COBB
Marietta to add cameras to school buses
Marietta City Schools will add cameras this school year to the sides of 12 busses to catch drivers passing busses illegally. The city of Marietta and Marietta City Schools has an agreement with American Traffic Solutions to install the cameras and plans to add them to one-third of the district’s fleet.Fines would range from $300 to $1,000 based on the number of offenses.
Information: www.marietta-city.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Austell seeks bids for sidewalk construction
Austell city officials seek bids for sidewalk construction on Cemetery Street from Bowden Street to Veterans Memorial Highway. A pre-bid conference is 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Croy Engineering office, 200 North Cobb Parkway, Building 400, Suite 413, Marietta.
Bids should be submitted by 2 p.m. Aug. 30 to Duane R. Demeritt, Austell Public Works Department, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 105, Austell.
Information: 770-971-5407 or lterry@croyengineering.com or www.austellga.gov and click “Request for Bids” on right panel. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Firearm education class scheduled
The Foundation of Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna will hold a Glock training class 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Aug. 28 at Glock Professional Inc., 5300 Highlands Parkway., Smyrna.
Responsible gun ownership and safety and live fire range time. Reservations required: at www.smyrnacares.org. Mea Watkins
Superintendent speaks to business group
The South Cobb Business Association will hear from Cobb County School Superintendent, Michael Hinojosa, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 7 at Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.Cost is $12 for members with online pre-payment, $15 for members at the door or $20 for nonmembers.
Information: sc-ba.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Retired educators association to meet
The Cobb Marietta Retired Educators Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursdayat the C. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 South Hurt Rd., Smyrna. The featured speaker will be Jay Dillon, communications director for the Cobb County School District. Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10 per person. For reservations, contact Debby Overstreet, debbybob@comcast.net.
Information: ww.cmrea.org/ or 770-801-3400. Mea Watkins
Powder Springs on summer schedule
Powder Springs City Council members are continuing to hold their voting meetings once a month this summer. Upcoming meetings are Aug. 19 and Sept. 23 with work sessions on Aug. 14 and Sept. 11.
Work sessions are 5 p.m. at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. Preceded by a 6:30 p.m. work session, voting meetings start at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 4488 Pineview Drive.
Information: City Clerk Dawn Davis, DDavis@CityOfPowderSprings.org, 770-943-4349 or cityofpowdersprings.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Chamber hosts Global Trade Summit
Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber invite the business community to The 2013 Global Trade Summit beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 13 at The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.
The summit will focus on resources and tools available to enhance international trade opportunities and expand global reach. Learn about international trade and exporting trends and opportunities, as well as state and local resources and assistance. Info: www.partnershipgwinnett.com or email haley@gwinnettchamber.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Hudgens panel to discuss art, culture
Hudgens Center for the Arts will host a panel discussion titled: A Conversation on Visual Art & Creative Culture 10 a.m. Friday at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Coffee and networking begins at 9:30 a.m.
Free and open to the public, but seats are limited. Reserve a spot: info@thehudgens.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Register by today for fun run
The Gwinnett Chamber’s 2nd Annual Button Down Dash 5K & Fun Run, presented by Gwinnett Medical Center, is 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Gwinnett Chamber, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.
The Button Down Dash encourages residents to become the healthiest community in Georgia. The Charity Challenge allows participants to support their favorite non-profit while promoting healthy competition.
Register by today at www.buttondowndash.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross police to host National Night Out
The Norcross Police Department will host a National Night Out from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Lillian Webb Community Park, 31 College St. N.W.
Public safety officers will offer tips and facts about crime prevention, and Safe Kids Gwinnett will be on hand with a firetruck and fire safety tips. The event will also feature food, music and activities.
Information: Norcross Police Department detective Arelis Rivera, 770-448-2111. Mea Watkins
Chattapoochee seeks contestants, sponsors
Duluth Parks and Rec and Duluth Historical Society are extending their search for the next Chattapoochee Dog Park mayor and looking for business partners by Aug. 23 to serve as “blue ribbon sponsors” to help elect the new dog mayor.
The new dog mayor will be announced at Chattapoochee PetFest on Oct. 6.
Information: www. duluthtopdog@gmail.com or www.duluthhistorical.org/chattapoochee. Karen Huppertz
Congressman Woodall hosts town hall
The United Peachtree Corners Civic Association is sponsoring a town hall meeting with Seventh District Congressman Rob Woodall 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners.
Information: www.upcca.org. Questions: president@upcca.org or 404-825-8788.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Unstable Sandy Springs road closed
Lake Forrest Drive, between Lake Summit and Chevaux Cour in Sandy Springs is closed for traffic. Updated geotechnical evaluations released Friday show the stability of the slope more compromised than originally understood. Southbound drivers are asked to detour using Northwood Drive to bring drivers to Roswell Road. The Northbound detour is already in place. Lake Forrest southbound, past Northwood Drive, will be open only for local residential traffic. Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov or 770.730.5600. Arlinda Smith Broady
Two men hurt in Lake Allatoona boat crash
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Cherokee County Fire and Rescue and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a boat crash at 7:38 p.m. Saturday and found two badly injured men in the 18-foot boat, a DNR spokesman said. Rescuers had to cut one man free from the driver’s side of the boat. The boat must have been at full power when it hit the bank, authorities said. The two injured men were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with serious injuries, but both are expected to live.
Blood alcohol tests are pending, officials said. Cailin O’Brien
Cherokee reduces roads fee
Cherokee County officials have a message for developers, builders, contractors and homeowners: the portion of county impact fees charged for roads has been reduced by 90 percent. The reduction went into effect Aug. 1. The Board of Commissioners approved the change at its July 6 meeting. New residential, commercial and manufactured home permits are affected. Information: 770-721-7810. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
County schedules Daves Creek Drive work
Daves Creek Drive in Forsyth County in now temporarily closed to through traffic at Old Atlanta Road. The closure is to allow crews to realign Daves Creek with Old Atlanta to improve sight distance at the intersection. The project will also include construction of left and right turning lanes on Old Atlanta Road.
The road is expected to reopen by Sept. 8. The work is funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program, SPLOST VI. Patrick Fox
Roswell Police to host National Night Out
Roswell police along with Roswell Target stores will host a National Night Out 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Roswell City Hall, 39 Hill St. The event is free and includes vendors, face painting, rock climbing wall, prizes, etc. Police vehicles, Fire equipment, SWAT and K-9 demonstrations will be highlighted. Information: www.NationalNightOut.org or 770-640-4422. Sandra Marshall Murray
Woodstock campus to close temporarily
Chattahoochee Technical College’s Woodstock campus will be closing Aug. 8 for long-planned renovations. The $5.2 million upgrade to the HVAC system, roof, windows, plumbing and restrooms is expected to take about 18 months. Classes and instructors will relocate to the Canton and Acworth campuses for the duration. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Atlanta council in recess
The Atlanta City Council is in recess for the next two weeks. The full council will reconvene 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue in Southwest Atlanta. Committee meetings resume that week, as well. Katie Leslie
Urban League to host volunteers
The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will host a Volunteer Orientation from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at 100 Edgewood Ave. Suite 600, Atlanta. Participants will hear about what the league is doing and meet representatives from their Housing, Workforce Development, Education/Training, Transitional Entrepreneurship Divisions and the Get Out to vote strategies. Discounted parking is available at the Loundermilk Park Deck behind the League. To register visit http://tinyurl.com/m2aqr5c or call 404-659-1150.
Sandra Marshall Murray
State Farm to host two-day career fair
State Farm will host a career fair 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, 7 Concourse Parkway. Positions in claims, service and sales support functions, as well as some professional/technical level positions, are available. Apply online at www.statefarm.com/careers.Veronica Fields Johnson
Expo aims to promote male success strategy
An empowerment expo aimed to foster academic, vocational, economic and personal improvement in males age 18 to 28 will take place 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave., S.W.
“Overcoming the Odds: Success Strategies for Young Black Men,” will include self-assessments, an interactive workshop, film, open forum, keynote message, a resource panel, health screenings and more.
The expo is free, but registration is suggested. Free transportation from nearby counties will be provided. Information and registration: www.communitycouncilma.org or 404-221-1222, 404-935-5859. Mea Watkins
DEKALB
‘Road diet’ considered for North Decatur Road
A “road diet” is one possibility under consideration for revamping North Decatur Road from Clairmont Road to Willivee Drive, which traverses both DeKalb County and Decatur.
On June 21, 2012 Jianchang Wu was killed by a car while crossing on foot at the Landover Drive intersection, and bicyclist Paul Taylor was killed by a truck near Willivee Drive April 30, 2012.
A “diet” for this heavily-traveled stretch (19,000 cars daily, though only those two fatalities) would include cutting North Decatur from four to two lanes, adding sidewalks and bikes lanes on each side.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Family Fun Day set for Sunday
The 6th annual DeKalb family fun day will take place 2 to 7 p.m.Sunday at Bransby Outdoor YMCA at Rock Chapel, 1185 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia.
DeKalb County interim CEO Lee May will partner with Bransby Outdoor YMCA and non-profit organizations, Project A.R.M., Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program and Saving Our Children and Families, to put on the free event, which will include food, live entertainment, activities and vendors for the whole family to enjoy.
Along with school supply donations, guests are encouraged to bring chairs and coolers. No alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Information: www.projectarm.org.
Mea Watkins
Olympian to address county youth
Gold Medalist Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas will serve as featured speaker at an upcoming breakfast honoring DeKalb County’s youth.
Douglas, who won the gold in gymnastics in the 2012 Olympics, is the keynote at the 2013 Youth Empowerment Breakfast. The program focuses on children and families and development programs in the county.
The event will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Marriott Evergreen in Stone Mountain. Tickets are $25 and available at www.youthempowermentbreakfast.eventbrite.com.
April Hunt
‘Walk of Heroes’ 5K returns to Kirkwood
Registration is underway for a 5K run/walk to benefit DeKalb County residents with developmental disabilities, substance addiction and mental illness.
The Walk of Heroes will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 in Kirkwood. All proceeds benefit the DeKalb Community Service Board.
An informational meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the CBS offices, 445 Winn Way, Room 421, Decatur.
Information/race registration: www.walkofheroes5k.com.
April Hunt
Grants available to charity groups
Charity groups that work with children, seniors and other underserved populations in DeKalb County can now apply for government grants to help with their work. Applications are due Aug. 16 in the Human Development Department.
Information: 770-270-1180 or human.dekalbcountyga.gov.April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
4 alleged carjackers caught in Clayton
Officers spotted a car reported stolen in Fulton County and attempted a traffic stop. The driver pulled into a Chick-fil-A in Riverdale and three men ran from the car, but were caught. The driver, Cameron Pitts, 18, was charged with theft by receiving motor vehicle, obstruction, driving while unlicensed, reckless driving, financial transaction card fraud, identity fraud, theft of lost or mislaid property. Passengers: Dauntavious Hardeman, 18; Deonte Eppinger, 17; and D’Antra Collins, 17 were each charged with theft by receiving motor vehicle and obstruction. Alexis Stevens
Some Fayette schools get new principals
The new school year will find new faces in the principal’s office of some Fayette County schools. Sharlene Patterson, formerly of Fayette Middle School, is now principal of Rising Starr Middle School; Jason Byars, previously at McIntosh High School, is the new principal of Bennett’s Mill Middle School; and Dan Lane, formerly at McIntosh, is now principal of Fayette County High School.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
McDonough starts mosquito spraying
McDonough Public Works has begun its mosquito-spraying program. The city will be split into two zones. Zone A, east of the railroad tracks, will be sprayed Mondays and Thursdays. Zone B, west of the railroad tracks, will be sprayed Tuesdays and Fridays. Spraying will start at 8:30 p.m. and will continue through mosquito season. Information: Joe Chappell, McDonough Streets Department Supervisor, 678-618-7472. Tammy Joyner
Clayton to host back-to-school fair
Clayton County Public Schools’ Homeless Education Department will hold a Back-to-School Resource Fair 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Homeless Education Center, 2260 Old Rex Morrow Road, Morrow. Students will be given free book bags, school supplies and uniforms. Last year more the 400 participants attended. The department is looking for volunteers and donations. Information: 770-473-3250 or email Sonia Davis at sonia.davis@clayton.k12.ga.us. Tammy Joyner
Fayette schools seek substitute bus drivers
The Fayette County School System Transportation Department needs more substitute bus drivers for the 2013-14 school year. No previous bus experience is re
quired; the system will provide training to candidates with acceptable Motor Vehicle Reports and criminal background checks. Pay is $25 per route, with two routes per day. Applications are at www.fcboe.org or call Dawn Wiley at 770-460-3535, ext. 166.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Community invited to block party
Center of Hope Ministries will host a community back-to school-block party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 492 Roy Huie Road, Riverdale.
The event will feature music, fun, food, games and special guests.
Children in attendance will receive school supplies and backpacks.
Information: Dee Dee Dunmore at 770-807-4673.
Veronica Fields Johnson
