County by county news for Tuesday

Dyke, who was appointed by Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, replaces Chuck Casto, a deputy regional administrator with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who is leading the United State’s assistance efforts in Japan.

The oversight committee is tasked with reviewing Cobb’s management structure and to provide recommendations on solutions for the 2012 and 2013 budgets. The committee’s recommendations are due to county commission on June 28. Janel Davis

12 apply for Powder Springs police chief

The search for a new police chief for Powder Springs has netted about 12 applications so far. The deadline is April 29 to apply, said City Manager Rick Eckert. Longtime chief L. Rick Richardson was ousted in February over irregularities involving the sale of at least three city vehicles. Eckert said that a search committee will pick three qualified finalists who will be interviewed by the City Council. He hopes to have a new chief selected by mid-May. Interested: contact City Hall, at 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs, Ga., 30127

Rich McKay

Nickelodeon star helps with fundraiser

Actor Leon Thomas III, currently star of Nickelodeon cable TV Victorious will visit Kennesaw on Saturday to support fund raising efforts for the city’s new after-school program for teens. Thomas will participate in the Big Shanty Festival Parade in downtown Kennesaw at 9:30 a.m. Following the parade, he will make personal appearances at the Youth Council booth at the Festival. Rich McKay

Women invited seminar on fibroids

Women are invited to a free seminar, “Freedom from Fibroids,” hosted by Emory-Adventist Hospital on today in Smyrna. The discussion will include information on uterine fibroids, including symptoms and treatment. The seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. at Smyrna Assembly of God Church, 4100 King Springs Rd. NE in Smyrna.

Reservations: call 1-866-202-0731. Janel Davis

Fundraiser to benefit Hispanic girls

Lime Taqueria will hold a fundraiser Wednesday benefiting Moda Real (Real Fashion), a nonprofit organization that helps Hispanic girls gain self-esteem and leadership skills.

Tickets for the “Margaritas for a Cause” are $10 There will also be a silent auction.

The fundraiser runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lime Taqueria, 4600 W. Village Place in Smyrna. Information: call, 404-229-4540 Janel Davis

Laurel Park ponds to be drained, fixed up

Visitors using Marietta’s busiest park on Manning Road will have to detour around two lakes starting April 18.

The city will drain and dredge the ponds at Laurel Park to remove silt build up that has caused erosion around the shore lines, and rebuild the spillways, said Marietta Parks and Recreation Director Rich Buss.

The project, that is expected to take three to four months, is part of a $1.2 million renovation funded by a $25 million city parks bond passed in 2009. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Lawrenceville boy dies after being hit by vehicle

A 9-year-old boy died Friday from injuries he received when a vehicle struck his bicycle in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

Christopher Giles, of Lawrenceville, was bicycling east on Padens Chase Way Wednesday afternoon when he rode into the path of a motorist at the intersection of Paden Drive, according to Gwinnett County police.

The motorist was unable to avoid a collision. Giles was hospitalized for two days before succumbing to his injuries.

The motorist has not been charged. Andria Simmons

County issues rabies alert after positive test

Gwinnett County authorities have issued a rabies alert after a raccoon that tested positive for the disease was found on Northern Oak Drive in Braselton April 4. If you or your child have been bitten or scratched by any stray animal or if you know of anyone handling this animal, call the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200, Ext. 5576. David Wickert

Theatre to present ‘Barrio Hollywood’

The Aurora Theatre will continue the 2010-11 Georgia Gwinnett College Lab Series with a Spanish-language performance of the acclaimed production “Barrio Hollywood.”

The show is scheduled to run from April 14 through May 1 in the theater’s Gwinnett Federal Credit Union Studio in Lawrenceville. Information: http://www.auroratheatre.com Joel Anderson

Water rescue team practices drills

The Gwinnett County Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team (SRT) practiced river rescue drills Monday at Buford Dam Park.

Firefighters used throw bags and a “rescue swimmer” to demonstrate rescue attempts from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the lower pool of the Chattahoochee River at the park. The practice rescue came on the heels of a real emergency that occurred Sunday when a 28-year-old fisherman on the Chattahoochee River near the Ga. 20 bridge became overwhelmed by rising water released from Buford Dam. The man was rescued safely by Gwinnett firefighters. Andria Simmons

Extension to hold plant sale May 7

Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension will hold its Master Gardener annual plant sale at 9:30 a.m. Saturday May 7 at the Coolray Field parking lot.

Perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, other plants and yard art will be for sale. For more information, visit the Master Gardener web site at www.gwinnettmg.com or call 678-377-4010. David Wickert

Leadership Institute accepting applications

The Gwinnett County Neighborhood Leadership Institute is accepting applications and nominations for its upcoming community leadership training program. The application deadline is April 30. The cost is $500. Limited partial scholarships are available.

For more information, contact Nicole Love at 678-377-4137 or Nicole@gwinnettcoalition.org. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth decides to keep rec center open Sundays

Forsyth County officials found out fast there are some budget-cutting measures that won’t pass muster with the public. In this case it was the plan to close the Central Park Recreation Center on Sundays, and save a few thousand dollars. Even though the plan, passed last December by the previous commission, was well-researched and the public was given notice the Sunday closing lasted all of one week before public let the county know it was a bad move -- cut elsewhere. The commission voted unanimously last week to reopen the center on Sundays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jeffry Scott

Woodstock teacher to study with scientists

A Woodstock High School science teacher won a prestigious study award and will spend two weeks to work with scientists and other award-winning teachers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

Jen Forsyth is one of 20 teachers chosen nationally for the Siemens STEM Academy, which will allow them to work side by side with top scientists and researchers in various fields and participate in classes that help polish teaching skills. Christopher Quinn

Man takes prize for good guess on population

Ferrall Sumrell called it “pure luck,” but the longtime Milton resident submitted the winning entry to guess the city’s official population. With more than 150 entries and guesses ranging from 929 to 219,000 people, Sumrell’s guess of 32,247 came closest to the actual count, 32,661, without going over. Sumrell received a gift package offered by more than half a dozen local businesses. Patrick Fox

Encore Parkway plans to be unveiled

The Georgia Department of Transportation will unveil plans for improvements to Encore Parkway at an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. April 26 at the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, 11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 100, Alpharetta.

Plans include widening the roadway to include a newly designed bridge over Georgia 400 and shoulders that will house 6-foot buffer planter strips and an 8-foot wide sidewalk/bike lane. Patrick Fox

Alpharetta renews contract for jail

Alpharetta has signed a five-year renewal with Fulton County for operation of the city jail. Under the agreement, the Sheriff’s Office provides all staffing, food, supplies, transportation, medical and administrative services associated with operating the facility. It also allows the city 12-15 beds for its own inmates. The city first struck the deal back in 2005 after it found costs associated with operating the jail prohibitive. Patrick Fox

Alpharetta to test police candidates May 14

The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety will test police officer candidates May 14.

Applicants must be a Georgia certified officer or certified out-of-state officer, or be currently enrolled in a law enforcement academy. Certified applicants interested in employment must take the physical and written tests offered at 8 a.m. May 14 at the Alpharetta Community Center at 175 Roswell Street.

Info: LT. John Robison at jrobison@alpharetta.ga.us or 678-297-6310. Andria Simmons

ATLANTA

Man sentenced to life in murder for hire case

A man convicted in a murder-for-hire scheme for his share in a $500,000 life insurance policy was sentenced Monday to life plus 25 years in prison.

Jean Pierre Devaughn, 29, of Clayton County, shot and killed his cousin, 35-year-old Eric Clark, of Fairfield, Ala., on Dec. 13, 2005, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said. Clark’s wife, Constance Shinell Clark, arranged for the killing to cash in on the insurance policy, prosecutors said. Bill Rankin

Reporter to discuss Reagan assassination try

Reporter and author Del Quentin Wilber will recount the day that the President Ronald Reagan was shot and nearly killed at an April 21 discussion at the Carter Presidential Library. Wilber is the author of the best-seller, “Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan,” which chronicles the 1981 shooting of Reagan by John Hinckley. It will be at the Carter Library, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Ernie Suggs

Kirkwood residents learn about 911 center

Kirkwood residents are working to reduce crime in their neighborhood by learning about Atlanta’s 911 center.

The Kirkwood Neighbors’ Organization will hold a special town hall forum April 20 with Atlanta Police officials. The forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Bessie Branham Recreation Center at 2051 Delano Ave. Megan Matteucci

School offers hearing, speech screenings

The Atlanta Speech School will offer free hearing and speech screenings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 16. The school’s certified speech-language pathologists will provide screenings for children three years and older and provide written documentation of the screening results, including recommendations for further evaluations, if needed. Screenings are by appointment only. Contact the school at 404-233-5332 or email jbuck@atlspsch.org for an appointment. The school is at 3160 Northside Parkway, NW. Nancy Badertscher

DEKALB

Police identify one of two shooting victims

DeKalb County police have identified 28-year-old Quan Quoc Lai as one of two people shot to death outside a Buford Highway shopping center Sunday afternoon.

The name of the other man shot at Little Saigon Plaza in the 4100 block of Buford Highway was not released Monday because police are still trying to contact his relatives, according to police spokeswoman Mekka Parish.

One of the men was dead when police arrived at the shopping center and the other died hours later at Atlanta Medical Center, police said. Rhonda Cook

Burrell Ellis hands out Hero Awards

DeKalb County chief executive Burrell Ellis, recently honored six county residents and three organizations as part of the second annual CEO’s Community Hero Awards.

This year, Ozie Jackie Adams, Community Achievement Center, and the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc., both received community service awards; Tom and Killian Smith, Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, received an Environmental Change award; Luma Mufleh and the Fugees Family, received a Youth Volunteer award; JW and Althier Eady, Parks of Stonecrest, received the Neighborhood Empowerment and Bill Davis, Georgia Radio Reading Service and the DeKalb County Veteran Affairs Board, both got a Vanguard award. Michelle Shaw

Senior Olympics signup deadline is April 18

Registration is open for the 25th Annual DeKalb County Senior Olympic Games. Competitive events will be held across the county May 9-20. Registration ends April 18 and the games are open to the public.

DeKalb residents, and those from other counties, who are 50 and older, are welcome to participate.

Applications are available online at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/park, or at all DeKalb County recreation centers, libraries and some senior centers.

For information contact Jackie Swain at 404-371-2990. Michelle Shaw

County reports 3,000 gallon sewage spill

Approximately 3,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into a DeKalb County waterway Sunday.

County water reports show the sewage spilled into the North Fork of Peachtree Creek from the 2400 block of Sherbrooke Court in Atlanta.

In December, the federal Environmental Protection Agency mandated the county upgrade its sewage system after more than 800 spills were reported in five years. Michelle Shaw

Decatur students take trip to Washington

As part of the national Close Up program, 18 Decatur High School students will spend five days in Washington D.C. this week, led by Chris Billingsley who’s taught at Decatur 34 years. Activities include visiting the Vietnam Wall and honoring five Decatur grads killed in the war.

The group will also meet various Georgia representatives at Capitol Hill, including Congressman John Lewis, will tour the Smithsonian Museums and take a side trip to Philadelphia.

Billingsley said students and parents spent eight months planning and raising money for this trip. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton memorial to include Sept. 11 artifact

Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services will honor first responders who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a memorial that includes a piece of the World Trade Center.

Fire Chief Jeff Hood announced Monday that the five-foot piece of twisted steel will be placed at the county’s regional training facility in Riverdale.

The department is in the process of setting up the display and it will soon be open to the public, fire officials said. Megan Matteucci

Transfer applications due April 22

Parents with students in Clayton County public schools have until April 22 to apply for transfers to other schools in the district.

The deadline covers hardship student transfers such as medical or childcare issues or for employees’ children. It is also the deadline for available space student transfers. Request forms are at www.clayton.k12.ga.us or at local schools. Submit forms to: Transfer Request Committee at the Administration Complex, 1058 Fifth Ave., Jonesboro 30236 by mail, fax (678-817-3098) or in person.

Details: 678-817-3068 or 678-817-3070. Tammy Joyner

Hapeville to have spring festival Saturday

Hapeville’s Spring Into Action Festival will have something for the whole family. The celebration starts early Saturday with a 5K race warm up at 7:15 a.m. and continues with the race and a parade at 10 a.m. to usher in the start of baseball season. Other events include moon bounce rides and games. All events take place at the Tom E. Morris Sports Complex at 3415 Claire Dr. John Thompson for the AJC

School wants electronics for recycling

Peachtree City’s J.C. Booth Middle School is accepting donations of old electronics and supplies for recycling this week. Cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras, laptops, game consoles and toner cartridges can be dropped off at the main office at 250 Peachtree Parkway South during school hours through April 15. The school will turn the items over to Cartridges for Kids in exchange for money to support the PTO. Information: 770-631-3240. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette Earth Day festival on Saturday

Fayette County residents can recycle their old cell phones, CDs and tennis shoes at the county’s annual Earth Day Festival. The festival will be held Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Stonewall Government Complex in Fayetteville.

In addition to on-site recycling, the free event will include educational presentations, green vendors, children’s games, entertainment and food. Megan Matteucci

Parents can learn about teen drinking

The Fulton County Health and Wellness Department will help parents spot the physical, emotional and social behaviors associated with teen drinking in a presentation today at DeLowe Village, 2880 DeLowe Dr., East Point. “Teens and Alcohol” starts at 6 p.m. Information: 404-765-4232.

Johnny Edwards