crash victims identified
The Georgia State Patrol has identified the two people killed in a head-on crash this week in north Forsyth County.
Officials say Shane Michael Thurmond, 42, of Dawsonville and Valerie Jean Martin, 29, of Cumming died Tuesday on Ga. 53 after Thurmond’s car crossed the center line and hit Martin’s.
Mark Woolsey
Free tax prep assistance for seniors
Fulton County seniors may receive free 2012 tax preparation assistance daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. now through April 15 at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, 6500 Vernon Woods, Sandy Springs.
The service, provided through the AARP, is available by appointment only. Information: Lila Womack at 404-613-4900.
Veronica Fields Johnson
ATLANTA
Cops looking for bank robber
Atlanta police are looking for the man who robbed a PNC Bank in the 2400 block of Piedmont Road around 2:40 p.m. Wednesday. He got over $3,000. The suspect is described as a white male in his late 30s to early 40s, 5-foot-7 to 5-8, and around 160 pounds, wearing a red sweatshirt, light blue jeans and a dark skull cap.
Anyone with information should call 404-546-4255 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Angel K. Brooks
Cannabis conference this weekend
Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education will participate in the first Southern Cannabis Reform Conference today and Saturday at Spring4th Complex, 728 Spring St. N.W.
James Bell, director of Georgia CARE, will discuss his vision for changing marijuana laws in Georgia during the two-day conference, hosted by the Peachtree Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Information and tickets: www.peachtreenorml.org, www.gacareproject.com.
Mea Watkins
Robot dog toys win Georgia Tech contest
A line of automatic robotic dog toys won the InVenture Prize, Georgia Tech’s invention competition for undergraduate students.
Chris Taylor, mechanical engineering major from Stone Mountain, created ChewBots and will receive $20,000, a patent filing and a spot in Flashpoint, a Tech program that helps startups develop a business and pursue commercialization.
Erika Tybruski won second place for AnemoCheck, an inexpensive, disposable diagnostic test for anemia. The biomedical engineering major gets $10,000 and a patent filing.
The audience prize of $5,000 went to BioPIN, which makes it difficult for people to access your information even if they have your four-digit PINs. The inventors are Scott Groveman, an electrical engineering major from Roswell, and Steven Wojcio, a computer science major from Forsyth. Laura Diamond
DEKALB
Decatur changes school enrollment rules
Decatur schools superintendent Phyllis Edwards said the system will not accept new tuition students for the next two years. Enrollment has grown about 40 percent in the past five years with a projection of over 6,000 by 2018. Edwards said tuition may be resumed in several years.
Decatur currently has 160 tuition-paying students, and those returning will be grandfathered in paying $5,926.Bill Banks for the AJC
Commissioners to meet in Cherokee
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will hold an on-site visit in Cherokee County to review permitting process practices from 10 a.m. to noon today at The Cherokee County Administration Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.
Information: 404-371-2886.
Mea Watkins
Developer to address Chamblee leaders
A representative from the firm redeveloping Chamblee Plaza will offer updates on the project at this month’s meeting of the Chamblee Business Association 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Chamblee Civic Center on Broad Street.
David Henzlik, a managing partner with Trinity Development, will discuss plans to turn the 20-acre site into a city center. There is no charge for first-time guests.
Information: www.chambleebusinessassociation.com.
April Hunt
Police Alliance holding fund-raiser
The DeKalb Police Alliance will host its annual fund-raiser later this month to help with insurance costs for law enforcement officers.
The Hearts for Heroes Ball will be held March 22 at the Marriott Century Center Hotel, 2000 Century Blvd., Atlanta. The event features a dinner, dancing and live auction.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Funds raised go to underwrite a $100,000 life insurance policy to help families of fallen sworn officers in DeKalb county and city police departments, marshals and sheriff’s office.
Information: www.dekalbpolicealliance.org or 770-469-1322.
April Hunt
Emergency notification sign-up urged
With recent storms, DeKalb County officials are reminding residents to sign up for personal emergency notifications via the CodeRED system.
The system requires citizens to register their street addresses to make sure notification calls are sent to proper neighborhoods. Decatur offers a similar system for its residents.
To register for DeKalb’s system, visit www.dekalbga.gov and follow links for CodeRED or call 770-270-0413 for help. April Hunt
March for Babies walk to be in April
DeKalb County government is seeking residents and business owners for the March of Dimes’ March for Babies walk April 27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Officials hope to encourage 500 volunteers to walk in the event and help raise $50,000 for the group’s programs such as neonatal intensive care support.
Information: 404-371-2038 or www.marchforbabies.org. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Stockbridge wastewater treatment project begins
Stockbridge officials broke ground Monday on a $1.7 million improvement project at the city’s wastewater treatment facility. The City recently contracted with a Suwanee firm to install a belt press, complete with a building and other necessary pumps, piping and electrical equipment.
The new equipment will greatly improve the efficiency of the city’s treatment and disposal of sludge, according to city officials.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Children’s shelter in need of donations
The Children’s Village at Christian City, 7345 Red Oak Road, Union City, a non-profit organization which cares for abandoned and abused children in a family-centered residential setting, is in need of donations including gift cards, toilet tissue, paper towels, liquid laundry detergent, trash bags, 100-percent juice boxes, bottled water, deodorant, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products.
Information: Heidi Becker at 770-703-2636 or www.christiancity.org.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Volunteer readers sought daylong event
LaFayette Kid’s World Pre-K is looking for volunteer readers for Read Across Georgia Day 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to promote literacy and introduce children to books. Volunteers will spend at least 15 minutes reading to the children. Books will be available or you can bring books.
Information: 770 460-9149 or lafayettekidswor@bellsouth.net Tammy Joyner
Storytelling honors Women’s History
The Friends of the Peachtree City Library and the Southern Crescent Storytellers will honor Women’s History month with storytelling 2 p.m. Saturday at the library, 201 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City.
Information: 404-376-0237. Veronica Fields Johnson
Henry County teacher finalist for top honor
Eagle’s Landing High School AP Literature and Composition teacher Barbara Rosolino has been named a finalist for the state’s top teaching honor.
The news was announced by State Superintendent John Barge. Rosolino, a 34-year teaching veteran, was named Teacher of the Year for Henry County Schools at a ceremony last October. Nancy Badertscher
East Point art contest seeks student entries
East Point invites city middle school student to participate in a visual arts contest called “How I See My City.” This year’s competition theme focuses on viewing the city through the eyes of a child. Contestants are asked to submit art that depicts something notable about the city, along with a written explanation about their entry to assist judges.
The deadline for submissions is March 25. The winner will receive a $50 gift card at a city council meeting in April.
All entries will be displayed in the East Point Customer Care Center in April. Information:jhammond@eastpointcity.org
John Thompson for the AJC
