County by county news for Saturday

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. The service is free and anonymous. For information on other participating locations, visit www.dea.gov. Andria Simmons

Schools seek redistricting input

Cobb County is planning to open three new elementary schools in the Smyrna and south Cobb area. An initial meeting to discuss potential redistricting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 17 at Campbell High. No specific redistricting changes have been proposed at this time, but the district is seeking input on the process. For more information, www.cobbk12.org. Jaime Sarrio

Lockeed exec chamber event speaker

Shan Cooper, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company will be the speaker for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s First Monday Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Monday at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest, 200 Interstate North Pkwy., Atlanta.

The breakfast will also feature the presentation of the Glass Ceiling Award, given by the chamber’s Executive Women program to a person who has significantly promoted and supported women in the workplace.

Cost: $20-$35 for chamber members; $50 for general admission. Janel Davis

Chamber offers drug discount to members

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Walgreens to offer a prescription drug discount for chamber members and their employees without prescription drug insurance.

Discounts are available on all FDA approved medications, and the average savings is 35 percent. The discount cards are free and there is no cost to sign up as a Cobb Chamber member.

Information: http://www.cobbchamber.org/walgreens Janel Davis

Painting competition at Smith-Gilbert Gardens

An outdoor painting competition will be held at Kennesaw’s Smith-Gilbert Gardens at 2382 Pine Mountain Road, on Thursday and Friday. Visitors are welcomed to watch as painters capture garden vistas in various mediums.

More than 35 local artists are expected to participate. Each artist will be encouraged to submit up to three paintings made during the two day contest. A reception and judging is scheduled Friday at 5:30 pm and is open to the public.

Admission: $7. Information: www.smithgilbertgardens.com. RICH MCKAY

Kennesaw gears up for farmers market

The Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority is accepting applications for this year’s Farmers Market which runs from May 3 through October 25 and will operate from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Market will be located in the Adams Park Soccer Field Parking Lot at 2753 Watts Drive. Applications will be accepted through April. Information: 770-794-7075. Rich McKay

GWINNETT

Commissioners cut $1.5 million from budget

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners cut $1.5 million from the county budget Tuesday as the county continues to wrestle with declining revenue. Among other things, commissioners voted to keep 20 firefighting positions vacant until Nov. 1 ($721,599), eliminate four vacant positions in the transportation department ($193,743) and eliminate funding for school crossing guards ($126,639; the school district will take over this service in the fall and does not expect any negative impact). The commission recently eliminated an $18 million budget gap in its general fund. David Wickert

School staffers evacuate when smoke reported

A report of smoke prompted firefighters to temporarily evacuate staffers Tuesday morning from Cooper Elementary School, 555 Ozora Road in Loganville. A cafeteria worker noticed a haze of smoke at 6:42 a.m. and called 911. Gwinnett fire crews found an electrical odor and light haze of smoke that is believed to have come from an HVAC unit. School was not in session, and only a few staff members and teachers were evacuated. Andria Simmons

Woman’s murder adds 3rd life sentence for man

Charles Lendelle Carter recently was sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison for the 2005 murder of a Norcross mother of six. It was the third life sentence for Carter, a former chef who authorities say is a serial killer. Carter pleaded guilty March 3 to a charge of murder and burglary in Gwinnett County.

Carter was convicted of beating and strangling Angela Thayer Green, 35, on Dec. 26, 2005. Carter already is serving two life sentences for fatally stabbing two women in Fulton County. Andria Simmons

Senior Golden Games off and running

The Gwinnett Senior Golden Games began last week and will continue through May 25.

The games feature competitions in more than 25 events. Winners will advance to the state games. Closing ceremonies will be at 11 a.m. May 25 at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville. Information: 678-546-8722. David Wickert

Freeman’s Mill Park wins restoration award

Gwinnett County’s Freeman’s Mill Park has won the Excellence in Restoration award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The county bought the Lawrenceville grist mill and 12 acres in 2001. It restored the mill, which is typical of those that would have been found along rivers in Georgia in the mid-19th century. David Wickert

Standard & Poor’s raises Suwanee’s debt rating

Standard & Poor’s has raised its rating on Suwanee’s general obligation debt to AA from AA-, the city said. Standard & Poor’s based the upgrade on Suwanee’s “historically strong financial position and solid economic foundation.”

“The fact that S&P, an independent, conservative financial analyst, looked at the city of Suwanee during a regular annual review and found us to be strong in this turbulent economic environment is really positive,” said Amie Sakmar, Suwanee’s financial services director. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Sandy Springs buying flood damaged homes

Sandy Springs has closed on the first of six houses damaged in the 2009 floods that it is buying with state and federal money.

The city received $2.7 million to buy the six homes, demolish them and level their lots. All six received substantial damage from multiple floods, including those after storms in the fall of 2009.

The city bought the first property on Pine Forest Road for $400,000, two weeks ago. It expects to soon close on the second property, on Hitching Post Trail, for $385,000.

The remaining homes are in the same area. As part of the program, the owners must agree to pay 15 percent of the demolition costs.

It could take up to a year for the city to complete the work on all of the homes.

April Hunt

Spanish language camp offered

Have you begun to make summer camp plans for your kids?

The Latin American Association will host the “Amiguitos Spanish Immersion Summer Camp” in June at The Cottage School in Roswell.

The immersion language camp will be held from June 13 to June 24 between 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will feature native Spanish speakers sharing their language and culture.

Camp fees are $450.

Information: Contact Hellen Field at hfield@thelaa.orgor visit www.thelaa.org. D. Aileen Dodd

Roswell teens taught to be the boss

Enterprising teens can learn to start their own business 6 p.m. Monday in a workshop at the Roswell Branch library, 115 Norcross Street. “TeenBoss!”covers pricing, profits, customer service, marketing, licenses and taxes. For ages 11-17. Reservations: 770-640-3075. Johnny Edwards

Milton hosts rain barrel workshop

The City of Milton, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers and Milton Grows Green is sponsoring a rain barrel workshop 6 to 7 p.m. May 11 at Scottsdale Farms, 15639 Birmingham Highway. The workshop provides participants to make and take home their own rain barrel. The device is easily installed on a home downspout and can conserve hundreds of gallons of water per month. Cost is $45. Reservations and information: cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us or calling 678-242-2509. Patrick Fox

Forsyth offers summer camps

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department is offering residents summer baseball, basketball, softball, cheer-leading, football, golf, lacrosse, volleyball and wrestling camps. Details can be found in the Parks and Recreation Departments’ Activity Guide, at www.forsythco.com. Information: James Parks at 770-781-2215 or jparks@forsythco.com. Jeffry Scott

Forsyth may extend SPLOST

The Forsyth County Commission on Tuesday approved a time line presented by county attorney Ken Jarrard to pursue putting a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum on the ballot next November. Many of the dates in the chronology are not required by law, but just Jarrard’s recommendation. The next big date on Jarrard’s list is May 10 when the commission should have prepared a draft list of projects it would like to see funded by extending the current SPLOST, a 1 percent sales tax. Among the contenders: a jail, court house, and animal shelter. Jeffry Scott

ATLANTA

Citizenship help offered

The Latin American Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association will host the 5th Annual Citizenship Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Latin American Association, 2750 Buford Highway.

The free event provides professional help for those interested in beginning the U.S. citizenship application process.

The process requires that participants must be at least 18 years old and have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. Andria Simmons

Bystander murder conviction upheld

The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the Fulton County murder conviction in a case where a 16-year-old bystander was shot and killed.

The court said there was enough evidence to find Damien Norris guilty of killing Bernard Glass Jr. on April 3, 2007. Norris was tried in 2009 with co-defendant Demarcus Armour, who also was convicted of murder. The ruling said that after Armour’s brother had been shot, Norris and Armour returned and opened fire. During an ensuing shootout, Glass was killed. Bill Rankin

Toastmasters host seminar

Phoenix Rising Toastmasters will host a free seminar on improving communications skills and preparing for job interviews 6 -- 8 p.m., Tuesday at the Gresham Branch Library, 2418 Gresham Rd. Information: www.gatoastmasters.org. Michelle E. Shaw

Peachtree Creek volunteers sought

The South Fork Conservancy is seeking volunteers who can use a sling blade for a trail cleanup in north Atlanta from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The conservancy wants to cut a path for the public on Peachtree Creek, which it says was the spine of early Atlanta but is now hidden under bridges, pavement, culverts and invasive plants. Volunteers will also cut back the plants and bridge a tributary.

Respond by Monday to chair@southforkconservancy.org. The group will meet at 2183 Armand Road at Cedar Chase condos. Steve Visser

DEKALB

Deals swears in DeKalb judges

Gov. Nathan Deal on Friday swore in two new judges for the DeKalb County State Court.

At a ceremony in the House chamber, Deal administered the oath to former Fulton County prosecutor Eleanor Ross, of Lithonia. She replaces Barbara Mobley, who resigned in February amid an investigation into alleged misconduct. The governor also swore in Atlanta lawyer Stacey Hydrick to replace Antonio DelCampo, who resigned in February to return to private practice. Bill Rankin

Schools consider cell phone towers

DeKalb County Schools will hold community meetings next week to discuss a proposal to install cell phone towers at county schools. The presentation will be made by representatives of T-Mobile. The district is considering the towers, which are located at school sites in other counties, to bring in additional revenue. The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, at Briarlake Elementary, Lakeside High and Martin Luther King, Jr. High. Jaime Sarrio

Water quality workshops offered

A series of four free workshops on water quality will begin May 14, as DeKalb Adopt-A-Stream and Stone Mountain Memorial Association work to raise awareness about protecting the county’s water resources. The workshops, limited to the first 20 people who register, are designed to train volunteers on how to collect and interpret data, and to learn what impacts DeKalb’s water quality. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Michael O’Shield, Environmental Education Coordinator, at 770-724-1456 or msoshield@dekalbcountyga.gov. Michelle E. Shaw

Decatur, Doraville explore new plans

New master plans are in the works for Decatur and Doraville, according to a news release from Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates, based in Midtown. The Decatur plan is the city’s second 10-year plan and Doraville’s plan looks at the redevelopment of the 165-acre General Motors plant. Both cities approved the plans unanimously, according to the release. Michelle E. Shaw

Decatur’s touch-a-truck today

Decatur’s popular annual Touch A Truck is 10 a.m. -- 1 p.m. today in the Callaway Parking lot, 120 W. Trinity Place. The free event allows attendees to touch, explore and see their favorite wheeled vehicles including fire trucks, dump trucks, tractors, police cars, motorcycles, bicycles and many others. Free parking is available in the DeKalb County Parking deck adjacent to the site. Bill Banks for the AJC

Dunwoody to continue brick program

Dunwoody is taking over the collection of brick pavers at the veteran memorial in Brook Run Park.

Veterans groups had overseen the program, which installs engraved pavers as a way to maintain the memorial. The current organizer is turning over the program, and $5,000 raised through the sale of bricks, to the city.

The city plans to continue the program, though it has yet to plan how it will market and sell pavers. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

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. Renters are asked to forward the bills to their property owner for payment. Monthly billing was not affected.

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

JILL HOWARD CHURCH FOR THE AJC

‘Five Wishes’ talk for seniors

Vitas Innovative Hospice Care and East Point Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities will talk to seniors about living wills and end-of-life care 2:30 -- 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the East Point Branch library, 2757 Main Street. The program covers the “Five Wishes” advance directive -- who should make care decisions, desired medical treatment, comfort level, personal treatment and what loved ones need to know. Johnny Edwards

East Point budget gets first look

East Point City Council will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m. May 16 to discuss the 2011-2012 budget. The final adoption of the budget is set for June 6 at 6:30p.m. A copy of the budget is available at City Hall, 2777 East Point St. John Thompson for the AJC

Lawyer suspended on sex-related crimes

Georgia Supreme Court has suspended a lawyer for two years for exposing himself via Webcam to a 16-year-old daughter of a colleague.

A special master had recommended Robbie Levin, a former Clayton County public defender, be suspended from practicing law for six months, but the court imposed a two-year suspension because Levin committed acts of moral turpitude. Levin, 36 at the time, exposed himself to the teen in 2007 and was arrested in an undercover sting. He pleaded guilty last year to two charges and served 20 days in jail. Bill Rankin

JROTC unit honored for 10th straight year

The Stockbridge High School Navy JROTC has been named a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors by the U.S. Navy for the tenth consecutive year. The unit has been in the top ten percent in the region, state and nation, according to Henry County School System officials. Monroe Roark

Paving complete on Simpson Mill Road

Henry County officials announced Wednesday the completed paving of a 1.3-mile stretch of Simpson Mill Road, which connects Hwy. 20 and Hampton-Locust Grove Road west of I-75. The project was paid for by the county’s special-purpose local-option sales tax. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Hapeville hosts ‘Casino Night’

The Hapeville Exchange Club is hosting “Casino Night” tonight from 7 -- 10:30 p.m. at the Hoyt Smith Convention Center in Hapeville. All proceeds benefit child abuse prevention programs. Information: Ann Cruz at annabelle68@hotmail.com. John Thompson for the AJC