County by county news for Saturday

The layoffs are due to a loss of a contract, according to a notification letter from the company sent to the state labor department.

The layoffs will affect employees at company facilities in Marietta, Austell, Douglasville and Dallas.

The laparoscopic surgical equipment management company opened in 2000, according to the company’s website. Janel Davis

GWTW museum to be featured on TV show

A Chicago-based national television program has named the Gone With the Wind Museum in Marietta as one of America’s hidden treasures and will feature it in an upcoming episode of Treasure Hunters Roadshow in about five or six weeks. The show will feature memorabilia and history of both the Margaret Mitchell book and the movie, including the original gown Vivien Leigh wore when she played Scarlett O’Hara and copies of the book signed by Mitchell. Information: 770-794-5576 or treasurehuntersroadshow.tv Rich McKay

Marietta police take part in drug take back

The Marietta Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) April 30 in a nationwide initiative to prevent increased prescription pill abuse and theft. Authorities will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marietta Police Department at 240 Lemon Street. Information: www.dea.gov. Andria Simmons

Austell business group honors Rev. Conyers

Rev. Joe Conyers is the winner of the M. L. Lamar Award from the Austell Business Association. Conyers helped form the food pantry ministry of Sweetwater Valley Community Action Mission Program in Austell during the late 1960s.

The annual award was presented to Conyers on Tuesday. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Global Youth Service Day today

The Cobb Community Collaborative will lead Cobb youth in Global Youth Service Day today in Marietta.

GYSD involves youth in more than 120 countries participating in community service projects. In Cobb, more than 4,500 youth have conducted service projects this year.

The celebration begins at 11 a.m. at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta.

Information: http://www.cobbcollaborative.org. Janel Davis

Powder Springs looks at stormwater fee

The possibility of a new stormwater fee drew the most attention Thursday night during the annual townhall meeting of the Powder Springs City Council.

Later this year, residents may have to pay as much as $4 a month on their water bills or $48 annually on their November tax bill, said retiring Public Works Director Rodger Swaim. Funds will be used to clean water pipes and the city’s 88 retention ponds, Swaim added. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Norcross man sentenced for hiring illegal workers

A Norcross man who ran an employment agency has been sentenced to one year and four months in prison for recruiting and employing illegal immigrants in Chinese restaurants.

Pili Chen, 56, co-owned and operated New Fuzhou in Chamblee and, with co-defendants, hired undocumented Mexican workers from across the eastern U.S. and found jobs for them, typically in kitchens of Chinese restaurants, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Chen’s wife, Xiao Ping Li, who was also charged, is a fugitive, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Hearing Thursday for airport privatization

Gwinnett residents can speak about a proposal to privatize the county’s airport at a public hearing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the 12Stone Church Lawrenceville Campus, 1322 Buford Drive. The county is considering selling or leasing Briscoe Field near Lawrenceville, which currently serves corporate jets and other small aircraft. Supporters say the move would create jobs and provide an alternative to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Opponents fear more noise and declining property values. David Wickert

Students get national recognition

Three Meadowcreek High students recently received a national recognition for earning high scores on an accounting challenge exam. The students, Ahmad F. Chaudhary, Christina C. Sok and Jack T. Pham participated in the 2011 National Financial Capability Challenge and scored in the top 20 percent of test-takers.D. Aileen Dodd

Schools take first toward budget OK

The Gwinnett County school board took its first step toward approving its 2012 fiscal year budget. The board tentatively adopted the district’s $1.7 billion proposed budget at a work session recently held at Grayson High School, 50 Hope Hollow Road. Copies of the recommended budget will be available to the public on Tuesday.

The first public hearing on the budget will be held on May 12 at the district’s Suwanee headquarters at 437 Old Peachtree Road N.W., Suwanee.

Information: www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us. D. Aileen Dodd

Woman to stand trial in husband’s murder

A Lawrenceville woman is set to stand trial for murder in Gwinnett County Monday in the July 2009 death of her husband.

Ashley Schutt initially told police she and her husband were victims of a home invasion. She said her husband, Gregory Schutt, 30, was killed and she was sexually assaulted. Police say it was Schutt who stabbed her husband more than 30 times, slit his wrists and throat and bashed him with a hammer, possibly while he was asleep. Andria Simmons

Suwanee Farms Market opens next week

The Suwanee Farmers Market will open on May 3.

The market is at Town Center Park from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Tuesday markets run to Aug. 2; Saturday markets until Oct. 1. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth manager’s raise draws ire from crowd

About 50 people gathered at Thursday night’s Forsyth County commission meeting and cheered and whooped in support as three speakers rose and denounced the commission’s plan to grant County Manager Doug Derrer a $30,000 raise when, for three years, county employees have gone without a pay hike. Commission chairman Brian Tam prefaced the vote that would make it official praising Derrer for his performance and the stability he brought to county government. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the consent agenda and pay hike. Jeffry Scott

‘Roswell’s on the Fringe’ golf tourney April 30

Roswell Parks and Area 51 Family Entertainment will sponsor the inaugural “Roswell’s on the Fringe” miniature golf tournament April 30 at The Fringe, 5100 Commerce Parkway. The amateur tournament will feature age divisions from 6 to 19. Registration is $10 per player and includes a round of miniature golf, a visor and a “gift bag” of coupons. Information: 770-641-3705 or www.roswellgov.com. Patrick Fox

Volleyball registration begins next week

Registration runs from Tuesday through May 10 for Alpharetta’s adult co-ed volleyball program. Team registration fee is $250. Non-residents must pay a $25 fee per player. Players must be at least 18 prior to the first scheduled match at the Community Center May 25.

Information: www.arpdathletics.org or contact William Weathers at 678-297-6173. Patrick Fox

Cherokee issues rules for watering

Outdoor watering is OK any day for planting or maintaining ground cover, trees or shrubs for Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority users, but only between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.

Outdoor water use for power washing or washing cars, is restricted to odd numbered days for homeowners with an odd-numbered address, and even numbered days for other homeowners. Christopher Quinn

Opportunity zone to include Roswell Mill

Roswell’s opportunity zone, which was designated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in May 2010, has recently expanded to include Roswell Mill, 972 Alpharetta Street, Holcomb Woods and Old Ellis Industrial and Business Parks. The inclusion of these additional areas takes the opportunity zone farther north and east within the city. Patrick Fox

Forsyth decides to pursue HUD loan

The question whether Forsyth County should pursue an HUD loan to fund a private developer’s building of a senior apartment community on Windermere Parkway drew sharp divides, mostly along ideological lines, at Thursday night’s commission meeting. At least two speakers at the public hearing urged the commission not to even consider taking a HUD loan from the federal government. Ethan Underwood, who spoke in favor of the developer and HUD loan, is head of the Forsyth County Republican Party. The commission voted 4-1 (Levent opposed) to pursue the loan. Jeffry Scott

ATLANTA

Reed, ‘Dr. J’ dedicate basketball courts

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and NBA Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J.” Erving dedicated two new basketball courts at Piedmont Park donated by Converse, one of the first corporate sponsors to give money to Reed’s Centers of Hope initiative.

The courts, located adjacent to the tennis courts, are believed to be Piedmont Park’s first. Ernie Suggs

Mayor names finalists for ADA president

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has named three finalists to fill the permanent position as president of the Atlanta Development Authority.

Reed named: Ernestine Garey, the current interim president of the ADA; Daniel Gundersen, a senior advisor with Econsult Corporation; and Brian P. McGowan, a deputy U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for economic development. Ernie Suggs

HUD hosts foreclosure workshop

On Monday, HUD will host a foreclosure prevention workshop, which will give homeowners a chance to meet one-on-one with a housing counselor or with a Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae representative to facilitate workout options with the mortgage provider after the event.

The workshop is open to the public and will include sessions on FHA, VA and USDA-Rural Development programs.

The workshop will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth St. Ernie Suggs

Sorority alumnae to hold health fair today

The Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will hold its 33rd annual health fair and 7th annual “From The Heart Walk” today at Greenbriar Mall.

Both events are free and open to the public.

There will be screenings for diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol and information.

Warm up for the walk begins at 7:30 a.m. The event begins at 8 a.m. The health fair will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Shelia Poole

DEKALB

County schools takes part in campus surveys

DeKalb Schools is participating in a pilot of individual campus surveys for students, parents, and staff members. AdvancED, the parent organization of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is offering the opinion surveys online at www.dekalb.k12.ga.us through May 26. The school principal will receive a report from the school survey, which can be used to improve practices, according to the district. Jaime Sarrio

Hearing on school budget Wednesday

A public hearing on the DeKalb school budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at school system’s headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain. The board adopted a tentative $1.16 billion budget for 2011-12, which cancels furlough days for employees. The budget is available on the district’s website www.dekalb.k12.ga.us. The final adoption is scheduled to take place May 9. Jaime Sarrio

Hacker pleads guilty to identity theft

A computer hacker from Georgia has pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft after authorities found him with more than 675,000 stolen credit card accounts on his home computers. Rogelio Hackett Jr., 26, of Lithonia, Ga., pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Virginia. Credit card companies have traced more than $36 million in fraudulent transactions to the accounts that were breached by Hackett. He will be sentenced in July and faces two to 12 years in prison. Associated Press

Decatur takes bids on fire station work

Decatur began taking bids this week for improvements and restoration of the city’s Fire Station No. 1, originally built in 1955. The staff has already abandoned the East Trinity Place location, with half moving to Station No. 2 in Oakhurst, the rest relocating to a former retail site on Church Street. Construction is expected to start in June and will last 12 months. Bill Banks for the AJC

Watershed department wins award

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management department was presented with two awards at the spring conference of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) on April 19.

GAWP presented the 2011 Greater Than 10 MGD Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award to the Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant and the 2011 GAWP Biosolids/Residuals Program of Excellence Award to the Pole Bridge Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant and the county contractor OMI, Inc., for the Biosolids Land Application program. Staff reports

Avondale Estate Easter egg hunt today

Avondale Estates’ Easter Egg Hunt, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Lake Avondale, kicks off today’s Spring Extravaganza. The egg hunt’s open to children 10 and under. At 10:45 a.m., in front of the Community Club, the city will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the Lake Avondale Project, featuring a new half-mile trail surrounding the eight-acre lake. At 11:00 a.m. the Spring Dog Parade commences, also in front of the Community Club. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Youth Commission asks to raise dropout age

The Fulton County Youth Commission, and advisory board of teenagers, asked the Fulton County Commission this week to help raise the age in which a teen can drop out of school from 16 to 17. They said that would help the retention rate among high school students without costing any money. Such a change would have to take place in the state legislature, but they said the county support could help. The group also asked that the commission support ending out-of-school suspensions, so that students suspended from school would still report to a school facility. Rich McKay

Outdoor burning ban starts May 1

Fayette County residents have a week to complete their outdoor burning.

The county’s outdoor burning ban goes into effect May 1 and will run until Oct. 1, the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services said. Residents have until the end of April to apply for a burn permit. Information: 770-305-5468. Megan Matteucci

Henry county offices closed on Monday

All Henry County government offices will be closed Monday for a county-wide furlough day. Offices will re-open Tuesday.

The only exception is the Henry Superior Court, which is scheduled to be in session on Monday. The county’s juvenile, probate, state and magistrate courts will be closed Monday. Megan Matteucci

Extension holds composting class

The Fulton County Cooperative Extension is offering a class on composting Saturday at 11 a.m. at Cochran Mill Nature Center, 6300 Cochran Mill Road, Palmetto. Attendees will learn what to use, best methods, where to create the pile, how to manage it and when to use the compost. Information: 404-762-4077. Johnny Edwards

Due date extended for stormwater bills

Due to a problem with a billing company, Peachtree City residents have until May 16 to pay their annual residential Stormwater Utility invoices.

The bills were mailed late and have a May 1 due date printed on them. Payments can be made without penalty either by mail or in the drop box outside City Hall.

For Stormwater Management questions, call 770-631-6385.

JILL HOWARD CHURCH FOR THE AJC

Riverdale asks input on recreation program

Riverdale is revamping its recreational programming and wants residents’ input.

The city is asking residents to complete a survey on which type of sports and activities they would be willing to pay for. The survey is available online at www.riverdalega.gov. The survey deadline is June 1. Megan Matteucci

Clayton offers vaccines at reduced cost

The Clayton County Board of Health is offering the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular pertussis or TDAP vaccine to local childcare workers at a reduced cost. Immunizations are available next Tuesday through Friday. The health board will give vaccines to daycare, preschool, and other child care providers who are uninsured, underinsured or medicaid for $10. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tammy Joyner