County by county news for Thursday

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

City to hire police officer, sanitation worker

Powder Springs is seeking to hire a police officer and a sanitation worker. The police officer deadline is March 28, while the sanitation worker job is open until filled.

Applications may be downloaded from cityofpowdersprings.org or call 770- 943-1666 to request an application by mail.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org/index.aspx?NID=119.

CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM FOR THE AJC

Cobb EMC meeting Thursday

Cobb Electric Membership Corporation’s board of directors will hold a town hall meeting 6:30 p.m. today March 27 at Cobb EMC community room, 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta. EMC members can fill out a registration form online or at the meeting. Photo identification is required to verify membership. Information: www.cobbemc.com.

TUCKER MCQUEEN FOR THE AJC

Elks lodge to host event for Vietnam vets

Marietta Elks Lodge 1657 is hosting a welcome home tribute and barbecue for Vietnam War veterans and their guests at 2 p.m. SundayMarch 30, 1706 Powder Springs Road, Marietta.

Information: nitaknighton@yahoo.com or 770-337-7256.

KENT A. MILES FOR THE AJC

South Cobb Business Association meets

Bernard W. King, public programs coordinator of the Cobb Emergency Management Agency, will be the luncheon speaker for the South Cobb Business Association 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. WednesdayApril 2 at the Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.

Costs: $12, members prepaid online; $15, members at the door; $20, nonmembers.

Information: sc-ba.org or 678-224-7300.

CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM FOR THE AJC

Powder Springs will give $120,000 more to Croy

The Powder Springs City Council voted recently to pay Croy Engineering of Marietta an extra $120,000 for Lewis Road engineering services.

Croy’s work also will include a land survey as a part of road design improvements.

CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM FOR THE AJC

Sign up now for Marietta July 4 parade

Marietta is looking for bands, military units, scouts, beauty queens and businesses to participate in the July 4 Let Freedom Ring parade. Applications accepted through May 30 for the 1.5-mile parade from Roswell Street Baptist Church to Cherokee Street and North Marietta Parkway. Information: www.mariettaga.gov or 770-794-5601. TUCKER MCQUEEN

GWINNETT

Sugar Hill converting vehicles to dual fuel

Sugar Hill is upgrading city vehicles to reduce the amount of gasoline used and emissions produced during normal operations by converting three pickup trucks to dual fuel capability. The trucks will run on compressed natural gas or regular gasoline. The city installed a slow fill station in the City Hall parking deck to refill vehicles overnight for the next workday. Assuming positive results, Sugar Hill will purchase CNG vehicles to replace the remainder of the fleet as they age out. Information: www.cityofsugarhill.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fun run shuts down road Sunday

The 18th Annual Arcado Fun Run 2 p.m. Sunday with registration beginning at 1 p.m. at the school, 5150 Arcado Road, Lilburn.

Subsequently, Arcado Road from Rockbridge to Lilburn-Stone Mountain will be closed from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Early registration: arcado.org/our-school/news/

Information: funrun@arcadopta.org ARLINDA SMITH BROADY

Norcross talking trash and feeding hungry

Norcross will hold their annual Mega Spring Clean & Recycle event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Residents may shred documents at City Hall, 65 Lawrenceville St.

Electronics can be recycled at the Norcross Community Center, 10 College St. Information: www.norcrossga.net. KAREN HUPPERTZ FOR THE AJC

Lawrenceville police fund GGC scholarship

The Lawrenceville Police Benevolent Fund has established an endowed scholarship for Georgia Gwinnett College students pursuing bachelor degrees in criminal justice.

Officers have raised $50,000 to support the Lawrenceville Police Scholarship. Scholarship plans began in 2009 when GGC was introducing a criminal justice degree, while the police department was renewing its emphasis on employee education.

JANEL DAVIS

Color run to support green industry

The Georgia Green Industry Association will hold the first annual Spring into Color 5K Dash at 9 a.m. Saturday at Town Center Park, Suwanee to help fund GGIA’s Partnership in Sustainability Program with a portion benefitting Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Trees Atlanta, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Information: www.SpringintoColor5KDash.com.

KAREN HUPPERTZ FOR THE AJC

Duluth launches information app

Duluth has launched a new app for searching restaurants, retail shops, etc., check an event calendar, report issues, and find information about city parks.

The app is also expected to add components with future updates. Duluth’s app is available in the Apple and Google Play stores. KAREN HUPPERTZ FOR THE AJC

NORTHSIDE

DOT warns of lane shift in Forsyth County

The Georgia Department of Transportation has some changes in the works Thursday night into Friday in Cumming, weather permitting. As part of the widening of Bethelview Road, traffic will shift, in sections, over onto approximately one mile of newly constructed road from north of Ga. 9 to the north of Castleberry Road. The DOT says the shift will occur in phases, ending at 6 a.m. Friday, and will allow crews to work in the original lanes. The shift will require lane closures and lead to traffic delays.The $4.8 million overall project is set to finish June 30.

MARK WOOLSEY FOR THE AJC

New tax on the way in Canton

Canton residents-and visitors-will gear up for a new tax come Oct. 1. A 3 percent excise tax on all car rentals in the city will go into effect with the beginning of the next fiscal year, after a City Council 5-1 vote. The measure had been debated off-and-on for at least two years.. Mayor Gene Hobgood estimates the tax will generate, at minimum, $50-60,000 a year, which is set to be be used for economic development, tourism and possibly other areas.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee teen Republicans plan meeting

The Cherokee County Teen Republicans will hold their annual convention meeting at noon April 19 at the Holly Springs Train Depot Community Center, 164 Hickory Road. The meeting’s been called to elect new officers and delegates to the state convention, which is set for June 7 in Atlanta. The group is open to all ages 13 through 19.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Bass tournament to benefit Reinhardt team

Reinhardt University’s Bass Anglers Fishing Team will hold its inaugural bass tournament from safelight until 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19, launching from the Victoria Boat Ramp at Lake Allatoona. Teams can consist of one or two anglers per boat, and the entry fee is $70, $20 of which will go to finance the Reinhardt team’s participation in the upcoming Collegiate Bass Championships in Alabama. Teams can register at the Dugout fishing store in Kennesaw prior to the event, or the day of on-site. Information: 770-380-9791.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Exhibit will explore Cherokee’s past

The Cherokee County History Museum has debuted a new temporary exhibit, “Unearthing the Past: Archaeology in Cherokee County,” which will run until April 12. The exhibit highlights more than 1,000 archeological sites and includes dozens of rarely-seen artifacts. The museum’s at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: www.rockbarn.org

MARK WOOLSEY FOR THE AJC

Cumming to host springtime plant sale

The Forsyth County Master Gardeners group will hold its 2014 plant sale 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. April 12 at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road. Annuals., perennials, trees, shrubs and vegetables will all be offered for sale. Vendors will stock southern plants and experts will be on hand to give tips on growing and caring for your plants. Information: 770-887-2418.MARK WOOLSEY FOR THE AJC

ATLANTA

Deal to speak at Georgia Southern commencement

Gov. Nathan Deal will deliver the graduation address during Georgia Southern University’s undergraduate commencement on 9 a.m. May 10 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

Georgia Teacher of the Year Jemelleh Coes will deliver the commencement address for graduate students 1 p.m. May 9 at Hanner Fieldhouse. Coes, a Georgia Southern alumna, is a special education English language arts teacher at Langston Chapel Middle School in Bulloch County.

Both ceremonies will be streamed live at www.georgiasouthern.tv

Information: www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/commencement

Janel Davis

Emory dean named leader of Georgia Tech business school

Georgia Tech has named Maryam Alavi as its new deal of the Scheller College of Business.

Alavi is the current interim dean of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

She has also held faculty positions at the University of Houston, University of Maryland at College Park and was a Marvin Bower faculty fellow at Harvard Business School. She was also a two-time gubernatorial appointee to the Georgia Technology Authority board.

Alavi begins her new position at Georgia Tech on July 1. She replaces Steve Salbu, who has led the business college since 2006. Salbu will resume his faculty position as director of the college’s business ethics program.

Janel Davis

Ceremony to mark Japan-Georgia relations

A tree-planting ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the Consulate Generate of Japan in Atlanta will be held 3 p.m. Friday at the Millennium Gate Museum, 395 17th St. NW.

Ceremony participants will plant the last of 40 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees at the museum in recognition of the four decades of official relations between Japan and Georgia. The cherry tree represents the renewal of Spring and is a symbol of the strong relationship between Japan and the United States.

The museum will be free and open to the public before and after the event.

Information: TheGateAtlanta.com

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Dunwoody city manager leaving

Dunwoody’s city manager, who has been with the DeKalb County city since it incorporated five years ago, is stepping down.

Warren Hutmacher is resigning to take the same job in Johns Creek. He will earn $183,000 a year in the new role.

Hutmatcher, Dunwoody’s first city employee, will remain in Dunwoody until April 25.

April Hunt

NAACP hosting membership breakfast

The DeKalb County branch of the NAACP is hosting its annual membership breakfast Saturday 3/29.

Tickets are $30 for the event, which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, south of Decatur.

Information/tickets: 404-241-8006.

April Hunt

Brookhaven begins planning projects

Brookhaven recently began two large-scale planning efforts for its parks and citywide land use.

The city is paying Lose & Associates $90,000 for an audit and master plan for its eight parks. Work is slated to finish in about four months.

The city also hired Jacobs Engineering for a 28-week study to look at the city’s planned growth and needs in the next two decades. Cost of that work is about $148,000.

Information about both studies: www.brookhavenga.gov.

April Hunt

School art exhibit at Art Station

The DeKalb County School System is holding its annual student/faculty art exhibit at Art Station in Stone Mountain Village. The exhibit opens Friday, March 28th with a reception 5 to 7 p.m. The artwork will be on display through April 27. Elementary, middle, and high school students are participating in this county-wide event.

Arlinda Smith Broady

Seminar in Lithonia for young people

The second annual Rockin’ Out for Puberty seminar for boys and girls will take place at 9:30 a.m. SaturdayMarch 29 at the Leadership Preparatory Academy , 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia.

Rockin’ Out for Puberty is the premier event for the RUTH 4 Kids Foundation, a volunteer organization that seeks to empower and improve the self esteem of girls. Youth motivational speaker Kantis Simmons will deliver the keynote address.

Information: ruth4kids.org

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Junior League hosts ‘meet and greet’

The Junior League of DeKalb County Inc.hosts a “Meet and Greet” for prospective new members 3 – 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014 at its headquarters, the historical Mary Gay House, 716 W. Trinity Place, Decatur. Learn about how you can make an impact in DeKalb County through volunteer, training, and social opportunities provided by JLD. Information: michne@yahoo.com or 404-992-8737. Registration: www.jldekalb.org/?nd=p_event_detail&event_id=122

Arlinda Smith Broady

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville teen charged with murder

Fayetteville police have arrested Mustafa Mahdi, 17, for allegedly stabbing his uncle during an altercation Monday night (March 24). Officers called to the scene of a domestic disturbance at 395 Sylvan Loop found David John Quincy III with multiple stab wounds; he later died at Atlanta Medical Center. Mahdi has been charged with malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Jobs fair to be held in College Park

The 13th Congressional District Jobs Fair will take place at 10 a.m. FridayMarch 28 at the Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park.

Sponsored by the office of U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-13th District, the jobs fair will be attended by employers looking to fill more than 2,100 positions. Representatives of HomeSafe Georgia and several banks will also be present to help job seekers with mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention resources while they seek new work.

Information: www.house.gov/davidscott or 770-432-5405.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Walker named Henry County manager

James “Jim” Walker has been named county manager by the Henry County Board of Commissioners, and he begins his new job March 31. With 16 years of experience in government, he most recently served as a state liaison for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility for Alabama and Mississippi in the aftermath of the BP Gulf Coast oil spill. He also served for several years as the director of homeland security for the state of Alabama. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Town hall meeting set for April 5

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes’ next town hall meeting is at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Fairview Recreation Center, 35 Austin Rd. in Stockbridge. The focus will be on issues related to serving young people of Henry County, namely mentoring, and Holmes will introduce Woodland High School’s new head football coach, Steve Davenport. Other special guests include state Sen. Emanuel Jones and state Reps. Demetrius Douglas, Sandra Scott and Pamela Stephenson, who will all be on hand to update citizens and answer questions.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

HCPD officers lauded by FBI

Several officers were recognized at the March 18 Henry County Board of Commissioners meeting by Police Chief Keith Nichols, who read a letter from the FBI commending the officers for their assistance in the apprehension and extradition of a wanted fugitive who was arrested in Henry County in February. Sergeant Dan Blythe and officers Erin Combs, Nick Jackson and John Gleason were all mentioned in a letter sent by Agent Ricky Maxwell with the Atlanta Division of the FBI, thanking them for their assistance in helping to locate and arrest Torrance Johnson, a fugitive being sought by the FBI and the Colorado Department of Corrections in connection to a 1999 parole violation. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC