County by county news for Thursday

Mayor Patricia Vaughn told the AJC Tuesday night that no one had called City Hall to comment on the ward changes.

The city’s plan to equalize the population numbers among three City Council wards, based upon the 2010 U.S. Census figures, will be applied to the Nov. 5 elections.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Comment accepted on playground

Comments are being accepted through 5 p.m. July 29 on new playground equipment for Austell’s Legion Park since it is in a floodplain.

Written comments may be submitted to Angela Johnson, Cobb County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Manager, 121 Haynes St., Marietta, GA 30060.

Information: 770-528-1462 or email ajohnson@cobbcountycdbg.com Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

KSU to hold career training expo

Kennesaw State University will hold a career training expo 6-8:30 p.m. July 25 at the KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw. More than 500 people are expected to attend the expo to learn about programs and financial aid options.

Information: ksuexpo.com or 770-423-6765. Jaime Sarrio

Redevelopment chairs to serve another term

The Marietta City Council reappointed Ron Francis and Terry Lee as chairman and vice chairman of the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation for another year-long term, expiring June 30, 2014.

The MRC evaluates potential redevelopment projects and advises city council on redevelopment matters.

For questions, Beth Sessoms, 770-794-5717. Jaime Sarrio

Acworth expected to adopt millage rate

Acworth’s Board of Alderman plans to approve a 7.6 millage rate, the same as last year’s, at a meeting 7 p.m. today at Acworth City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave.

The city’s 2014 budget for the fiscal year that started July 1 is $11.3 million. An increase of about $100,000 above last year’s budget reflects the city eliminating some of its debt and anticipating increased revenue from the ad valorem car tax.

Information: www.acworth.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

South Cobb meeting on name change Thursday

Cobb District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid will hold a community meeting to hear from residents on Smyrna’s proposed name change of the East-West Connector to Silver Comet Parkway at 7 p.m. today, Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.

Cupid said in her email newsletter the Smyrna resolution has to be approved by the Cobb County Commission to become effective for the entire corridor.

Comments by email may be sent to lisa.cupid@cobbcounty.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Property tax rates slightly up for most

Gwinnett County commissioners on Tuesday officially set the property tax rates for 2013, increasing the rate slightly for most county residents.

People who live in unincorporated areas of the county will see a .73-mill increase, which will increase taxes for the owner of a $157,000 home by about $38. Meanwhile, residents in cities that operate a police department will see approximately a 9-percent reduction in their bills; those who live in cities without a police department will have an increase of about 3 percent. Dan Klepal

Lilburn votes to keep millage rate unchanged

The Lilburn City Council approved an millage rate for 2013 of 4.45 mills — no change from the previous year. Because of the continuing decline of property values, the city will realize a 3 percent reduction in the tax base from the previous year. www.cityoflilburn.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Training for cardiac emergencies offered

Zero Response, an awareness program to equip residents with information needed during a cardiac emergency.

Register for the next classes held 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. July 24 at Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services Headquarters, 408 Hurricane Shoals Road, NE, Lawrenceville.

Information: 678-518-4850 or email fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Multicultural Advisory Committee to meet

The Gwinnett Multicultural Advisory Committee will meet 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday.The committee works to provide resources and education to benefit the diverse communities of Gwinnett County.

The meeting is open to the public, and will be at the Norcross Human Services Center, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross.

Information: 770-638-5661.

Hannah Morgan

Students needed for input on Duluth

Duluth is looking for four undergraduate students to tour the city’s newly revitalized downtown at 3 p.m. July 26. Students would provide feedback on the challenges and opportunities Duluth has in continuing to redevelop downtown.Variety of undergraduate majors and degree programs desired, but are looking for those other than planning and development majors.

Selected participants will take a self-guided walking tour of downtown Duluth then meet with the city planner for discussion.

Information: William Aiken, Department of Planning and Development at waiken@duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Candidates sought for park’s ‘top dog’

Duluth Parks and Rec and the Duluth Historical Society are looking for Duluth’s next Top Dog to serve as Mayor of the Chattapoochee Dog Park in Rogers Bridge Park. Deadline midnight Aug. 2. Information: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee Commissioners approve millage rates

Cherokee County residents will see lower county government property tax rates this next year.

The Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday night to roll back the general fund millage rate from 5.825 to 5.798, decrease the fire rate from 3.394 to 3.373 and cut the park bond debt service tax rate from .780 to .776.

Officials say the rollback is being made possible by a 2.55% increase in the tax digest. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell offers food truck weekends

Roswell Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting Roswell River Food Truck Weekends 11 a.m. until dusk Saturdays and Sundays through the fall at Don White Park on the banks of the Chattahoochee River off Riverside Road.

Information:

Staff

Transportation service offered for seniors

Senior Services North Fulton has launched a new transportation voucher program for older adults who are unable to drive. Get Around Town Easily provides adults over 60 with transportation service in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell or Sandy Springs.

The service will offer affordable options for accomplishing personal errands, shopping, visiting and medical trips.

Information: 770-993-906 ext. 242. Patrick Fox

Nonprofit to give backpacks to students

The nonprofit group Give a Kid a Chance-Cherokee will provide as many as 4,000 filled backpacks for needy Cherokee County students 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 20 at Hillside United Methodist Church, Woodstock and First Baptist Church, Canton. Information: www.giveakidachance.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth annual reports now available online

Forsyth County officials say the Forsyth County 2012 annual report and the Forsyth County Fire Department 2012 annual report are both now available.

The county report summarizes the county’s projects, finances and progress this past year.

The fire department report gives details on fire department facilities, divisions and more.

The reports are available at the county administration building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming, and online at forsythco.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

New middle school will open in August

The Cherokee County School District says that the new E.T. Booth Middle School, replacing an older facility on the same site at 6550 Putnam Ford Road, will be ready for the 2013-2014 school year.

School officials say that issues with a contractor that had placed the opening in doubt have been resolved.

The 223-thousand-dquare-foot facility is expected to open with more than 1,600 students Aug. 5. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Man killed on MLK Jr. Drive identified

A man was killed and a woman wounded in a double shooting Tuesday night in northwest Atlanta, police said.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the dead man as Anthony Hollis, 29, of Atlanta.

Atlanta police spokeswoman Kim Jones said Hollis was shot at least twice, and died at the scene of the 10:12 p.m. shooting in the 3700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

A woman, whose name has not been released, suffered at least one gunshot wound, and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition, Jones said. Mike Morris

2 injured in NW Atlanta fire

Two people, including a firefighter, were injured in a northwest Atlanta fire Tuesday night.

One person had to be pulled from the blaze, which started around 10:30 p.m. at a home in the 1300 block of Northwest Drive, according to Janet Ward, spokeswoman for the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department.

Paramedics performed CPR on the man, who was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. The man’s condition was not known late Tuesday, but his pulse was restored at the scene, Ward said.

A firefighter sustained minor injuries and was also transported to Grady, where he was treated and released, Ward said Wednesday morning.

The victims’ names were not released. Alexis Stevens

Hosea to host back to school event

Hosea Feed the Hungry continues its summer efforts of assisting families and children in need by hosting an annual Back to School Jamboree 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Turner Field parking lot.

Admission is free. Children will receive a backpack filled with school supplies. Health screenings, clothing and fresh produce and vegetables will be provided as well as live music performances.

Donations of school supplies will also be accepted 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Friday at the warehouse, 1035 Donnelly Ave SW. Information: 404-755-3353.

Staff

DEKALB

Nonprofit group to hike Stone Mountain

The Center for Black Women’s Wellness invites the public to join them for Commit to Be Fit—Mission Stone Mountain. The group will hike Stone Mountain at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20. Team CBWW will meet in front of the restrooms near the walk-up trail toward the mountain. Participants are asked to bring a signed copy of the CBWW Waiver. Visit http://cbwwstonemountain.eventbrite.com to RSVP. Information:

or info@cbww.org or 404-688-9202 x110. Veronica Fields Johnson

DeKalb adopts “green” landscaping

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis recently signed his first executive order for the year, requiring environmentally sustainable landscaping on county sites and projects. Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/greenfocus. April Hunt

Walmart hiring for Lithonia store

Walmart will hire approximately 300 associates to work at the new Walmart slated to open this fall in Lithonia at 8424 Mall Parkway. A temporary hiring center has opened at 7342 Stonecrest Concourse at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia.

Applications will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday or online at careers.walmart.com. Staff

Leadership DeKalb welcomes Class of 2014

Leadership DeKalb has selected 55 established and emerging leaders for the Class of 2014 who will participate in the 10-month leadership development program. Throughout the program, the class will participate in retreats, study group meetings, community service projects, as well as program that inform them on vital issues in DeKalb County. Information: www.leadershipdekalb.org.

Staff

Brookhaven to discuss annexation today

Brookhaven’s planning board will hold a hearing today to discuss the controversial annexation of the Century Center office complex.

Complex owners requested the annexation despite a planned November vote that, if residents approve, would make it and about 11,000 residents part of Chamblee.

Chamblee officials have said they cannot afford services for the additional residents without the commercial property.

Brookhaven’s Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at the city’s municipal court, 2 Corporate Blvd, Suite 125. The City Council is slated to take up the issue at its July 22 meeting. April Hunt

Schools expansion one step closer

Decatur’s School Board authorized a $59.5 million bond referendum to pay for renovations to Decatur High and Renfroe Middle schools, but it still has to be approved by the city before Aug. 1 and submitted to the state election board by September to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Superintendent Phyllis Edwards warned that any delay means the referendum wouldn’t get on the ballot until Nov. 2014, and both schools would then require a total 49 trailers for overflow students. Both schools are projected to reach capacity by the end of 2014-15. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Stockbridge to form police department

The Stockbridge City Council voted Tuesday night to create its own police force. County law enforcement has had the responsibility for police service in Stockbridge since 1978. The council also moved to bring several other duties in-house - building permits and inspections, the city’s comprehensive plan, planning and zoning, and soil erosion and control inspections. Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Law enforcement sponsors blood drive

The Henry County Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department are hosting a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 30 at the Henry County Government Annex, 108 S. Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough and the second floor of the Sheriff’s Administration Building, 120 Henry Parkway.

You must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health. Information: www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code “hcgvt.”Monroe Roark for the AJC

Peachtree City gains fame for geocaching

Fayette County treasure hunters are being encouraged to vote for Peachtree City in Rand McNally’s “Best for Geocaching” competition.

Votes can be cast at www.bestoftheroad.com/town/peachtree%20city-ga/4012 until Sept. 3. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Church to sponsor free legal workshops

World Changers Church International Legal Resources Department will host Law Day 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the church, 2500 Burdett Road, College Park.

Attorneys will offer free legal consultations. Registration is required.

Information: www.worldchangers.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Dance company to host entertainment series

Ballethnic Dance Company will host a Cultural Cul de Sac 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the studio, 2587 Cheney St., East Point.

The event is part of its summer-fall entertainment series and will feature performances by the company’s youth ensemble, the adult performing company and guest musical artists. Arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and food will be offered.

Information: 404-762-1416 or www.Ballethnic.org.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Peachtree City seeks festival vendors

Peachtree City’s annual International Festival and Rotary Dragon Boat Races won’t be held until Sept. 28, but the Convention and Visitors Bureau is already seeking vendors for the event.

Artisans and craft and food vendors can contact Nikki Sheets at 678-216-0282 or nikki@visitpeachtreecity.com for applications. Jill Howard Church for the AJC