County by county news for Saturday

Funding will come from a $5,000 Georgia Municipal Association grant and $40,000 from the city’s contingency fund.

Items from homes flooded in September 2009 will be used such as air-conditioning units.

Other amenities will include four fiberglass shower stalls, a sauna and an aerobic room.

Fire Chief Tim Williams, chairman of the city’s Wellness Committee, said he hopes to obtain donations of a sound system, a TV for DVDs and gym equipment. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb district to replace two schools

Cobb County Schools Board of Education this week unanimously approved spending $9.39 million in SPLOST funds to buy 35.6 acres on Terrell Mill Road in east Marietta to relocate and rebuild Brumby Elementary School. The school is located on Powers Ferry Road. In a 6-1 vote with David Morgan against, the board also approved rebuilding Mountain View Elementary on Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. Morgan’s choice was Harmony Leland Elementary in Mableton. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell approves computer purchases

Austell will buy new computer equipment, totalling $9,367.

A work management software program, called IWorQ, will be used by the Public Works department for $3,995 from this year’s SPLOST budget.

The city’s 8-year-old computer system will be replaced for $3,640.

Computer equipment, costing $1,732, will enable meter reader reports to be sent to City Hall by email instead of paper reports.

Information: iworq.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Scholarships available to local students

The Marietta Kiwanis Club is accepting applications through March 31 for nine college and technical school scholarships for Marietta and Cobb students.

Scholarships average $2,000 each, based on academic achievement, financial need and character.

Grants are administered by the Kiwanis Club, Kennesaw State University or Southern Polytechnic State University.

Information: www.mariettakiwanis.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Tryouts Sunday for lacrosse tournament

Regional tryouts for the Brine National Lacrosse Classic will take place Sunday.

The tryouts are open to middle and high school boys and girls. Tryouts for girls will be held at 8 a.m. at Lassiter High School, 2601 Shallowford Road, Marietta. Boys’ tryouts will be held at 11 a.m. for middle school players, 1:30 p.m. for high school players, at East Roswell Park, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell.

The national tournament is in late June in Boyds, Md.

Information: www.nationallacrosseclassic.com  Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Cobb students can apply for school choice

Cobb County schools students can apply to transfer to a school of their choice Monday- Feb. 28 for the 2014-2015 school year.

A list of school/class space will be posted on the district website on Feb. 3. Charter schools and new schools are exempt from the choice program.

Information: www.cobb12k.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Lookout pleads guilty in metro armed robberies

Quentin Booker, who participated as a lookout in five robberies of armored car couriers in the metro Atlanta, pleaded guilty Friday to five counts of Hobbs Act robbery (armed robbery of the couriers), and two counts of carrying and using a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Booker, 36 of Douglasville, and his crew hit metro Atlanta for a four-month crime spree that ended by March 30, 2011. Gunmen would relieve couriers of cash — totalling more than $470,000— when they were restocking automatic-teller machines in Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb counties. Steve Visser

Snellville announces 2014 paving projects

Snellville will begin its annual paving Monday to include repairs and resurfacing of Club, Empire, Knollwood and Millbrook Drives and Masonwood Circle. The $500,000 project will also include New London Place in the Nob Hill area and Inlet Cove Court and Terrace, Inlet Lake Place, Parkside Way, Emerson Lake Drive and Brookhill Court. In addition to SPLOST resources, $138,564.35 will be taken from the state’s Local Maintenance Improvement Grant and $300,000 from the city’s capital paving expense. Information: 770-985-3527. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Farmers market accepting applications

The Suwanee Farmers Market is accepting applications for vendors interested in selling their produce or other products. Deadline for applications is Monday, March 24, and new vendors must attend the annual market meeting at 7 p.m. that evening at City Hall. The 2014 Suwanee Farmers Market will meet each Saturday, May 3 through Oct. 4. Tuesday markets will run May 6 through August 5. Applications: www.suwanee.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth seeking median project comment

The Georgia DOT and Duluth are currently developing Buford Highway median landscaping enhancements from Davenport Road to Duluth Highway. Complete a survey at www.duluthga.net: choose Planning & Development, then Buford Highway Median Project. Public comments will be taken during the City Council Work Session at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 at Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main St. Karen Huppertz

Norcross hosts state of city address Monday

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson will present the State of the City at 7 p.m. Monday at the Carlyle House, 173 S. Peachtree St. in Norcross.

Johnson will review municipal updates from 2013 and discuss the city’s ongoing vision for 2014. Attendees are invited to stay after the presentation for dessert and coffee. Information: www.norcrossga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn park accepting pavilion reservations

Lilburn is now accepting reservations for the Gartrell Nash Pavilion located near the playground in Lilburn City Park. The 4,200-square-foot open air, covered pavilion includes four built-end grills and picnic table seating for approximately 160 people. Reservations: City Hall, 76 Main St. or www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth to get additional road-widening help

Forsyth County will get some additional help widening a heavily-traveled thorofare. Georgia Department of Transportation officials say the local legislative delegation worked with GDOT to secure an additional $1 million to help expand Castleberry Road to five lanes from Bethelview Road to Hutchinson Road.

The money from the DOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant program will be handed over to the county when the project is awarded to a contractor for construction. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton offers business startup guide

Canton city officials have released “A Guide to Starting a Business in Canton,” a brochure outlining how to get a venture up and running, addressing steps and needed documentation from start to finish. The guide was designed pro bono by Grant Design Collaborative, a downtown business. Copies can be picked up at City Hall, 151 Elizabeth St., or downloaded from canton-georgia.com  Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek hosts road discussion

The city of Johns Creek has rescheduled an open house on proposed improvements on Abbotts Bridge Road 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 12000 Findley Road. Public works staffers will be on hand to display and discuss the improvements, which would include adding a center turn lane, enhanced sidewalks and bikeable shoulders. The project would run between Jones Bridge and Parsons roads with the work planned for 2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

The Weber School names new leader

Rabbi Ed Harwitz has been named as the next head of school for The Weber School in Sandy Springs, effective July 1.

Harwitz has previously served as the founding head of school for Jewish schools in San Francisco and Connecticut.

He’ll become Weber’s third head of school, succeeding Simcha Pearl, who is retiring. Mark Niesse

Counseling team wins national honor

The counseling team at North Forsyth High School has earned the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. It’s a national designation showing the team demonstrates excellence in comprehensive, data-driven counseling programs. NFHS is one of only 17 high schools in Georgia and 168 in the U.S. who have earned the award. Counselors will receive the award a national conference this summer. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

UNG planners to hold hearings in Cumming

The University of North Georgia Strategic Planning Steering Committee will host town hall meetings to produce a plan for the school’s future by the end of the spring semester.

Three meetings, set on the Cumming campus: noon today in room 103, 300 Aquatic Circle; March 5 and April 9. The 60-member faculty, staff and student committee seeks input on academic programs, campus planning and community partnerships. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Four sentenced for tax fraud scheme

A Fulton County judge sentenced Kimberly Banks, who pleaded guilty to racketeering and theft, to five years in prison followed by five years on probation and ordered her to pay $24,908 in restitution. Shaneka Richards received six months imprisonment followed by probation, and Monique Bussey and Brittany Banks received probated sentences. The scheme involved filing fake tax returns for people who did not live or work in Georgia to generate fraudulent tax refund checks. Bill Rankin

Two guilty of racially motivated murder

A federal jury has convicted two inmates for a racially motivated murder at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.Donald LaFond and Jason Robert Widdison, both members of white supremacist prison gangs, were convicted of second-degree murder for stomping fellow inmate Kenneth Mills to death in 2011.

Evidence at trial showed that LaFond and Widdison assaulted Mills, who was white and not a gang member, because he refused to protest the fact he had an African-American cellmate. Bill Rankin

CAU celebrates black history with discussion

Clark Atlanta University will host a forum 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Davage Auditorium in Haven-Warren Hall, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W. to celebrate Black History Month.

Civil rights pioneers Joseph Lowery and former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, along with retired Coca-Cola Co. executive Carl Ware will headline. Janel Davis

APS won’t make up snow days

Atlanta Superintendent Erroll Davis said Monday the city school system doesn’t plan to make up the days lost last week when snow and ice canceled school.

Davis said state law allows up to four days of emergency closings, and those days have now been used after schools closed for three days last week and one day at the beginning of January. Mark Niesse

DEKALB

School board to hold all-day discussion

The DeKalb County school board will meet today at the school district administrative complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain, to discuss accreditation, finances, governance, legal fees, accountability and other topics during what is advertised as a retreat.

The all-day discussion, from 9 a.m. to noon, then 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., will also cover creation of a citizen advisory committee “to assist with oversight of various departments within the district.” Ty Tagami

Snow days won’t be made up

In an email to parents City Schools Decatur Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said because the system has never had furlough days, or any other reduction of the school calendar due to “financial hardship… I have decided to proceed through the appropriate channels” in requesting that students and staff won’t make up the Jan. 29, 30 and 31 snow days. CSD, however, will make up the Jan. 6 and 7 “extreme weather days” on March 10 and May 29. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur considers two annexations

Decatur is considering petitions from Conway Road (southeast) and the Parkwood neighborhood (due east) for possible annexation into the city. Conway, which includes only seven homes, could take eight to 10 weeks for approval, while the Parkwood’s 76 homes (and potentially 10 new students in the school system) could take longer. City Manager Peggy Merriss points out both potential annexations were initiated by property owners and not the city, which approved three small neighborhood annexations last year. Bill Banks for the AJC

School calendar for next year published

The new DeKalb County School District calendar is out, with the 2014-15 school year running Aug. 11 to May 22.

The dates could change a little, since the calendar includes teacher furlough days that Superintendent Michael Thurmond has said he wants to eliminate if the budget shows enough of a surplus this summer.

The calendar includes the traditional breaks for Thanksgiving, the winter holidays and spring. Information: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us. Ty Tagami

Teens learn about college success

College graduates and students will hold a discussion about succeeding in college that is aimed at high school students. The talk, “Keys to a Successful College Experience,” is Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Philip AME, 240 Candler Road SE. Ty Tagami

Skate event raises violence awareness

“Skate in the Name of Love,” a teen dating violence awareness event, is 7:30 p.m. todayat Golden Glide, 2750 Wesley Chapel Road.

The Still Standing Foundation is sponsoring the event. A nonprofit organization that provides a positive outlet for survivors of domestic violence, the foundation offers workshops across metro Atlanta to educate teens on the dangers of dating violence. Tickets: $10, includes skate rental.

Information: 754-777-8263. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Henry school rezoning proposal withdrawn

A recommendation to close Smith-Barnes Elementary School and rezone two nearby schools in Stockbridge, which has drawn much opposition in the past three months, will not be heard by the Henry County Board of Education at its Monday night meeting.

Dr. Ethan Hildreth, the district’s superintendent, said that a projected increase in funding from the Governor’s office this year along with the public input led to his decision. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City postpones signal vote

The City Council of Peachtree City wants another two weeks to study a new traffic report before deciding whether to approve a traffic light. A proposal to add a signal on Ga. Hwy. 54 West at Line Creek Drive, and a cut-through from a pending shopping center into Planterra Ridge, drew opposition from residents Thursday night (Feb. 6). The next meeting is Feb. 20. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Sandy Creek FBLA heads to state event

Eleven of 19 members of Sandy Creek High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter are heading to the State Leadership Conference after placing high in the regional competition. This was the first year the chapter competed, scoring placements in such areas as Hospitality Management and Digital Design and Promotion. The state event will be held March 14-15 in Atlanta. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

‘The Miracle Worker’ auditions in Jonesboro

Auditions for “The Miracle Worker” by the Front Porch Players will take place at the Old Bethel School on the grounds of Stately Oaks, 100 Carriage Drive, Jonesboro.

Auditions for the Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan roles will be at 5:30 Feb. 24. Auditions for other parts will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and 27.

Performances open May 30 at First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro.

Information: www.thefrontporchplayers.com  Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Congressman Scott opens arts competition

Submissions are being accepted for the Congressional Art Competition sponsored by Congressman David Scott, D-Ga. The competition is open to high school students in Georgia’s 13th district. Winners’ work will be displaced in the U.S. Capitol for a year. Entries must be received in Scott’s Smyrna or Jonesboro district office by Feb. 12. Winners will be announced March 1. Details: contact Angie Storey at 770 432-5405. Tammy Joyner

Fayette forming new art and park boards

Fayette County wants volunteers for two new citizen committees.

The Public Art Committee will promote public artwork throughout the county and needs members related to architecture, art education or design. The Justice Center Park Committee will help create a self-funded park on land near the justice and senior centers in Fayetteville.

Information: twhite@fayettecountyga.gov. Jill Howard Church for the AJC