County by county news for Tuesday

Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell will host the event, where Fire and Emergency Services Chief Sam Heaton and Police Chief John Houser are expected to discuss budget cuts and furlough days in their departments. The Cobb Department of Transportation is also expected to answer questions about road projects.

The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mountain View Community Center, 3400 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta. Ty Tagami

Support expert updates Alzheimer’s group

Get an update on Alzheimer’s this evening when Sarah Carson, a family support programs manager with the Alzheimer’s Association-Georgia Chapter speaks at a free event.

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s General Review and Update starts at 6:30 p.m. at Savannah Court, 886 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta. Information: 770-977-4420. Ty Tagami

Business conference for women on Thursday

A business conference for women will take place Thursday morning at the Cobb Energy Centre.

The second annual “Entrepreneurs 2011: Turning Vision into Value” will include panel discussions about finding financing and a resource fair with institutions that support women-owned businesses.

Barbara Kasoff, president, CEO and co-founder of Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc., will be the keynote speaker at the half-day event, which runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Information: www.womenetics.com.

Ty Tagami

Smyrna parent to head National PTA

Smyrna parent Otha Thornton was selected as president-elect of the National PTA at the organization’s annual convention in Orlando earlier this month. Thornton becomes the group’s first African-American male president-elect. The retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. and his wife have a daughter attending Spelman College and a son at Morehouse College.

Jaime Sarrio

‘Go Skateboarding Day’ today in Kennesaw

Skateboarders of all ages can roll to music, compete in contests and down free food today evening at an event hosted by the Kennesaw Parks & Recreation Department. “Go Skateboarding Day” is from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Highway. Also hosting the event: North Georgia Skateboard Center and Ambush Boarding Company. Information: 770-422-9714. Ty Tagami

Marietta police enhance patrols after car thefts

A string of thefts from automobiles parked along Powder Springs Road has police in Marietta stepping up patrols .

About a dozen vehicles were broken into on one night recently in an area where such thefts are rare. The incidents occurred on Powder Springs Road near Oregon Trail Area, and the culprits had not been apprehended as of Monday.

Police sent more patrols there last week, and were continuing the heavy presence this week, said Officer Jennifer Murphy of the Marietta Police Department. She warned drivers to remove valuables when parking. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Norcross couple dead in murder-suicide

Gwinnett County police are investigating why a woman shot her husband to death, then fatally turned the gun on herself Saturday night. Hyun “Mickey” OK Yu, 35, shot Shan Chun Yu, 46, once in the head while he was seated at his computer at their home in the 6300 block of Zachary Drive, near Norcross, police spokesman Cpl. Edwin Ritter said Monday. Police received a 911 call about the shooting around 9 p.m. from a family member. When police arrived, they found the husband, Shan Yu, dead. Hyun Yu was pronounced dead on arrival at Gwinnett Medical Center, police said. George Mathis

Registration extended for online charter school

Gwinnett Schools has extended its registration deadline for its new online charter campus.

The extended registration period runs through July 14. Students and their parents must come to the Gwinnett Online Campus at 2595 Beaver Ruin Road in Norcross to sign up in person. Registration will be available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: gwinnettonlinecampus.com. David Wickert

Gwinnett septic records now online

Hundreds of thousands of Gwinnett County septic tank records are now available for free inspection at the county’s web site. The records will help homeowners find septic systems on their property so they can maintain them as required by law. To access the records, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com and click on “GIS data browser” under “popular links.” David Wickert

Ultrasound screenings offered this Saturday

LifeLine Screening will provide preventive ultrasound screenings from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.

The company will offer screenings for strokes, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysms and irregular heartbeat. Vascular tests cost $45 each. A package of five tests costs $149. Pre-registration is required. Call 800-643-6075 to make an appointment. David Wickert

Author Karin Slaughter to have book signing

Author Karin Slaughter will speak at 7 p.m. July 1 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at 5141 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross.

Slaughter will sign copies of her latest book, “Fallen.” The event is free and open to the public. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

Students win study abroad scholarships

Two Gwinnett County Schools’ students have landed a one year study abroad scholarship to Germany for academic and cultural exchange.

The Collins Hill High students are among one dozen Georgia teens who have been selected to participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program.

They are rising senior Blake Hoover, who recently completed his third year of German studies, and Melissa Rary, who took Advanced Placement German as a 12th grader this past school year. The students will live with a host family and attend school for an academic year in Germany. D. Aileen Dodd

NORTHSIDE

Maintenance on transit projects worries leaders

At a summit of Fulton elected leaders on next year’s transportation sales tax referendum Monday, Roswell Mayor Jere Wood questioned where long-term maintenance and operational funds will come from if the projects are built. State Transportation Planning Director Todd Long pointed out that $6.1 billion raised by the tax could include 20 years of operating costs. Roswell City Council members Nancy Diamond, Rich Dippolito and Becky Wynn expressed doubts that north Fulton voters will support the tax, given the general lack of faith in government. Johnny Edwards

New principal named for Willow Creek school

Andrea Cushing, an assistant principal at Wilson Creek Elementary School since the school’s opening in 2004, has been elevated to principal, the Fulton School Board has announced. Her new position at the Johns Creek School is effective July 1. Cushing is a 20-year veteran of the Fulton County school system. Nancy Badertscher

Committee to discuss location for shelter

The Forsyth County Animal Control and Shelter Advisory Committee will continue to discuss when it meets tonight, where is the best location to build the shelter which group estimates will cost almost $3 million. The meeting is 6:45 p.m. in suite 210, in the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street, Cumming. Jeffry Scott

Work session over golf course Thursday

Many were gathered at Thursday night’s Forsyth County Commission meeting to oppose the commission’s plans, following a judge’s order, to rezone Lanier Golf Club so that the course could be replaced with residential housing. Instead of a decision, the opponents of the rezoning got a reprieve from the commission, which voted 5-0 to call a special work session Thursday to come up with a solution that may be a livable compromise and finally end four years of litigation over the course. Jeffry Scott

Meet-and-greet with Northview principal

Fulton County Schools hosts a meet-and greet for Paul Brannon, new principal of Northview High School, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. A reception will kick off the event at 6 p.m., followed by introductory comments from Superintendent Robert Avossa. Brannon also will share his personal background and educational philosophy. Location: the school auditorium, Northview, 10625 Parsons Road, Johns Creek. Nancy Badertscher

Stormwater utility fee to start in Roswell

Monthly stormwater utility fees kick in for Roswell residents and property owners beginning in July.

The rates will be determined by the amount of impervious surface area on a developed property. Most homes in Roswell will pay $3.95 per month, some of which will be offset by a reduced sanitation fee.

City officials said the stormwater fee is the most equitable way to pay to maintain and improve the city’s stormwater system.

Larger properties, chiefly businesses, will pay the highest rates. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Eisenhower memorial counterproposal wins

The Atlantan behind Atlantic Station’s Millennium Gate was part of one of five winning teams recently in the Eisenhower Memorial Counterproposal Competition. It was held in response to architect Frank Gehry’s contemporary-style design for a four-acre site just south of Washington’s National Mall.

Buckhead resident Rodney Cook Jr. said the Gehry design “does not accurately reflect the timeless tradition of Washington memorials.” His proposal with Washington architect Michael Franck is focused on a 28-foot-high statue of Eisenhower atop a 100-foot-tall banded Doric column supported by a 50-foot-high base. More coverage: http://blogs.ajc.com/arts-culture/2011/. HOWARD POUSNER

HBCU conference to be held this week

Clark Atlanta University President Carlton Brown and N.C. Central University chancellor Charlie Nelms will headline the 2011 HBCU Governance and Institutional Effectiveness Seminar, a meeting of more than 100 black college presidents and presidents. The meeting is being sponsored by the Southern Education Foundation and will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton, 181 Peachtree St. Atlanta.

They will discuss the collective impact of black colleges, how HBCUs are handling greater competition for students, the increasingly difficult fiscal environment, and reoccurring questions of relevance. Ernie Suggs

Paul Howard to speak at GED ceremony

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. will highlight the importance of education and celebrate the achievements of more than 100 Literacy Action students at 6 p.m. Thursday . Many students will be celebrating the attainment of their GED by walking in cap and gown.

The ceremony will be at the Georgia-Pacific auditorium, 133 Peachtree St. Literacy Action, Inc. is the largest community-based nonprofit in Georgia that provides free classroom instruction and job-readiness services for adults with low literacy skills. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Emory hires eminent oncology expert

Emory University has hired Deborah Watkins Bruner, an internationally recognized authority on cancer care and quality of life.

“Dr. Bruner is one of the nation’s preeminent researchers in oncology nursing,” says Linda McCauley, dean of Emory’s School of Nursing.

Bruner, who comes to Emory from the University of Pennsylvania, will hold a dual appointment as a professor of nursing at Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and as associate director of cancer outcomes at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Carrie Teegardin

Jewish community center gets grant

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta was awarded a a $50,000 matching grant from Grants to Green for environmental improvements to its Dunwoody campus.

Improvements include a UV system and pool cover for the indoor pool, motion sensors for lighting in the gym and energy saving lighting.

Changes have helped the center reduce water and energy usage by 19.5 percent for an annual savings of almost $75,000. Jaime Sarrio

Go skateboarding today in Brook Run Park

Dunwoody and Brook Run Park will host “Go Skateboarding Day,” from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. today, at the skate park, 4770 North Peachtree Road. The event is in celebration of national Go Skate Boarding Day and is free and open to the public. Michelle E. Shaw

Chamblee to hold hearing on tax hike

Chamblee will hold a public hearing Thursday about a proposal to raise taxes in the area that was annexed Jan. 1.

The city tentatively adopted a millage rate of 7.87 for the area, which is the same rate for the rest of the city. Property owners in the annexed area currently pay no city property taxes.

The tax due on a home with a fair market value of $225,000 would be about $472.

The hearing is at 6 p.m. at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad St. Ty Tagami

DeKalb chamber president to speak today

The president of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce will speak today at the quarterly business networking event of the Brookhaven-Chamblee Homeowners and Neighborhood Business Alliance.

Leonardo V. McCarty is the guest speaker of the event, which also features music and food. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Japan House, 1940 Briarwood Court. The meeting is free and open to the public. Information: Genebhbna09@gmail.com April Hunt

Schools, city reauthorize SPLOST for renewal

The Decatur School Board and City Commission both adopted a resolution reauthorizing the collection SPLOST sales tax for an additional five years.

If also approved by DeKalb County and the Atlanta School System, SPLOST IV will appear on the November ballot. Schools Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said this could mean as much as $18 million for Decatur Schools, and will help pay off several already-completed projects like the new Fifth Avenue 4/5 Academy. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

New Fulton school boss picks chief of staff

New Fulton County School Superintendent Robert Avossa continues to create his leadership team from former colleagues in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. His new chief of staff will be Michael Davis, currently director of special projects in the Charlotte school system.

In that role, Davis has advised the superintendent on educational policy and national education reform efforts. Avossa started earlier this month as Fulton school superintendent, succeeding Cindy Loe. Nancy Badertscher

Homeowners workshop in College Park

Aspiring Fulton County homeowners can attend a workshop Wednesday on programs offering loan and down payment/closing cost assistance, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park. The Home Ownership Homebuyer Assistance provides deferred loans of up to $10,000 toward down payments and closing costs. Neighborhood Stabilization Program Housing Assistance, for low- to moderate-income residents, can provide deferred-payment second mortgages of up $25,000. Information: 404-612-8077. Johnny Edwards

Clayton to celebrate accreditation return

Clayton County is throwing a party to celebrate the school district’s return to full accreditation. The 3-7 p.m. event will be July 30 at The Gerald Matthews Soccer Complex in Lovejoy.

Donations are being sought and will be used to make the event free to the public.

Details or donations: Rhonda Burnough, school community relations liaison, 770 473-2760 or rburnough@clayton.k12.ga.us. Tammy Joyner

Prices going up for Clayton school lunches

The Clayton County Board of Education recently approved the price hike for school lunches to be compliant with the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It is the first meal price increase since 1995.

Students in the free/reduced lunch program aren’t affected. New prices begin July 1.

Meal prices for adults also will go up. New prices: elementary: $1 for breakfast, $1.50 lunch; middle and high school: $1.10 breakfast, $1.75 lunch. Tammy Joyner

Kedron Fieldhouse pool repairs to be $460,000

Peachtree City’s Kedron Fieldhouse will be getting a new bubble for its pool this fall, but at a ballooned cost. The city council approved a measure on June 15 to spend $460,000 to replace both the fabric bubble and the pool’s concrete foundation. The cost is $210,000 more than originally budgeted for the bubble alone, but saves money in the long run. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

$275,000 goes to Henry emergency department

U.S. Rep. David Scott has provided $275,000 in funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Henry County’s emergency department to purchase new equipment. A local match of $91,667 is required for this grant, which was accepted June 20 by the Henry County Board of Commissioners. Monroe Roark for the AJC