County by county news for Saturday

COBB

Woman at KSU assaulted at student housing

A female student was assaulted on the Kennesaw State University campus Friday morning, authorities said. An emailed statement from the university said the attack occurred around 6 a.m. at the KSU Place student housing, near the victim’s vehicle. The attacker was described as a black male with dreadlocks, wearing a ski mask, a dark-colored sweater, jeans, colorful Nike tennis shoes and a dark-colored watch. He was driving a older-model silver car, possibly a Honda Civic, the alert stated.

The description of the suspect was similar to that of a man involved in two attacks in Atlanta this week. Joel Provano

Junior Leagues awards $22,000 to agencies

The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta awarded $22,000 to eight non-profit agencies at its annual meeting Thursday. Groups are the Center for Children and Young Adults, the Center for Family Resources, Cobb County Safety Village, Cobb County Youth Museum, Communities in Schools, Reconnecting Families, SafePath and the YWCA. The League raises money through an annual Mistletoe Market and Marietta Mardi Gras run. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs to have town hall on rate hikes

Powder Springs officials will hold a town hall meeting next week on the new water and sewer rate hikes. These rates were raised in March amid 38 fee increases in various categories.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ford Center behind the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Councilwoman Nancy Hudson, the only council member in opposition, said she knows several residents are upset over the rate increases. However, she said they hesitate to attend since the rates will not be decreased. Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Kennesaw Farmers Market opens Tuesday

The Kennesaw Farmers Market will open from 7 a.m.to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through October at the Adams Park Soccer Field parking lot, 2753 Watts Drive. Acworth will also have a Farmers Market 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fridays starting May 25 through October in the upper parking lot on Main Street. The markets will sell locally grown vegetables, fruit, herbs and honey, landscape plants, flowers and baked goods. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Officials to welcome Silver Comet users

Silver Comet Trail users in Powder Springs will be greeted by a welcoming committee next week.

Officials from Cobb Travel and Tourism, Austell and Powder Springs will be on the trail from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Florence Road Trailhead, handing out bottled water and promotional items to celebrate National Tourism Week. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Meals on Wheels looks for volunteers

Meals on Wheels in Cobb County needs volunteers to deliver hot meals to homebound seniors, especially in Marietta. Kathy Lathem,with Cobb Senior Services, said more than 250 meals are delivered daily in Cobb, and there is a waiting list for service.

Information: Volunteer Services at 770-528-5381. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

County to redevelop Lions Club Park

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved plans to redevelop Lions Club Park in Lilburn.

Commissioners awarded a $5.3 million contract for the work to Astra Group Inc.

The company will demolish existing facilities and build a five-field baseball/softball complex with batting cages, a concession/restroom building, a pavilion, a playground and a 1.1-mile paved trail. The work should begin in early June and last 11 months. David Wickert

County workshop on landscaping Monday

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources will sponsor a landscaping workshop from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

The event will focus on how to use easy-to-care-for “water wise” landscaping to save money, water and maintenance time. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, e-mail your name, address and telephone number to dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com or call 678-376-6722. David Wickert

Suwanee looks for park ambassadors

Suwanee is looking for volunteers to serve as “park ambassadors.” The ambassadors will provide an additional presence along the Suwanee Creek Greenway and offer assistance or information to trail and park users, among other duties.

The city will hold an orientation and training session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Suwanee Police Department, 373 Buford Highway.

Information: Elias Casanas at elias@suwanee.com or 770-904-4607. Joel Anderson

Peachtree Corners festival June 30

The second annual Peachtree Corners Festival will be June 30-July 1.

The festival will run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 30, and noon to 5 p.m. July 1 at The Corners Parkway and Woodhill Drive, Peachtree Corners. For information: www.peachtreecornersfestival.org. Laurie Hoffman

Restored railway station open in Duluth

The historic passenger train depot, built in 1871, and recently restored has opened at the entrance to the Southeastern Railway Station in Duluth. The newly refurbished depot joins historic diesel and steam locomotives at the museum and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday in May. Information: www.srmduluth.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn looking for citizen leaders

Lilburn is looking for residents interested in serving on one of several boards or commissions to help review or make recommendations and make decisions during future council meetings. Interested citizens could serve on the Alcohol Review Board, the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of Adjustments, the Merit Board, and the Downtown Development Authority. For information: www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Guidelines set for sister-goverment pacts

The Fulton County Commission has set guidelines for entering into sister-government relationships, an idea proposed by Commissioner Liz Hausmann after the board approved mutual cooperation with Bahia, Brazil in March. Under the new rules, the county must first find out if there will be any economic benefit, whether there’s any local interest in cultural exchanges and if the county has enough staff to handle extra work. Compatibility, similarities in populations and institutions and the other government’s level of commitment must be also be weighed. Johnny Edwards

Sandy Springs residents surveyed on address

The U.S. Postal Service is mailing surveys to Sandy Springs residents asking whether they support changing their default city to Sandy Springs rather than Atlanta.

Beyond civic pride, city officials want the change because residents who order merchandise by mail are often charged an extra penny to reflect the City of Atlanta’s local sales tax. By changing the default city, Sandy Springs residents will no longer be charged the tax on mail orders. Patrick Fox

Habitat completes first solar home

Siemens and Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia recently dedicated the state’s first Habitat solar home. The keys to the home on Union Hill Road in Forsyth County were presented to Melonie Lingo and her children, Madie and Luke, after 14 weeks of working with Siemens employee volunteers and Habitat construction crew leaders. The home was made possible by a $100,000 Siemens sponsorship that also included Siemens Microinverter System solar technology. Patrick Fox

Cherokee school chief gets extension

The decision wasn’t unanimous, but the Cherokee County Board of Education Thursday approved a two-year contract extension for Supt. Dr. Frank Petruzielo. The vote was 5-1, with one abstention. The new contract begins Aug. 20 and ends Aug 20. 2015. Petruzielo, who has helmed the district since 1999, makes $200,190.27 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forysth to add five weather sirens

Forsyth County will add five additional outdoor severe weather sirens throughout the county. The sirens will add to the county’s coverage area, joining the 12 existing sirens already in operation.

Installation is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. The new sirens will be at: Fire Station 7 (Silver City), Ducktown Community Park, Midway Elementary School, Windermere Park and Big Creek Elementary School. Patrick Fox

Students to participate in ‘Legal Lives’ program

Students from Atlanta and Fulton County elementary schools next Wednesday will compete in a “Legal Lives” program that simulates the trial of an armed robbery case, the Fulton District Attorney’s Office said. During a mock-trial competition, students will assume the roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, witnesses, victims and jurors, and DA’s office staffers will judge the competition. Bill Rankin

ATLANTA

City forms team to enforce waste disposal

Atlanta’s Department of Public Works on Friday announced the formation of its Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Team, part of a collaboration with the police to clean up city streets. Four public works employees were trained in the Solid Waste Code requirements and sworn in as code enforcement agents. They are tasked with cracking down on illegal dumping after an eviction, illegal sign placement, graffiti and improperly contained waste disposal. Citations can lead to jail time and fines of up to $1,000. Jeremiah McWilliams

City to raze old apartment complex

Another dilapidated apartment complex will fall victim Atlanta’s newly vigorous efforts to knock down nuisance properties. City Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd said Lakewood Courts, just west of Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, has become a magnet for crime. The property at 345 Ashwood Ave. will become the 48-unit Betmar Village senior residential development, which is to be built by Ohio-based National Church Residences and marketed to seniors aged 62 and up. Jeremiah McWilliams

Jazz concert today at White Park

Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms and Atlanta’s public safety agencies plan to host a neighborhood jazz concert from 2 to 6 p.m. today at John A. White Park, 1053 Cascade Circle S.W. The concert will feature Journell Henry, Joey Sommerville and Julie Dexter. Residents are invited to bring blankets, picnic baskets and folding chairs. Jeremiah McWilliams

Springdale a Green Ribbon School

Atlanta’s Springdale Park Elementary was one of 78 schools nationally named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for environmental conservation efforts. Springdale Park had a $12.1 million renovation and expansion, adding energy efficient, low-emissions geo-thermal technology into the school’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. Jaime Sarrio

DEKALB