County by county news for Thursday

Instead of having to find paper maps in the office to locate water leaks, Public Works Director Greg Ramsey said they can use a laptop in their truck.

Locations from the use of ground-penetrating lasers will be entered into the database. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Ethics board dismisses complaint against Lee

The Cobb Board of Ethics dismissed a complaint Tuesday against Cobb Commission Chair Tim Lee alleging he violated the open meeting laws in a deal with the Atlanta Braves to move the stadium to Cobb.

Marietta attorney Gary Pelphrey,who filed the complaint, charged Lee with eight ethics violations.

The board dismissed a second complaint in April against Lee and Commissioners Bob Ott, Helen Goreham and Jo Ann Birrell concerning the Braves deal. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs changes mailing rule

The Powder Springs City Council voted Monday to allow rezoning applicants to send notices by regular mail instead of certified mail.

Notifications are due 15 days before the first public hearing for those owning property within 200 feet of any part of the land that may be rezoned. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Shelter to offer special adoption rates

Cobb Animal Control will offer special adoption rates Saturday at the shelter during an arts and crafts festival with 30 vendors 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday,1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. Shelter staff, volunteers and local rescue groups will attend in an effort to find homes for homeless animals.

Free; donations of unopened dog and cat food are requested.

Information: www.cobbcounty.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Free Civil War program Monday

Paddle Georgia 2014 will host a free Civil War program at 7:45 p.m. Monday at Riverview Landing, 6269 Riverview Road, Mableton at the Chattahoochee River.

Sandy Springs historian and Civil War expert Clarke Otten will discuss the river’s role in the Civil War.

Information: garivers.org/paddle_georgia.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Bids needed for Powder Springs Park

Licensed general contractors may attend a pre-bid meeting at 2 p.m. June 24 at 1772 County Services Parkway, second floor, Marietta on demolition and construction at Powder Springs Park, 3899 Brownsville Road, Powder Springs.

Bids must be submitted before noon July 10 to the Cobb County Purchasing Department, 100 Cherokee St., Suite 260, Marietta

Information: Anthony Iorillo, Croft and Associates, P.C., 770-529-7714 or Anthony@croftandassociates.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Peachtree Corners approves church to sell cars

A church at 4521 Buford Highway has been approved to operate a used car lot to help defer expenses. The Peachtree Corners City Council approved the special-use permit to allow for 70 cars on the front of the lot and 20 cars on the back. The permit specifies that no inoperable vehicles be left outside, including trailers and junk cars. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Fire academy expansion continues

Gwinnett Commissioners have approved a $9.7 million contract to build the second phase of an expansion to the Gwinnett County Fire Academy. The project, funded by 2009 SPLOST, will get underway by fall, with completion expected in two years.

The existing burn building and high-rise training tower at 3608 Braselton Road near Dacula will remain.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Free food preservation class

The Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service will present a free food preservation class 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Five Forks Library Branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville. Copies of the comprehensive handbook So Easy to Preserve will be available for purchase for $18, exact change or check only.

Information: 678-377-4010 or france.hernandez@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville awarded highway safety grant

The Snellville Police Department was awarded an $8,000 grant by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to purchase the new CMI Intoxilyzer 9000, which is used to test suspects for driving under the influence. All law enforcement agencies in Georgia are required to have the Intoxilyzer 9000 by 2015. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Cleanup challenge winners announced

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful is thanking the more than 16,000 participants in the 2014 Great American Cleanup Gwinnett Challenge.

Group winners of the Gwinnett Challenge include The Gwinnett Daily Post, The Peachtree Corners & United Peachtree Corners Civic Association, The Gwinnett Community Alliance, Lanier HS Environmental Club and Primerica.

Information: www.GwinnettCB.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Snellville joining food truck trend

Snellville will offer its first food truck event from 4 to 8 p.m. June 20 on the Town Green. In addition to food choices, the event will offer music, inflatables and games for families. Food trucks on site will include The Runaway Kitchen Food Truck, Happy Belly Food Truck, Mac The Cheese Truck, Hail Caesar Food Truck, Dominic’s NY Pizza Truck and Tracy’s Tasties Food Truck.

Information: www.snellvilletourism.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Lanes to shift on Forsyth road project

The Georgia DOT says traffic will be shifted over Friday night on the Ga.141/Bethelview Road at Ga. 9 intersection improvement project in Cumming, weather permitting. About one-half mile of Ga.9 will be moved onto newly built lanes of the roadway, to allow construction to continue on other sections of the project. Officials say the overnight shift will mean lane closures and delayed traffic, and should be complete by 8 a.m. Saturday. The $5 million project is on schedule for a July 29 finish. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Sandy Springs okays FY 2015 budget

Sandy Springs City Council has approved the city’s $200 million fiscal 2015 budget which includes an appropriation of roughly $95. 7 million for the Capital Projects Fund. Incorporated into that is $13.5 million for continued funding of Phase 1 of the City Center project, plus $1.75 million for stormwater infrastructure improvements. The budget calls for keeping the current millage rate of 4.731. Mark Woolsey

Black Republican group swears in officers

The Cherokee County Black Republican Council will swear in its first-ever slate of officers elected last month at 7 p.m. June 26 at Williamson Brothers Barbecue, 1600 Marietta Highway, Canton. Officers: Corey Branning, Chair; Ernest Jones, First Vice-Chair; Yvette Pegues; Treasurer and Eric Johnson ; Secretary. Mark Woolsey

Sandy Springs picks development partner

Sandy Springs city officials have selected Carter/Selig Enterprises as its proposed Master Developer partner for phase 1 of the City Center development project. The firm was one of four finalists considered. A 90-day process will begin to create a more detailed master plan. Phase 1 includes city hall, green space, mixed-use office/retail/residential development and a performing arts facility. The cost of the project hasn’t been determined. Mark Woolsey

Theatre ensemble to appear at senior center

The Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex will host a performance of the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, 1:30 p.m. June 24 at 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs.

The theatre company is made up of members ranging in age from 8 to 24. Its members are encouraged to explore and express their feelings and concerns about the world around them through the performing arts.

Information: 404-613-4900.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Chamber ramping up business showcase

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is seeking exhibitors for its 2014 Business Showcase, set for 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, (I-575 exit 11) in Holly Springs. The event is both a business-to-business and business-to-consumer event spotlighting products and services in Cherokee and more than 40 exhibitor booths are planned. The event will also include “A Taste of Cherokee“, spotlighting local restaurants and caterers. More information: cherokeechamber.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

APS student records subpoenaed

Prosecutors and lawyers for former Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly Hall have both asked the Georgia Department of Education for student answer sheets from past administrations of state tests in connection with the APS test-cheating case.

Thirteen former educators, including Hall, face criminal charges in a trial scheduled to begin later this year.

The lawyers subpoenaed answer sheets from the 2008, 2009 and 2010 administrations of state tests, the Criterion Referenced Competency Test.

Molly Bloom

Urban League to hold financial workshop

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is hosting a financial education workshop, 10 a.m. June 28 at the Urban League’s offices, 229 Peachtree St., Suite 30.

Participants will learn the keys to successful financial planning, including budgeting and managing credit scores, asset building and how to prepare for a financial future and home ownership. The workshop is free and registration is requested.

Information: ulgatl.org/events Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Morehouse hosts clinical trials forum

Morehouse School of Medicine will hold a forum from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the medical school’s National Center for Primary Care, 720 Westview Drive, about the need for more diversity in clinical trials.

The forum will also provide information on how medicines can be better developed for all people.

Information: 404-752-1500 Janel Davis

Urban League to hold gala, honor actress

DeMarco Morgan of WXIA will be master of ceremonies at the fourth annual Spirit of the League awards luncheon, noon June 27 at the Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station, 361 17th St. NW. The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is hosting the awards ceremony, which will honor actress and philanthropist Terri J. Vaughn. Information: ulgatl.org/sol or 404-659-6580. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Decatur approves budget increase

Decatur’s commission approved a fiscal year 2015 budget of $21.8 million, a five percent increase over FY 2014 which ends June 30. The city’s millage rate stays the same at 13 mills, but the city’s anticipating higher tax revenues because of an expected 12.75 percent increase in its overall tax digest, including an increase in many home assessments. The new budget includes a three percent cost-of-living raise for full-time employees and adds five new full-time positions. Bill Banks

Ground breaking for Avondale fire station

Ground breaking for the DeKalb County fire station in Avondale Estates will take place at 10:30 a.m. today at 24 N. Clarendon Ave.

The $2.4 million building will be a state-of-the-art facility that replaces the former Avondale fire district station. It is projected to be completed in the summer of 2015. Kent A. Miles

Hidden Hills residents invited to meeting

A meeting of residents and business owners in the Greater Hidden Hills community will take place 6:30 p.m. Tuesdayat Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain.

Leaders of the Main Street Tucker Alliance will be present to share advice on how to turn the Greater Hidden Hills district into a vibrant community that promotes redevelopment and enhances the quality of life.

Information: greaterhiddenhillscdc.org Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DeKalb students can get free software

Students in DeKalb County schools can download Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus on up to five devices, including mobile devices, for free.

The Microsoft Student Advantage Program provides free access to Office 365 Pro Plus to students in school districts that purchase the appropriate license.

Go to https://login.microsoftonline.com, enter student’s email and password.

Information: studentlogin@dekalbschoolsga.org. Emily Farlow

School TV station goes mobile

The DeKalb County School District is making its in-house cable TV news station available on the mobile platforms Android and iOS through the educational access channel, PDS-TV24. It will carry live programming such as school board meetings. The content was previously available on computers via web streaming.

Information: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us,

, Instagram.com/dekalbschools or on Twitter @dekalbschools.

Ty Tagami

DeKalb watchdog group fights corruption

A group of residents has formed a government watchdog group that seeks to prevent corruption and improve ethics.

DeKalb Citizens for Good Government is beginning its work with a petition drive urging the county to create an anti-corruption police unit tasked with investigating corruption within county government.

The group’s director is concerned citizen Aja Marie Pascale, and its founding members include former DeKalb Commissioner Gale Walldorff and other involved county residents. Mark Niesse

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton eyes new playground equipment

The Fulton County school board is expected to approve a $1.3 million installation of new playground equipment for some 37 elementary schools according to the board’s agenda for today’s meeting. The initiative will include removal of older equipment that has become outdated and difficult to maintain, school officials say. Many of the playgrounds that will be replaced are 12-16 years old and do not meet current playground standards. The majority of the site and playground work will take place between September 2014 and January 2015. Rose French

Fayette schools adopt FY15 budget

The Fayette County Board of Education voted 5-0 Monday to accept the FY2015 budget. The $170.5 million plan includes a 1.5 percent pay increase for teachers and staff and a $17 million cash reserve. The board left open the possibility of reinstating some programs dropped during previous years’ budget cuts, depending on mid-year cash flow.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Lake Peachtree bridge re-opens

The pedestrian, bike and golf cart bridge across Lake Peachtree near City Hall in Peachtree City has re-opened to traffic. The bridge was closed on May 19 to remove and replace deteriorating wood railings and bumpers. It was cleared for use following a final inspection this week.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Special-needs event at Gander Mountain

People First of Henry County, an organization that supports special-needs individuals, will host a fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon June 21 at the new Gander Mountain store in Henry Town Center. There will be a bake sale and a raffle to win a wheelbarrow filled with items donated by local businesses.

Tickets will be on sale for a Sept. 9 benefit concert. Madelyn Patterson of Jackson, who competed in this year’s “American Idol,” will have an appearance at 10 a.m. Information: peoplefirstofhenrycounty@yahoo.com or kbinspector@bellsouth.net. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Community service board has opening

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for a Fayette representative for the McIntosh Trail Community Service Board. The 15-member volunteer group provides mental health, developmental disability and addictive disease services to residents in seven local counties. To apply, contact Floyd Jones at fjones@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5102 by July 3.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Development official to address chamber

Mary Ellen McClanahan, director of Entrepreneur and Small Business Development for the Georgia Department of Economic Development will be the keynote speaker at the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel, 4736 Best Road, Atlanta.

Admission to the luncheon is $40 for chamber members, $50 for nonmembers.

Information: southfultonchamber.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC