County by county news for Monday

Atlanta

Chipper celebrated at West Manor Park

City officials and the Atlanta Braves gathered at West Manor Park this week to celebrate former Braves player Chipper Jones. The field at West Manor was recently refurbished in honor of Jones, who retired from the Braves after the 2012 season. It's one of many fields the Braves have designated in the former third baseman's name. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, officials held a baseball skills clinic for young players as part of the city's youth baseball program. Katie Leslie

Cobb

Kennesaw approves funds for museum

Kennesaw's City Council has approved an agreement that will allow the city's Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History to receive $500,000 in federal funds for a 15,000-square-foot expansion. Construction on the $1.1 million project is expected to start before the end of the year. The city will give $125,000 toward the project and the museum has raised the rest. The expansion will provide more room for collections and railroad researchers and historians to study. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Gwinnett

Duluth Fine Arts hosting fundraiser

The Duluth Fine Arts League will host “A Tour of Italy” July 20 at Hardeman’s Fine Art Glass Studio, 311 Main St., Duluth. The event will include Italian cuisine, wine, entertainment and silent auction. Cost: $35 with proceeds going to the League’s high school scholarship program.

Since 2009, the nonprofit has given $12,000 in scholarship funds to high school seniors going on to study fine arts in college.

Tickets available at Hardeman's Fine Art Glass Studio. Information: 770- 476.7328 or www.duluthfineartsleague.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Forsyth

Alcohol ordinance changes considered

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed administrative changes to the county's alcohol ordinance. Among other changes, the revisions would streamline the process on establishment employee violations and modify fees for employees and for appeals of violations. Hearing: 5 pm. July 2 at the county administration building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee

Cherokee Charter names principal

Dr. Scott O'Prey has been named principal of Cherokee Charter Academy, replacing founding principal Vanessa Suarez. O'Prey, who has 28 years of experience at schools in Texas and Georgia, will head the Canton school that began with 825 students in kindergarten through seventh grade in 2011, then added eighth grade in 2012 and will expand to ninth grade this coming school year. Information: 678-385-7323. Michael Alpert for the AJC

DeKalb

County to vote on budget, tax rate

The DeKalb County Commission on Tuesday said it will vote on the midyear budget in July.

Also Tuesday, the board said it will hold the 2013 millage rate steady at 21.21 mills for the unincorporated area.

A public hearing on the budget and millage rate will be 10 a.m. July 16 with a vote expected later that evening.

Tax bills would then go out in August. April Hunt