County by county news for Saturday

All of the city’s 1,400 senior citizens, 65 and older, pay half of the monthly rate -- $9.25 instead of $18.50.

Yet some had been paying $1.75 less at $7.50 monthly for the last two years until the City Council took action this month. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Women for Hire expo on Tuesday

Women for Hire will hold a career expo at the Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday for women entering or reentering the work force. There is no parking or admission fees, but women must have resumes and business attire to enter. The event will include power seminars, resume reviews and tips on mastering the perfect interview. Information: www.womenforhire. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

County to roll out summer camp expo

Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department will host its annual summer camp expo on today in Marietta.

The expo will offer a one-stop location for information about children’s summer camp programs, including day camps, arts camps, church camps and overnight camps

The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Pkwy in Marietta. Adults, $5; children, free.

Information: 770-528-8885 Janel Davis

Nursing assistant recruiting event Monday

The Georgia Department of Labor and Family Bridge Healthcare Services will host a certified nursing assistant’s job recruitment on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center, 465 Big Shanty Road in Marietta. The company will be hiring applicants with at least six months of experience. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, as well as a class-C driver’s license and are encouraged to wear their medical attire to the recruitment. For information contact the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center at 770-528-6100. Sandra Marshall Murray

Sorority to hold workshop on bullying

Bullying will be the focus of the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s event at 9 a.m. today at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Dr., Austell. The teen forum, “A Time for PEACE: Parents Encouraged And Children Empowered,” will lead students through a day’s worth of educational and interactive workshops focusing on topics like anti-bullying and conflict resolution. Ernie Suggs

Lung center marks Women’s History Month

A celebration for the 100th year of Women’s History Month will be at 9:30 a.m. today at the Georgia Lung Center at Cobb, 3820 Medical Park Dr., Austell. The Georgia Lung Association will also conduct free pulmonary exams. Information: E-mail Mary Ward Cater at marywardcater@aol.com. Kenneth Musisi

GWINNETT

School Boards taps new principal for Dacula High

Bryan Long, a veteran Gwinnett County educator, was named by the school board on Thursday night as the new principal of Dacula High School. Long will transition into the principal’s job, succeeding Donnie Nutt who retires at the end of this month.

Since 2007, Long has been director of Gwinnett County Public School’s Office of student Discipline and Behavioral Intervention. His previous experience with the school system includes being assistant principal at the GIVE Center East (2006-07), assistant principal at Grayson High (2000-06) and language arts teacher at South Gwinnett High (1999-2000). Nancy Badertscher

School board chairwoman honored

Georgia Mothers, Inc. of American Mothers, Inc, has named Gwinnett school board chair Louise Radloff as Georgia Mother of Achievement for 2012. The award recognizes her influence and achievement in her family, church and community. American Mothers, Inc. is recognizing her as one of the top five Mothers of Achievement for 2012 at their national convention in Washington in May. Mrs. Radloff has worked with and served on the Gwinnett County Board of Health for 25 years and has been on the school board since 1972. Nancy Badertscher

Peachtree Corners candidates to talk

Candidates for the Peachtree Corners City Council will participate in a forum Monday night. The event will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 5575 Peachtree Parkway. The United Peachtree Corners Civic Association is hosting the forum.

The format will include a 2-minute opening statement and 1-minute closing statement from candidates, and written questions from the audience.

Runoff elections for the four remaining council seats will be held April 3. Joel Anderson

Braselton police earn certification

The Braselton Police Department has earned official state certification, making the agency one of 96 in the state with that distinction. The agency’s designation will run through 2015, according to the city. The certification process took three years. Frank V. Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, made the presentation to Braselton Police Chief Terry Esco and the Town Council this week. “This is a competent, professional agency,” he told the Town Council. Joel Anderson

County yard and craft sale to be March 24

Gwinnett County will sponsor a yard and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at the Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. Sellers must have reservations. The cost is $20 per space. To reserve a space, call 770-814-4914. David Wickert

Free blood pressure screenings on Sunday

Duluth First United Methodist is offering free blood pressure screenings 10 -11 a.m. on Sunday. Duluth First UMC is located at between I-85 and Buford Highway at 3208 Highway 120 in Duluth. Information: Linda Bailey, Parish Nurse, at lbailey@duluthumc.org or at 770-476-3776, Ext. 15. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Former bank manager sentenced for fraud

A former branch manager for an Atlanta bank has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a fraudulent tax return scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Jacinto Padron Jr., 52, of Roswell, also was ordered to pay $276,344 in restitution. Beginning in 2009, Padron, while working at a Wachovia branch, opened accounts using names of people living in Puerto Rico, including some in prison there. Co-conspirators then filed fraudulent tax returns with the refunds being wired to the bogus accounts or cashed at the bank, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Court dismisses suit against social workers

The federal appeals court in Atlanta on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a woman whose 5-year-old son was molested by a teenager after he was placed in a Cherokee County home by state social workers.

The woman sued after learning a psychologist had previously prepared a report noting that the 16-year-old had been accused of inappropriate touching and other unusual sexual conduct and recommending the teen not be left alone with other children. But the court granted immunity to the social workers, saying no prior rulings had declared such conduct unlawful. Bill Rankin

Fulton schools to hold parent expo

Fulton County Schools officials will host an expo to encourage parents to get more involved in their children’s education. The Parent and Student Expo will be held on March 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lake Forest Elementary School in Sandy Springs.

It is being sponsored by the district’s Title I Department, administrators of a federal program that provides financial support for schools educating low income kids.

Parents can view state exam test-taking sessions and get advice on enrichment activities they can do at home to help their kids succeed at school. D. Aileen Dodd

Mayors to deliver meals to seniors

Senior Services North Fulton will get an extra hand this month as mayors from Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, and Mountain Park help out with the Meals on Wheels program. The mayors will be delivering meals and visiting with senior residents throughout their cities on March 21 as part of the national Mayors for Meals event. The event is designed to help raise awareness of the importance of senior nutrition and to mark the 40th anniversary of the inclusion of senior nutrition programs in the Older Americans Act. Patrick Fox

Foundation holds class on appealing taxes

The Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation, a Buckhead-based nonprofit advocating for lower taxes, will hold two workshops this month on navigating the property appeals process. The first “How To Appeal Your Property Tax” class will be today from 10:30 a.m. to noon in room 2203 of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road, N.W., in Buckhead.

The second class will be March 31 at the same time and location. The classes are free, with donations requested. More will be scheduled in coming months, according to the foundation. Registration: 404-869-6066. Johnny Edwards

ATLANTA

CAU alumni group to honor Pearson, Ware

Television icon Monica Pearson and Carl Ware, the former president of The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Group, will be honored today by the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association at its Spirit of Greatness Gala to raise scholarship money.

Along with Ware and Pearson, who is retiring from WSB-TV this year, the alumni association will honor Reatha Clark King who served as president and executive director of the General Mills Foundation; and James Patterson, who has been the director of the CAU Jazz Orchestra for five decades.

Tickets are $150 for the gala, which begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree St. Ernie Suggs

HIP kicks off obesity initiative

The Health Institute for Preventive Care, Access, Research and Education kicks off a new initiative to fight childhood obesity in Georgia at a free health expo from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Berean Outreach Ministry Center, 312 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, Atlanta. Free health and fitness assessments will be offered.

The Aetna Foundation will present a $50,000 grant at the event to support the initiative.

HIPCARE is a nonprofit organization committed to improving health outcomes.

Information: www.hipcare.org or www.AetnaFoundation.org. Kenneth Musisi

Elections office holds registration drive today

Fulton County residents can register to vote and be checked for breast cancer in one stop Saturday in West End, Atlanta. Fulton Registration and Elections, working with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, will hold a registration drive and free cancer screening at the West End Medical Center, 868 York Ave., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Residents can also find out how to become poll workers and enter to win a free spa treatment.

Voter drives will continue at the medical center March 19 and March 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. Look for the “I Have the Last Word….I Vote” banner. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Man shot dead at Decatur apartments

DeKalb County police are investigating the shooting death of a man at an apartment complex near Decatur. The shooting happened about 11:30 p.m. at the Southern Pines apartments in the 3300 block of Mountain Drive, according to police. Police have not released the name of the victim. Channel 2 Action News reported that a 17-year-old was arrested, and police were looking for two other suspects. Mike Morris

GM, officials discuss plans for vacant plant

Representatives from General Motors met Wednesday with local officials and an Obama administration executive to discuss redevelopment of the vacant Doraville plant.

Turning the 165-acre site into a multi-use development – basically creating a new downtown for Doraville – has been the focus of all sides since the factory shut down in 2008.

GM is asking $60 million for the property. April Hunt

Input wanted on cleaning up waterways

Residents who want to help direct DeKalb County’s clean-up efforts of three key waterways can offer their input during two meetings this week.

The trash and debris removal from the river, Snapfinger Creek and the South Fork of Peachtree Creek are all being done as part of the federal consent decree requiring DeKalb to stop its near-daily sewer spills and improve water quality.

The first meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, near Decatur, with a focus on the Snapfinger Creek basin.

The final meeting, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 26 at the Wesley Chapel Library, with a focus on the South River basin. April Hunt

Schools hold Title I meeting today

The DeKalb County School District holds its annual Title 1 meeting on parental involvement today.

Speakers will cover topics including test-taking strategy, child care and policy and budgeting issues.

The event is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stone Mountain Middle School, 4301 Sarr Parkway, Stone Mountain. Ty Tagami

Decatur to buy new fire equipment

Decatur’s City Commission recently approved a $174,307 purchase of self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) for the city’s 40-person fire department. Fire Chief Toni Dixon said the SCBA package includes 27 packs (each including a voice amplifier and a pass detector indicating when a fire fighter’s gone down), 60 oxygen cylinders and 50 face pieces. She added that the SCBA need to be changed out every 10 years. The department’s scheduled to move into its newly-renovated Fire Station #1 in May. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur schools stick with DeKalb buses

The Transportation Committee for the Decatur Schools Board has recommended the school system continue its bus contract with DeKalb County rather than running its own fleet. Decatur currently uses 18 buses servicing its eight schools. The system transports 1300 students, or about one-third of the total student body, with most living within 1½ miles of their school. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville man get prison for smuggling cash

A Fayetteville man caught smuggling more than $100,000 cash has been sentenced to one year and nine months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Stephen Willoughby, 37, was convicted in January of failing to declare he had more than $10,000 in cash on him when he arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on a Feb. 13, 2011, flight from London. Willoughby told customs he was carrying $100, but officers, after searching his luggage and patting him down, found $106,802 in cash on Willoughby, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Boys school to hold health fair today

Fulton County’s Youth Leadership Academy for Boys will hold a health fair in south Fulton today. The Healthy Habits Fair runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road. The fair will include health screenings, fitness and healthy cooking demonstrations and a talk about urban gardening. Johnny Edwards

College Park police gets two new officers

The College Park Police Department added two new recruits from the Fulton County Police Academy, according to Police Chief Ronald Fears.

“Nicole Farrell and Joshua Emory are two of the youngest officers we have had the pleasure of hiring,” said Chief Fears. “Their enthusiasm and interest in working for this organization speaks volumes about the reputation of the College Park Police Department.” John Thompson for the AJC

Vendors wanted for East Point festival

East Point’s annual celebration of food, art and music is set for May 5 from 4 p.m.- 9 p.m. This year, the city will also be celebrating Cinco De Mayo. The event is held on West Cleveland Avenue between Main Street and East Point Street. Vendors should contact the city by April 17 to participate in the event. John Thompson for the AJC

E3 Parent Summit at Forest Park High today

The second annual E3 Parent Summit will be 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today at Forest Park High to promote parental and community involvement in district schools. The keynote speaker is Kimberly Johnson, a children’s book author and motivational speaker. Tammy Joyner

Bicycle safety classes in Peachtree City

Peachtree City BMX and Atlanta Trek Bicycles will host a free bike safety class today from 10 a.m. to noon at the BMX track in Peachtree City’s McIntosh Recreation Area. For details visit www.ptcbmx.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

The Fred concert tickets go on sale

Tickets to individual concerts in at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City went on sale Friday. The concerts begin May 5 with Foreigner and continue May 12 with Blood, Sweat & Tears along with Chuck Negron; Bret Michaels on May 26; Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack on June 23; Richard Marx with 20 Strings on July 14; and Billy Ocean on Aug. 11. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online; visit www.amphitheater.org or call 770-631-0630. Jill Howard Church for the AJC