County by county news for Tuesday

KSU is seeking approval for the project, the South Campus Apartments, from the state’s Board of Regents. Cobb commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday whether to allow the county’s development authority to issue $35 million in revenues bonds to the KSU Foundation to fund the project. The four-story apartment building will include units of four bedrooms and four private bathrooms, with a shared kitchen and living room.

Information, visit, http://www.kennesaw.edu Janel Davis

Residents sought to serve on water council

The Metro Water District is seeking Cobb County residents to serve on the Chattahoochee and Etowah Basin Advisory Councils. Applicants must live in the river basin of the council for which they apply. Members serve two-year terms and can be reappointed for additional terms.

Membership applications are due May 13, and available at http://www.northgeorgiawater.org Janel Davis

SPSU heralds new technology center

The grand opening ceremony of Southern Polytechnic State University’s Engineering Technology Center will be today.

The three-story, $30 million building houses the SPSU’s engineering and technology students and faculty together.

Shan Cooper, a Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the company’s Marietta plant, will speak at the ceremony. Information: visit, http://www.spsu.edu Janel Davis

Kennesaw event focuses on obesity in kids

The City of Kennesaw is co-sponsoring an event with C.H.O.I.C.E.S. (Center Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully) at Swift-Cantrell Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 21 to help spotlight the dangers of childhood obesity.

The event will be held in conjunction with a national initiative that encourages children to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle. On-site registration begins at 8 am; the walk starts at 9 am. Information: www.choicesforkids.org.

Rich McKay

Brown Bag concert series begins May 5

The annual Brown Bag concert series starts noon May 5 at Glover Park on the Marietta Square with country music by Sonya Schell. The free lunch-time series continues noon Thursdays in May with musicians Joy Parkman on May 12, Bob Geresti on piano May 19 and the Beulah Land Gospel Band, May 26. Concerts are sponsored by the Marietta Parks and Recreation Department. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Firefighters training program this weekend

This weekend, the Metro Atlanta Fire Officer’s Association will host a training conference for approximately 400 firefighters.

The conference is from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. April 30 to May 1. Nationally recognized instructors will host free classroom sessions and inexpensive practical training sessions. The goal of the Metro Atlanta Firefighter’s Conference is to provide the best possible training for little to no cost. The classes will be held at the Cobb County Safety Village and Public Safety Training Center at 1220 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta. Andria Simmons

GWINNETT

Missing Lilburn man found dead at river

A Lilburn man who has been missing for two weeks was found dead Sunday.

The body of Phillip J. Gabilondo was found on a bank of the Yellow River near Lawrenceville late Sunday morning, said Detective J.R. Flanagan of the Gwinnett Police Department.

Gabilondo was last seen leaving his home on April 9.

The cause of death has not been determined, but foul play is not suspected, Flanagan said. Staff reports

Snellville police hosts drug take back Saturday

The Snellville Police Department is participating Saturday in National Take Back Day. Law enforcement around Atlanta are partnering from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to accept unwanted or unused prescription drugs at various locations. Snellville police will be at Eastside Medical Center at 1700 Medical Way in Snellville to accept prescription drugs and safely dispose of them. Info: www.dea.gov. Andria Simmons

Stars and Strikes Spring Festival Saturday

Stars and Strikes entertainment center will host a Spring Festival and Family Fun Day Celebration on Saturday.

The celebration is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, which is located at 1700 Winder Highway. Admission is free and the event is open to families in the Gwinnett County area. Information: www.starsandstrikes.com or 678-965-5707. Joel Anderson

County to hold recycling event Saturday

Gwinnett County will have its spring recycling event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Lowe’s store at 3260 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Suwanee. Residents can recycle household batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The event also will feature children’s activities. Information: www.sustainablegwinnett.com. David Wickert

Weight loss-health seminar on Saturday

The Center for Surgical Weight Management will hold a weight loss surgery information seminar and health fair from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Gwinnett Medical Center-Duluth, 3620 Howell Ferry Road. Khaliah Ali, daughter of heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, will speak about her lifelong struggle with obesity and her decision to have weight loss surgery. The event is free and open to the public. To register, call 678-312-5000. David Wickert

Toast@Town Center in Suwanee Thursday

Suwanee will host its first Toast @ Town Center street festival of the year on Thursday.

Toast @ Town Center is an event where merchants offer special deals, entertainment and in-store events from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, April through October. The theme for the April festvial will be “Paint the Town Purple.” Ten percent of each merchant’s proceeds will be donated to support the City of Suwanee team taking part in the Gwinnett County Relay for Life on May 6. JOEL ANDERSON

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee pair to serve on Deal’s education panel

Two representatives from Cherokee County are now serving on Governor Nathan Deal’s Education Advisory Board.

School Board member Janet Read and Dean Rusk Middle School teacher Kurt Wheeler were named to the 53-member advisory board, which consists of superintendents, principals, teachers and school board members who will provide input and feedback to Deal on education issues. Read is a former PTA officer serving her second term on the school board. Wheeler teaches social studies. Christopher Quinn

AG wants response on open meeting complaint

The Attorney General of Georgia gave Forsyth County ten days to respond to former county commission candidate Terrance Sweeney’s complaint that on February 3, three members of the county commission -- District 1 Commissioner Pete Amos, District 2 Commissioner and chairman Brian Tam, and District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell -- met with officials from the city of Cumming in violation of state’s open meetings laws. County attorney Ken Jarrard received the request dated April 19 from senior assistant attorney general Stefan Ritter.

Jeffry Scott

Alpharetta city workers to get a pay boost

Alpharetta city employees will get a merit pay increase retroactive to Jan. 1. The City Council considered the raise during budget discussions last summer, but members made it contingent on whether finances were healthy enough to support the expense. Mayor Arthur Letchas said last week that recent numbers show the raise, which has a maximum of 2 percent, can be implemented. Patrick Fox

Taste of Alpharetta to be May 12

Officials estimate more than 60,000 people will sample the cooking this year at the 21st annual Taste of Alpharetta, May 12. Restaurants will present samples of their finest offerings from 5 to 10 p.m. along Old Milton Parkway at Wills Park.

The Culinary Arts Competitions will pair local chefs against one another on the stage at 5 p.m. Patrick Fox

Steering panel decision upsets some residents

By unanimous vote a steering committee for updating the Forsyth County Comprehensive Plan recommended that largely rural land along Howard Road on the western end of the county be characterized as medium density “suburban living” as opposed to lower density “estate living” for development over the next 20 years. Those two designations have split opinions along the road. The recommendation is far from final as the county continues to plot its growth map with the help of the public, planners, the steering committee and county officials. Jeffry Scott

Sandy Springs considers charter changes

The City of Sandy Springs Charter Commission will meet at 7 p.m. todayat City Hall.

Every five years, the charter commission will review the city’s experiences and recommend any changes to the city charter to the General Assembly. Information: www.sandyspringsga.org or 770-730-5600. Joel Anderson

ATLANTA

Grady mock trial team to compete nationally

Grady High School’s mock trial team will compete in the national championships to be held in Phoenix on May 6 and 7.

Last month, Grady won its fifth overall -- and third straight -- state title.

Last year, it finished third in the national championships. At the recent state finals, several Grady trial team members won honors for their performances: Atiana Johnson, Nally Kinnane, Shaun Kleber, Elizabeth McGlamry, Sam Weinstock, Kenny Cochran, Molly Daniel, Ciena Leshley and Alix Youngblood. Bill Rankin

Health screening at Morehouse Wednesday

The Fulton County Health and Wellness Department is offering screenings for tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV on Wednesday at Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive, Atlanta, from 2 to 7 p.m. Information: 404-730-1468. Johnny Edwards

GED preparation at the library

Teens and young adults ages 16-22 can prepare for General Equivalency Diploma, or GED, tests on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Ponce de Leon Branch library, 980 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta.

The classes start at 11:30 a.m. and last four hours. Information: 404-885-7820. Johnny Edwards

City opens registration for summer camps

The city of Atlanta is opening registration for Camp Best Friends, for kids ages 5-16.

There will be four specialty programs, including one residential camp, 12 day camps, and two teen camps.

The regular camp season starts May 31 and runs through July 22. The extended camp will be available from July 25 through Aug. 5.

The cost is $65 a child per week for residents and $110 a week for non-residents. Financial assistance may be available for qualified applicants.

Information: www.atlantaga.gov/Government/Parks.aspx Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

Two men shot at home Easter gathering

Two men were nursing wounds Monday after gunshots rang out Sunday night at an Easter gathering at a home on Winfield Glen Road, DeKalb police Lt. Curtis Williams said.

Officers found the two victims, one 45 and the other 19, inside the home. One man was shot in the leg, the other in the back.

“A family gathering was being held when an unknown suspect arrived and began firing shots inside of the location,” Williams said. The victims were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening. Mike Morris

Anti-bullying rally in Decatur Saturday

Youth Connections, Inc. is holding an anti-bullying rally this weekend. The organization targets what it considers at-risk youth because they have a parent, aunt, uncle or other family member in prison. It is inviting people who would like to volunteer for its mentoring program for youth to attend. The rally is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 4151 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Information at 404.474.8220 or clatson@youth-connect.net Steve Visser

County reports 3,500 in raw sewage spills

More than 3,500 gallons of raw sewage spilled into DeKalb County waterways, over the weekend, according to the watershed management department.

County water reports show a 2,680-gallon spill Saturday into North Fork Peachtree Creek from the 2500 block of Wood Acres Road in Atlanta. On the same day Water reports show an 1,100-gallon spill in to Nancy Creek from the 3900 East Brookhaven Drive in Atlanta. Michelle Shaw

Entrepreneur forum to be May 19

As part of national small business week, State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, D-Lithonia is hosting an entrepreneur forum next month.

The free event is co-sponsored by DeKalb County Parks and the chambers of commerce in DeKalb and Rockdale. It runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon on May 19 at the Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia.

Information: http://nsbwforum.eventbrite.com or 404-656-0109.

April Hunt

Doraville declares ‘Windsor Week’

Doraville’s Acting Mayor Donna Pittman recently presented a proclamation to the British Consul-General, declaring the week of April 25 as “Windsor Week” in honor of the royal wedding, which will be held Friday.

That day will be celebrated as a national holiday in the U.K. Staff reports

Decatur school hosts Internet safety forum

Decatur High School is hosting a program entitled “Internet Safety and Social Networking in the Digital Age,” tonight, 7-8 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 310 N. McDonough St. in Decatur.

The guest speaker, Hoke Wilcox, is an Instructional Technology Specialist at Kennesaw State University.

Every parent attending (this event is for adults only) will receive a book prepared by the federal government that gives parents practical advice on helping kids navigate the online world. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Fulton website gets praise for transparency

Fulton County has received perfect score from a nonprofit that grades government websites for transparency. After the county added the “Eye on Fulton” page late last year, The Sunshine Review raised www.FultonCountyGa.gov to an A+, citing its inclusion of information on budgets, audits, zoning, permits, property records, tax bills and public records request.

Two other Georgia counties have A+ grades -- Clayton and Cobb. Gwinnett and Cherokee have Cs and DeKalb has a C-. The state website has a B. Johnny Edwards

Fulton set to hire new school chief today

The Fulton County Board of Education is set today to vote to hire superintendent finalist Robert Avossa. The board meets at 1:30 p.m. at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School, 8100 Roberts Drive in Sandy Springs. Avossa currently serves as chief strategy and accountability officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina. CMS is one of the largest systems in the country with more than 135,000 students. He will replace Dr. Cindy Loe who retires at the end of the school year. Nancy Badertscher

Three women bound in home invasion

Three women were duct-taped Monday – and one of them pistol whipped – during a home invasion robbery at a house in south Fulton County.

Fulton police spokesman Scott McBride said that three masked men entered the home on Magnolia Walk Lane shortly before 5 a.m. One of the women was taken to the hospital for observation after being struck on the head with a pistol, McBride said. He said the men took a “large amount” of cash and home electronics, then stole a car belonging to one of the victims.

The car is a white 2003 Monte Carlo with Georgia tag BMW 7953. Mike Morris

Geography Bee registration still open

Students who want to put themselves on the academic map at the second annual Peachtree City Geography Bee still have time to register.

The event will be Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road. Students from third through eighth grade may register online until 5 p.m. that day.

The entry fee is $15 for Fayette County residents and $18 for nonresidents.

Register at www.peachtree-city.org or call Art Sivertsen at (770) 631-2542 for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Stockbridge to discuss playground equipment

The City of Stockbridge is hosting a community relations meeting today, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall to present designs for proposed new playground/park equipment. The public is encouraged to attend. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Town hall meeting today on zoning variance

A town hall meeting is set for today , from 6-8 p.m. in Conference Room B at the Henry County Administration Building to discuss a request for a zoning modification regarding vehicular access at 917 Jonesboro Road in McDonough. Monroe Roark for the AJC