County by county news for Tuesday
COBB
Bicyclist struck, killed by hit-and-run driver
Marietta police are looking for the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a bicyclist just before 7:45 p.m. Sunday on Powder Springs Street at Natchez Trace.
The 55-year-old victim was struck by what witnesses described as a black SUV, possibly a Cadillac Escalade, with dark tinted windows and black wheels. The bicyclist, whose name has not been released, was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he later died. The male driver of the SUV and two children were seen leaving the nearby NCG Cinema just before the accident.
Mike Morris
Marietta art walk opens Friday
Marietta 's First Friday Art Walk opens the season from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Oct. 4 at more than 30 stores, arts galleries and museums around the Marietta Square. Maps for the free, self-guided tours on the first Friday of the month are available at locations displaying an art walk banner in the window. Peformance artists and a beer garden are new this year. Information:www.artwalkmarietta.com.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Farmers market opens Sundays
More than 60 vendors have signed up to sell fruits, vegetables, baked and organic goods at the Marietta Square Farmers Market from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays starting April 7 through Nov. 24 on Mill Street. The downtown market is an addition to the year-round Saturday market on North Park Square. Information: Johnny Fulmer at 770-499-9393 or Mariettasquarefarmersmarket.net.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Road resurfacing continues this week
Two roads near Powder Springs will be resurfaced 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, including lane closures.
However, one lane will remain open on Brownsville Road from Hiram-Lithia Springs Road to the Paulding County line and on Hiram-Lithia Springs Road from Brownsville Road to the Douglas County line.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Spring garden party set for next month
Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society, Inc. will host the Oakton Spring Garden Party 4 to 8 p.m. May 4 at 581 Kennesaw Ave NW in Marietta.
Enjoy a Victorian carriage photo opportunity, Maypole dance by the Root House junior docents, Civil War reenactors, a tour of Oakton’s gardens, and, for the first time ever, a tour of Oakton’s 1890 carriage house, and scrumptious food and drink.
This event marks the 175th anniversary of historic Oakton.
Information: www.showclix.com/event/OaktonSpringGardenParty2013
Meghan de St. Aubin
Eighth graders raise scores on writing test
Marietta City Schools’ 546 eighth graders increased their scores on the state writing assessment test by 11 points over last year’s scores. District spokesman Thomas Algarin said 87 percent of eighth graders met and exeeded standards which was one percent higher than the metro Atlanta average and five percent higher than the state average. He said the students also did better than the state average on the four parts of the writing exam.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Suwanee looking for videos to promote city
The deadline for submissions to Suwanee’s 2013 video competition is May 24. The city is looking for the most creative 1-3 minute video for a cash prize of up to $1,000. “Videos, especially ones that are funny, unique, or little bit off somehow, have become part of our social media-fueled culture,” says Public Information Officer Lynne Bohlman DeWilde.
Videos must be submitted in WMV or MOV format on a DVD along with an application: www.suwanee.com. Submitted videos may be posted to the City’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Education, career fair upcoming
Gwinnett Public Schools is holding a college and career education fair from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Maxwell High School of Technology, 990 McElvaney Lane, Lawrenceville. District educators and more than 50 representatives from post-secondary institutions will discuss career pathways with Gwinnett students, parents, teachers and counselors. Information: 770-963-6838, maxwellhigh.com.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Duluth wants your photos for new contest
Submit your best photos to Duluth’s new Capture the Spirit of Good Living Photo Contest by 5 p.m. Friday, June 7. Photos can include anything in Duluth from shops, events, parks, people, or historical sites. Winner’s photo will be featured on the cover of Duluth Life. Top photos will be hung in City Hall and potentially used in other promotional items. Submission details: www.duluthga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Suwanee Day accepting applications
Exhibitor and entertainment applications are now being accepted for the 30th celebration of Suwanee Day on Sept. 21. The deadline for exhibitor applications is June 1. The deadline for entertainment applications is May 15. Exhibitors and entertainers are selected through a jury process. Applications are available at www.suwaneeday.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Improved visibility planned for Simonton
Gwinnett will improve visibility for vehicles entering Simonton Road from McCart Road and Simonton Glen Drive by lowering the hill between these two intersections in unincorporated Gwinnett. Plans also include new sidewalks between Simonton Elementary School and nearby neighborhoods rersulting in a continuous ribbon of sidewalk on both sides of Simonton Road from New Hope Road to Madison Chase Way.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Town Hall meetings set for today
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will conduct the first in a series of Town Hall Meetings at 7 p.m. today at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street in Lawrenceville. Open house begins at 6:15 p.m.
Representatives from Gwinnett departments will be at the open house to answer your questions and talk about the different services they provide. www.gwinnettcounty.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Groups schedule annual Chattahoochee cleanup
The 3rd annual Sweep the Hooch multi-site cleanup is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13. The cleanup, in partnership with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited and National Park Service, will lead volunteers at 22 sites along the 48-mile stretch of the river through the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
The event netted nearly four tons of trash last year. Information: www.sweepthehooch.org. Registration closes on April 9.
Patrick Fox
New Forsyth solicitor gets extra pay bump
Forsyth County’s new solicitor general will be getting an extra pay bump. Donna Gopaul, sworn in last week, has a base salary of $103,492. The Board of Commissioners approved a local supplement of $10,000. A county spokesman says that’s designed to keep compensation for the position competitive.
Information: www.forsythco.com (meeting summaries tab)
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Canton holding downtown party
Canton’s First Friday block party is from 6 to 10 p.m. in historic downtown at South Canton Center and Heritage Park Roads. Sponsored by the Canton Main Street Program, merchants and restaurants will be open late with activities, music, food, special sales and promotions.
There will be live entertainment and artists, too.
Information: 770-704-1500.
Michael Alpert for the AJC
Alpharetta Streetfest to include 98 artists
A jury of local art professionals has selected 98 artists from around the country to be featured in the 9th Annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest April 13-14. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days on Milton Avenue between Main Street and Roswell-Canton Street.
This year’s event features outdoor galleries of paintings, mixed media, photography, pottery and jewelry, as well as textiles, glass, wood, metal and paper art.
There will also be live music, cultural dancing and a wide variety of foods.
Information: www.alpharetta.ga.us.
Patrick Fox
Etowah academic team cops state title
Cherokee county’s Etowah High School Academic Team has won the 5-AAAAAA state championship, the first such title in school history. Etowah beat other high-ranked Georgia schools 9-0 in a March 23 competition in McDonough, scoring tops in math, science and social studies.
The team now gears up for national competition in May.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
School registration set in Cherokee district
Registration for Cherokee County School District kindergarteners and first-graders entering school for the first time in 2013-14 is 3:30 - 6 p.m. April 4 and 9 a.m. to noon April 5 at schools. Children currently enrolled in kindergarten don’t need to register for first grade.
Information: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
APD warns of crowded downtown
The Atlanta Police Department warns visitors to the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament to prepare for a crowded downtown in excess of 100,000 people a day and heavy traffic congestion during the five-day event.
APD advisers buying tickets from reputable sources, noting counterfeit tickets have become sophisticated and hard to spot.
In addition to the two semi-final games on Saturday there will also be a series of free concerts at Centennial Olympic Park. The NCAA Bracket Town at the Georgia World Congress Center is also expected to draw large crowds.
Traffic volume will also increase due to a Braves home game every night from Thursday through Saturday, an afternoon game on Sunday as well as a Hawks game on Friday evening. There will also be a 5K race starting in Downtown Atlanta Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m.
Steve Visser
GJP to host annual awards event
The Georgia Justice Project announced its annual Grass Roots Awards and 25th anniversary campaign celebration will take place April 11 at Greystone Hall in Piedmont Park. Teri McClure, the general counsel of UPS, will be honored with a Grass Roots Justice Award.
GJP serves economically disadvantaged members in the community who are also at the highest risk for criminal involvement. Information and sponsorships: Shannon DeMyers at shannon@GJP.org.
Kenneth Musisi
Youth orchestra seeks donations online
The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra was recently selected to participate in Atlanta’s “Power2Give” campaign, a fundraising effort supported by the Arts & Science Council and the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs that connects donors to creative projects that inspire them.
The online campaign, which runs through June 3, has a goal of $2,500 to support scholarships, summer music training programs and college-level music studies.
Information: www.power2give.org/go/o/395.
Mea Watkins
DEKALB
Midway Road annexation approved
Decatur recently approved a mini annexation of five single-family homes and properties on Midway Road, running from the current city boundary to Oldfield Road. City Manager Peggy Merriss said the city still has to submit paperwork to the U.S. Justice Department under the voting rights act, but the annexation should become official July 1, with residents receiving their first city tax bill in April, 2014. The five property owners originally submitted their petition for annexation last spring.
Bill Banks for the AJC
DeKalb seniors can go for the gold
Registration is underway for the 26th Annual DeKalb County Senior Olympic Games. Competitive events will be held across the county May 6-17. Registration ends April 29 and the games are open to the public. DeKalb residents, and those from other counties, who are 50 and older, are welcome to participate in events that range fro bowling to line dancing to track and field. Applications are available online at www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks/, or at all DeKalb County recreation centers, libraries and some senior centers. Information: 404-687-2751. April Hunt
March for Babies walkers sought
The county is seeking walkers to join county workers in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies walk April 27 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Officials want 500 volunteers to help raise $50,000. Information: 404-371-2038 or www.marchforbabies.org. April Hunt
Learning for Life Family Series continues
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s Learning for Life Family Series will continue through June with monthly events aimed toward healthy living, safety and more at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. The series is free and open to DeKalb County residents. Upcoming workshops include: Survival in the City, 10 a.m. to noon, April 20; and An Ounce of Prevention, 10 a.m. to noon, May 18.
Information: 404-298-4080 or www.ugaextension.com/dekalb. Mea Watkins
Construction may start soon at Beacon Hill
Demolition of Decatur’s Beacon Hill/Trinity High site, originally scheduled to begin in February, has been moved to early April. The $36 million “adaptive reuse” of the former African-American schools will, upon completion, feature a new two-story 32,000 square-foot police department. It’ll also include a new gym and renovation of Beacon Hill Elementary into the new 25,000 square-foot central office for city schools. Once begun total construction should take one year.
Bill Banks for the AJC
Volunteers needed for cleanup in DeKalb
Keep DeKalb Beautiful is accepting volunteers to help with the local effort in the Great American Cleanup.
Last year, more than 80 groups of volunteers removed more than 25,000 pounds of litter from 168 miles of county roadways in the one-day event.
The cleanup will take place on April 27. Volunteers must register by April 5.
Registration/information: 404-371-2654 or www.keepdekalbbeautiful.org. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
East Point offers ticket amnesty for a limted time
Beginning Monday and continuing through April 15, the East Point municipal court will offer amnesty to people with unpaid traffic or parking tickets. Also, at the discretion of the judges, additional “failure to appear” fines may be waived. Drivers who have had their licenses suspended are eligible for a release from the court department once they’ve paid off their outstanding fines. People with active warrants should contact the probation department. Municipal Court is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon . Information: 404-559-6250. Marcus K. Garner
Henry adjusts fees for Fire Dept. services
The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted March 19 to adjust a number of Henry County Fire Department charges for services and permits. Ambulance fees previously had not been adjusted since 2009, according to county officials, and are still among the lowest rates in the metro Atlanta area.
Commissioners also updated Fire Prevention Division charges for various construction fees and permits, and will begin charging for certain services for the first time. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Coleman named Stockbridge planner
Vicki Coleman is the new city planner for Stockbridge. The hiring was announced Monday by city manager David Milliron. Coleman has more than a decade of experience in private and public sector planning and economic development, and she was most recently the development director for Chamblee.
Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
Fayette offers free divorce workshops
A free Family Law Workshop for people seeking a divorce without using a lawyer will be held 6-7:30 p.m. April 9 at the Fayette County Library in Fayetteville. Attorneys will explain the legal process and offer packets of standard forms for photocopying.
Register at 770-228-3758. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Mark calendars for Wild Azalea Festival
The Reynolds Nature Preserve is gearing up for its Wild Azalea Festival that’ll be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 5665 Reynolds Road, Morrow.
The free event will feature guided nature hikes, animal shows, exhibits, face painting, native azalea showcases, workshops and more.
Shuttle service will be provided from Babb Middle School.
Information: 770-603-4188; tinyurl.com/d2dbgzu.
Lisa Gibson for the AJC
Lupus forum at Piedmont Henry
The Southside Lupus Support Group will host a community forum from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13, in the Foundation Education Center at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
Topics will include the effects of lupus on the body, Social Security disability, lupus employment and a caregivers workshop. The forum is open to those living with lupus as well as family and friends.
Information: lupusga.org or 770-333-5930.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
www.sweepthehooch.org
