County by county news for Tuesday

The competition invited students to create 30-60 second public service announcements. Entries were scored by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, Cobb County Water System, a judge's panel and online voters. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 – $500 for the team and $500 to the school. Information: www.waterSmart.net. Staff

Marietta looking for parade participants

Marietta is taking applications for the July 4 Freedom parade and grand marshall through 5 p.m. May 31 at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. The city is looking for groups to participate in the parade and a community leader to serve as grand marshall. Information: www.mariettaga.gov or 770-794-5601.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Powder Springs delays work session

The Powder Springs City Council work session on Wednesday will be delayed until Monday due to the absence of Mayor Patricia Vaughn and two City Council members.

Vaughn said they will meet either at 4 or 5 p.m. May 20 in the City Hall conference room before the 7 p.m. voting meeting in the Council Chambers, Community Development building, 4488 Pineview Drive.

Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Free online marketing seminar Wednesday

A free online marketing seminar by the South Cobb Business Association will be held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.

Registration deadline is May 13 by sending an email with your name and the number of those attending to info@georgialocalsearch.com.

Information: sc-ba.org/events/5-business-meetings/58-seminar-youre-onlinenow-what.html or 678-653-6163.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Session on doing business with county

The Cobb County Purchasing Department and the Keep it in Cobb initiative will host an informative session 5 p.m. May 21 at the West Cobb Senior Center discussing how to do business with the county. The meeting will highlight vendor opportunities and provide a chance for attendees to meet and network with department representatives.

Reservations: 770-528-3317 or Inger.Eberhart@CobbCounty.org Melissa Abbey

Business group seeks award nominations

The Austell Business Association seeks nominations for the L. Lamar Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented at noon May 21 at Collar Community Center, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd.

Nominees should be Austell residents or business owners who have greatly impacted the community.

A nomination form, due May 1, may be printed at austellbusinessassociation.org and mailed to P.O. Box 975, Austell, GA 30168.

Information: felicia@servproswcobb.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Woman injured, man dead after domestic incident

Gwinnett police found a woman stabbed in the back and a man fatally shot in the head when they responded to a call in Snellville early Sunday. The man’s death is being investigated as a suicide.

Police said they could hear a person screaming for help when they arrived. They forced open the locked front door and found the woman lying face-down with a stab wound in her back.

The man was located in the kitchen with a gunshot wound to his head and a weapon nearby. The woman told police that she and the man argued before the incident. Her injuries were not life-threatening, police said. Angel K. Brooks

Andrew Young to speak at GGC

Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young will give the commencement address to Georgia Gwinnett College’s 11th graduating class of roughly 275 students at 10 a.m. Friday on the Library Lawn, 1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville. A reception follows. Information: 678-407-5000. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Dacula Council holding special meeting

Dacula’s City Council is holding a special called work session at 6 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, City Hall Council Chambers, 442 Harbins Road. The council will discuss update of its Comprehensive Plan of land use, economic development, environmental protection, transportation, housing, natural resources, public infrastructure, and financial investment. Information: 770-963-7451. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Cost of Duluth canoe launch increasing

Duluth may add $20,000 of SPLOST funds to construction of the Rogers Bridge Park Canoe Launch along the Chattahoochee River. The water level has dropped since design of the concrete ramp, steps, landings, retaining walls and planters. Additional steps, another planter and additional landscaping are needed. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Shiloh Middle earns state kudos

Shiloh Middle School was recognized last week with the Georgia Department of Education’s Family-Friendly Partnership School Award. It is one of four schools receiving the honor this school year. Also recognized were schools in the city of Gainesville and Glynn and Cherokee counties. Shiloh Middle was lauded for its welcoming staff members, comfortable waiting areas, easy-to-navigate web site and its partnership with parents to improve student achievement. “Earning this award shows our commitment to providing resources, support, and a welcoming environment for our parents and community,” said Shiloh Middle Principal Dr. Eli Welch.

Nancy Badertscher

Improvements coming to Suwanee Dam Road

Gwinnett will install a new section of multi-use path and an automated traffic management system along Suwanee Dam Road between Buford Highway and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Funds from the 2009 SPLOST will cover 90 percent, or $660,412, of the cost, with the city providing an additional $30,500 to upgrade the path from asphalt to concrete.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Roswell opens new trail for bikes, pedestrians

Roswell has opened Hembree Road Multi-Use Trail in its system of multi-use paths and bicycle facilities. The tree-lined trail connects Hembree Grove and other subdivisions along Upper Hembree Road to the elementary and middle schools on Hembree and Elkins Roads and Hembree Park. In place of 5-foot sidewalks on the south side of Hembree Road, the nearly half-mile trail is a multi-purpose path 10 feet wide at points. Additionally, a crosswalk, ramps and signals at two intersections were upgraded. Information: www.roswellgov.com/conezone. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Cherokee sets summer school schedule

The Cherokee County School District has set out its summer school schedule for students seeking credit for classes or gaining recovery credit for classes not passed during the school year.

Regular high school classes will be offered by the Polaris Evening Program at Woodstock High School.

Registration is 8 a.m.-noon May 30 at the school, 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive. More info: www. cherokee.k12.ga.us

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth schools weighing FY 14 budget

The Forsyth County Board of Education recently got a first detailed look at the proposed FY 2014 budget. The preliminary document totals $281, 452,450, up some $10.8 million from this year.

The majority of the increase-almost $8 million-results from increased instructional costs, including 80 new teaching positions and new trailers. Final adoption of the budget is set in June.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Centennial High seeks softball players

All rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls zoned for Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell, who want to play softball must register by July 15.

Softball season begins in August.

Information: Marty at alymart@att.net or 678-230-5155.Veronica Fields Johnson

Woodstock hosts town hall meeting

Woodstock officials-both elected and staff-will be on hand for a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main St.

Officials will update such items as the city’s new dog park, the under-construction outlet mall and downtown development projects and will answer questions

Information: www.woodstockga.gov/

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton seeks farmers, vendors for market

The city of Canton Farmers’ Market is seeking vendors and farmers for this year. There will be a $5 weekly charge, to help offset the cost of advertising, music and porta-johns.

The market opens downtown May 23 and will run on Saturdays through October, featuring locally grown produce, eggs, baked goods, locally grown plants and Georgia arts and crafts.

Information: 770-704-1529 or www.canton-georgia.com

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Superintendent search meetings planned

The group responsible for finding Atlanta Public Schools’ next superintendent is planning to hear from the community this week and next week.

The meetings will help the search committee develop a profile of the future superintendent based on discussions with parents, teachers and students.

Once the profile is approved by the Atlanta Board of Education, the committee will use it to attract candidates.

The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at 10 schools throughout the school district on Wednesday, Thursday, May 20 and May 21. Mark Niesse

Spraygrounds open throughout Atlanta

On Monday, Atlanta’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs opened its four outdoor community Spraygrounds, a fun and popular way for kids to cool down and beat the spring and summer heat without swimming.

The four Spraygrounds are located at: D.H. Stanton, 213 Haygood Ave; Center Hill. 2305 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway; Historic Fourth Ward, 702 Ralph McGill Road; and Perkerson Park, 770 Decker Ave.

All Spraygrounds are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Atlanta has 12 public pools, which will begin opening on May 25. Ernie Suggs

Construction closes downtown street

As construction progresses on the College Football Hall of Fame, Foundry Street, which intersects the construction site, will close permanently on Monday.

As build-out of the Hall continues, Baker Street, which lines the north end of the property, has been widened and extended around to the west of the site (adjacent to the railroad tracks).

It now extends into the Georgia World Congress Center gulch and will provide access to the Omni Hotel’s and GWCC loading docks, as well as parking for the GWCC and Philips Arena.

The College Football Hall of Fame is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014. Staff

DEKALB

Girls suspended over piercings at high school

Four girls at Cross Keys High School in DeKalb County were suspended after getting tongue, lip and navel piercings while inside the girls’ locker room, according to Channel 2 Action News.

One of the girls said back in early April, a friend came to school with a piercing kit.

So the two girls and two others waited until after their physical education class and had a piercing party in the locker room.

School officials told Channel 2 that the locker room was unsupervised, and that’s a policy they need to review.

Fran Jeffries

DeKalb schools to hold final budget hearing

The DeKalb County school board will hold a third and final hearing at 3 p.m. Wednesday on Superintendent Michael Thurmond’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, which starts in July.

The $759 million proposal contains $18.5 million in cuts from the current fiscal year and $27.2 million in new expenditures. It’s nearly $30 million larger than the current year budget, in part due to increasing costs, such as health care for employees.

The meeting is at school district headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain.

Information: Download the budget at www.dekalb.k12.ga.us.

Ty Tagami

North part of county on rabies alert

DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement captured two raccoons in the Harts Mill Court area on April 26, and in the Ragley Hall Road area on April 30.

Both raccoons tested positive for rabies.

Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal should seek medical attention immediately.

If household pets begin to exhibit unusual nervousness or aggressiveness, or if they have excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, contact DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement at 404-294-2996 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or 404-294-2519 after hours. Staff

Decatur Library to hold book sale

The Friends of the Decatur Library will host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25 on the front lawn of the library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur.

Thousands of gently used fiction, nonfiction and children’s books, DVDs and CDs will be available for purchase.

Prices start at $.50 and only cash and checks will be accepted. All proceeds benefit the programs and collections of the library. Admission is free.

Information: 404-370-3070. Veronica Fields Johnson

Church to sponsor job and health fair

Kingdom Investment Ministry Outreach will sponsor a job and health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 at the church, 2219 Idlewood Road, Tucker.

Free health screenings, including blood pressure checks, vision screenings and mammogram scheduling will be available.

Job fair attendees will be able to apply directly to participating corporations, temporary agencies and the U.S. Military.

Information: 770-934-9994. Veronica Fields Johnson

SOUTHSIDE

Pedestrian killed crossing I-75 identified

Police have identified a man killed Saturday morning while crossing Interstate 75 North, just south of Mt. Zion Road in Clayton County as John Scott Lewis, 22, of Missouri. He was run over by more than one car as he attempted to cross the interstate just after 3:30 a.m., police said. Two drivers stopped after hitting Lewis, and witnesses said he was already in the middle of the interstate when struck by those two motorists.

Investigators have not determined why Lewis was walking on the interstate. Fran Jeffries

Clayton schools offering free meals

Clayton County Public Schools is offering free breakfast and lunch to law enforcement officials as well as mayors and other government officials beginning this week through May 23. Interim school superintendent Luvenia Jackson is encouraging the officials to stop by any elementary, middle, or high school and receive free breakfast and lunch. The “Breakfast and Lunch with a Cop Program” began Monday and runs through May 23. This program was set up to help make students more comfortable with law enforcement and elected officials and to help law enforcement get more involved with students in a positive way. The officers, mayors, and city council members are encouraged to interact with students and walk the halls during their visit for the meals. The officials will get one breakfast and one lunch daily for free through May 23. Tammy Joyner

Fayette County finalizing FY14 budget

The Fayette County Board of Commissioners is finalizing a FY2014 balanced budget that reflects job cuts but no tax increases. The measure will eliminate the equivalent of 32 full-time positions, reduce retirement benefits and include smaller operations budgets. It will also provide an $830,000 reserve fund. A final vote is scheduled for June 27.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City mulls traffic study

The City Council of Peachtree City is discussing whether to pay $39,000 for a study to help solve ongoing traffic problems. At issue is how to relieve heavy congestion along Ga. Hwy. 54 westbound near Ga. Hwy. 74. More development is planned for an area that already has seven traffic lights in rapid succession. The Council said May 9 it wants to facilitate talks between developers and residents to seek solutions. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough offers veterans assistance

The Atlanta Vet Center’s Mobile Vet Center RV will be open from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church at 497 Racetrack Road, McDonough. There will be a vendor set-up to allow for veterans to have one-on-one time with VA representatives, to ask questions, and receive assistance. The event will be open to all transitioning military, veterans, and military family members. Concerns that will be addressed include changes in VA benefits, services, registration (bring a copy of DD Form 214), and job listings. Information: 770-629-5423. Monroe Roark for the AJC