COBB
Last public meeting on river line plan Tuesday
The Mableton Improvement Coalition will host the last public meeting for the Chattahoochee River Line Preservation Plan at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton. The plan is to determine the best methods to preserve the Civil War battlefield and make it accessible to the public, especially 127 acres owned by the county that is slated to become public parks with passive recreational uses. With a National Park Service grant, the MIC has hired a consultant, to complete this plan that includes Civil War fortifications in Mableton, Smyrna and Vinings. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Kennesaw to hold property tax hearings
Kennesaw will hold three public hearings on property tax assessments starting 6:30 p.m. Monday and also 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. July 21 at City Hall, 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave, Kennesaw. City Manager Steve Kennedy said that an improving economy has created growth in the city tax digest and that means some property owners will see an in increase in their property taxes. The millage rate won’t change. Information: www.kennesaw-ga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Taste of South Cobb benefit on July 8
Taste of South Cobb Mini Taste and Business After Hours will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 8 at Riverside EpiCenter, 135 Riverside Parkway, Austell.
Emcee will be WSB Radio’s Condace Pressley with Six Flags Over Georgia and White Water president Dale Kaetzel and Cobb District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid among the guest speakers.
Taste tickets at $5 to $15 will benefit the Amateur Advocate Association, Inc. and Sweetwater Mission, formerly Sweetwater C.A.M.P. Christian Aid Mission Partnership.
Reservations: amateuradvocate.com/TasteSCobb/Registration.asp.
Information: riversideepicenter.com,
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Cobb schools seek input on federal funds
Cobb County Schools is looking for public comment on the districts’ federal programs including Title 1 funds and parental involvement policy. A public forum will be 9 a.m. July 15 at district headquarters, 514 Glover St., Marietta. Information: www.cobb.k12.ga.us
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Meetings set on proposed penny tax
Cobb County will hold seven public meetings on a proposed 2016 SPLOST 9 a.m. July 8, 10 a.m.-noon July 17 and 7 p.m. July 22 at the Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting room, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta. Each of the four Cobb Commission Districts will also have meetings July 9-July 16 in east Cobb, Mableton and Powder Springs.
Information: www.cobbcounty.org or www.cobbSPLOST.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta police offer place to drop off meds
The Marietta Police Department, 240 Lemon St., has started a permanent place to drop off unused prescription medications at a secured box that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the station. Information: Sgt. Rick Redd at 770-794-5306. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Gwinnett contract will rehabilitate bridges
Gwinnett commissioners have approved repairs to extend the useful life of five bridges on Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Ingram Road, Connemara Trace, Rockbridge Road and Arnold Road. The work includes cleaning and painting steel beams, sealing bridge deck joints, encasing bridge pilings with concrete and filling erosion voids at the abutments. The rehabilitation projects will begin in August with an expected completion date by the end of the year. 2009 SPLOST funds will cover the $375,000 cost for repairs.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
New internship for water industry interest
The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources is running a summer internship program for college students to gain real-world experience in the water utility industry. Interns work full-time in various roles of water production and reclamation, water quality monitoring, GIS and infrastructure mapping, and engineering and construction. Information: www.h2opportunity.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Veterans to live in houses located in parks
Five houses located within Gwinnett County parks will be leased to veterans and their families under an agreement approved by commissioners on Tuesday. The IMPACT! Group is responsible for administering the program and costs related to the properties. The houses are located at Graves Park, Harbins Park, J.B. Williams Park, Lenora Park and Little Mulberry Park. Established in 1992, The IMPACT! Group is a nonprofit corporation that provides affordable housing in Gwinnett. Information: www.theimpactgroup.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Event to explain Move Over Law
The Gwinnett Police Chiefs Association and the Move Over Georgia committee will host Light Up Gwinnett to raise awareness of Georgia’s Move Over Law 5 to 10 p.m. July 12 at the County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.
A police motorcycle rodeo, K9 demonstrations, SWAT displays, Beat the Heat team, fire trucks, wreckers and fireworks will be featured. After sunset, the sky will light up with blue, red, and amber lights.
Information: www.gqinnettcounty.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Cop Cab hopes to deter drunk drivers
Snellville Police use a Cop Cab as a visual reminder to drivers who have had too much to drink that they have a choice: risk having an accident and being arrested or call a cab.
The now-retired police car is painted to look like a Snellville police car on the front half and a taxi cab on the back half to highlight the cost difference between taking a $40 cab ride versus a $10,000 DUI arrest.
The vehicle will not be providing cab service, but it will be located at city events to raise public awareness.
Its next appearance will be July 4 at Snellville’s Star-Spangled Celebration on the Towne Green. Snellville’s Cop Cab was completely funded by private donations without taxpayer funds. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Cherokee elections supervisor fired
The Cherokee County Board of Elections voted unanimously Wednesday to fire elections and registration supervisor Janet Munda, citing a personnel matter and active criminal investigation. A Cherokee Sheriff’s Office incident report states that County Manager Jerry Cooper reported on June 17 that improper and unauthorized purchases were made on a county credit card linked to Munda. Cooper turned a year’s worth of statements on that card over to the sheriff’s office. Criminal charges have not been filed. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Beam work set for Lake Lanier bridge
Construction crews will begin setting bridge beams 9 a.m. Mondayfor the new Ga. 284 bridge over the Chattahoochee River portion of Lake Lanier. The work will continue through Wednesday. The Georgia Department of Transportation says that as part of that work, the northbound lane will be closed and that traffic heading to the beach or boat launch area will be directed by flaggers. The project, which also includes a pedestrian tunnel under Ga. 284, is set for completion by the end of 2015. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth to weigh dog law changes
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners holds a public hearing 5 p.m. today at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St., Cumming, as it considers a proposed amendment to the county’s animal control ordinance. Some regulations regarding vicious dogs amay be modified. It also defines an animal shelter, and shouild bring the county ordinance into line with state law. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
School district to hold millage hearings
Forsyth County Schools officials have set hearings on the proposed 2014 millage rate for 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. July 10 and 5 p.m. July 17 at the Forsyth County Board of Education and Professional Development Center, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming. Officials propose maintaining the current millage rate of 16.30, raising property taxes to 0.172 percent above the rollback rate. Estimated tax hike for a home with a $250,000 fair market value, about $15.82 a year. For non-homestead property with the same valuation, $17.26 annually. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth citizens academy gearing up
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for its next Citizens Law Enforcement Academy. The free 10-week course kicks off July 28 at the Forsyth County Public Safety Building, 3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming. Information: hjplager@forsythco.com or 678-513-5880.Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Northside utility signs solar power deal
Sawnee EMC will be sending sun-generated electricity to about 140,000 of its members beginning next year. The utility says it signed a power purchase agreement with the owner of a 20 megawatt solar power project in Jeff Davis County. The deal means that Sawnee will buy 50 percent of the electricity produced at the site. Cumming-based Sawnee serves nearly 160 thousand accounts in seven North Georgia counties. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
APS employees to get raises
Atlanta Public Schools employees are getting raises.
Employees who have worked for the school district longer will receive larger increases than more recent hires:
— Employees hired in 12 months ending June 30, 2014: One-time bonus of 1 percent up to a maximum of $500.
— Employees hired in twelve months ending June 2013: 1-percent raise.
— Employees hired in twelve months ending June 2012: 2-percent raise
— Employees hired in twelve months ending June 2011: 3-percent raise
— Employees hired in twelve months ending June 2010: 4-percent raise.
— Employees hired in the twelve months ending June 2009 or earlier: 5 percent raise
The raises went into effect July 1. Molly Bloom
MARTA seeks driver candidates
MARTA is hosting a job fair for candidates to fill part-time bus operator and Mobility operator positions.
The job fair will take place at 9 a.m. July 19 at 2424 Piedmont Road. Participants will have the opportunity to speak with MARTA human resources personnel about the positions.
To be considered, bus operator applicants must possess a Class A or B Georgia CDL license with passenger endorsement. Mobility operator applicants must possess a valid Class C license.
Information: 404-848-5564.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Author to host personal finance workshop
Author, speaker and personal development coach Judi Mason will host the “Where is the Money Seminar,” a personal finance workshop, at 3 p.m. July 12 at the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library’s Peachtree branch, 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta.
M. Olette Etheridge, a local author and financial industry veteran, will join Mason to discuss ways participants can obtain financial freedom and how to secure the funding to make dreams reality. Free and registration is recommended.
Information: www.reinventyoumovement.com Kent A. Miles
DEKALB
Suspect in shooting arrested after chase
A suspect in a fatal drive-by shooting in DeKalb County was arrested after leading police on a chase that ended in a wreck.
The shooting happened about 11 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment complex on Wesley Club Drive. Witnesses reported that gunshots came from a vehicle with at least five people inside, according to Channel 2 Action News.
When responding officers arrived on the scene, they found David Brown Jr., 18, dead of an apparent gunshot wound, DeKalb police Capt. Stephen Fore told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Witnesses gave police a “good vehicle and suspect description,” and uniform officers later spotted the vehicle, Fore said. Authorities pursued the driver into Atlanta, where the vehicle wrecked at Browns Mill and Macedonia roads.
The suspect fled, but was taken into custody after a brief foot chase, Fore said.
Police have not released the suspect’s name. Mike Morris
Ministry to present stage play “Jaded”
Gospel of Faith Worship Center will host the summer stage production, “Jaded”, at 7 p.m. July 26 at 3897 Covington Highway, Decatur. Doors open at 6 p.m.
“Jaded” is a coming-of-age play about faith, family values and facing one’s fears.
Tickets: $20. Information: www.nkeyproductions.com or 404-484-5419. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Input sessions set for renovating schools
City Schools Decatur has set two dates for residential input sessions on the renovation and new construction of Renfroe Middle School and Decatur High.
Architects and design personnel, selected by CSD, will field questions and suggestions on Aug. 14 at the high school and Aug. 19 at Renfroe.
Design plans for both schools should finish by late fall/early winter, with Phase I construction on the high school — most likely new classrooms – beginning in January.
Bill Banks for the AJC
School TV station goes mobile
The DeKalb County School District is making its in-house cable TV news station available on the mobile platforms Android and iOS.
The educational access channel, PDS-TV24, is now available for airing on tablets and cell phones. It will carry live programming such as school board meetings. The content was previously available on computers via web streaming.
Information: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us,
, Instagram.com/dekalbschools or on Twitter @dekalbschools.
Ty Tagami
Mental health focus of awareness fair
Mental Health in the African American Community Inc. will hold its first Mental Health Fair at 11 a.m. July 12 at Club E, 3707 Main St., College Park.
The event will draw mental health professionals, community groups and workshop facilitators who will conduct mental health screenings, provide information and educate the public about mental illness and the services available to those affected by it.
Information: 770-873-4496.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Peachtree City restricting parade tarps
Peachtree City is reminding residents not to put blankets or tarps along the July 4 parade route until after dawn on Friday. The same applies to space-saving items near the Lake Peachtree fireworks display before 5 p.m. Friday. Blankets put out too early will be removed by maintenance crews. No fireworks viewing will be allowed from the lake bed. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Shooting at homeless camp investigated
Clayton County police are investigating a double shooting 5:30 p.m. Monday at a homeless camp near Forest Parkway and Interestate 75.
The victims told police a man tried to rob them after asking for a place to sleep. The man pulled out a handgun and demanded money, then started shooting when they told him they didn’t have any.
Roger Coley, 43, was shot in the head, police said. He is in the intensive care unit at a hospital but is alert and talking.
Chun Park, 57, was treated for his injuries and released.
Information may be submitted anonymously at 770-477-3513 or by texting “CLAYTONPD” to 274627 (CRIMES). Staff
Drake Field closing today
Drake Field and the off-leash dog area will close after 6 p.m. today in Peachtree City to allow for the fireworks setup. The City Hall/library parking lot will also be closed to the public.
Parking for handicapped individuals will be available on the lower level library lot starting at 11 a.m. Friday. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Good vibrations slated for The Fred
Feeling nostalgic for old-school rock and roll? The Beach Boys and an Eagles tribute band will headline The Fred amphitheatre in Fayette County on July 11 and July 12.
Actor John Stamos will join the Beach Boys on stage for the July 12 performance. In addition to Beach Boys hits, the Eagles tribute band, Hotel California, will play Eagles’ hits. Seating is limited.
Friday’s concert begins at 8 p.m. with opening act singer Winston Slade.
Saturday night, The Beach Boys along with special guest John Stamos hit the stage at 8 pm.Tickets are limited and range from $55-$75.
All tables are sold out.
Details: call the Fred Box Office, 770-631-0630 or online at www.amphitheater.org
The Box Office is open M-F from 9 a.m – 5 pm, and day of show beginning at 3 pm. Tammy Joyner
Henry to lower insurance premium
Henry County has received a dividend in the amount of $103,021 from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia—Interlocal Risk Management Association.
The dividend will be used as a credit toward Henry County’s property and liability insurance premium.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
