County by county news for Thursday

Gwynn named Cobb teacher of the year

Tyler Gwynn, a geography, psychology and current events teacher at Allatoona High School in Acworth, is Cobb County’s teacher of the year. Gwynn will imprint his handprints into concrete at the Cobb and Marietta district’s Teacher Walk of Fame ceremony 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1 on the Marietta Square. He will also be in the 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year contest. Information: www.cobb.k12.ga.us.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Nominations open for business awards

Nonprofits are invited to nominate their community partners by Sept. 26 for the 2014 Sam Olens Business Community Service Awards.

These awards are presented by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Trend magazine. Any Cobb business that has given back to the Cobb community is eligible.

Information: sleithead@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2326. Carolyn Cunningham

Marietta Mutt Strutt Sept. 6

The Marietta Mutt Strutt benefit for Sweetwater Mission in Austell will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at the First United Methodist Church of Marietta, 56 Whitlock Ave. SW.

There will be a dog parade, a costumed dog contest, bluegrass music with the Cherokee Cut Ups, a Food Truck Spot, a Kids Zone, Bone Bar for free treats, artisans and vendors.

Information: mariettafumc.org, sweetwatermission.org/#!mutt-strutt/coys. Carolyn Cunningham

Sheriff’s office, museum to reopen

The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, on the second floor of the Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, should reopen by Friday and the city’s museum on the first floor should open by early October, following recovery from water damage.The sprinkler system was triggered around 11:30 p.m. Aug. 13 from a minor fire in a restroom on the third floor occupied by Caraustar. Carolyn Cunningham

Windy Hill Road improvements planned

Cobb County Department of Transportation will break ground Oct. 20 on a $34.5 million, SPLOST project from Windy Hill Road at Cobb Parkway to Powers Ferry Road. Construction will start later this year to ease congestion in the high traffic area including widening roads, adding medians and improving pedestrian access.

Work on a diverging diamond intersection on the Windy Hill/ I-75 bridge is expected to start in 2015 and finish in 2017. Information:www.cobbdot.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Gwinnett Tech names foundation board chair

Mike Price, executive manager of Elesys North America, Inc., is the new chair of the Gwinnett Tech Foundation Board of Tustees. Price will lead the Foundation trustees in their work to advance support and funding for Gwinnett Technical College’s programs and facilities, student scholarships, and faculty and staff development. Information: www.GwinnettTech.edu.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Field day teaches pasture management

The Gwinnett Extension Service will host a Pasture Management educational field day 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 4 at 1996 Kilcrease Road in Bethlehem. UGA and USDA specialists will share information on equine nutrition, weed management, and stockpiling forages for fall and winter grazing. Cost is $20 per participant with lunch provided. Register by Friday at 678-377-4010 or timothy.daly@gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Workshop to help homebuyers

Gwinnett will sponsor a Homebuyer Education Workshop 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Norcross Human Services Center, 5030 Georgia Belle Court in Norcross. In this free workshop, topics range from budgeting and money management, credit and credit reports, down payment assistance, what to expect from a realtor, the mortgage loan process, home inspections and appraisals, insurance, closing, your rights, and more. Register:1-800-251-2227. Karen Huppertz

Tech expanding GED classes

Gwinnett Technical College is taking GED classes into Norcross and Snellville. Classes are currently offered at the Gwinnett Tech main campus in Lawrenceville and in Sandy Springs, with plans to add additional sites by January. In addition to meeting academic requirements, the school helps students determine areas of skill, career paths and provides other tools to complete a college education. Students may take classes 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Meadowcreek High School, 4455 Steve Reynolds Blvd and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday or 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Annistown Road Baptist Church, 4554 Annistown Rd in Snellville. Information: www.gwinnetttech.edu.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Mobile career lab returns

The Atlanta Regional Workforce Board’s Mobile Career Resource Center will visit 9:30 until noon Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Grayson library at 700 Grayson Parkway and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon at the Lawrenceville branch, 1001 Lawrenceville Highway. The Mobile Career Lab provides job seekers a 13-station computer lab, a private interview area, printer, scanner, and copy services. Individuals will have assistance with on-line job search, resume and cover letter development, on-line tutorials and individual assessments and exploration of training eligibility and options. Karen Huppertz

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth approves rezonings limitation plan

Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved a plan Tuesday under which rezonings in three different residential categories (RES 3, 4 and 6, which specify smaller lot sizes) would be limited to no more than two a month in each of three commission districts in east, south and southwest Forsyth. The measure would require a change to the county’s Unified Development Code. Commission chairman R.J. (Pete) Amos says the limitation would put the brakes on some development while infrastructure needs are addressed. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell accepting grant applications

Roswell has started accepting applications for its 2015 Community Development Block Grant funding program, under a 5 p.m. Sept. 15 deadline. The program’s designed to provide decent housing and living environments and by expanding economic opportunities. Information: www.roswellgov.com/CDBG2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth library adding new digital content

The Forsyth County Public Library is partnering with Flipster and Comics Plus on Sept. 3. Flipster will provide popular weekly and monthly magazines and Comics Plus will bring more than 5,500 comic book, manga and graphic novels. Patrons will be able to access them by internet. Information: forsythpl.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee official gets patriotic award

Cherokee County School District Lead Speech Language Pathologist Dr. Patti Howard has been honored with the Secretary of Defense office’s National Patriotic Employer Award.

It recognizes employers who boost national security and freedom by supporting employee participation in the National Guard and reserve force.

Howard was nominated by a contract occupational therapist who Howard had helped battle meningitis while her husband was on National Guard deployment overseas. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth fabrication company expanding

The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce says engineering and fabrication company S&S Technical is expanding its operations, having moved from a site near Ga. 9 to a 50,000-square-foot facility at 1900 Grassland Parkway.

The company says the change will allow it to meet increased demand from the oil and gas industry.

The company, which has called Forsyth home since 2006, also plans to add several new positions. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Little River cleanup planned in Cherokee

The cities of Woodstock and Holly Springs, the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Rivers Alive and the Upper Etowah River Alliance will team up to clean up parts of the Little River on Oct. 11.

Volunteers should wear old shoes, clothes that can get dirty or wet, and heavy work gloves. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, water and coffee will be provided.

Information: lori.forrester@ccwsa.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Muncipal Court expands calendar

Municipal Court of Atlanta will increase the number of daily dockets starting Sept. 8. Start times will be 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Chief Judge Herman Sloan said the changes were made in anticipation of an increased caseload.

Annually, the court processes more than 200,000 cases that include traffic, criminal and DUI offenses, as well as local ordinance violations.

Information: www.atlantaga.gov.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Mount Vernon joins education network

Mount Vernon Presbyterian School has been accepted to a national network of schools that focus on cultivating empathy, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills. About 60 public and private schools nationally are part of the Washington, D.C.-based Changemaker Schools Network. Joining the network gives Mount Vernon staff the opportunity to present at conferences, communicate with similar schools and collaborate on education projects, according to a district statement.

Molly Bloom

Sporting goods store burglarized

Officers responding to Hibbett Sports on Carmia Drive just after midnight Wednesday found that a front window had been shattered with a large rock, which was still inside the store.

According to a police, security video showed four males, all wearing hoodies, going into the store and grabbing clothing. Mike Morris

Signups open for citizen police course

The Atlanta Police Department seeks participants for the upcoming Citizens Police Academy class. The course runs Wednesday evenings Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and covers crime scenes, procedures, 911, identity theft and more.

The Citizens Police Academy program is intended to enhance community relations. Deadline is Sept. 19. Email: atlantacops@atlantaga.gov.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Special election to replace Boyer

A special election to replace former DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer, who resigned this week, will be held at the same time as the Nov. 4 general election, the county announced Wednesday.

The election will be open to voters in District 1 in north DeKalb, which includes the cities of Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville and Dunwoody. If a runoff is necessary, it would be held Dec. 2.

Candidates may qualify for the special election from 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 8 to noon on Sept. 10. The fee to qualify is $1,151.24. Mark Niesse

Decatur hires full-time aborist

Decatur hired India Woodson, 50, as its first ever full-time aborist or, officially, Landscape Infrastructure Coordinator, a job created by the city’s new tree ordinance which took effect July 7.

Woodson spent the last 11 years as DeKalb County aborist, and before that was Parks Superintendent in Buford, S.C., where she graduated from the Technical College of the Low Country.

Woodson said her job not only includes working with developers but educating residents to provide proper tree maintenance.Bill Banks for the AJC

Schools to destroy unneeded records

Parents of former DeKalb County students with special needs have until Oct. 31 to get copies of the documents that were used to provide a tailored education.

To comply with federal and state laws, the DeKalb County School District will destroy school records for recent graduates, the deceased and students who aged out of the system.

Parents and legal guardians or adult students can secure copies by contacting the Special Education Records Office at 678-676-1802. Ty Tagami

Decatur schools may double by 2018

During a community input session Thursday Jeff Prine, program manager for redesigning and new construction of Renfroe Middle and Decatur High Schools, reiterated that both schools will probably more than double enrollment by 2018-19.

Projections have Renfroe, currently with 920 students, jumping to 2225 and Decatur High’s 1060 swelling to 2400 in five years.

RMS will need another 60 to 70 classrooms, DHS about 66 more. Bill Banks for the AJC

New cities task force sets meeting dates

A DeKalb County task force evaluating potential new cities and the county’s form of government plans to meet weekly until Dec. 1.

The DeKalb Government Operations Task Force or its subcommittees will usually meet on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Maloof Auditorium at 1300 Commerce Drive.Information:www.co.dekalb.ga.us.Mark Niesse

Dunwoody to hold resident meetings

Dunwoody will continue its community conversations 7 to 9 p.m. today at Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive. The series is in response to residents’ interest in more direct contact with city officials on projects and initiatives.

More than 250 people attended a Dunwoody Town Hall meeting in February. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Water authority to host small business program

The Clayton County Water Authority will host the Fall event for its Small Local Business Enterprise Program on September 6 from 10 a.m. – noon. The event is designed to help businesses learn about the water authority’s certification process and procurement opportunities. The session will be in the authority’s Community Use Room at its headquarters, 1600 Battle Creek Road in Morrow. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for networking and refreshments. Tammy Joyner

Deadline Friday for police academy

Peachtree City’s Citizens Police Academy is accepting applications through Friday for its fall program to be held 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesday nights Sept. 9-Nov. 4. Participants must be Peachtree City residents, business owners or employees age 18 or over, and complete a background check. Details: www.peachtree-city.org/police. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry abolishes in-house legal dept.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted recently to outsource its legal services and close its in-house legal department.

The county will retain the firms of Power & Jaugstetter and Fincher, Denmark, Williams & Minnifield beginning 9 a.m. Sept. 2 at the board’s next meeting.

The vote was 5-1, with board chairman Tommy Smith opposing. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Retired teachers meeting Sept. 4

Representatives from the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia will speak at the Fayette County Retired Educators Association meeting 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, 175 E. Lanier Ave.

TRS members, their spouses and the public are invited to learn about the retirement system.Information: hiestandmm@comcast.net.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Tutors needed for girls leadership program

Volunteer tutors in math, science and reading are needed for the Fulton County Youth Leadership Program for Girls that meets 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of each month at the Call to Womanhood Center, 3444 Claire Drive, Hapeville. Students participate in the program from third grade through high school.

The program provides leadership skills, motivation and character development for girls.

Information: 404-612-9521.

Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Union City hosts business talk

Union City invites small businesses to the second Small Business Roundtable 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Etris Community Center at Ronald Bridges Park, 5285 Lakeside Drive.

This month’s roundtable will focus on: crime prevention in our community, discussion on a Community Improvement District, Union City Business Alliance, keeping our community clean and green and marketing/networking.

Staff