County by county news for Friday

AARP smart device training Thursday

AARP Georgia will offer free smart device training for ages 50 plus at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Riverside EpiCenter, 135 Riverside Parkway, Austell at I-20.

This event is designed to help the older population ease communication with family and friends and narrow the Digital Divide.

Information: woffamily.org/epicenter, sgarcia@aarp.org or 404-870-3788.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Ed board candidates to talk

Cobb County Board of Education Post 6 candidates Kevin Nicholas and incumbent Scott Sweeney will speak at a forum 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday April 21 at Sope Creek Elementary School, 3320 Paper Mill Road, Marietta. Cynthia Rozzo, publisher of the East Cobber, will moderate. Childcare will be provided. The forum is sponsored by the Sope Creek School Council, PTA and Foundation.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna asks for help with 10-year plan

Smyrna seeks answers to an online survey available through May 2 about a plan for the city’s future. Market Street Services, a consulting firm the city hired in January, will work with the community and a 28-member steering committee to develop a 10-year master plan for the city. The project website is: www.smyrnavision.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell Earth Day set for Saturday

Austell will host an Earth Day event 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the I. T. and Lodemia Terrell Community Garden, Educational Center and Nature Trail, 2836 Windy Lane, Austell.

Reduced rates for community garden plots will be offered.

Tours, a tree-planting workshop, recycling information, giveaways, free food and a free tree for all participants. Information: austellga.gov/garden. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Mission statement approved for KSU

The state Board of Regents approved the new mission statement for the consolidated Kennesaw State University on Tuesday, completing another step in the ongoing merger with Southern Polytechnic State University.

The new university will retain the Kennesaw State name and be led by current KSU President Dan Papp. SPSU President Lisa Rossbacher was tapped in March to lead Humboldt State University in California. She steps down from SPSU in the summer.

Information: www.ksuspsuconsolidation.com

Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Commissioners approve SPLOST allocations

Commissioners on Wednesday approved a plan for spending the bulk of proceeds from the three-year, 1-percent sales tax approved by voters last year. The majority of the estimated $417 million will go to transportation projects.

The rest of the money will be spent on other projects, including renovating existing county parks; buying new fire, police and sheriff’s office vehicles; replacing public libraries; and improving county senior centers.

Gwinnett cities will also receive about $96 million in SPLOST proceeds to spend on projects of their choosing. Molly Bloom

Jail dogs for adoption at Farmers’ Market

Operation Second Chance will bring dogs and cats trained and cared for by county Jail inmates to the Snellville Farmers’ Market eight time this year. Operation Second Chance is a partnership between Sheriff Butch Conway, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department and the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia. Diva’s Pit Bull Rescue will also return twice each month. The Snellville Farmers’ Market opens June 7 through September. Information: www.snellvillefarmersmarket.com or www.jaildogs.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Safety projects for Peachtree Elementary

Sidewalks, curbs and gutters will be installed along Crooked Creek Road from Woodmont Boulevard to Peachtree Elementary School and from the school to Creekstone Place in Peachtree Corners. A second project will add a right turn lane for better access to the school. The $260,028 project will be paid for with 2009 SPLOST funds and completed by July. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Road work postpones Cops and Robbers Run

Snellville’s Cops and Robbers Run, scheduled for Saturday has been postponed due to construction taking place along Lenora Church Road near the intersection of Pate and Springdale Roads. A new date will be announced later for the 5 and 10K Run to benefit the Snellville Citizens Police Academy Alumni and the Snellville Rotary Club. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Animal shelter holds spring cleaning

The Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Center is having a spring-cleaning day beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at 884 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville.

Volunteers needed to landscape the exterior and clean the interior. Bring gardening tools for planting trees, flowers, and shrubs. The shelter will also host a supply drive.

Information: 770-339-3200.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Commissioner hosting town hall meetings

District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard is hosting town hall meetings to share an overview of what’s going on in county government at 7 p.m. Monday at Five Forks Trickum Library, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road in Lawrenceville and Wednesday, April 23 at Mountain Park Depot, 5050 Five Forks Trickum Road in Lilburn.

Information: Lynette.Howard@gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Zoning, code changes considered in Canton

Canton officials have put a draft version of an update to the city’s Unified Development Code and draft zoning changes on the web. Community Development Director Ken Patton says updates include changing names of some zoning districts, zoning additions and deletions , revamping parking regulations and altering requirements within permitted property uses. Patton says it’s first comprehensive reworking of both areas since the 1990s. He says once the City Council signs off on the drafts, a public hearing will be set. To view: www.canton-georgia.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Citizens, industry reps needed for water panel

The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is seeking interested Forsyth County residents and industry interests to serve on the Lake Lanier Basin Advisory Council, one of six in the 15-county region helping to develop and implement regional water resources plans, Council members provide input on the Metro Water District’s planning and implementation process. Deadline for applying is April 30. To apply: www.northgeorgiawater.org/bac Information: 404-463-3344. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth deputies want some ‘coffee talk’

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office wants you to join some of their deputies for a new outreach effort featurng coffee and conversation. It’s set for 9-a.m.-11 a.m. Wednesday at Rick Tanner’s Grill, 5810 Bond St, Cumming. The sheriff’s office showcases it as a way to get to know deputies and bring up questions and/or concerns. Rick Tanner will provided the free java. More information: Deputy Henry Plager 678-513-5880. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee teen Republicans to meet

The Cherokee County Teen Republicans will hold their annual convention meeting at noon Saturday at the Holly Springs Train Depot Community Center, 164 Hickory Road. The meeting’s been called to elect new officers and delegates to the state convention, which is set for June 7 in Atlanta.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Greenstock day planned in Woodstock

Woodstock will hold Greenstock Day, 9 a.m.-2 Saturday at the Park At City Center, Main Street and Arnold Mill Road. Bring in old computers, monitors, televisions and other electronics for recycling 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Document destruction and battery recycling will also be offered. There will be a charge for recycling some items.

An Earth Day festival is 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. with live music, food, games and kids activities.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Earth Day event set in Forsyth County

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will host an Earth Day Celebration at the county’s Coal Mountain Recycling Convenience Center, located at Coal Mountain Park. Residents can learn how recycling works by touring the center at 4 p.m. Monday and 5 p.m. Tuesday. In addition, a special tour for homeschooled students is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday. The center’s at 3560 Settingdown Road in Cumming.

Information: 770-205-4573.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Children books to be given away

About 50,000 gently used children’s books are being given away Saturday near Atlanta’s West End neighborhood to promote reading and literacy.

Better World Books is distributing the books through a philanthropic initiative to provide reading materials to communities in need.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at KIPP Strive Academy at 1444 Lucile Ave. SW. Mark Niesse

City to host ecoDepot recycling event

A recycling event dubbed “ecoDepot” is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the blue lot of Turner Field. Accepted items include: old electronics, medicine, styrofoam, cooking grease and more.

Paper shredding is also available. Katie Leslie

Hiring freeze instituted by APS

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis has put a hiring freeze in place so that incoming Superintendent Meria Carstarphen will have flexibility to make organizational changes.

Davis also has frozen all purchases of items over $1,000, with the exemption of existing commitments such as contracts, requests for proposals, etc. The hiring and purchasing freeze comes as the Atlanta Board of Education is attempting to finalize a $658 million budget. Mark Niesse

Labor department sponsors job summit

The North-South Metro Atlanta Business and Employer Summit will take place at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the conference center of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta.

The Georgia Department of Labor and metro Atlanta employer committees are sponsoring the summit, which is an opportunity for business leaders to meet and discuss changes and challenges in the workplace.

Registration is requested.

Information: Janice.burley-black@gdol.ga.gov,or tomika.singh@gdol.ga.gov.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Scott/North Decatur development approved

After many revisions the tentatively-titled “Decatur Crossing,” at North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard, was recently approved by the DeKalb County Commission.

The Fuqua Development project calls for a five-story, 250-unit apartment building, 2000 square feet of retail fronting North Decatur and 60 town homes facing Barton Way.

Located in an area the city of Decatur’s shown interest in annexing, there’s no announced timetable for beginning the project or for demolishing the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church. Bill Banks for the AJC

New pool opening likely delayed

The opening of newly revamped Ebster Pool may be delayed from the original May 5 target date. If the pool’s not ready in time, the city’s rec league swim program, the Decatur Gators, will operate temporarily out of Glenlake Pool. Officials said Ebster will definitely be ready by May 30. Bill Banks for the AJC

Marrow donor registration at Emory

Delete Blood Cancer is conducting a bone marrow registration drive at noon today at Emory University’s Dobbs University Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta.

Individuals registering as potential donor matches can help save the lives of thousands of adults and children diagnosed with blood cancers. The donor drive is being held in support of 7-year-old Isabella Rice, who is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Information: www.deletebloodcancer.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Forum to address home fire safety

DeKalb County Fire Rescue is hosting a presentation on home fire safety at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Attendees will learn how to prepare for a home fire emergency and will have the opportunity to ask questions at a session with DeKalb Fire Chief Darnell Fullum.

Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Easter egg hunt in Stone Mountain

An Easter egg hunt hosted by DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson and state Rep. Billy Mitchell will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Wade Walker Park, 5557 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain.

This is the 10th annual Easter event, and it is free and open to the public. Children must bring their own baskets. The event will be moved inside the Wade Walker Park YMCA, 5605 Rockbridge Road, in case of inclement weather.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

South River focus of upcoming tour

The South River Watershed Alliance is organizing a tour and visit focusing on the river and its tributaries in DeKalb County.

The tour runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Watershed Mural on DeKalb Avenue in Decatur. The tour runs along the campus of Agnes Scott College to Albert Shoals, the series of short falls spanning the river near Snapfinger Creek. Information: www.southriverga.org or 404-862-0118. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City boat dock being replaced

The popular Battery Way boat dock on Peachtree City’s Lake Peachtree is being replaced. The old structure was demolished after the water level was lowered for other maintenance.

A new dock of similar size is under construction and will be installed when the lake is refilled in the coming weeks. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette schools recognized for tech use

The Fayette County Public School System ranks sixth in the nation for its use of technology in the classroom and district-wide, according to a study conducted by the Center for Digital Education and the National School Boards Association.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Fayette has placed in the top 10 among large U.S. districts. Forsyth County schools placed eighth and Cherokee County was ninth. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Relay for Life quilt raises $3,200

A signature quilt honoring those who have fought cancer will be unveiled during a Relay for Life cookout 4-6 p.m. April 27 at McDonough Presbyterian Church. By collecting $25 for each name on the quilt, creator Mary Mellott raised $3,200 for the Henry County Relay for Life, which is May 2 at Union Grove High School. Information: www.relayforlife.org/henryga. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry offices, recycling center closed today

Henry County government offices and the Henry County Recycling Center will be closed Friday for a floating holiday for county employees. The Recycling Center will be open Saturday for regular business hours, and county government offices will reopen Monday. Information: www.co.henry.ga.us/

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Miles for Meals Walk set for May 3

Henry County’s 20th annual Miles for Meals Walk starts at 10 a.m. May 3, at the Jason T. Harper Event Center in McDonough’s Heritage Park. It is the single largest fundraiser organized by the Henry County Council on Aging to benefit Henry County Senior Services’ various programs such as Meals on Wheels. Each walker receives a free T-shirt and a meal ticket for lunch with a $25 donation, and there will be prizes and entertainment as well as a bake sale.

Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette services board seeks member

Fayette County’s Board of Family and Children Services is accepting applications to fill an open volunteer position. The board meets monthly and serves as a link between the community and the county administration. The position’s term will run May 15, 2014-June 30, 2016. Applications are due today .

Information: Floyd Jones at 770-305-5102 or fjones@fayettecountyga.gov. Jill Howard Church for the AJC