COBB
Marietta councilman gets hearing for injunction
Marietta City Councilman Philip Goldstein’s request for an injunction against the city and seven-member council is scheduled for a hearing in Cobb Superior Court starting 9:30 a.m. May 24. Judge George Kreeger will hear Goldstein’s petition to build a five-story building on the Marietta Square. Marietta’s Board of Historic of Review in a 5-5 vote Monday did not give Goldstein approval for a building certificate. The councilman argues the city should honor a previous permit he received before downtown building heights were lowered in March from 85 feet to 54. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Hearing today on new high school auditorium
Marietta City Schools plans an $8.6 million auditorium and band room addition at Marietta High School and will hold the first of two public hearings on the project Thursday at 7 p.m. at the school. System officials say the auditorium -- scrubbed from the school’s original construction plans due to cost overruns -- will provide performance space and free other space for arts students. The school board won’t decide until this fall on whether to proceed. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Smyrna to vote on Sunday alcohol sales
Smyrna is the second Cobb city to approve a referendum on the sale of alcohol in stores on Sundays. Kennesaw City Council on May 2 and Smyrna City Council on Monday voted to hold a referendum Nov. 8 when elections are set for mayor and council positions.Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Pro Wakeboard Tour returns to Acworth
The Pro Wakeboard Tour returns to Dallas Landing Park in Acworth for three days of events today through Saturday.
The competition includes a series of elimination rounds before the finals on Saturday.
Events run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the park, 5120 Allatoona Dr. in Acworth. Information: visit, http://www.prowakeboardtour.com Janel Davis
Council OKs KSU request to build apartments
Kennesaw State University took another step toward adding more students to its growing campus complex.
The Kennesaw City Council approved a request by the university to build an 850-bed apartment complex at Cherokee Street near McCollum Parkway. About 3,000 students live in university-sponsored housing. Christopher Quinn
Mom’s suspicions leads to burglary arrests
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the burglary of a skateboarding store near Kennesaw.
Cobb police Sgt. Dana Pierce said police have recovered about $37,000 of the approximately $100,000 in skateboards, video cameras, clothing and sunglasses stolen from the Ambush Boarding Company store May 2. Police have arrested Dustan Brady, 20, of Marietta, and a 15-year-old.
Pierce said the arrests came after the mother of one of the suspects “found some questionable merchandise in her son’s bedroom.”
An arrest warrant has been issued for Cordero Brown, 19, of Marietta who remained at large Wednesday. Mike Morris
GWINNETT
Illegal immigrant gets 8 years on weapons charge
An illegal immigrant living in Lawrenceville was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in federal prison for illegally possessing a machine gun and reentering the U.S. after being deported.
Aurelio Vargas, 32, had conspired to buy several firearms, including a machine gun, and then funnel the weapons into Mexico, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta said. During an law enforcement sting in August 2010, Vargas gave $5,750 in cash to an undercover agent to buy the firearms before he and a co-defendant were arrested, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin
County attorney Thomas leaves post
Gwinnett County Attorney Karen Thomas resigned effective May 13, the county announced Wednesday.
Thomas, who led the county law department since 1998, submitted her resignation in February but agreed to stay through mid-May to facilitate a smooth transition, the county announced. Deputy County Attorney Van Stephens will serve as acting county attorney.David Wickert
Norcross drama teacher receives honor
A Norcross High School teacher has received a state honor for her work with students and dedication to the performing arts.
Drama teacher Gina Parrish has been inducted into the Georgia Thespians Hall of Fame. Gwinnett Schools officials said Parrish has dedicated 19 years of service to Norcross High’s fine arts department. D. Aileen Dodd
Lilburn CID approved for expansion
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has approved an expansion of the Lilburn Community Improvement District. It was founded last year with 158 properties worth a combined $123.6 million.
On Tuesday county commissioners signed off on plans to add seven more properties valued at $4.7 million to the district. David Wickert
Man testifies in own defense
A Loganville man charged with murder in a drug-related shooting testified in his own defense Wednesday. Prosecutors have rested their case against Omar Falay. Falay is charged with murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery. Zachary Bivens and Francelis Dorce are charged as co-defendants, but they will face separate trials. Robert Morales, 27, and Falay allegedly drove to Grayson on Dec. 23, 2008, to meet two men for a drug deal. Shots that were fired in the car, killing Morales and injuring Falay. Andria Simmons
Police search for driver hit-and-run fatality
Gwinnett County police are looking for a hit-and-run driver involved in a fatal pedestrian accident late Tuesday night.
Thiago Campos, 25, of Suwanee was attempting to cross Sugarloaf Parkway between Cruse Road and Ga. 316 when he was hit by a vehicle believed to be a late-model Dodge Ram, Gwinnett police Cpl. Edwin Ritter said. Anyone with information can call investigators at 770-338-7430, ext. 5670. Mike Morris
NORTHSIDE
Forsyth my reconsider HUD vote tonight
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners may vote at their meeting tonight to reverse their decision last month to pursue an HUD loan to fund a private developer’s building of a senior apartment community on Windermere Parkway. Several residents spoke loudly against the proposal the night it passed 4-1. District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent, who opposed, has asked to rescind the vote. County attorney Ken Jarrard said his reading of the law indicates that, if the development fails, the county could be on the hook for the $5 million loan. Jeffry Scott
School board set to OK 2012 budget
The Fulton County Board of Education is set today to give tentative approval to a 2012 school budget void of teacher furloughs and any increase in the property tax rate. The school board meeting will be at Dunwoody Springs Elementary, 8100 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs. It starts at 4:30 p.m. with an executive session, followed by a reception for retiring Superintendent Cindy Loe at 5 p.m. The discussion of the budget is expected about 7 p.m.
Nancy Badertscher
Milton begins patching up roads
Work began Wednesday on Milton’s annual road patching and repair projects. Crews will be patching almost a dozen roads from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the next 30 days. There should be slight delays in traffic, as the majority of roads being repaired are residential, said Matthew Fallstrom, Public Works superintendent.
Cost of the project is $510,000. A complete list of roads affected can be found at http://www.cityofmiltonga.us/Patrick Fox
Alpharetta delays decision on dirt storage
Plans to store 13,000 tons of dirt on a 15-acre site on the south side of Lucent Drive in Alpharetta were delayed again Monday after the City Council could not reach agreement on the environmental and aesthetic impact of the project.
Council members voted to table the request by Duke Realty until they were sure the site was secure from erosion and would not present an eyesore to adjacent properties.
The applicant is seeking the variance to ease construction of a 67,842-square-foot medical office building on a nearby site. Patrick Fox
Get tips on preparing lawns for summer
With the hot months nearing, the Fulton County Cooperative Extension will hold a class on preparing lawns for summer on Thursday at noon at the Ocee branch library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. Topics include soil pH, the best way to mow, how to control weeds, when to fertilize, when to water and how to prevent disease. Registration: 404-762-4077. Johnny Edwards
Art showing at Benson senior facility
“Benson’s Evening of the Arts” will be presented Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Sandy Springs’ Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive. Art will be displayed from multiple mediums including sculpture, painting, needle point and water colors.
Information: 404-705-4900. Johnny Edwards
ATLANTA
Legislators hold town meeting today
Georgia’s new state laws will be the subject of a town hall meeting co-hosted by Atlanta legislators Nan Orrock and Simone Bell. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today at the media center of Atlanta’s Parkside Elementary School. The school is at 685 Mercer St. Orrock serves in the state Senate, and Bell is a member of the Georgia House of Repesentatives. Nancy Badertscher
Judge dismisses suit over NAACP elections
A Fulton County judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to disqualify annual elections held in November of the Atlanta branch of the NAACP.
During the election, the Rev. R.L. White was reelected as sitting president, but members of the chapter filed suit to keep White and other new officers from being confirmed. In a recent order, Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford Jr. dismissed the suit, saying he had no jurisdiction or authority to settle the dispute because it concerns “solely the internal affairs” of the NAACP. Bill Rankin
Ex-officer sentenced for sexual assault
A former Atlanta Police officer was sentenced Monday to two years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty.
On June 15, 2004, while patrolling the West End, Kevin Head, 32, picked up a 44-year-old woman to give her a ride to a nearby MARTA station and demanded oral sex from her, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin
Young artists decorate trash receptacles
Budding artists, ages 11-14-years-old, have put old industrial storage barrels to good use by turning them into decorative trash receptacles.
The cans will be officially unveiled at 4:30 p.m. today, at the Agape Center, 2353 Bolton Road N.W.
In partnership with Councilmember Felicia A. Moore, the Trash Can Art Project is being led by Ivan Mallory, a local Atlanta artist who has done previous projects of this sort with the YMCA and the Sustainable Lakewood Organization. Ernie Suggs
DEKALB
Dunwoody mayor won’t run for re-election
Ken Wright, mayor of Dunwoody, has decided his first three years in office were enough. “It has been a wonderful experience, but it is time for me to move on,” he said Wednesday.
The office of mayor was set up as a part-time post with an initial three-year term. Subsequent terms are four years.
Wright, former president of Citizens for Dunwoody Inc., the non-profit group that promoted the then-community’s incorporation, said he’s been working for Dunwoody -- or the creation of the city -- for 10 years.
“Getting the city up and running properly was my goal,” he said. “It’s time for me to get back to my family and my career.” Michelle E. Shaw
Commissioner gets new role in association
DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson has been appointed to a supervisory role in a national governance organization. Johnson has been named vice chairman of the National Association of Counties Advisory Board for 2011. In that role, he will help the organization identify priorities to help counties across the nation with issues ranging from public health to education. April Hunt
Public input sought on Dunwoody rezoning
A public input session on the proposed voting district rezoning map for Dunwoody will be held at 7 p.m., Monday at City Hall, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 103, during the city council meeting. A public hearing has been tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m., June 13. Michelle E. Shaw
Misdemeanor offenders have records expunged
The DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s office recently expunged the misdemeanor records of 14 offenders who completed a yearlong diversion program. Minor offenders placed in the Jobs Not Jail Program must complete counseling, education and job training programs to have their records cleared. Participants in the program range from 17 to 24 and must have little to no criminal history. April Hunt
Principal: Museum School will remain open
Despite Monday’s Supreme Court ruling that Georgia’s 16 charter schools were approved by a process that’s unconstitutional, Katherine Kelbaugh, principal for The Museum School of Avondale Estates, vowed her school would remain open next year. Kelbaugh told a packed Avondale City Hall Tuesday night the school had two options: become a DeKalb County school or a become transferred to a state special charter school. The Museum School has 135 students, will expand to 200 next year, and has a wait list of 50. Bill Banks for the AJC
New Decatur census reveals a dramatic shift
Although some census data was released in March, Decatur learned more details this week. The current population is 19,335, up 6.5 percent from 2000, likely making it the most densely populated city in Georgia . Current figures show the city is 74 percent white and 26 percent minority as opposed to 66-34 white-minority ratio 10 years ago. “We knew our demographics were changing,” City Manager Peggy Merriss said.
“But I’m not sure any of us thought it would be this dramatic.” Bill Banks for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Fayette lets parents pay online for school lunches
The Fayette County Board of Education has approved a plan to allow parents to pay for their children’s school lunches online, starting in July. At the request of parents who prefer paying by credit card rather than sending in checks or cash, county staff facilitated an agreement with School Link Technologies that will allow payments via MyLunchMoney.com.
Parents will pay a $1.95 transaction fee per deposit. The software will let parents view balances, set spending limits and get e-mail notification of low accounts. Jill Howard Church
East Point official assures water is safe
City Manager Crandall Jones issued a statement this week clarifying concerns about the city’s drinking water. The water was tested for chromium content, and Jones said the levels were far below the EPA drinking water standard for chromium. Jones noted the city remains in compliance with all EPA standards.
John Thompson for the AJC
Hapeville’s outdoor movie : ‘Megamind’
The family favorite film “Megamind” is this week’s outdoor movie in Hapeville. The free movie event begins at 7:30 p.m., with the movie showing at dusk. Concessions are available from the Exchange Club. The movie is shown at the Hapeville Football Stadium, behind the Hoyt Smith Center, at 3444 N. Fulton Ave. John Thompson for the AJC
Henry police offer youth leadership academy
The Henry County Police Department is offering a Youth Leadership Academy, a one-day program for qualified high school students from ages 14-18 who have demonstrated above-average academic standards as well as good citizenship.
The program will take place at the HCPD training room June 18 from 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
The only fee associated with this program is a $5 lunch cost. Go to www.henrycounty-ga.org to complete the online application. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Tyrone Elementary principal honored
Tyrone Elementary School Principal Eddie Pollard was surprised with a standing ovation May 16 upon being chosen as Georgia’s 2011 National Distinguished Principal.
Fayette School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden led a special presentation at the school. Pollard was chosen by fellow members of the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals.
Pollard has been at Tyrone Elementary since 1999, and previously served as principal of Braelinn Elementary and Flat Rock Middle School. He has also held several state and district leadership positions.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette to hold pet adoption event Saturday
With spring puppy and kitten season here, the Fayette County Humane Society is holding a special adoption event Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Braelinn Village Animal Hospital, 1130 Crosstown Court in Peachtree City.
The event will also include pet portraits, a silent auction, police canine demonstrations and a dog agility team. Admission is free and pets are welcome. For information, visit www.fayettehumane.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
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