County by county news for Thursday

That rate was increased to 4 mils two years ago to recover losses in its natural gas system revenue and increases in health insurance.

Now increased usage of the city’s gas system should mean an increase in the city’s budget by $400,000.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Smyrna bans alcohol in parks

The Smyrna City Council this week approved a ban on alcohol in city parks, but tabled a proposed ban on smoking at parks and city facilities. The council will reconsider a smoking ban April 21.

The council in a 6-0 vote approved prohibiting alcoholic beverages in parks with the exception of closed functions and city sanctioned events downtown and at Taylor-Brawner Park.

Information: www.smyrnacity.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Mayor to hold meeting on pedestrian bridge

Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin will hold a town hall meeting 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St., to discuss a proposed pedestrian bridge on Church Street.

Wellstar Health System, Inc. has asked the city for an easement to build a bridge that would link Kennestone Hospital to a new emergency department that would be built on the east side of Church Street.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Cultural Arts Center lighting to cost $25k

The Powder Springs City Council voted 5-0 Monday to pay Angel Electric $25,157 to provide and install house lighting at the new Patricia C. Vaughn Cultural Arts Center.

The center is behind the Powder Springs Library at 4181 Atlanta St.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Marietta town hall meeting today

Marietta Ward 6 council member Michelle Cooper Kelly and Ward 6 Marietta City Schools board member Tom Cheater will hold a town hall meeting 6:30 p.m. today at Lockheed Elementary School, 1205 Merritt Road.

The meeting will cover public safety, parks and recreation, public works and the school board.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Women’s history at library today

“Who Is That Lady?”, a unique program of games designed to celebrate women’s history, will be 2 to 4 p.m. today at South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.

With March being Women’s History Month, library staff will present this contest of naming women who made great contributions in history.

Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite women in history or bring information to share with the group.

Information: 678-398-5831678-398-5831.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Winder announces new police chief

Jim Fullington has been appointed Police Chief of the Winder Police department. Fullington has served as Operations Commander since January 2013 and was named Interim Police Chief in December. Fullington graduated from UGA with a degree in criminal justice before working for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation where he retired after 27 years as a Special Agent in charge of the Athens Regional office. He has a master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State.

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

Improvements set for Harbins Road

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners awarded a $290,444.25 construction contract Tuesday to Ohmshiv Construction for pedestrian improvements along Harbins Road between Lilburn and Norcross. The project includes new sidewalk, curb and gutter and drainage. The five-foot wide sidewalk will be constructed on the west side of Harbins Road from Singleton Road to Pirkle Road. The work is funded by the 2009 SPLOST program and is expected to be finished this year. Molly Bloom

Norcross mayor leads reading fundraiser

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson has introduced a city-supported book club to boost literacy among students.Citizens should donate at least $5 to buy one book or help organize larger sponsorship packages. The program hopes to raise $25,000 before school releases in May. Information: www.norcrossga.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn mural wins international contest

The Lilburn Tunnel Bridge Mural in Old Town Lilburn won first place in the Murals and Banners category of the 2014 International Sign Contest conducted by Signs of the Times magazine, a trade publication for the signage and environmental-graphics markets. Completed in 2013, the life-like tunnel bridge scene at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Main Street has become a popular photo spot for visitors and residents.

Information: www.cityoflilburn.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners networking event today

The Peachtree Corners Business Association will hold an Open Networking Business After Hours 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at Courtyard Marriott Peachtree Corners, 3209 Holcomb Bridge Rd. in Norcross. Event will also celebrate recent renovations to the Courtyard Marriott. Information: membership@peachtreecornersba.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Sculptures from recycling sought

The Norcross ArtsXchange is looking for sculptures made of recycled materials to participate in ReImagine, a public art contest. Selected work will be exhibited throughout Norcross parks and green spaces, to be unveiled in conjunction with Earth Day 2014.

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

NORTHSIDE

Former marshal pleads guilty to theft

Gregorio Eduardo Barrera, a former marshal assigned to Roswell Municipal Court has pleaded guilty to pocketing more than $160,000. He was responsible for transporting money collected for traffic fines from Roswell’s jail to the city courthouse, the office said. Instead, Barrera kept $160,398 for himself during a two-year span ending in February 2009. Barrera received a sentence of 20 years on intensive probation. During the first three years of his sentence, he will be on house arrest, wear an ankle monitor and be subject to a 24-hour curfew. Bill Rankin

Student, teacher nab STAR award

The Canton and Woodstock Lions Clubs honored Cherokee County School District students and teachers at their annual STAR(Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) sudent and teacher ceremony. Sam Mixon of Woodstock High School was honored as countywide STAR student, for having the highest overall score on the SAT. Mixon nominated Rhonda Cowart, also of Woodstock High, as STAR Teacher. Both will now compete in the statewide program administered by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Walmart hiring for Holly Springs store

Walmart is looking to hire 300 associates at a new location opening this summer in Holly Springs. Applications will be accepted 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday at 154 Lakeside Road, Canton. Information: careers.walmart.com.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fashion show, sale to benefit group

The Community Assistance Center in Sandy Springs hosts a fashion show and sale 6:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday through Monday in the Marshalls-Hudson Grille shopping center, 6331 Roswell Road.

Admission: $10.

The sale continues at . Admission on these days is free. Proceeds will benefit the center, which provides assistance to people in need in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. Information: www.ourcac.org

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Earth Day event set in Forsyth

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will host an Earth Day Celebration at the county’s Coal Mountain Recycling Convenience Center, located at Coal Mountain Park. Residents can learn how recycling works by touring the center at 4 p.m. April 21 and 5 p.m. April 22. In addition, a special tour for homeschooled students is set for 11 a.m. April 22. The center’s at 3560 Settingdown Road in Cumming.

Information: 770-205-4573.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

UNG sets Cumming open house

The University of North Georgia’s Cumming campus will hold an open house for prospective students. It’s set for 6-8 p.m. March 25 at 300 Aquatic Circle, room 125. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the event will include a welcome, three concurrent information sessions and an academic and student services showcase.

Information: ung.edu. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Man gets prison for bizarre tax scheme

A man who used multiple names, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s, to file false and fraudulent tax returns is headed to prison.

Yafait Tadesse, 21, was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison and ordered to pay $4,014 back to the IRS, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Tadesse and co-defendant Eyaso Abebe, who has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in August, obtained the names and social security numbers of unsuspecting victims and falsely claimed they earned similar wage and withholding amounts while working at Wal-Mart, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

First ‘solar tree’ in state planted today

Atlanta will plant a solar tree 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. today at 1311 Collier Road NW. The bright orange solar structure stands 22 feet tall and incorporates 12 distinctive solar panels on 2 large branches. It will be the first “public art energy machines” installed in the state. The solar tree will provide enough energy to power one Nissan Leaf over 6,000 miles. Guests can view also the latest electric vehicle charging stations, solar panel conference room tables and solar powered generators.

Arlinda Smith Broady

‘Integrating Rich’s’ discussion Tuesday

A free panel discussion on “Integrating Rich’s: How the Atlanta Student Movement Changed a City” will be 6 p.m. Tuesday at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. NW with a viewing of the Breman’s exhibit on Rich’s from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m.

Women of the Atlanta Student Movement will share their memories of standing up to racism and injustice by attempting to dine at the white-only Rich’s Magnolia Room in October 1960.

Clifford Kuhn, associate professor of History at Georgia State University, will be the moderator with panelists Roslyn Pope, co-author of “An Appeal for Human Rights,” and Rich’s sit-in participants Malinda Clark Logan and Georgianne Thomas. Information: thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.Carolyn Cunningham

DEKALB

Former Emory worker headed to prison

A former Emory University employee has been sentenced to serve four years in prison and 16 more on probation for computer theft.

Kent Spicer, who worked as a senior business manager for the division of general medicine, also was ordered to repay Emory $150,00 in restitution. From May 2007 to July 2011, the Ellenwood man purchased electronic items through an accounts payable system, sold those items on eBay and then transferred the proceeds to his personal bank account. Bill Rankin

Man gets 17 years for role in robbery crew

A DeKalb County man has been sentenced to serve 17 years in federal prison for participating in a robbery crew whose members impersonated police and invaded homes.

Larry Pratt, 40, of Decatur, was part of an operation that committed robberies in Rockdale, Fulton, Bartow and Cobb counties. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said while it may be tempting to characterize this as drug dealer-on-drug dealer crime, “the fact that this robbery crew also used SWAT-like tactics, kidnapped victims and exchanged gun fire on residential streets to steal drugs and cash demonstrates a lack of respect for people’s lives.” Bill Rankin

Ghost Bike dedicated on Decatur square

Over 100 people showed up recently for the dedication of a “ghost bike” fronting the old DeKalb Courthouse. Painted white and also doubling as a bike rack, the memorial honors cyclist Paul Taylor who was killed by a truck on North Decatur Road near Willivee Drive in the early morning April 30, 2012. An initial ghost bike was erected near the accident site, but suddenly vanished last August. Bill Banks for the AJC

Southeast Asia conference at GPC

Georgia Southern University professor Paul Rodell will host a Teaching Southeast Asia conference for college and university faculty members in the state April 11 and 12 at Georgia Perimeter College, 555 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston.

The conference is sponsored by the Asia Council of the University System of Georgia. The workshop is free but registration is required by March 31.

Information: rodell@georgiasouthern.edu

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Benefit for Dunwoody Nature Center returns

Monarchs and Margaritas, the biggest yearly fund-raiser for the Dunwoody Nature Center, will be held March 29 at the South Terraces Atrium.

Tickets are $100 and include live entertainment and catered food and desserts.

Information/tickets: www.monarchsandmargaritas.org.

April Hunt

Applications open for youth commissioners

DeKalb County is accepting applications from young adults who want to serve on its Youth Commission.

The commission runs similarly to the county’s Board of Commissioners, laying out its own agenda for issues of concern to younger residents.

Application deadline is FridayFriday. Information: www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Workforce development topic at Chamber event

Cinda Herndon-King, director of Atlanta CareerRise, is the guest speaker at today’s Clayton County Chamber of Commerce/Sun Trust Bank Early Bird Breakfast 7:45 at Oakwood Cafe, 16 Forest Parkway, Forest Park . She will talk about workforce development for the Southern Crescent. Atlanta CareerRise is part of a national network of 31 sites that set up employer-led partnerships in specific industries. Cost: $20 for members; $30 for guests.

Information: 678 610-4021 or info@claytonchamber.org

Tammy Joyner

‘Turtles’ returns to Peachtree City

Students in grades 4-12 can learn about “Terrific Turtles” from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday (March 22) at the Peachtree City Library. The program includes local experts, live animals and a videoconference with the Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Center. Free. Information: terrific-turtles.eventbrite.com.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Southern Conservation Trust seeks comments

As part of its effort to gain national accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance, the Southern Conservation Trust is seeking public comments about its performance. Information pertaining to the SCT’s standards and operations can be submitted at www.landtrustaccreditation.org or info@landtrustaccreditation.org by June 1.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton Schools CTAE workshop today

The Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Department of Clayton County Public Schools is sponsoring a Work-Based Learning Success Seminar today at Hearts to Nourish Hope, 640 Highway 138 in Riverdale. The seminar, set to begin at 9:30 a.m., will consist of two workshop sessions. Ten different topics emphasizing soft skills and job interview skills will be taught by presenters from non-profit and business industries. Roughly 200 students from the school district will participate in two workshops of their choice.

Tammy Joyner

Clayton State job fair attracts veterans

Clayton State University’s Office of Career Services will hold its annual job and graduate school fair for university students and alumni 3 p.m. Thursday.

This year, the university teams with the state Department of Juvenile Justice to recruit veterans for jobs.

The state department is participating in several job fairs around the state this month.

Available job openings include positions in corrections, transportation, security emergency response, probation and parole, healthcare, social work and teaching.

Information: 678-466-5400

Janel Davis

Peachtree City has new website

Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau has a new website. It is available in PC, tablet and mobile formats.

There’s an interactive map for planning and navigation. It highlights hotels, shopping, restaurants, parks and other attractions in and around the city, which turned 55 March 9.

Information: www.visitpeachtreecity.com Tammy Joyner