COBB
Acworth to add silent rail crossings for safety
Acworth will spend $2.2 million to stop trains from blowing horns at five CSX railroad crossings in the city. The Board of Alderman has approved adding safety upgrades that would allow silent crossings at School, Lemon and Smith streets, Acworth Industrial Avenue and New McEver Road. Funds will come from the 2011 SPlOST and a $1 million federal transportation grant for safety improvement. Georgia Department of Transportation will coordinate the project with CSX. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Cobb approves county park upgrades
The Cobb Board of Commissioners has approved $3.27 million in 2011 SPLOST funds to continue renovations at Kenworth, Tramore,Terrell Mill, Jim Miller, Lost Mountain and Noonday Creek Parks. Upgrades will include infrastructure, new concession and restroom buildings, renovating ball fields and paving parking lots.Fair Oaks Park will receive $1.2 million; Lost Mountain Park, $646, 287 and Jim Miller Park, 650,000 for dam rehabilitation. The total rehab at Jim Miller Park will be $6.2 million.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Free networking session next week
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce will host a free Networking Master Session from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Mansour Center, 995 Roswell St. NE, Suite 100, Marietta.
Registration is required by Friday. Information: cobbchamber.org/events/Networking-Master-Session-4481/details.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Sweetwater Mission gala Friday
Sweetwater Mission of Austell will hold an Empty Plate Gala at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Presbyterian Village Center, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.
Including a silent auction, dinner and live jazz trio, this event will raise funds for the nonprofit to provide food and clothing for local residents in need. Cost: $50
Reservations required. Information: Darlene@SweetwaterMission.org or 770-819-0662, ext. 11. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Marietta to slow speeders near schools
Marietta will reduce speed limits and add driver feedback signs to slow traffic on streets around two city schools off Polk Street.
The city council approved the speed-slowing measures after parents complained of safety issues.
The speed limit will drop from 30 mph to 25 mph on Maple Avenue and two flashing signs that display a driver’s speed will be placed near Marietta Middle School. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
KSU hosts hot air balloon festival
The Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival is this weekend at Kennesaw State University.
The two-day festival will feature more than 50 vendors along with tethered balloon rides. The festival takes place on the 88-acre KSU Sports and Entertainment Park. Tickets: $12-$15, adults; $5-$8 children 12 and under; free, children under age three.
Information: www.ticketalternative.com, www.owl-o-ween.com, 770-794-7810 Janel Davis
GWINNETT
Two people dead in two-car wreck on I-985
Two people were killed Saturday after a wreck that shut down all northbound lanes of I-985 in Gwinnett County for more than two hours. A southbound vehicle crossed the median and into northbound traffic, Gwinnett police said. The southbound vehicle struck a northbound vehicle.
The two occupants of the southbound vehicle died and the lone occupant of the northbound vehicle was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries. Northbound lanes of I-985 did not reopen until just after 4:30 p.m. The two people killed in the wreck have not been identified pending notification of next of kin. Rodney Thrash
New county police chief named
Gwinnett County has named a new police chief to replace the retiring chief, Charlie Walters. A.A. “Butch” Ayers will take over the role Saturday. Walters is retiring after 35 years with the department.
Ayers, a 30-year-veteran of the Gwinnett Police Department, began his law enforcement career with the county. He is currently an assistant chief in the department and commands the administrative services division. County commissioners will vote on his appointment today. Arielle Kass
New transportation director selected
Gwinnett County has named an acting replacement for the county’s retiring transportation director. Alan Chapman, the current deputy transportation director, will replace Kim Conroy, who retires Oct. 24.
Chapman came to the county’s Department of Transportation in 1997, and worked as a project manager for the road improvements capital program. In 2004, he was promoted to deputy director, where he oversees the preconstruction and construction divisions. Arielle Kass
Residents to turnout for crematory vote
Crowell Brothers Funeral Home in Peachtree Corners has applied for a special use permit to install and operate a crematory at its location on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Citizens from eleven residential communities within half a mile of Crowell Brothers are expected to attend a public hearing at 7 p.m. tonight at Peachtree Corners City Hall, 147 Technology Parkway, Suite 200. In addition to concerned homeowners, parents and students from nearby Norcross High, Wesleyan School, Mt. Carmel Preschool, Berkeley Lake Elementary and Pinckneyville Park’s athletic fields are expected to attend. Similar requests have been denied by Gwinnett County due to close proximity to existing residential development. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
‘Flex’ lane on I-85 coming soon
The Georgia DOT is currently constructing a new “flex lane” on the northbound lanes of I-85 adjacent to the Jimmy Carter Boulevard Diverging Diamond interchange project. The project, expected to be complete in spring 2015, will add a new lane on I-85 northbound from Jimmy Carter Boulevard to Indian Trail Road for use during the afternoon rush hour.
Information on how to drive the diamond, including a video rendering of the completed project: www.gwinnettDDI.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Canton police chief announces plans to retire
Canton Police Chief Robert Merchant has announced retirement plans. The chief, who was picked for the job in May of 2012, says he’ll return to Seminole County, Florida, but will serve until a replacement is named. Merchant formerly served as chief in Alamonte Springs, Florida. The chief says among his major accomplishments have been improvements in departmental recruitment, training and technology. City Manager Glen Cummins has appointed a four-member committee to search for a new chief.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee approves school safety project
The Cherokee County Board of Education approved plans to build a car rider driveway at Carmel Elementary, 2275 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving safety. The parent entrance project will be done by N.J. Wilbanks Contractor of Ball Ground at a cost of $1.85 million. Construction is set to begin in November, with completion scheduled for February. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Housing development OKd in Forsyth
Forsyth County has approved a plan by Lennar Georgia Inc. to build 572 single-family homes with 124 townhomes on 443 acres. The $280 million project along Chamblee Gap Road west of Cumming will be built in phases through 2022. Commissioners also approved a variance allowing Lennar to reduce required commercial and office space from 25 percent to zero. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Cherokee to study arts instruction
The Cherokee County School District and several partners have been awarded a $1.9 million U.S. Department of Education grant for its “CCSD-ArtsNow Impact” project. ArtsNow will evaluate how integrating arts instruction into core curriculum areas improves student performance. Teachers at three schools will use lesson plans blending the arts into science, math and language instruction, with data-collection and evaluation following. The grant program wil stretch over four years. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Chamber board gains new members
The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce has elected its board: Neil Blackman of Corblu Ecology Group, Wellstar Health System’s Karen Mathews, Jeff Mitchell of South State Bank, Michel Searcy with WJLA 101.1 FM, Northside Hospital-Cherokee’s Jennifer Stanley, Alan Thompson of MOJO productions and Dr. Brian Hightower.
They will serve three-year terms beginning in January. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth plans electronic recycling
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful is inviting residents to recycle old electronics from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot 3 off Castleberry Road. Accepted items will include laptops, cameras, stereos, CD players and cellphones. Some items, including large projector televisions, toaster ovens and refrigerators won’t be accepted. There’s a minimum $5 donation per carload.
Information: 770-205-4573. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Volunteer cleanup/planting needed
The Nature Conservancy of Georgia teams up with Trees Atlanta and Davidson-Arabian Mountain Nature Preserve for volunteer cleanup and planting events in DeKalb and Fulton 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 25.
Volunteers will mulch trails and clean up a section of the South River shoreline at Arabian Mountain in Lithonia; plant trees and shrubs near a creek at Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur; and plant a community forest with fruit and nut trees on English Avenue in Atlanta.
The event is sponsored by CSX Transportation.
Information: www.nature.org/connectGA.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Sunday genealogy events at Breman
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia will host an “Ask the Experts” panel, mainly concerning Europe, from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. NW.
Reservations are required with admission included in the museum’s fee.
Also, from noon to 1 p.m., Dave Slater and Robert Weinberg will be available to assist members and guests who want to use The Breman’s genealogy library materials, get help with genealogy research or ask genealogical questions.
To take part in this mentoring session, email Slater at slaterd@bellsouth.net or Weinberg at gadfly1969@bellsouth.net.
Information: jgsg.org, thebreman.org/Visit/Admission-Hours, 678-222-3700.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Center for Medical Research opens
A grand opening celebration for the newly renovated Atlanta Center for Medical Research will be held 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 501 Fairburn Road SW.
The $25 million facility is located at the former site of South West Atlanta Hospital.
The public can tour the medical center and meet physicians and staff.
Reservations by Oct. 21: mnicolini@acmr.org.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
DEKALB
Beacon alternative to traffic light
Brookhaven installed a rapid flashing yellow beacon on Ashford Dunwoody Road at the YMCA/Blackburn Park Pavillion crosswalk to aid pedestrians.
The rectangular rapid flashing beacon can be activated by pedestrians to signal motorists to stop.
Additional beacons will be installed on Ashford Dunwoody at Kadleston Way, and Cambridge Square; and another on Johnson Ferry Road at Waddleston Way. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Brookhaven approves redevelopment
Brookhaven City Council approved a five-year redevelopment plan for Buford Highway from Clairmont Road to the city of Atlanta border.
A committee of Brookhaven residents developed the Buford Highway Improvement Plan and Economic Development Strategy with guidance from professional city planners and engineers. Potential enhancements along the three-mile corridor include bicycle and pedestrian trails, and streetscape beautification.
The city is pursuing an Opportunity Zone that would help revitalize older businesses.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Designers present four options for Renfroe
Designers and architects presented four building options for Renfroe Middle School during a public meeting Thursday that nearly packed the Decatur school’s library. Options range from essentially renovating the original 1970 structure costing $31,400,000, to a complete rebuilding that would cost $45,000,000. All options take the school up to three stories in places (it’s currently one and two stories) and add 83 new instructional units, up from the current 51. It’s anticipated Decatur’s school board will choose a definitive option at its Nov. 11 meeting. Bill Banks for the AJC
Rape crisis center dedicates building
A building dedication ceremony honoring Virginia Vaughn, first executive director of the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center, is 11 a.m. Nov. 1 at 204 Church Street, Decatur.
The public event marks a renaming of the center’s facilities to The Vaughn Center. Last year, the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center changed its name to Day League.
Information: 404-377-1429.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
County to hold neighborhood summit
Get Connected, a neighborhood summit, is 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Tucker High School, 5036 LaVista Road.
Community leaders will discuss how government can help improve neighborhoods, and Curbside Consulting will hold 25-minute group sessions on community organizing.
Information: 404-371-2881.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Cityhood meeting schedule set
Building Quality Communities will hold community meetings on the required steps to cityhood and its economic impact through mid-November.
Meetings will be held Oct. 27 at Salem Panola Library; Nov. 3 at Scott Candler Road Library; Nov. 10 at Stone Mountain Library; Nov. 17 in Clarkston.
Information: 770-322-3842.
Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Career development workshop in College Park
A free career development workshop for ages 17 and older is being held 9 a.m.-noon through Friday at Brady Recreation Center, 3571 Breningham Drive, College Park. On Wednesday, a human resources representative from the City of College Park will discuss open positions. Participants will be advised on resumes and cover letters, interview skills and networking. In addition, mentors will demonstrate mock interview sessions and etiquette. Community service hours can be earned by participating in the workshop. Information: 404-454-9347. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC
Market Day meets Halloween
Market Day in downtown Fayetteville will feature special Halloween activities. Market vendors will be present from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trick-or-Treat on Main Street will be held from 3:30 to 4 p.m. on the square, followed by a costume contest for kids 13 and under. See www.fayetteville-ga.gov or call 770-719-4173 for details.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
McDonough job fair set for Friday
McDonough’s job fair is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, at McDonough Presbyterian Church, 427 McGarity Road. Nearly 40 businesses are expected to attend.
The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Mobile Career Resource Center will be on hand to assist with such activities as online job searches, resume and cover letter development, online tutorials, and individual assessments and exploration of training eligibility and options.
The event is open to the public.
Registration is not required, and there is no cost to attend. Information: 770-957-3915 or bcopeland@mcdonough-ga.gov. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Library opening late Friday
The Peachtree City Library will be closed Friday morning due to staff training. It will re-open at noon for regular business until 6 p.m.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Fulton seeking input on school boundaries
Fulton County Schools will hold a meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 19 at Banneker High School, 6015 Feldwood Road, College Park to review attendance boundaries in south Fulton.
Schools included in the review were part of a 2013 redistricting.
They are: Conley Hills, Hapeville, Hamilton E. Holmes, Harriet Tubman, Mount Olive, Oak Knoll and Parklane elementary schools; Bear Creek, Camp Creek, McNair, Renaissance, Sandtown, Paul D. West and Woodland middle schools; and Banneker, Creekside, Langston Hughes and Westlake high schools. Jaime Sarrio
Retired educators’ group to meet
The Henry County Retired Educators Association will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the community room of the county annex on Zack Hinton Pkwy. in McDonough.
The program will include a genealogy presentation by Sara Jane Overstreet.
Information: Kathy Hill, 404-310-7112 or kathyshill1@gmail.com.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
