Cobb
Chickens allowed in Powder Springs
The Powder Springs City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to allow Lorena Linares to keep her backyard chicken - after she said she had to pay around $460 in city application fees for this two-year special use permit.
City Council also approved 4-1 a new law to allow backyard chickens with numerous restrictions.
If their requests are approved on a case-by-case basis, residents could have up to 3 chickens on no more than 1 acre to as many as 12 if they have more than 3 acres - all to be kept in a covered, fenced area "as pets or a food source for eggs."
No roosters or crowing hens, no slaughtering "on site," no odors, no nuisance and no pollution or other negative effects would be allowed. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Atlanta
Clark Atlanta begins green initiatives
Clark Atlanta University is taking charge of an effort to bring an array of "green initiatives" including solar power, econ-friendly building and recycling to the nation's historically black colleges and universities. Wells Fargo has given $250,000 to CAU to support the effort, which was previously undertaken by the United Negro College Fund. CAU President Carlton E. Brown said this is a good fit for the university, given its own interest in and commitment to conservation. Nancy Badertscher
Gwinnett
Eight students awarded scholarships
Eight recent Gwinnett County school graduates learned over the summer that they will be receiving National Merit scholarships as they head off to collect this fall. The scholarships, between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study are going to: Melanie R. Chandler, Brookwood High; Heather K. Huynh, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Rebecca E. Wilson, Mountain View High; Geoffrey M. Sangston, Norcross High; Lisa Y. Liu and Natalie R. Neuman, Parkview High; Manisha Banga and Alice Y. Herchek, Peachtree Ridge High. Nancy Badertscher
DeKalb
Concert to benefit mental health services
A community concert planned for August will benefit clients receiving mental health and substance abuse services in DeKalb County.
The Brighter Tomorrows Inspirational Choir will perform at the concert, at 6 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, Decatur.
Cost is $1. Attendees can also bring donations of men's and women's socks, undergarments and plain T-shirts.
All proceeds benefit DeKalb Regional Crisis Center.
More information: www.dekcsb.org. April Hunt
Northside
Ocee Library group to host book sale
The Friends of the Ocee Library will host a used book sale from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, July 26 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 at the library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road., Johns Creek. Sale items include children’s books, chapter books, hardback and paperback fiction and non-fiction, audio books and movies. Local author Gail Heller will appear at the event at 3 p.m. Friday and sign her latest book. Shoe donations for Soles4Souls will also be accepted during the sale.
Information: 770-360-8897. Veronica Fields Johnson
