County by county news for Saturday

Marietta schools to make up missed days

Marietta City Schools will open longer hours in March to make up nine days missed because of weather. Students will arrive 15 minutes early and stay 45 minutes later for 16 days during the weeks of March 3, March 10, March 17 and March 24. Fridays will have the regular schedule. The district’s board of education approved the plan Thursday. Information: www.marietta-city.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs anticipates resurgence

Powder Springs is seeing a resurgence in residential building permits, according to Mayor Patricia C. Vaughn in her State of the City address Thursday.

Peachtree Communities is building in the Silverbrooke subdivision off U.S. 278 at Elliott Road. Fallwood Builders will be constructing 29 houses in the new Garden Gate community off Richard D. Sailors Parkway next to Silver Springs Village.

Two senior living communities are in the planning stages near U.S. 278 at Sailors Parkway. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

NAACP to hold annual meeting

The Cobb County branch of the NAACP will hold a membership meeting and black history program 6 p.m. Tuesday at Turner Chapel AME Church, 492 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta. The “Profiles in Black” program will include speakers, music and dance. Free. Information: www.cobbnaacp.org or 770-425-5757. Tucker McQueen

Austell will resurface four roads

Austell will spend $337,501 this year to resurface four roads. They are Austell-Powder Springs Road from the Cureton Woods subdivision to Legion Park; Greystone Place and Greystone Court from Sweetwater Valley to the dead end; Love Street from the Douglas County line to Jefferson Street; and Peco Lane from Humphries Hill Road to the dead end. Funds will come from the special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, and the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Local Maintenance Improvement Grant. Carolyn Cunningham

Powder Springs approves incentive

The Powder Springs City Council approved Monday a grant incentive to attract a downtown restaurant.

The winner will receive as much as $10,000 from the city but will have to invest at least an additional $20,000 with a minimum lease of three years.

Information: Economic Development Director Stephanie Aylworth, 770-743-1666 ext. 345 or saylworth@cityofpowdersprings.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Snellville Tree City USA for 13th straight year

For the 13th straight year, Snellville has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

Snellville officials will plant a tree in honor of the designation on April 25, National Arbor Day, at the Community Garden next to Briscoe Park. Information: www.snellville.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gwinnett SPLOST committee to meet

The Gwinnett County Citizens Project Selection Committee will meet 6 p.m Monday at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, Conference Room C, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

The committee assists the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation in recommending projects for 2014 Special Local Option Sales Tax proceeds based on 10 project categories.

The meeting will cover the sidewalks and pedestrian safety project category.

There will also be a vote on the previously presented category: intersections. Molly Bloom

Snellville senior center volunteer lauded

Snellville’s Parks and Recreation Department has named Wanda Young Volunteer of the Year.

Young joined the Snellville Senior Center in 1997 and currently serves as coordinator for the city’s monthly bingo program.

She also frequently assists at the front desk reception area. Young has volunteered more 90 hours in the last year.

Information: www.snellville.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Killian Hill school to hold open house

Killian Hill Christian School is hosting an open house for families of prospective students at 2 p.m. Sundayat 151 Arcado Road SW, Lilburn.

Families will hear about the school’s educational opportunities from the headmaster, meet with teachers and take tours of the facilities.

Information: www.khcs.org  Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Sugar Hill to host Medicare seminars

Residents approaching age 65 or retirement and in need of Medicare are invited to educational seminars 7-9 p.m. March 4 and March 11 at the Sugar Hill Community Center, 1166 Church St. Information: 770-831-7413. Karen Huppertz

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 at Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main St. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth burglary probe nets six suspects

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office says a burglary investigation led to recovery of property stolen from three units at Sawnee Storage on Ga. 20 in January. Joshua Williams, 20, of Sugar Hill, was pulled over after a chase based on surveillance video. That led to three residences searched where much of the stolen property was recovered, plus marijuana and methamphetamine. Five additional arrests were made, and all six suspects are jailed in Forsyth County facing burglary, theft, criminal trespass, drug possession and other charges. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Heritage society hosts community program

The American Heritage Society of Georgia will host a program, “Unifying Our Communities,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Alpharetta City Hall.

Mayors of north Fulton cities will speak at the event. Society President Vesta Smith also will discuss the heritage and history of Milton County, and artifacts and maps of Milton County will be available for viewing.

Information: 678-580-5800. David Wickert

High school musicians to perform for charity

“Hope Grows: Battle of the Bands” kicks off at 8 p.m. Friday Feb. 28 at the Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta, to raise money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

More than 100 teenagers from 10 metro Atlanta high schools are scheduled to perform. Tickets to the event are $75 per person or $100 a couple, which includes dinner.

Information:giving.choa.org/battleofthebands  Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Drug summit set in Forsyth County

The Forsyth County Drug Coalition has scheduled a drug summit for 7 p.m.Tuesday at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. It’s set to focus on drug use facts and prevention and to explain how to get help for those using drugs. Presenters include speakers from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and a drug prevention specialist. More information: forsyth.k12.ga.us   Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth to get more road-widening help

Forsyth County will get some additional help widening a heavily-traveled area. 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

ATLANTA

Reed to bolster city’s tech industry

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and members of Invest Atlanta are heading to Silicon Valley next week to sell the city as a technology hub. Reed and a delegation of Atlanta tech leaders and entrepreneurs will meet with 12 venture capital firms and social media groups Tuesday and Wednesday to bolster Atlanta’s reputation as a growing center for the technology sector in the Southeast. Reed will meet with Google, Facebook and Cisco, according to his press team. The mayor has made the goal of growing Atlanta’s tech industry a mainstay of his speeches in recent months. The Atlanta metropolitan region is currently ranked 12th in the nation for tech start-ups. Katie Leslie

Lewis, Reed chair marriage equality event

U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will co-chair a Southerners for the Freedom to Marry event Monday to rally for marriage equality. Reed, who announced his support for same-sex marriage in December 2012, will be joined by Freedom to Marry founder Evan Wolfson, Emory University theology professor the Rev. Don E. Saliers and local same-sex couples. Freedom to Marry is the sponsoring national campaign for marriage equality. The Southern campaign includes several states spanning from Florida to Mississippi, from the Carolinas to West Virginia. The event begins 10 a.m. Monday at the Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave. N.E., Ste. A in Atlanta. For information, visit www.freedomtomarry.org.  Katie Leslie

Collier Heights historic status celebrated

A celebration marking the Collier Heights community’s designation as a local historic district will take place at 3 p.m. today at Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive NW. “Preserving our Past, Honoring our Legacy” recognizes Collier Heights’ distinction of being built exclusively by and for the African American middle class. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Schools announce expanded schedules

To make up for last week’s snow days, City Schools Decatur announced new schedules adding 30 minutes to each school day from March 3 through May 2. College Heights Pre-K, Glennwood, Oakhurst, and Winnona Park Elementary schools will go from 7:55 a.m. until 2:55 p.m. Clairemont Elementary will go from 8:05 until 3:05, Academy at Fifth Avenue, 7:45 to 3:00, Renfroe Middle 8:25 to 3:55 and Decatur High 8:15 to 3:45.

If additional weather closings occur, CSD may extend the new schedule through the end of the year. Bill Banks for the AJC

Comedy event tonight at MJCCA

Marion Grodin (daughter of comedic actor Charles Grodin), will perform 8 p.m. Saturday at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Grodin most recently appeared in Atlanta during the MJCCA’s annual November Book Festival where she presented her new book, Standing Up, a hilarious and heartbreaking look into her life thus far. A book signing will follow the performance. Tickets: $15 – $22.

Information: atlantajcc.org/boxoffice or 678-812-4002. Arlinda Smith Broady

Iconic Dairy Queen to close for now

Decatur’s popular Dairy Queen closes today, but Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne said it’s probably for only one year. The DQ building will be razed for a long-planned residential/retail development called Trinity Triangle that’ll include 200 apartments.Bill Banks for the AJC

Information fair for special needs students

The DeKalb County School District and Council of PTAs will host an information fair for special needs students and their parents and teachers 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 1 at Tucker High School, 5036 LaVista Road, Tucker.

The event includes breakout sessions and booths and will cover topics such as transitioning from high school, executive function, coping with homework, navigating federal aid and estate planning.

Information: 678-676-0381 or www.dekalbcouncilptas.org, dekalbcouncilptas@gmail.com. Ty Tagami

Clarkston updating town plans

Clarkston is making plans to update a decade-old blueprint for its downtown.

The $80,000 Livable Centers Initiative Grant will help revitalize its town center area to include mixed-income housing and other development, walkability and transportation.

Residents and business owners will be invited to give input at public meetings that have not yet been set.

Updates at www.clarkstonga.gov. April Hunt

County shelter offering pet adoption specials

For the remainder of the month of February, DeKalb County Animal Services will be offering $14 pet adoption specials from the county shelter.

Standard adoption screening will still apply, and every animal will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

Available animals can be seen at the shelter, 845 Camp Road, near Decatur, or online at dekalbanimalservices.com. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City traffic light vote postponed

The City Council of Peachtree City agreed Thursday (Feb. 20) to postpone a vote regarding a new signal light at Hwy. 54 West and Line Creek Drive until a new study of the entire traffic corridor is completed.

The study is under way and will be finished within three months; installation of a synchronizing system for the existing lights is also pending. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Literacy Days winners announced

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade recently took part in the Henry County Schools Literacy Days Celebration and Competition. Grouped into three different grade-level categories, students competed in the areas of poetry recitation, drama presentation, and essay writing. Seven of the 26 local winners placed first or second at the regional GRESA competition, which included participants from the Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Arlington Christian School open house

Arlington Christian School is hosting an open house at 2 p.m. Sunday at 4500 Ridge Road, Fairburn. The school is currently enrolling students in K4 through 12th grade.

Information: www.arlingtonchristian.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC

South Fulton leader sets quarterly session

Fulton County Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards will host his first quarterly “Community Listening Session” for 2014 at 7 p.m. Thursdayat the South Annex, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park. The public’s invited to provide feedback on services in unincorporated south Fulton. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and follow up on inquiries. More information: 404-612-8230. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Clayton State students offer tax prep help

Accounting students from Clayton State University will prepare tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program hosted by the College of Business.

VITA is a national program that provides tax support for certain eligible taxpayers. The 40-year-old program provides learning experience for the students who will get extensive IRS training and testing to help make sure taxpayers have their returns filled out accurately. VITA is offered at the College of Business at Clayton State 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through March 29. Appointments are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details: call the VITA hotline at 678-466-4527. Tammy Joyner

Fayette to waive fee for debris disposal today

The Fayette County Transfer Station will not charge for disposing of trees and other storm-related yard waste if it is brought to the facility today.

Residents must provide proof of residency and a phone number. Mulch loading will be suspended due to the extra traffic; call 770-305-5410 with questions. Jill Howard Church for the AJC