COBB
Former beach to be Christian academy home
The former Sun Valley Beach in Powder Springs will be the new home of Cumberland Christian Academy, consolidating campuses in Austell, Mableton and Marietta. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners recently approved a special land use permit for the new facility on the west side of Holloman Road, south of Hiram Lithia Springs Road. By June 18, the school needs to raise $72,500 to buy the land in addition to the $112,500 already raised for the down payment with $5.5 million in construction possibly completed by 2020. Information: cumberlandchristian.org/pdf/Book_of_Dreams.pdf. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Acworth Main Street to close Saturday
Main Street in downtown Acworth will close 4-9 p.m. Saturday from Lemon Street to Morningside Drive for a Classic Car Cruises event sponsored by the city of Acworth and Lake City Cruisers.
There is no admission fee for the show that features vintage cars. A $2 donation to a local charity is requested.
Information: wwww.cityofacworth.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Bear spotted Wednesday in Smyrna
Residents and commuters in a Smyrna neighborhood were alerted to be on the lookout for a bear Wednesday morning in the residential area and commercial area on Highlands Parkway between South Cobb Drive and Highlands Ridge Road.
Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the bear.
Mike Morris
Tree Keepers to tour historic district
Certified aborists and landscape architects will lead a Marietta Tree Keepers walking tour starting 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Marietta Educational Garden Center, 505 Kennesaw Ave. The sip ‘n stroll event in the Kennesaw Avenue historic district is free.
Water and light snacks will be provided. Walkers can bring their own refreshments.
Information: www.mariettaga.gov/committees/treekeepers.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
McEachern High robotics demo Tuesday
McEachern High School Robotics Team members will present free demonstrations of their robotic creations from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday on the front lawn of the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St., Powder Springs.
Information: simpsont@cobbcat.org or 770-439-6664.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
International trade Tuesday topic
“Identifying World Markets for Your Products” will be discussed 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta.
Rick Martin, director of the International Trade Center at the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, will introduce tools and resources to identify, qualify and prioritize trade opportunities and present best practices on how to find new customers.
Information: georgiasbdc.org, Amanda Blanton at ablanton@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2336.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
QuikTrip ends plan to build at Norcross Gateway
QuikTrip has withdrawn its application for a zoning change at Holcomb Bridge Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Norcross. The site is one of the largest gateway entrances into the city. Planning & Zoning Board members of Norcross’ citizen-based P&Z Board unanimously denied QT’s request, stating a gas station in that location is non-conforming to Norcross’ Comprehensive Plan. QuikTrip had twice delayed appearing before the City Council to plead their case.
Information: www.norcrossga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
No charges in Buford Highway fatality
The driver of a car that struck and killed a pedestrian trying to cross the west side of Buford Highway Connector at Sidney Marcus Boulevard was not injured nor charged.
The 22-year-old woman was traveling north on the connector around 9 p.m. and did not see the pedestrian who was not in a crosswalk when he was struck and in an area that was poorly lit, police said. The pedestrian was dead at the scene with severe head injuries and trauma to his body. Alexis Stevens
Funding information network now at library
Nonprofit organizations and other grant seekers now have access to the Funding Information Network at Gwinnett County Public Library’s Lawrenceville branch, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway.
Information: foundationcenter.org or www.gwinnettpl.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Lemonade stand to fight childhood cancer
Students of Power of One Leadership Institute will host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand noon to 5 p.m. June 7 at Lake Sheryl Pavilion, 4530 Lee Road, Snellville. The students hope to raise $100 to help fight childhood cancer.
Information: AlexsLemonade.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Shelter competing in pet-saving challenge
The Gwinnett County Animal Shelter is participating in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100,000 Challenge. Through August, each competing shelter must save more animals than they did during the same three months in 2013. Contest will kick off with a 5K Run and Kitty Crawl 1K Fun Run at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Parkway followed by a festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 884 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville.
Information: www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
County announces staffing changes
Gwinnett will has named Scott Fuller to fill a vacant senior management position in the Department of Human Resources and will extend Ron Seibenhener’s contract as Water Resources director.
Fuller, who has been serving in an acting capacity since September, previously served as a Senior Assistant County Attorney in the Gwinnett County Law Department for nearly 17 years. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Man charged in DUI wreck that killed bride arrested again
Ryan Quinton, 28, of Jasper, who was arrested Saturday morning in Pickens County on DUI charges, has been arrested for violating the terms of his bond in Cherokee County. He was taken to the Pickens County Adult Detention Center, after a chemical test indicated his blood alcohol level was .158. Quinton’s attorneys say he posted a bond in Pickens County and “voluntarily checked himself into a residential treatment facility. Tuesday evening Cherokee officials revoked Quinton’s bond and he was arrested at the treatment center, his attorneys said. Michelle E. Shaw
Woodstock police warn of graduation traffic
Woodstock Police advise motorist of traffic delays due to graduations at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, on Ga. 92 near Trickum Road.
Graduation times; Thursday : Cherokee High School at 4 p.m. and Sequoyah High School 8 p.m. Friday: River Ridge High School at 4 p.m. and Etowah High at 8 p.m. Saturday: Woodstock High School at 8 a.m. and Creekview High School at 1 p.m. Uniformed officers will be posted to help move traffic on both Ga. 92 and Trickum. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth sheriff warns of phone scam
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office warns of a phone scam, which may have claimed 50 local victims in a year.
Scammers pose as law officers, saying there’s a warrant for the victims arrest. They tell them tobuy a prepaid card to pay the fine and relay the number. The crooks use technology to disguise their numbers as local law enforcement numbers on caller ID. Anyone targeted should hang up and call the agency that the crooks claim to represent. Mark Woolsey
Ground breaking set for library in Milton
Ground breaking for the new Milton library is 11 a.m. today.
The library, part of the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System, will be at 855 Mayfield Road. The 25,000-square-foot building is expected to open in 2015. It is one of eight new library branches that will be built in Fulton County after voter approval of a 2008 referendum. Information: www.afpls.org Kent A. Miles
Forsyth sheriff’s office hiring for new jail
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office needs staff for the new county jail and courthouse to come online next year. There will be 87 new positions for the 608-bed detention facility and courthouse, including 47 detention officers. A detention officer applicant exam is set for 9 a.m. June 13 at 3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming.
Register: 678-455-8514 or 678-513-5842. Information: forsythsheriff.org Mark Woolsey
Forsyth library offers reading programs
The Forsyth County Public Library’s summer reading program will focus on the sciences, with programs targeted at children, teens and adults, outside performers and speakers and a summer reading prize program. In addition, the library will unveil a special new exploration program for ages 8-11 called “S.T.E.A.M Team,” focusing on science, technology, engineering, art and math. Information: forsythpl.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Woman shot and killed at apartment
The woman shot and killed early Tuesday at a southwest Atlanta apartment complex has been identified as Rashawn Jackson, 34, of Atlanta.
The shooting was reported about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Venetian Hills Apartments in the 1800 block of Campbellton Road, according to police dispatchers.
Channel 2 Action News reported that the victim was shot in the head after answering a knock on her door.
Mike Morris and John Spink
Atlanta Ride for Kids registration underway
Registration is open for the Atlanta Ride for Kids fundraiser 10 a.m. June 1 at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming.
Registration is 8 a.m. Cost: $40 per motorcycle. Proceeds go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Information: www.curethekids.org/events
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Library to screen films from Cuba, Bahamas
The Caribbean Film Festival continues 1 p.m. June 8 with screenings of films from Cuba and the Bahamas at the Central Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square. The film festival is free and open to the public.
“Sara Gomez: An Afro-Cuban Filmmaker” is a documentary of the acclaimed filmmaker who died in 1974 at the age of 31. “Womanish Ways: Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy” chronicles the history of the struggle by women in the Bahamas for the right to vote.
The film festival is one of a series of events at the library celebrating National Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Information: www.afpls.org/news Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Comment on grant proposal by Friday
Fulton County is accepting comments for the 2014 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Justice Department’. Copies of the application are at the county Department of Finance, 141 Pryor St. SW, Suite 7001. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday. Information. www.fultoncountyga.gov or christopher.boyd@fultoncountyga.gov Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Dunwoody won’t hike property tax rate
The city of Dunwoody plans to hold property tax rates steady as real estate values have continued to recover.
Property will be taxed at 2.74 mills, the same rate since the city incorporated in 2009.
Dunwoody will hold public meetings at its City Hall on June 9 and June 24 before the City Council votes on a final tax rate June 24. Mark Niesse
Struck bicyclist recovering at home
Laura Quade, the 26-year-old Decatur bicyclist struck by a car May 8, is currently recovering at home from numerous fractures along with brain bleed and brain bruising. Her mother Jean Quade reports that for Laura, who’ll be in a wheelchair for at least three months was wearing a helmet and it appears will suffer no permanent brain damageBill Banks for the AJC
DeKalb schools to feed hungry children
The DeKalb County School District will feed hungry children during summer break through the Seamless Summer Feeding Program Mondays through Thursdays from June 2 through Aug. 1, at Bethune Middle School and Tucker and Lithonia High Schools. Breakfast is 8 to 9 a.m. and lunch is 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Information: DeKalb County School Nutrition Office, 678-676-0162. Ty Tagami
Orientation for summer day camps
Orientation sessions for parents interested in learning more about summer day camp programs today at all county recreation centers.
Parents will have the opportunity to meet staff, ask questions and tour the recreation facilities. Information: 404-371-2711. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Customers to get water quality report
DeKalb County residents will be receiving the annual water quality report from the county Department of Watershed Management.
The report, officially the 2014 Consumer Confidence Report, provides detailed information on monitoring data gathered from water quality testing done last year. State and federal regulations require that tap water be tested to ensure that it is safe to drink.
The report is being distributed to residents through county water bills. It will also be available at local libraries, apartment complexes, and the department’s website. The Department of Watershed Management serves more than 700,000 customers in DeKalb County.
Information: www.dekalbwatershed.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Cleanup events termed a success
DeKalb County sponsored a half dozen community clean-up events that helped to improve the environment and save the county money.
Various recycling and neighborhood clean-up programs, including the Great DeKalb Cleanup that took place in late April and May 3, resulted in the collection of nearly 49,000 pounds of litter and over 50 discarded tires. Some 1,522 volunteers gave 4,566 hours to countywide clean-up and recycling efforts.
The county said a cost-benefit analysis indicated it saved $103,000 as a result of these initiatives. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Union City teen falls from vehicle, dies
Malik McDaniel of Union City motorist is facing vehicular homicide charges after 17-year-old Sandreus Hillsman fell from his vehicle and died Tuesday afternoon. McDaniel, who stated he was driving an automobile around the complex while his friends stood on the vehicle’s running board and clung to the outside, was booked into the Fulton County Jail, charged with reckless conduct, driving on a suspended license and homicide by vehicle. Hillsman struck his head on the ground and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment, but died. Mike Morris
Police seek Clayton murder suspect
Clayton County sheriff’s deputies are looking for Joseph Horace Stephens, 21, who is charged with murder, theft by taking, aggravated assault and false imprisonment.
Just before 6 p.m., authorities said Stephens shot and killed Goldy Lee Watkins Sr., at the home in the 6600 block of Starks Court.Stephens fled the home in a stolen black 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck with the Georgia license tag AXG 7292.
Anyone with information should call 770-477-4478 or Clayton County Police Detective Joshua Carr at 678-616-4431. Marcus K. Garner
Wheelchair tennis tourney June 13-15
The Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament is June 13-15 at Richard Craig Park, McDonough. The event was named the Wheelchair Tournament of the Year in 2011 by the United States Tennis Association Georgia and in 2010 by the USTA Southern Section. It is sponsored by the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Quilt sale to benefit animal shelter
A quilt sale to benefit the Clayton County Humane Society will take place at 9 a.m. June 7 at the Quilts and Fixins store, 7986 N. Main St., Jonesboro. Proceeds go to the humane society.
Information: claytoncountyhumane.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Goliath Mud Challenge competition Saturday
The Goliath Mud Challenge, a 5-kilometer obstacle-filled course and a one-mile fun run for children, will be held at 8 a.m. Saturdayat Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 411 Palmetto Road, Tyrone.
This is the second annual event, which will draw athletes of all competition levels. The Goliath Mud Challenge benefits the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Information: goliathmudchallenge.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Walk in College Park for diabetes awareness
A community walk to raise awareness of diabetes will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday at Creel Park, 2775 Creel Road, College Park.
Nabbar Temple No. 128 in Atlanta is sponsoring the National Diabetes Initiative Walk. Participants will have the opportunity to walk a kilometer, 3 kilometers or 5 kilometers. Registration: $15.
Information: rjones1976@me.com or 678-231-5294. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
