County by county news for Thursday

Consultations on specific cases are welcome with civil engineers, landscape architects or professional or urban planners.

Information: mableton.org or Robin Meyer, zoning@mableton.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell run to help Garrett school

The South Cobb Rotary Club and Animal Health Services host the Run for the Gators at 9 a.m. May 3 at Garrett Middle School, 5235 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Austell with all proceeds benefiting the school.

Registration is 7:30 a.m. May 3 for the 9 a.m. 5K run and 1.5K dog walk with a look-a-like contest for owners and pets.

Costs: $15. Guest sponsorships: $50, $75, $100 or $250 by contacting blackstone.wayne@gmail.com.

Information: cobbk12.org/Garrett or 770-819-2466.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Schools group plans forum for candidates

The Pope High School cluster of PTSAs, foundations and school councils are hosting a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. today at Hightower Trail Middle School, 3905 Post Oak Tritt Road, Marietta.

Invited participants include candidates for governor, the legislature and the Cobb County Board of Education. There will be a meet-and-greet session before and after the forum. NANCY BADERTSCHER

Cobb manager wins state award

The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia has recognized Cobb County manager David Hankerson for operating a budget system with seven Triple A rankings, completing the East-West Connector and relocating the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County. Hankerson, Cobb’s manager since 1993, was awarded the 2014 Jerry. R. Griffin Excellence in Public Service Award.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell offers memorial brick pavers

Orders are being accepted for memorial brick pavers at Austell’s new Veterans Memorial Park, 2633 Veterans Memorial Highway. Orders may be placed at Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 101 or online at austellga.gov/veterans. Cost: $50.

Information: austellga.gov/veterans. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Strand to show 1928 silent film

The Ear Smith Strand theatre will show the 1928 silent film, “The King of Kings,” the Cecil B. DeMille classic about the Passion of Christ, 8 p.m. Friday, 117 North Park Square, Marietta. Strand theatre organist Ron Carter, who will accompany the film, said the movies was last seen in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre in 1958. An organ pops preshow starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7-$10. Information; www.earlsmithstrand.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Fallen Snellville police dog honored

Snellville honored police dog, Euro, with a resolution and proclamation Monday declaring April 2 as Euro Day. The Snellville Police Department K-9 officer, trained by Officer Dennis Peters, died April 2. Euro began his service as a working dog with the Snellville Police Department at 2 years old as one of three original dogs in the K-9 Unit. Together K-9 Euro and Ofc. Peters were responsible for numerous tracks, apprehensions and arrests including a major grow house, a murder investigation and a home invasion. Photos: www.snellville.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Suwanee seminar puts public art in place

Suwanee and ArtWorks! Gwinnett host a public art forum for government officials, business leaders, and developers 7:30 a.m. May 1 at Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Ave.

Speakers: Bruce Green, tourism product development manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Heather Alhadeff, president of Center Forward, an Atlanta-based land use and transportation consulting firm.

Register by April 29.

Information: www.artworksgwinnett.org/?p=4416. Karen Huppertz

Chamber to discuss KSU rebranding

The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber’s April Lunch & Learn will feature a panel discussion on the impact of rebranding Kennesaw State University at 11:30 a.m. April 24 at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross. Information: 770-239-7442 or www.southwestgwinnettchamber.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Norcross hosts Peachtree pre-qualifier

The Atlanta Track Club ihosts the Atlanta Singleton 5K & 10 K at 8 a.m. Saturday in Norcross. The race is pre-qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race. Also an Easter Egg Hunt is 10 a.m. Saturday at Rossie Brundage Park, 360 Autrey St. Information: www.norcrossga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

PAWfest comes to Lilburn City Park

The Gwinnett Humane Society will host PAWfest 2014, a community awareness event that strives to educate the public on pet-related issues 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10 at Lilburn City Park, 76 Main Street.

Activities include 3.5 mile PAWfest Pack Hike at 9:30 a.m., live music, dog contests, K9 agility and frisbee demonstrations, silent auction benefiting Gwinnett Humane Society, animal wellness clinic with low cost vaccines and microchips and more.

Admission is free. All leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome.

Information: www.pawfest.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Volunteers, exhibitors wanted for festival

The Peachtree Corners Festival is recruiting exhibitors and volunteers for the two-day event scheduled for June 14 and 15 at The Corners Parkway and Woodhill Drive, one block west of Peachtree Parkway.

Information: www.peachtreecornersfestival.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Drive-thru bank robbery suspect arrested

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office officials have a drive-thru bank robbery suspect, Stephen Plunkett, 39, from Dallas, Texas in custody. Plunkett was charged Tuesday with armed robbery and aggravated assault for robbing the Chase bank on Buford Highway April 9, pulling up to the drive-thru and giving the teller a note and what he claimed was an explosive. The device proved harmless, but the suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Authorities said Plunkett is being investigated in connection with other robberies in Georgia. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Water, sewer rates to increase

The Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority reminds customers that a rate increase is about to go into effect. The new rates will be in place on bills mailed on or after May 1. The base rate for water and sewer service will increase by $1 and water and sewer rates will climb 5 percent for usage above 2,000 gallons. Rates are jumping because of increased materials costs and operating expenses.

Information: ccwsa.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock to gain performance facility

An additional public performance facility is in the works for downtown Woodstock. The Community Stage will be located on the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village green, adjacent to Market Street and the Town to Creek Trail. Construction starts next week and is expected to finish in early May. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Potential code changes will be hearing topic

The Forsyth County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for a possible change to the Unified Development Code 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming.

The change would allow protection of a property owner’s non-conforming status when a lot is reduced by being condemned or sold, or dedicated to an entity with the power of condemnation. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Black Republican Council to meet

The Cherokee County Black Republican Council meets5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Village At Towne Lake, 310 Gray Shingle Lane, Woodstock. The event will include a business meeting, a conservative roundtable, and a live broadcast/taping of “The Black and White of It” internet talk show.

Information: 404-468-7479 or eric.Johnson@cherokeecountygop.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Food drive to help feed kids during the summer

Feed Forsyth will hold an Easter canned food drive through Monday to help provide lunch for more than 10,0000 Forsyth County children who may go without a midday meal after school dismisses for the summer.

The group seeks donations of canned soup, tuna, chicken and ravioli, as well as peanut butter, snack bars and other items. Several community pantries will utilize the donations to provide Summer Sacks of Love for those kids while school is out.

Information: FeedForsyth.org or 678-807-9120. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Transaction processors coalition launches

The American Transaction Processors Coalition launched in Georgia Wednesday with a town hall with elected officials, business and economic development leaders to discuss its statewide presence and goals. The organization is geared toward promoting the state’s transaction processing industry, which accounts for more than 70 percent of credit, debit and gift card transactions in the U.S., according to ATPC.

Information: www.atpcoalition.org. Katie Leslie

AARP workshop for older entrepreneurs

AARP Georgia and the U.S. Small Business Administration will hold a workshop on “Exploring Entrepreneurship,” 8 a.m. Monday in the fifth floor conference room of 999 Peachtree St., Atlanta.

The event will offer counseling and training for people 50 and older who would like to start or grow a business. It is free and open to AARP members and non-members.

Information: aarp.cvent.com/AARP-SBAWorkshop or 404-870-3785.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Birthright Atlanta to hold open house

Birthright of Atlanta is hosting an open house at 1 p.m. April 27 at 3424 Hardee Ave., Atlanta.

The organization is marking 45 years of assisting women who experienced unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, without regard for circumstances.

Information: birthright.org/en/landingpage/lp-atlanta or 770-451-6336.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Festival to celebrate Arab culture

The ninth Atlanta Arab Festival, featuring samples of the best of Arab cuisine and culture, will be held April 27 and 28 at the Alif Institute, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta.

The institute is a nonprofit culture, education, arts and enrichment center focusing on Arab culture and Arab Americans. Admission is $2 a person, $5 a family.

Information: www.atlantaarabfestival.com Kent A. Miles

DEKALB

Billing offices temporarily relocated

DeKalb County is temporarily moving the office that handles water and sewer building due to demolition work being done in downtown Decatur.

Those wishing to pay their bills or set up new service in person should now report to the 3rd floor of the Maloof administrative building, next door to the annex that had provided those services.

Information/questions: 404-378-4475. April Hunt

County to begin waterway cleanups

DeKalb County’s Watershed Management Department will begin its federally mandated cleanups of the South River, South Fork Peachtree Creek and Snapfinger Creek sometime in April.

A federal consent order requires the county to remove trash from banks and stream beds as part of a $1.35 billion overhaul to the county’s water and sewer system.

Work should be completed by late fall.April Hunt

Discussion group for families of disabiled

A discussion group for people using self-direct services and those interested in starting is 6 p.m. April 24 at the All About Developmental Disabilities’ Family Support Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 300, Decatur.

Topics include how to get changes made, where to find staff, and locating agencies in the self-direct reimbursement program. Registration is $10 a person, $15 a family.

Information: info@aadd.org

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Input sought for transportation plan

DeKalb County’s 2014 Transportation Plan – the result of 18-months of work – is now available for public review.

Residents and business owners can comment on the plan until May 9. It is available online at www.dekalbtransportationplan2014.com.

Hard copies are also available at various government buildings, including the Manuel Maloof government center, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur, and the Dunwoody, Stonecrest and Tucker library branches.

April Hunt

Volunteers needed for ‘Cleanup’

Volunteers can sign up through Monday to help Keep DeKalb Beautiful with the Great American Cleanup. The group will provide supplies such as garbage bags, plastic gloves and pick-up sticks for the two upcoming cleanups.

The events will be held April 26 and May 3 across DeKalb.

Information/registration: 404-371-2654 or www.keepdekalbbeautiful.com. April Hunt

Citizens fire academy for Decatur residents

The Decatur Fire Department is accepting applications for its citizens fire academy.

The academy teaches participants about the department’s mission and organization, fire scene safety, operations and equipment used. Students learn CPR and first aid, and spend a shift riding shifts with fire personnel.

The citizens fire academy starts in May and continues for six weeks. Space in the academy is limited to 15, and the deadline to apply is April 21.

Information: www.decaturga.com or 678-553-6580.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Piedmont Henry sets ‘Walk with a Doc’

Piedmont Henry Hospital is coordinating “Walk with a Doc” events at 8:30 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month through July at Heritage Park in McDonough. A different physician will be participating each month and available to answer general health questions.

Each participant will receive a free pedometer and T-shirt.

Register at piedmont.org under the “Search Classes & Events” tab or by phone at 1-877-527-3712. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Yard sale benefits homeless pets

The Fayette County Humane Society will host its annual yard sale 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (April 19) at Tack Trolley Horse & Pet Supply, 920 Hwy. 85 South in Fayetteville. Proceeds benefit programs to help homeless dogs and cats. See www.fayettehumane.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette art and park committees to meet

The public is invited to attend upcoming meetings of two new volunteer committees in Fayette County.

The Public Art Committee will convene at 7 p.m. Monday and the Justice Park Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, each at the Administrative Complex meeting room at 140 Stonewall Ave. West in Fayetteville.

Information: 770-305-5103.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Poetry workshop in Peachtree City

A poetry workshop led by author and Clayton State University instructor Brigitte Byrd is 1:30 p.m. April 26 at the Peachtree City Library. Lunch is included; pre-registration is required. Send $15 (checks payable to Friends of the Library) to 201 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269 or pay at the library.

Information: ptc.library.friends@gmail.com.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette gardeners to hold plant sale, tour

The Fayette Master Gardener Association’s annual plant sale and garden tour will be held at 8 a.m. April 26 at the Fayette County Stonewall Government Complex, 140 Stonewall Ave., Fayetteville.

The garden tour will feature two displays created by master gardeners and three community gardens. Passes are $15 a person, $20 on the day of the event.

Information: fayettemga@gmail.com

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Hands on Henry gears up for April 19

Hands on Henry, an annual service day , is at 8 a.m.Saturday. Hundreds of volunteers will spend that morning working at dozen of project sites around the county doing beautification or site improvement.

Interested citizens can register to volunteer, be a sponsor or suggest a project.

Information: www.handsonhenry.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC