COBB
Windy Hill Road/I-75 to get diverging diamond
The Windy Hill Road/I-75 intersection will be reconfigured in the next two years with a diverging diamond interchange. Construction should begin in fall 2015. The Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank has awarded $2.4 million to the $20 million project. The rest of the money will come from the Cumberland Community Improvement District, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program and 2011 SPLOST. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Grant to help relieve mall traffic
The State Road and Tollway Authority has approved a $1.2 million grant to the Town Center Area Community Improvement District towards a $4.5 million project to relieve traffic congestion around the mall. Barrett Lakes Boulevard at Shiloh Valley Drive. Greers Chapel Road was widened and realigned with Barrett Lakes Boulevard in the first phase of the South Barrett Reliever project.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Powder Springs seeks bidders for 3 streets
Powder Springs officials will hold a pre-proposal meeting at 10 a.m. June 11 at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. for contractors interested in bidding on the completion Marietta Street from Brownsville Road to Sharon Drive, Florence Road from Dallas Powder Springs Road to the city limit and Austell Powder Springs Road from Marietta Street to Old Austell Road.
Questions: due 5 p.m. June 19 and proposals 10 a.m. June 25. Information: Larry Terry, Croy Engineering LLC, 770-971-5407 or lterry@croyengineering.com Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Austell association seeks nominees
The Austell Business Association is seeking nominations for its annual M. L. Lamar Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Lamar, owner of the former Lamar’s Clothing in downtown Austell and founder of this association.
Nominations may be emailed to Marla Miller at suiteassetsllc@gmail.com.
The award will be presented during the association’s noon luncheon on July 22 at the Collar Community Center, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd., Austell.
Information: austellbusinessassociation.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Food talk seminars start Wednesday
Six free seminars on stretching your food dollar and preparing meals in minutes start 6 p.m. Wednesday at Integrated Health Solution medical office, 3405 Dallay Highway, Marietta. The program is sponsored by Cobb County Extension office and the UGA Cooperative Extension. Information: 678-581-8442. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Silver Comet Trail closed for resurfacing
Silver Comet Trail resurfacing will last through Aug. 29, except weekends.
Resurfacing and shoulder repairs will be completed in sections of two to five miles before moving to another section for the nearly 13 miles in Cobb County. The first section will be from the Mavell Road Trail head at Mile Post 0 to about the Floyd Road Trail head.
Information: cobbdot.org, or 770-420-6658. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Emergency Management seeking public input
The Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. June 12 at the Emergency Operation Center, 800 Hi-Hope Road in Lawrenceville. Attendees will receive an overview of the hazard mitigation planning process and will have the opportunity to offer recommendations. The final plan will be submitted to the FEMA for approval. Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Exercise mind and body at library bike ride
The West Chapter Gwinnett Friends of the Library will sponsor a family bike ride at 7:45 a.m. Saturday leaving from the Peachtree Corners Library, 5570 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners. Includes a fire truck escort around a 6-mile loop beginning and ending at the Peachtree Corners branch followed by raffle prizes and brunch. Cost: $15/child, $20/adult (over 18 years) $40/family. Proceeds benefit the library’s children’s and teen’s departments. Information: www.friendsgcpl.org/category/events. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Sugar Hill hosts 75th anniversary
Sugar Hill will feature musical talent at the city’s 75th Anniversary Celebration 8 a.m. Aug. 2 in downtown. Haley & Alexis Band, and Andy Velo will open for Kevin Bacon and the Bacon Brothers. The free daytime events will feature food, amusement rides, carnival, music, classic cars and motorcycles, a parade and a 5K race. Information: www.sugarhill75th.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Woodall to report on Washington
The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber will host Congressman Rob Woodall for an update on what is going on in Washington at the Chamber’s First Friday Breakfast 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at Hilton Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Peachtree Corners.
Woodall sits on three influential committees: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House Committee on Rules and House Budget Committee.
Information: 770-239-7442 or www.southwestgwinnettchamber.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Peachtree Corners to publish e-newsletter
Peachtree Corners will soon publish the inaugural issue of the city’s official e-newsletter. To sign up: www.peachtreecornersga.gov; click on ‘Subscribe to Newsletter’ button on the right side of the homepage.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Briscoe Park offering swim lessons
Gwinnett Parks & Recreation is accepting registrations for 30-minute swim lessons through Aug. 7. All classes meet eight times over a two-week period. Class times based on participants’ level. Register in person 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at T. W. Briscoe Park, 2500 Sawyer Parkway in Snellville.
Information: www.tinyurl.com/swimbriscoe or 770-985-3535. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Murder-suicide ruled in Cherokee deaths
GBI Crime Lab investigators have ruled that deaths of a married couple found in Cherokee County Friday were murder-suicide. Deputies dispatched to a home on Woodberry Court in Canton found the bodies of Cary Landers, 51 and Katherine Landers, 41. Investigators think Cary Landers shot his wife, then himself. A spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says the couple had a history of violence, including battery charges filed against Katherine Landers in March. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Johns Creek city attorney quits
Johns Creek City Attorney William F. Riley has resigned, effective Monday. Riley had served as the city’s lead attorney since its incorporation in 2006, and will assist during the transition to a new city attorney to be appointed by the City Council.
Riley will continue his work as city attorney for several other Northside municipalities, as well as his efforts to combat the problem of human trafficking in metro Atlanta.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee school wins education award
Cherokee County’s Carmel Elementary School has been chosen for an international 2014 Promising Practices in Character Education Award by the Character Education Partnership.
It was only one of 315 schools, school systems and youth-service organizations honored for innovative best practices in character education. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Fulton schools meeting for Title I parents
The Title I Department of the Fulton County Schools will host two meetings to brief parents on the Consolidated LEA Implementation Plan, the Flexible Learning Program, Camp HB3: Helping the Best Become Better, and the system-wide parent involvement statement.
The first meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mimosa Elementary School, 1550 Warsaw Road, Roswell. McNair Middle School, 2800 Burdett Road, College Park will host the second meeting 6 p.m. Thursday. Ernie Suggs
Canton to debut new council digs this week
The Canton City Council meets Thursday evening, it’ll mark their first gathering in brand-new Council chambers.
City officials say the nearly $750,000 project revamped what was originally a church sanctuary and ran some months behind schedule.
City Clerk Susan Stanton says a large part of that cost entailed asbestos removal.
Other parts of the project include a new council dais, refurbishing of the church pews, refinishing floors, new lighting, painting, a sound system and a large screen that will display vote tallies.
Since the city moved into former First Baptist Church of Canton in 2005, the Council has been meeting in another room on the third floor. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
International Soccer Fest to benefit orphans
The Atlanta Silverbacks will host the Atlanta International Soccer Fest, a one-day tournament and festival. Proceeds will benefit SOS Children’s Villages, a group dedicated to creating families for orphaned or abandoned children. Teams will play three round-robin games. Registration fees begin at $600 for youth and $750 for adult teams. The event is open to the public 8 a.m. June 7 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, 3200 Atlanta Silverbacks Way.
Information: www.atlsoccerfest.com and www.sos-usa.org. Katie Leslie
Fraternity rally will celebrate fatherhood
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. will hold its fourth “Proud Fathers Rally and Stance Against Domestic Violence” at 11 a.m. June 14 at the Mall West End, 850 Oak St. SW.
The event will feature fatherhood advocacy organizations, legal assistance, heath screening, DNA testing, job recruiting and financial literacy sessions, all geared toward challenging men to become stewards in their households, as well as leaders in their communities.
Information: www.opp-ga.org or 404-446-7753.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
City announces ‘streetcar race’ in June
To promote the opening of the Atlanta Streetcar, city officials, Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and Siemens are hosting a “Run the Rails 5K” in June along the streetcar’s downtown tracks. The race begins 8 a.m., June 21. Entry fees range between $30 and $35, plus fees.
Information: www.theatlantastreetcarrace.com. Katie Leslie
Nighttime bicycle tour through city for a cause
The Atlanta Moon Ride, a 6.5-mile nighttime bicycle ride through local neighborhoods for enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages is 10 p.m. June 13 starting from Park Tavern, 500 10th St. NE. Cost: $25, $30 after midnight May 23. On-site rentals: $25.
Information: www.atlantamoonride.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Apartments may spur redevelopment
DeKalb’s Board of Commissioners recently approved a luxury apartment project at Church Street and Milscott Road, which longtime observers hope will spur re-development of an area long littered with abandoned car dealerships.
The Atlantic Reality project will include 330 apartments, mostly one and two bedrooms, built on 11 acres once the site of a Mercedes dealership.
Next to Patel Plaza and just outside Decatur limits, the site is likely on the city’s radar for future annexation. Bill Banks for the AJC
Doraville property tax rate won’t increase
The city of Doraville won’t raise property tax rates, and it may reduce them.
Doraville City Manager Shawn Gillen said Monday the city’s millage rate wouldn’t exceed 9 mills, which is the same as the current rate. Mark Niesse
Brookhaven to maintain tax rates
The city of Brookhaven plans to keep property tax rates at the same level as property values have increased.
Mayor J. Max Davis said the city is growing, and the rise in property values shows that Brookhaven is a good investment.
Public meetings on the millage rate, which will remain at 2.85 mills, will be held at Brookhaven City Hall 7 p.m. June 10, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 17. Mark Niesse
Ministry to sponsor youth anti-violence
The first Teens Against Violence seminar hosted by Jared Sawyer Jr. Ministries will take place at 2 p.m. June 13 at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Performing Arts, 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain.
The one-day event will bring together guest speakers, workshop presenters and artists who will present messages of nonviolence to people in the community.
Information: www.tavseminar.weebly.com or 678.909.4401.
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Reform group plans first meeting
A group of DeKalb County leaders will meet 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday at Maloof Audiorium to study the impact of creating new cities, the county’s governance structure, equitable distribution of tax proceeds and ethics.
DeKalb County CEO Lee May said he hopes the Task Force on DeKalb County Operations can agree on how to “fix DeKalb in one fell swoop.”
The group includes county commissioners, a university professor and community development experts. Mark Niesse
Stone Mountain library to sell used books
The Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library is holding a used book sale at 10 a.m. June 13 and 14 at 952 Leon St., Stone Mountain.
Proceeds from the book sale will pay for library activities and supplies and fund a scholarship for an advanced degree in library science.
Information: www.dekalblibrary.org/branches/stone-mountain.html
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
‘Operation Cool Down’ heating back up
Henry County Animal Care & Control has brought back “Operation Cool Down” for the summer, patrolling for pets in locked cars during times of extreme heat. Any animal found unattended in a vehicle and in distress will be removed from that vehicle by whatever means necessary as permitted by county ordinance. Violators of the ordinance may face fines of up to $1,000 or 60 days in jail. Information: www.hcacc.org. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Community Gardens fundraiser June 21
Community Gardens of Henry will host its third annual Love and Homegrown Tomatoes Party 6-9 p.m. June 21 at its Heritage Village Garden, 101 Lake Dow Road, McDonough. The event is a fundraiser to support charitable donation gardens at Wesley Way Helping Harvests in McDonough, the Helping Harvests at the Cubihatcha Outdoor Center in Locust Grove, and the community gardening program in Henry County. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 16. Children under 3 are free. Information: www.henrytomatoparty.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Budget workshop scheduled in Fayette
The Fayette County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget workshop at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Administrative Complex meeting room, 140 Stonewall Ave. West in Fayetteville. County Administrator Steve Rapson will present information about the 2015 budget and answer questions.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Girl Scout Daisy Day Friday
Girl Scouts in Peachtree City are inviting other girls and their parents to attend Daisy Day at 10 a.m. Friday at the pavilion at Picnic Park/All Children’s Playground next to City Hall. The event is an introduction to scouting for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten girls interested in joining. Reply to sud@peachtreecitygirlscouts.org.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fulton marshals offer teen program
The Fulton County Marshal’s Department is taking applications for its junior deputy program this summer.
The program is open to teens 12 to 16 who are Fulton County residents, attend school in the county or has a family member who is a county employee. During the two-week session, to be held July 7-18, participants will learn about careers in law enforcement and criminal justice as well as life skills.
Deadline:Friday.
Information: fcmd.juniordeputy@fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-3972. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Three positions open on hospital board
The Fayette County Hospital Authority has three openings for volunteer members. Individuals on the five-person board serve four-year terms and facilitate funding for hospital projects. Prior experience in healthcare or business is preferred. Applicants must file by June 6; contact Floyd Jones at 770-305-5102 or fjones@fayettecountyga.gov. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
