COBB
Powder Springs has city manager finalists
Powder Springs City Council members have announced their three finalists for their fourth city manager in seven years.
They are Raymon Gibson, Terry Todd and interim City Manager Brad Hulsey, also a former mayor of this city.
Their resumes may be reviewed by contacting City Clerk Dawn Davis at ddavis@cityofpowdersprings.org or 770-943-4349.
A City Council decision is expected on Oct. 15.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Powder Springs to buy fifth new police car
The Powder Springs City Council voted 5-0 last week to trade in two police motorcycles for their fifth new Dodge Charger from Akins Ford of Winder this year.
The $22,735 vehicle will be paid by the cycles’ $16,000 trade-in value and $6,735 from the city’s fund balance, interim City Manager Brad Hulsey said.
The city’s Police Chief Charlie Sewell said he would like to see the city buy three new police cars every year since the city still has nine police vehicles with more than 80,000 miles each. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Newsletter sent over objections
Powder Springs Councilwoman Cheryl Sarvis paid most of the cost, around $100, to send out 700 newsletters this month after receiving complaints from some of the City Council members about her initial idea for a survey.
During a June agenda meeting, Mayor Patricia Vaughn also told Sarvis, serving her first term, “You can’t say, ‘How am I doing the job?’”
Each City Council member has an $1,800 annual budget, which Sarvis said she did not use last year unlike the other members. Carolyn Cunningham
Smyrna opens fifth fire station
Smyrna has opened a fifth fire station at 750 Cooper Lake Road off the East West Connector.
Officials said having a station in southwestern Smyrna will make response time faster to emergencies in the area.
The $1.4 million station was funded largely by federal stimulus money.
An assistance to firefighters grant covered construction and hiring six employees for the station. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Food pantry faces shortage in Cobb
Requests for food are up and donations down at MUST Ministries, a nonprofit agency that works with low-income families in Cobb and Cherokee families. Spokesperson Kaye Cagle said the agency had a slow summer for donations and food pantries are extremely low.
The agency helps more than 21,000 people a year with food. Information: www.mustministries.org
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Good Samaritan golf tourney next week
Good Samaritan Health Center will hold its annual Charity Golf Tournament 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at Marietta County Club, 1400 Marietta Country Club Drive, Kennesaw. The center provides healthcare to uninsured and working poor in Cobb County.
Information: http://www.goodsamcobb.org.
Sandra Marshall Murray
GWINNETT
Bridlewood Drive construction hits snag
Construction to replace stormwater pipes at Bridlewood Dr. in Duluth has been delayed by several utility lines crossing the area.
Due to the close proximity to the road, Bridlewood Dr. will remain closed to all through traffic.
Access to the Community Recreation Area will only be available from Albion Farm Rd.
Information: Contact the Planning and Development Dept. at 770-476-1790.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Berkeley Lake dam repairs on schedule
Residents were happy to learn the ongoing dam repairs at Berkeley Lake are currently on schedule.
Assuming no major problems arise, the city engineer anticipates beginning to refill the lake by January. www.berkeley-lake.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Board approves land for Gwinnett Tech campus
The board of the Technical College System of Georgia has approved the future purchase of 25 acres in Alpharetta for a new campus of Gwinnett Technical College.
College officials say the new North Fulton campus could eventually serve 10,000 students. The board agreed to buy the property at the intersection of Old Milton Highway and Ga. 400 at its Sept. 26 meeting.
The State Property Commission must still approve the purchase, and the State Attorney General’s Office would have to close the transaction.
The college expects the purchase to be completed in six to nine months.
David Wickert
DA’s Office hosts Cyber Safety Summit
The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office will host A Cyber Safety Summit 6 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.
The summit will provide free training to educate the community on how to protect Gwinnett’s youth in today’s technological world.
Information:victimwitnessevents@gwinnettcounty.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Duluth has sponsor for roundabout art
Duluth’s Gateway Art Project Committee plans to commission an artist to design and implement a piece of art for the center of the new roundabout located at the intersections of W. Lawrenceville St., McClure Bridge Rd. and Irvindale Rd.
A donation has been made by Duluth-based AGCO Corporation to sponsor the artwork. Project information available at www.duluthga.net/community/publicart.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Public access to Duluth City Hall changes
To improve security and safety, the Hill St. entrance to Duluth City Hall will no longer have public access.
Available entrances include Main St. and Town Green side entrances, with handicapped access available on the Town Green side.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Police: Canton man stabbed son, 25
Anthony Lamar Johnson Sr., 53, allegedly stabbed his son, Anthony Lamar Johnson Jr., 25, Sunday afternoon during an argument at a house on Crisler Street, Canton police said. The elder Johnson then drove his son to Northside Hospital-Cherokee and left before police arrived. The suspect was found at the Pinecrest Motel on Holly Springs Parkway and arrested by Holly Springs police. He was charged with aggravated battery and taken to the Cherokee County jail. The victim was airlifted to the intensive care unit at Atlanta Medical Center. Mike Morris
Roswell approves detention pond repair
Roswell will commit an extra $150,000 from its stormwater utility fund for repair work on the River Run detention pond.
Public Works Director Stuart Mooring said the pond is on private land but became the city’s responsibilty when the subdivision was annexed from Fulton County. The original plat, approved by the county, called for government control and maintenance over the pond. The city began assessing stormwater fees last year. Patrick Fox
Fulton to further discuss Grady deal
Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts wants the commission to talk about a plan to refinance nearly $140 million in debt left over from 1990s-era Grady Memorial Hospital improvements, which the panel voted to do last month. Pitts, put the matter on Wednesday’s meeting agenda.
Under the current payment plan, the debt would be paid off in 2022, but payments will continue until 2028 and cost more than $32 million extra. Johnny Edwards
Special needs classes offered in Forsyth
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a new series of classes for adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. The Special Needs Club meets 5-7 p.m. the 1st Friday of the month at the Fowler Park Recreation Center, 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming, and offers music, art, fitness and games.. More info: www.forsythco.com
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Woodstock creates channel on Youtube
The city of Woodstock has created its own Youtube channel. The channel will feature several different kinds of videos, including features shot at downtown civic events and festivals such as the Woodstock Farmers Market, and a series of presentations highlighting local businesseses. The address:
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Milton hosts Crabapple arts festival
Crabapple Community Association and the City of Milton will host the annual Antique and Arts Festival 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdayat the Historic Downtown Crabapple, 790 Mayfield Rd., Alpharetta.
The festival will include local artists, antique dealers from across six states, handcrafted gifts, unique work of art and more.
Free parking is available.
Information: www.crabapplefestival.com or Amanda Quintana, 770-241-1125 or crossroadsatcrabapple@gmail.com.
Sandra Marshall Murray
ATLANTA
St. Jude’s center hosts anniversary luncheon
St. Jude’s Recovery Center, a nonprofit organization, will host its annual Voices of Recovery Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Grand Overlook Ballroom at the Atlanta History Center.
This event celebrates 50 years of serving Atlanta’s homeless and low-income population suffering from addiction and mental illness. Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former President Gerald Ford, will speak.
Tickets: $125. Information: 404-874-2224 or www.stjudesrecovery.org.
Kenneth Musisi
Program to teach kids string instruments
Atlanta Strings Conservatory, a nonprofit institution dedicated to the education and promotion of string music, has launched a new program for underprivileged youth to develop their talent and learn appreciation for string instruments.
The organization has also launched the “Pay to Play for Life” campaign in which donations are directly linked to student scholarships. Information: 404-403-9559 or atlantastringsconservatory@gmail.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Great Student Debate set for Wednesday
The “Great Student Debate” takes place 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Joseph E. Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights at Clark Atlanta University.
Students from Clark Atlanta, Morehouse College and Spelman College will team up with Usher’s New Look Foundation to argue the pros and cons of the “Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. Information: www.loweryinstitute.org, email info@loweryinstitute.org or 404-524-8406. Nancy Badertscher
Attorneys give advice on final wishes
Experts from the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation will give a talk on wills and living wills, legal documents allowing persons to give health care instructions should they become sick or incapacitated, 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Southwest Library, 3665 Cascade Road.
Information: 404-699-6363.
Johnny Edwards
DEKALB
Parent council holds charter schools talk
The Dunwoody-Chamblee Parents Council is sponsoring a panel discussion on charter school issues 9:15 to 10:30 a.m.Thursday at Dunwoody Public Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
Ty Tagami
Avondale downtown focus of development
Avondale Estates mayor Ed Rieker reports that bankruptcy proceedings against Century Retail, which lasted over two years, was recently resolved, and most of the city’s Century-owned property in downtown reverts to Flagstar Bank.
Late last week Weingarten Realty contracted with Flagstar to develop a plan which should take 8 to 12 months, for building a grocery store on four acres facing North Avondale Road. The city currently has 18.43 sitting empty or undeveloped.
Bill Banks for the AJC
International festival returning to DeKalb
DeKalb County will host its second annual International Food and Music Festival noon - 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at Northlake Mall, Tucker.
The free event features cuisine and entertainment from more than 32 countries and celebrates immigrants from around the globe.
Proceeds from food sales benefit county charities, including the DeKalb County Police Alliance.
Information: 404-371-3681.
April Hunt
Future of Tucker park open for discussion
DeKalb County’s parks department will host a meeting 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Rehoboth Baptist Church, 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker to discuss the future of Johns’ Homestead, a county park on Lawrenceville Highway.
The Johns family lived and farmed the property from 1827 through the 1980s.
The county has bought 47 acres of the property and now must decide management of the historic home and improvements to the park.
Information: 404-371-2540 or dabutler@dekalbcountyga.gov.
April Hunt
Go For Gaucher 5K Walk/Run
The National Gaucher Foundation will hold its “Go For Gaucher” 5K Walk/Run 9 a.m. Oct. 14 with registration 8 a.m. at Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur.
NGF provides financial, support, education and outreach programs for those with Gaucher disease.
Information:t www.gaucherdisease.org , 770-934-2910 or 800-504-3189.
Sandra Marshall Murray
Public safety town hall meeting planned
The DeKalb County district attorney and the chief of the DeKalb Police Department will host a town hall meeting on Oct. 20 that will focus on crime prevention, community resources and various public safety initiatives.
There will a complimentary breakfast offered as the charge-free program begins at 8:30 a.m.
It will be held at Kingsley Elementary School at 2051 Brendon Drive in Dunwoody.
Contact Dana Lawrence at delawrence@dekalbcountyga.gov or Ebony Phillips at eaphillips@dekalbcountyga.gov for more information.
Rhonda Cook
SOUTHSIDE
Woman charged with death of child’s father
A domestic disturbance at 6:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of Bentwater Court near Riverdale escalated into violence and ended with Jemeka Riley stabbing her child’s father, Shamontay Robinson, in the neck, according to police.
Robinson, 26, was taken to Southern Regional Medical Center, where he later died, Clayton County police said.
Police arrested Riley, 25, and charged her with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. Mike Morris
Last kitten in rabies scare turned in
The last of four kittens given away outside a Walmart in McDonough — and spurred a rabies scare — has been turned in and will be tested for the disease, a Henry County health official said Sunday.
Three kittens in the litter and the mother cat were turned in last week. Tests on two of those kittens and the mother came back positive for the potentially fatal disease, health officials said.People who might have gotten scratched or bitten while handling the felines need not be concerned about contracting the disease, Vince Farah, a spokeman with the Henry County Animal Care and Control department, told the AJC.
“The virus was in its incubation stage, and wasn’t at the point where it was transmittable,” Farah said.
Fran Jeffries
Outdoor burning now permitted in Henry
The summer burning ban in Henry County has been lifted as of Oct. 1 and will not be in effect again until May 1, 2013. Outdoor burning is permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. only and a permit is required.
Information:www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayetteville invites town hall comments
The Fayetteville City Council invites the public to a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.
Topics will include a presentation about the Redevelopment Authority Powers referendum and a progress report about the Hood Avenue/Ga. Hwy. 92 construction.
Comments are welcome on these and any other local topics.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fayette students part of Atlanta symphony
The 2012-13 Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra will include three student musicians from Fayette County.
Haley Strauss of Starr’s Mill and Luke Anders and Colin Benton of McIntosh are among the 120 metro-area middle and high school students in this year’s group, which will present its first of three concerts Nov. 11 at Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Vendors sought for Stockbridge festival
Food and arts/crafts vendors are now being sought for Bridgefest in the Pines, Stockbridge’s second annual fall festival, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Clark Community Park.
Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com or the event’s Facebook page.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
