County by county news for Thursday

The district was required by state law to wait 14 days after naming Hinojosa the finalist before approving a contract.

Board chairwoman Alison Bartlett said Hinojosa would earn $237,000 annually and he is expected to start July 1.

Jaime Sarrio

Stormwater fee to boost Austell revenues

An additional $150,000 in revenue is expected to be collected next year by Austell city officials with their new stormwater fee. Beginning with November’s tax bill, the $3 monthly fee will be charged to residential customers, said Duane R. Demerit, operations manager for the Austell Public Works Department. An increased fee also will be charged to church, school and commercial customers based upon their square footage, he noted.

This fee will be a part of the city’s 2011-12 budget that is expected to be approved on June 6. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Group drives to help kids out of foster care

EveryChildUSA, along with Marietta nonprofit organization, The Orange Duffel Bag Foundation, have launched a national campaign to raise money for teens aging out of foster care.

The groups are seeking $10 donations to provide access to health care, life-plan coaching and training to save teens from being homeless, incarceration or suicide. According to the organizations, more than 50 percent of teens who age out of the foster care system experience homelessness within the first 18 months.

To donate, text ORANGE to 85944, or visit, http://www.everychildusa.com Janel Davis

Libraries start reading programs June 1

Cobb libraries summer reading program began this week at area branches with a travel-themed program that will explore places from Oceania to Russia.

The program includes more than 700 activities for children up through 12th grade. Children fifth grade and below should register at an area branch; older students are encouraged to submit book reviews and follow the program through the library’s social media network.

The program is free and ends July 31.

Information: http://www.cobbcat.org Janel Davis

Paper sculpture camp for kids June 6-10

The Art Station-Big Shanty in Kennesaw is offering a unique camping experience for middle school students, June 6-10.

The paper sculpture camp is for ages 11-13, and will include an overview of the art form and a history of paper sculpture artists. The camp will be taught by Alexandra Hart, who has a background in industrial architecture and experience in using paper to build in 3-D.

The camp runs daily from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Art Station, 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road.

Information: 770-514-5930, or http://www.artstationcobb.org Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Porter to review bills submitted by judge

Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter will soon start reviewing bills submitted by Rodney Harris, a former indigent defense attorney who is now a Recorder’s Court Judge.

Porter had to get permission to view the invoices because they relate to juvenile cases. A Juvenile Court judge granted the request this week. A recent audit found Harris billed the county for $1.1 million between 2005 and 2010. Many of the bills he submitted were too imprecise and illegible to be audited. Porter is reviewing the bills to see if Harris should face criminal charges. Andria Simmons

DragonCon founder’s case delayed again

A hearing for DragonCon founder Edward Kramer, accused of molesting three teenage boys, was canceled Wednesday after his attorneys withdrew a motion to dismiss the case. The case has languished for 11 years, but Kramer has been out of jail on bond most of that time. Kramer’s lawyers say he can’t stand trial, because a degenerative spinal injury. Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Karen Byers offered to make accommodations for him at a 2009 hearing. No agreement could be reached and the case was delayed again. Andria Simmons

DOT gets money for 8 Gwinnett projects

The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced federal funding for eight Gwinnett County construction projects. Gwinnett projects to be funded include: Buford Highway median landscaping ($150,000), Georgia Gwinnett College pedestrian paths ($500,000), Brushy Creek greenway and Suwanee Dam Road trail ($450,000), Ga. 141 Access Road sidewalk ($250,000), Satellite Boulevard pedestrian and transit connector ($450,000), Southeastern Railway Museum ($500,000), Buford Highway transit-oriented sidewalk/park ($450,000) and Norcross pedestrian connectivity ($100,000).

David Wickert

Rainbow Village names volunteer of year

Rainbow Village, a transitional housing community in Duluth for homeless families with children, has named Cathe Reams as its 2011 Volunteer of the Year. Reams has volunteered with Rainbow Village for more than four years. She’s credited with organizing and leading multiple days of service, securing more than $10,000 in foundation grants, and donating more than 20 bikes to children at Rainbow Village, among other things.

“I’m not sure Cathe fully grasps the depth and breadth of her impact at Rainbow Village,” said Nancy Yancey, CEO of Rainbow Village. Joel Anderson

Chef Blais hosts charity event June 11

Celebrity chef Richard Blais will help raise money for Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome by hosting a charity event June 11 at Peachtree Corners.

Blais will partner with Ford as part of the “Drive with Purpose” nationwide tour that will feature test drives of the 2012 Ford Focus. Each test drive will result in a $2 donation to Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome. The city with the highest attendance and number of test drives will receive a $25,000 prize from Ford. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth like won’t vote on HUD contract tonight

Forsyth County commissioners Brian Tam and Todd Levent plan to miss tonight’s regular meeting for commissioner training classes at St. Simons Island, meaning there won’t be a vote whether to rescind an earlier decision by the commission to pursue a $5 million HUD loan to help a private developer build a senior community on Windermere Parkway.

The vote to rescind was split 2-2 at the last commission meeting: Levent and Jim Boff in favor, Pete Amos and Patrick Bell opposed, Tam absent. Jeffry Scott

Cherokee holds suspect in hit-and-run

A suspect was arrested Wednesday in an incident that left a 19-year-old Acworth woman critically injured.

Dalton Mason, 19, was arrested at his home in Acworth and charged with serious injury by vehicle, failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield to a pedestrian, said Lt. Howard Baker of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, Negin Efani, 19, remained in critical condition with a head injury Wednesday at Kennestone Hospital, Baker said. Joel Provano

Sandy Springs offers response training

The Sandy Springs Fire Department is offering emergency response training to provide training on basic response skills. The first class will be from 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday at Sandy Springs Fire Station No. 4, 4697 Wieuca Road. Participants will be part of a Community Emergency Response Team who can to assist following an event when professional responders have not yet arrived. Information: CERT Coordinator James Laudermilk at 404-368-6490 or james.laudermilk@sandyspringsga.org

Michelle E. Shaw

Creekview club raises $5,000 for Habitat

Creekview High School’s Habitat for Humanity club raised $5,000 for Habitat houses in Cherokee County. More than 50 students helped raise money and held meetings to raise awareness at the school of the problem of homelessness in the Cherokee County. Christopher Quinn

Sterling on Lake concert series to commence

The planned community, Sterling on the Lake, in Flowery Branch, is hosting its third annual “Songs 4 Summer” concert series for the next three Saturdays (June 4, 11, and 18), on the Sterling Village Green, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This Saturday on stage: the classic rock band Terry Lee and the GTs.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

Parking is $5 per car for non-residents. Information at www.sterlingonthelake.com/concerts, or call 770-967-9777. Jeffry Scott

Sandy Springs police host family fun day

The Sandy Springs Police Department Second Annual Family Fun Day will be Saturday , from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 352 Sandy Springs Circle, near the corner of Sandy Springs Circle and Roswell Road.

Join members of the Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund and Slappey & Sadd Attorneys for food, games, music.

Don’t miss your chance to Dunk-A-Cop! Michelle E. Shaw

ATLANTA

Inaugural class of Du Bois scholars named

The W.E.B. Du Bois Society, an Atlanta-based organization that addresses cultural attitudes, behaviors and influences that impact the academic ambitions of African-American youth, has named its inaugural class of Du Bois Scholars.

The 2011 group of Du Bois Scholars includes: Camara Carter of Sandy Springs High School; Danielle Daley of The Westminster School;

Julia Davis of Carver Health Sciences & Research High School; Camera Elliott of Pike County High School;

Asha Harris of Parkview High School; and Kevin Smith of Redan High School. Ernie Suggs

Holy Innocents students score in science contest

Students at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School of Atlanta placed nationally in a prestigious science competition.

The school placed 22nd at the Science Olympiad National Tournament.

School officials said HIES students competed against 60 middle schools.

The school received medals in two events.

Annie Strickland and Carolyn Stanek placed fifth in Awesome Aquifers with an assist from team member Johnny Maier. Ananya Munjal and Ivano Milo placed sixth in Can’t Judge a Powder.

HIES students placed in the top-10 in three events and won other awards. D. Aileen Dodd

Firefighters replace bad fire alarms

In response to unwittingly distributing bogus fire alarms, Atlanta firefighters went door-to-door this past weekend handing out new ones.

The fire department gave away 18,500 bogus photoelectric smoke alarms from 2006 through May as part of the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Program. Now the alarms have to be replaced ASAP, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Residents who suspect they may have a bogus alarm should call the department at 404-546-2733 or send an email to smokealarm@atlanta.gov to request a replacement. Staff reports

DEKALB

Georgia Perimeter College cited for service

Georgia Perimeter College, headquartered in Decatur, has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction for its service-learning projects. They include: ESL instructor Beth Wallace’s work with her students tutoring Bhutanese refugees at Clarkston Community Center; a student tutoring project at Hillside Elementary led by English and reading professor Mary Ann Errico and reading instructor Audrey Bennett; and GPC science professor Pam Gore’s multiple science service-learning projects with her students at Stone Mountain Park. Nancy Badertscher

Museum School to apply for charter status

The Museum School of Avondale Estates plans to submit a petition this week to the DeKalb County School System for status as a charter school. It’s one of 16 charter schools that the Georgia Supreme Court determined, in a mid-May ruling, were approved by a process that’s unconstitutional. Principal Katherine Kelbaugh said she’s been told the county’s Board of Education plans to review the school’s request during its June 13 meeting. The school is asking supporters to write letters and sign an online petition at themuseumschool.org/index.php. Bill Banks for the AJC

MedShare helps Ala. tornado victims

MedShare is joining other nonprofits to help tornado victims in Alabama.

Typically, MedShare of Decatur sends medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics overseas, but the devastation has been so great in the U.S., that the organization is looking closer to home to help.

MedShare will team up with the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments to send supplies to affected areas in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere. At least two tractor trailer size containers will ship out this month. Shelia Poole

Federal grant to with senior services

DeKalb County has accepted a joint federal and state grant that will provide various services to senior citizens.

The $1.68 million grant requires a $132,000 match from the county to pay for transportation, meals, personal care and other services in the aging/nutrition program.

The funding covers expenses for a year, starting on July 1. April Hunt

NFL pitches in to help youth football

The National Football League, along with the National Recreation and Park Association, has awarded DeKalb County a grant to help fund its youth football programs.

The $5,000 grant will help fund tackle football leagues in the county’s recreation department. There is no required local match for the money. April Hunt

County to pay rent for Senior Connections

DeKalb County has agreed to pay a year’s rent to an agency in the northern part of the county that houses various senior citizen programs.

The $45,600 payment to Senior Connections covers the cost of space leased for the North DeKalb Senior programs and events. The lease runs from July through June 2012. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Time for Peachtree City golf cart renewal

It’s time for Peachtree City residents to renew the registration decals for their golf carts. All carts using Peachtree City paths must replace their gold decals with new white ones by Oct. 1, for $12 each. The city is sending notices by mail, staggering the registration period for the approximately 10,000 carts. Renewals also can be done online for city residents only. Golf cart users in Fayetteville and unincorporated Fayette County must also purchase new decals, but with higher fees; see www.peachtree-city.org for details. Jill Howard Church

Court upholds bank worker’s conviction

The federal appeals court in Atlanta on Wednesday upheld convictions against a former Wachovia Bank employee who worked in the bank’s exceptions department.

Last August, Yolanda Denise Scott, of Hampton, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found there was sufficient evidence at trial to support Scott’s convictions for her role in a scheme to sell bank customers’ account information and Social Security numbers. Bill Rankin

Police, others to conduct training drill at school

Fulton County’s police, fire and other emergency responders will participate today in an full-scale emergency training exercise at Renaissance Middle School in Fairburn. Emergency personnel will respond to the scenario of a shooter on a school campus and deploy resources as though it were a real situation, with SWAT vehicles, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Staging will be at nearby at Langston Hughes High School. Nancy Badertscher

‘The Goonies’ shows at East Point outdoors

East Point’s “Friday Night Flicks” kicks off Friday night with a screening of the family favorite “The Goonies.” The movie begins at dusk at The Commons area across from City Hall on East Point Street. Residents are urged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. John Thompson for the AJC

‘Art in the Park’ in McDonough Saturday

McDonough Arts will sponsor “Art in the Park” Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. on the square in McDonough. There will be artist demonstrations, including visual, performing and literary arts as well as photography. To participate as an artist, contact Jeff Hunter at 770-633-6738 or jeff@jeffhuntergallery.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Man gets life in College Park murder

An Atlanta man has received a life sentence for killing an acquaintance whose jokes sparked an argument, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said. Quentin Alexander, 29, was convicted last week of murdering Arturo Milton, 38, during a July 4th party last year in College Park.

Milton joked with Alexander, saying he was glad he had not beaten him up two years ago when the two men almost got in a fight. Alexander took exception and, after Milton punched him in the face, fired three shots -- including a fatal one to Milton’s chest, the office said. Bill Rankin