County by county news for Thursday

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to noon at Destiny World Church, 7400 Factory Shoals Road in Austell. Information: Robyn Maynard, robyn@alishamorgan.com Janel Davis

Powder Springs country store to close

The Country Store of Seven Springs, on the National Register of Historic Places as the Butner-Mctyre General Store, will close next month in downtown Powder Springs.

The back of the building has been there since 1830 as a livery stable for the Lindley Hotel until the hotel burned," said co-owner Gloria Hilderbrand, planning to retire.

With Diane Reese, Hilderbrand has owned the store at 4455 Marietta St. for 15 years.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Information: 770-439-1780. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs concert Thursday

A "God and Country" Concert and the Roman Festival Brass Band will perform Thursday during the Powder Springs Farmers Market.

The market is open 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through September on Marietta Street at Pineview Drive.

Information: localharvest.org or Kim Peterson at ktpeterson@cityofpowdersprings.org or 770-943-8001, ext. 307. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb designates open records officers

Cobb Commissioners officially designated six open records officers in various county departments to handle written records requests. A state law passed this year requires jurisdictions to advertise the records officials and post the information online. Cobb will have separate records officers for the police, fire and emergency services, 911, community development and transportation departments. The county's communications director, Robert Quigley, will handle all other requests. The officers were approved during this week's commission meeting. Janel Davis

Some Marietta roads closed on July 4

Streets around the Marietta Square will close all day for Independence Day. An annual parade starts at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church to North Marietta Parkway. A national bell ringing ceremony will be at 2 p.m. in Glover Park. Events will include an arts and crafts show,games and entertainment. A country music concert at 8 p.m. will be followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

North Cobb cities to celebrate July 4

Kennesaw will celebrate Independence Day 6-11 p.m. Tuesday in Depot Park and with Neil Diamond and Billy Joel tribute shows and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Acworth will celebrate 4 -10 p.m. July 4 at Cauble Park. Activities include music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. A free shuttle will run from the post office and City Hall to the park.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Lee Farm Barn relocation planned

Arrangements have begun to move the historic Lee Farm Barn from Five Forks Trickum Road to Buford's Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, the relocation site of the historic Chesser-Williams House. Like the centuries-old house, the board-and-batten-sided barn will be disassembled and reassembled at the center at 2020 Clean Water Dr. and provide visitors a sense of 19th-century farm life in Gwinnett. For information, call 770-904-3500 or visit gwinnettehc.org.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

USDA hosts multicultural farmers

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will host a Multicultural Sustainable Agriculture and Leadership Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 at the Cultural Arts and Community Center, 10 College Street, Norcross.

The free event for multicultural ranchers and farmers will provide information on careers in agriculture and on how to use federal, state and local programs to improve operations. Information, call 770-963-9288. David Wickert

Gwinnett sponsors brown bag concert

Gwinnett County will sponsor a brown bag concert from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 6 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. The event will feature food and retail vendors, crafts and activities for kids. For more information, call 770-822-5450. David Wickert

Georgia Gwinnett gets new complex

Georgia Gwinnett College broke ground Wednesday on a new intercollegiate athletics complex on the Lawrenceville campus. The project, which is projected to cost about $13.5 million, will be paid for through student fees. The center will include soccer, track, softball and baseball fields.The college's intercollegiate athletics program is expected to kick off with tennis, soccer, baseball and softball. Laura Diamond

Last week to register for primary

Gwinnett is reminding residents the 2012 General Primary/Nonpartisan election will take place on Tuesday, July 31. The deadline to register to vote and be eligible to cast a ballot in the election is Monday, July 2. Registered voters may request an absentee ballot by mail or cast their ballots in person from July 9 to July 27, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elections Office, 455 Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville. Information: www.gwinnettelections.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Tail-wagging good time at the library

Gwinnett Public Libraries is offering children ages 5 to 10 the chance to read to a friendly dog. Doggie Tales, offered through Atlanta TheraPaws, is providing children the chance to practice their reading skills with dogs trained and registered members of Therapy Dogs International, Inc. For the Gwinnett branch hosting Doggie Tales nearest you, visit www.gwinnettpl.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Man injured in Cherokee County house fire

A 25-year-old man was injured Wednesday in a house fire in Cherokee County. Firefighters arriving to battle the 1 a.m. blaze in the 900 block of Victoria Landing Drive found the house engulfed in flames and the roof collapsing, fire spokesman Tim Cavender said. Ryan Burt, who lives across the street, got a ladder and helped the resident escape through a window above the garage. The resident, whose name has not been released, suffered a gash to his thigh and smoke inhalation. He was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for evaluation. Mike Morris

Reinhardt gets scholarship donation

Reinhardt University in Waleska recently got a $5,000 scholarship donation from First Cherokee State Bank, as part of the schools A DAY for Reinhardt program. The scholarship program annually provides support for Cherokee County students attending Reinhardt. The money was raised through a spring golf tournament. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Last day to appeal for most Fulton taxpayers

Today is the deadline for most Fulton County taxpayers to appeal their assessed property values, the key multiplier on tax bills that determine amounts owed. Property owners had 45 days to contest after more than 331,000 assessment notices went out in mid-May.

So far, according to the assessors office, Fulton has received 6,874 appeals, far less than the nearly 36,000 last year. Appeals can be filed online at www.fultonassessor.org. Information: 404-612-6440. Johnny Edwards

Forsyth woman faces child cruelty charges

A 21-year-old Forsyth County woman is being charged with child cruelty after sheriff's deputies say she left her 2-year-old son alone and trapped inside his room at her home. Deputies entered Stephanie Davis' home after getting a call from a relative saying she believed the child was left unattended. Deputies say the home was filthy, and the child was covered with feces. The toddler is in state custody. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Registration deadline July 2 for election

Voters have until July 2 to register for the July 31 primary and special election. Forsyth County residents who want to register to vote or change their name/address on the voter registration list can do so at the Forsyth County Voter Registrations and Elections Office, 110 E. Main St., Cumming. Office hours are 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. July 2.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Food for needy may only be "text" away

Parents looking for free summer lunch for their children now can text the word "FoodGA" to 877-877 and enter your address when prompted. The system will send information on the three closest locations to you. Or call 2-1-1, United Way's helpline, for information and site locations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers free summer meals to kids across Georgia similar to school lunch and breakfast programs. Meals are free to ages 18 and younger who come to a summer meals site registered through the USDA. Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

APD hiring former military

The Atlanta Police Department is getting a $1.8 million federal grant to hire 15 former military personnel to shift around staff to create a team for patrolling the BeltLine.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services requires departments to spend $966,075 over the three years hiring people who have served at least 180 consecutive days in the military since Sept. 11, 2001. The funding will allow shifts of staff to create APD Path Force of 15 officers assigned to the 22-mile-long transit line, 33 miles of trails and more than 1,200 acres of new parkland once the Beltline is completed. Rhonda Cook

Principal returns to North Atlanta High

Long-time North Atlanta High Principal Mark Mygrant will serve as interim principal while the school system continues to search for a school leader. Mygrant formally retires this month, but will return later this summer to prepare for the school year. He is expected to serve in the temporary role for about three months, at which point the school district hopes to have a permanent principal in place. Info: www.atlantapublicschools.us. Jaime Sarrio

Singer signs copies of relationship book

Grammy-nominated singer Musiq Soulchild will read excerpts from his new book and sign copies 6 p.m. today at Atlanta-Fulton's Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square. "143: Love According to Musiq" is a relationship advice book. Information: 404-730-1906. Edward Mitchell

Legoland looks for creative kids

Calling all creative kids: Legoland in Phipps Plaza wants you. The Buckhead attraction has 10 summer openings mini-apprentices who will shadow various Lego job roles, run workshops and maintain the two million Legos in store. Parents are invited to upload their child's video resume to YouTube and send the link to Atlanta@legolanddiscoverycenter.com before the June 29 deadline. H.M. Cauley for the AJC

DEKALB

Residents say rats invade apartment complex

Residents told Channel 2 Action News that large rats are invading their DeKalb County apartment complex. The Highlands at East Atlanta apartments are being overrun by rodents who are scaring families, they said. "I'm worried about as a mom is them biting my children when they come out," Lewetta Foster told Channel 2.

A large garbage bin is the source of the problem, residents contend. They said they have repeatedly contacted management and need secure trash receptacles to help fix the problem. Apartment management has not yet responded to Channel 2's request for a comment. Neighbor Taurry Banks, who has a baby who crawls, is worried about the children at the complex and the possibility that the rats are carrying diseases. "I come out with my BB gun and gonna shoot at some of them," he said. Angel K. Brooks

Dekalb offers free summer meals for kids

Dekalb County is hosting a Summer Nutrition Program this summer, offering free meals daily to all children under the age of 18. There are more than 50 designated meal sites, mainly recreation centers, schools, parks, churches, day camps, daycares, and community centers in areas where more than half of the minor population is eligible for free or reduced-priced meals, according to the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs. Anyone interested in picking up a summer meal or learning more about the program should contact Rose Myrick at 678-698-1114. Edward Mitchell

County set to buy flood-prone homes

The DeKalb County Commission recently accepted a federal grant to buy 10 flood-prone and flood damaged homes to be demolished.

The houses are on Bobbie Lane, Brookfield Lane, Creek Stone Court, Drew Valley Road, Grey Point Cove, Rowland Road and Scott Circle.

The grant will pay 75 percent of the cost, or $1.78 million. The county is using $594,000 from its stormwater fund to cover the remaining expense.

The county has no immediate plans for the properties once the homes are torn down. April Hunt

Job expo in Decatur June 28

DeKalb County will host a workforce expo for residents later this month in Decatur.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at DeKalb Workforce Development, 320 Church St., Decatur.

The goal is to provide employment services and other resources for those interested.

Information: 404-687-3407. April Hunt

History center presents photo exhibition

The DeKalb History Center is hosting an exhibit on photographs from the 1950s and 1960s, focusing on trends and styles from that era.

The photos are part of the collection from Guy Hayes, a professional freelance photographer in the area. A grant from the Decatur Beer Festival in 2010 helped the center digitize the negatives to allow for display.

Exhibit hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the center, inside the historic Courthouse on the Square in Decatur. Information: 404-373-1088 or www.dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

100,000 meals donated to Fulton County Schools

Feeding Children Everywhere, a Florida-based non-profit, is donating 100,000 healthy meals to the Fulton County Schools. The meals will be used to stock the district's crisis food pantries to help hungry kids throughout the county. This donation is part of a national 3 million meal project, where 20,000 people will hand-package rice, lentils, veggies and Himalayan sea salt into casserole bags. This project will help 30 school districts around the country, including Fulton. Jaime Sarrio

Kedron pool reopens in Peachtree City

The pools at Peachtree City's Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center have reopened following initial repairs from the June 21 arson fire. The pools and lobby are operating on their regular schedule, but the gymnasium and meeting rooms remain closed while crews repair other damage. Restrooms and phones are back in service also. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough approves new budget, water rate

The McDonough City Council approved a FY2012 general fund budget of $11,246,435. That is a decrease from the previous year, which city officials say is due to a drop in revenue because of lower property values. Also, effective July 1, water rates in McDonough will go up roughly 5 percent. The change will not be reflected until the August bill. The council voted in 2011 to mirror Henry County's water rates, and after the county rates rose last October the city is now following suit. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Stockbridge considering new city administrator

The Stockbridge City Council has scheduled a special called meeting for Thursday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The lone item on the agenda is consideration of the city administrator position, which is now open since Ray Gibson's departure last month. Following the meeting at 7 p.m. is the council's July work session, held one week early due to the July 4 holiday. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Start times for Henry schools are changing

The Henry County School System has announced some changes to the daily schedule for the upcoming school year, due to the new three-tier bus routing system that will keep elementary, middle and high school students separate when riding to and from school. Elementary students will keep last year's routine, starting at 7:55 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. The middle school day will last from 8:55 a.m. until 3:55 p.m. High schools will change their start time to 8:10 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. Parents are encouraged to check with individual schools to confirm start times, as there could be slight variations to accommodate particulars within their schedules, but they will still fall close to the listed times. Monroe Roark

Freedom Fest set July 4

Community Bible Church, 2001 Jodeco Road, Stockbridge is bringing back its annual Freedom Fest, which includes concert performances, a car show, prize give-a-ways, contests, food and fireworks. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. Information: 770-914-0808. Monroe Roark