County by county news for Thursday
COBB
Marietta to hold bond project meetings
Marietta will hold two public meetings to discuss details of a proposed $68 million redevelopment bond at 7 p.m. todayat City Hall, 205 Lawrence St., and 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Marietta High School, 1171 Whitlock Ave.
Officials will show project area maps on Whitlock Avenue and Franklin Road and conceptual drawings, which are also available online. Residents will vote on the bond Nov. 5.
Information: www.mariettga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
KSU continues anniversary events
Kennesaw State University will continue its 50th Anniversary celebration this week, with a keynote address by Smithsonian Institution Secretary Wayne Clough, highlighting the future of American higher education. His talk will kick off the campus-wide symposium, “Higher Education: The Next 50 Years” 9:30 a.m.today.
Kennesaw State University also will break ground at 2 p.m. today on a $38.7-million, energy-efficient student recreation center named in honor of President Emeritus Betty L. Siegel, the longest-serving president in Kennesaw State’s 50-year history.
Information: http://bit.ly/19kTrNo Staff
Church to hold college fair Oct. 26
A free college fair will be at Turner Chapel AME Church, 492 N. Marietta Parkway, Marietta, from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 26. A pre-college fair workshop about making the right choices will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Representatives from dozens of colleges including Harvard, Howard and Tuskegee universities will be on hand.
Students and parents can learn about college admission and financial aid. Information: tcccollegefair@gmail.com. Angela Tuck
More Cobb-Marietta bands perform Monday
Several Cobb County and Marietta high school marching bands will perform 7 p.m. Monday at McEachern High School’s Walter Cantrell Stadium, 2400 New Macland Road, Powder Springs as a part of the annual Cobb-Marietta Marching Band Exhibition.
Bands include Allatoona, Campbell, Lassiter, McEachern, North Cobb, Osborne, South Cobb, Walton and Wheeler.
The rest of the Cobb-Marietta bands performed Oct. 1, including the UGA Redcoat Marching Band.
Costs: $5, adults; $3, students; free, 4 and under.
Information: Natalie Feller or Chris Feller at 770-426-3404 or cobbcast.cobbk12.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Paving work to close down ramps
The ramps from Interstate 75 north and southbound to State Route 120 Alternate (North Marietta Loop) will be closed Friday evening until 5 a.m. Mondayto repave the North Loop.
In addition, the North Loop Alternate in both directions between State Route 3/Cobb Parkway and the Wallace Road/Gresham Road intersection will be closed. Westbound traffic will be detoured onto the South Loop via Gresham Road and Cobb Parkway.
Eastbound traffic will be detoured onto the South Loop via Cobb Parkway.
Information: 404-326-5214 Staff
GWINNETT
Duluth officer to attend Korean conference
Duluth Police Officer Sharon Lee was one of 15 officers worldwide chosen to attend the Multi-National Korean Law Enforcement Symposium Oct. 21 - 26. She’ll be flown, all expenses paid hosted by the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the Korean National Police Agency.
She’ll network with law enforcement officials from different countries, learning about their practices and sharing innovative ideas. She’ll make a presentation on practices and techniques successfully being used at the Duluth Police Department. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Brenau University hosts open house
Brenau University Galleries and Brenau University at North Atlanta/Norcross present a night of art and entertainment celebrating the expansion of the campus 5:30-8 p.m. today.
The free reception, which is open to the public, includes an art exhibition as well as a musical performance by the Atlanta folk duo Out of the Rain.
The, 3139 Campus Dr., Suite 300, is one of five Georgia campuses operated by 135-year-old Gainesville-based university. It has recently undergone renovations and expansion.
Information: 770-446-2900 or yhixson@brenau.edu Staff
Suwanee begins youth leadership program
Suwanee is launching a new youth leadership initiative in January to build up young leaders in the community and outside the classroom.
The program, designed for high school sophomores and juniors in the North Gwinnett and Peachtree Ridge clusters and will include students attending private or home-based schools, will help students develop team-building, communication, and leadership skills.
Applications, due by Oct. 25, available at suwanee.com.
Information: Denise Brinson at denise@suwanee.com or 770-945-8996. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Peachtree Corners to collect Comcast fees
The Peachtree Corners City Council approved an agreement with Comcast to collect franchise fees. Payments currently made to Gwinnett County will be redirected to the city.
Cable subscribers in Peachtree Corners will not see an increase in their bills, only a line item showing the franchise fee will now be paid to the city instead of the county. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Vote to help select Sugar Hill’s new logo
Sugar Hill will celebrate the city’s 75th anniversary next year and is choosing a new logo to mark the occasion.
Vote by Friday for one of the six final entries at www.cityofsugarhill.com/Logo-Competition. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Food trucks in Duluth Fridays through Oct. 25
The City of Duluth will sponsor Food Truck/Block Party Fridays on Main Street through Oct. 25. Festivities are from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday and will feature entertainment, a line up of food trucks and other activities.
Information: www.duluthga.net/foodtruckfridays Veronica Fields Johnson
NORTHSIDE
Stucco work finished on Canton landmark
Crews have finished removing the stucco façade from the historic Jones Building in downtown Canton.
Cherokee County is selling the former county office complex to Atlanta-based developer Westbridge Partners for $1.8 million, and is being reimbursed $180,000 for the stucco work.
County manager Jerry Cooper says interior demolition is next. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Welcome center hosts decorating event
Visitors to the Alpharetta Welcome Center, 178 S. Main St., Suite 200, will be treated to holiday decorating tips 2 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7.
The Alpharetta’s Table event will include eight decorators with “table-scapes” featuring holiday themes. Refreshments will be served, and a $250 gift card will be given away. The event is free.
Information: 678-297-2811. Laurie Hoffman
Cumming-Forsyth holds Obamacare event
The Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Healthcare Summit on the Affordable Care Act from 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesday at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. Dr.
Karen Minyard of the Georgia Health Policy Center at Georgia State will discuss the law’s impact and costs.
Cost: $15 members, $30 non-members.
Information: cummingforsythchamber.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Waleska streetscape monument dedicated
A decade after initial approval, former Mayor Cecil Pruett and city officials dedicated the Waleska Streetscape monument in downtown Canton Tuesday.
The landscaped island contains a large monument sign welcoming visitors downtown. Work on the project began in early 2013. It’s part of a larger street improvement project along Waleska Street, including new sidewalks. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Canton police get license plate reader
Canton Police are adding a new tool to the department’s crime fighting arsenal. The El Sag North American License Plate Reader, used in conjunction with patrol cars’ onboard computers, can read up to 5,400 license plates a minute.
The department’s traffic unit will use it to search for stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and suspended, revoked, expired and stolen license plates. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Electronics recycling event set in Cherokee
Cherokee County, Reworx and Waste Management are teaming up for an electronics recycling day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cherokee Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.
Many items will be accepted for free, but there’s a $5 charge for CRT monitors and $10 for televisions.
For a complete list: Cherokeega.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Plans revealed for Fort McPherson’s future
The group behind plans to convey Fort McPherson to the city of Atlanta will host a public forum 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Fort McPherson, 1794 Walker Ave., SW at the base. Tours and updates about the Department of Defense’s plans to transfer the property to Atlanta will be included. City officials plan to redevelop the 486-acre military site into a science park and employment center.
Information: 404-477-6767 or www.mcphersonredevelopment.com Katie Leslie
College to host info session on careers
Atlanta Technical College will host a free information session on business and public service career paths 10 a.m. Friday at the college, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, S.W. Marketing, accounting, culinary arts, cosmetology, graphic design, computer information technology, design and media, paralegal studies, hotel/restaurant/tourism fields will be included.
Information: 404-225-4455 or ejaden@atlantatech.edu. Veronica Fields Johnson
Madam C.J. Walker’s life to be celebrated
The Ivy Community Foundation and Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will present an Americolor production based on the life and legacy of Madam C.J. Walker at 7 p.m. Oct. 26, at the Ivy Community Center, 3850 Stone Road. Tickets: $50. Proceeds benefit homeless children of Gate City Day Nursery Association. Information: 404-349-9682 or dhcross6@att.net. Gracie Bond Staples
Library to screen art television program
The Friends of Peachtree Library, in partnership with Art21 as part of its Access 100 Artists initiative, will present an exclusive screening of episodes from the Art in the Twenty-First Century television series from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on select Wednesdays at the library, 1315 Peachtree St. N.E.
The event features a screening of an Art21 themed episode and a discussion. The “Protest” episode will screen on Oct. 30.
Information: 404-885-7830. Veronica Fields Johnson
DEKALB
Cops get funds to nab drunks, speeders
DeKalb police have just been awarded $66,300 to target aggressive drivers, drunk drivers and speeders.
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety awarded the H.E.A.T—- Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic – grant. Police will also use the money to step up enforcement of safety belt laws and educational programs, the police department announced Wednesday.
H.E.A.T. programs serve the 22 counties surrounding Atlanta because they are the jurisdictions with some of the highest rates of crashes, injuries and deaths, police said. Steve Visser
New central office should open on time
The new Decatur city schools central office, part of the $30,628,000 adaptive reuse of the Beacon Municipal Center, should open as scheduled by May 1.
City Schools needs to vacate its current Westchester office by May so that building can re-open as an elementary school in August, 2014.
The remaining portions of Beacon Hill, a new gymnasium on the east wing and a new police station/courts building on the west, probably won’t open until late July.
The city schools portion should be roofed and completely enclosed by December. Bill Banks for the AJC
Brookhaven names interim city attorney
The Brookhaven City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint 37-year veteran lawyer Thompson Kurrie Jr. as its interim city attorney.
Kurrie replaces Bill Riley, who resigned to focus on other clients.
Riley will remain as the Brookhaven solicitor, which prosecutes city ordinance violations for the municipal court.
Kurrie, a partner with Coleman Talley, brings 37 years of experience practicing law. He also is a Certified Public Accountant.
Kurrie will oversee about six attorneys from his firm who will work on city business, as well as oversee several other specialized firms that will be brought in to assist the city in other areas. The city’s legal budget will remain the same.
Information: www.brookhavenga.gov. Staff
Clean-up for South River planned
Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state Environmental Protection Division will join forces to conduct a cleanup along the South River on Oct. 18.
Additional volunteers are needed for the event, which begins at 9 a.m. and will focus on the two miles between Panola Shoals to Panola Mountain State Park.
Information/to volunteer: southriverwatershedalliance@gmail.com. April Hunt
State increasing speed limit on I-285
Georgia Department of Transportation recently approved increasing the speed limit on I-285 in south DeKalb.
The speed limit south of the I-20 interchange will increase to 65 miles per hour starting Nov. 1.
The speed limit north of the I-20 interchange will remain at 55 miles per hour through October 2014, when it will be increased to 65 miles per hour at certain times, based on traffic. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Peachtree City expands air show closings
Peachtree City has announced additional facility closings related to the Great Georgia Air Show this weekend.
The Baseball-Soccer Complex, Meade Field, the Peachtree City Recycling Center and Lake McIntosh Park all lie within the show’s “safety zone” and will be closed Friday through Sunday.
Household recycling (not yard waste) can still be dropped off at the McIntosh Trail location. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette schools explore online options
The Fayette County Public School System is developing a system to allow students in grades 3-12 to take online courses. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Tracie Fleming told the Board of Education Monday that the Georgia Virtual School is the only current option for Fayette students. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
4-H Funday weekend today, Friday
The 4-H Fundays will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday at the Cooperative Extension Office at Heritage Park. The program is open to students in grades 6 - 8 to learn about farming, food and funds and have an opportunity to visit the Fortson 4-H Center in Hampton where they will be able to feed small farm animals, complete a service activity, learn about My Plate guidelines from USDA, spend time in the kitchen making healthy snacks and more. Cost: $25. Registration deadline: Friday. Information: Laura Garrett, 770-288-8421 or lgarrett@uga.edu. Tammy Joyner
College Park approves development plans
The College Park City Council Monday approved plans for a high-profile development of two hotels and a mix of retail and commercial development on a 34-acre site along Camp Creek Parkway with L and R Investment. Mark Woolsey
College Park intends to set up night court
College Park city officials are working on setting up a night court program. It’s planned for the first and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning Jan 7. City Manager Terrence Moore says discussions have been taking place on staffing and funding.
He says increasing police department and municipal court caseloads are driving the program. Plans are for the court to hear such cases as minor criminal offenses and code-enforcement issues. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Students scholarship semifinalists
Erik Dyer and Briana Young of Dutchtown High, along with Jacinta McDonald and Ashlyn Oakes of Woodland High, have been named National Achievement Scholarship semifinalists. Nationwide the group is comprised of the top 1,600 black students from PSAT qualifying test takers in last year’s junior class.
This number represents roughly one percent of those applying for consideration in the 2014 National Achievement Scholarship Program. Finalists will be named in January. Information: www.nationalmerit.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
