County by county news for Tuesday

Proposals must be submitted before 10 a.m. July 25 at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St. when they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Information: cityofpowdersprings.org and click “Bid Information” or Croy Engineering LLC, the city’s program manager, at 770-971-5407 or eflynn@croyengineering.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Acworth to adopt millage rate

Acworth’s Board of Alderman plans to approve a 7.6 millage rate, the same as last year’s, at a meeting 7 p.m. Thursday at Acworth City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave. The city’s 2014 buget for the fiscal year that started July 1 is $11.3 million. An increase of about $100,000 above last year’s budget reflects the city eliminating some of its debt and anticipating increased revenue from the advalorem car tax. Information: www.acworth.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

South Cobb meeting on name change Thursday

Cobb District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid will hold a community meeting to hear from residents on Smyrna’s proposed name change of the East-West Connector to Silver Comet Parkway at 7 p.m. Thursday, Presbyterian Village, 2000 East-West Connector, Austell.

Cupid said in her email newsletter the Smyrna resolution has to be approved by the Cobb County Commission to become effective for the entire corridor.

Comments by email may be sent to lisa.cupid@cobbcounty.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Summer J.A.M. to be July 17 in Civic Center

The Coalition of Cobb County Business Associations and Cobb Chamber of Commerce will hold Summer J.A.M. 5 to 8 p.m.Wednesday at the Cobb Civic Center. The event celebrates Cobb’s small business community and promotes local business associations.

Members of participating associations can attend for free with online registration or pay $20 at the door. General admission is $20 online, $30 at the door.

Deadline for online registration is noon July 3. Info: cobbchamber.org/summerjam. Jaime Sarrio

Cobb chairman’s meeting is moved

The town hall meeting for Cobb Chairman Tim Lee has been moved to 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Pebblebrook High School Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts, 991 Old Alabama Road, Mableton.

Information: 770-528-3305. Jaime Sarrio

Austell library ready for reservations

Austell’s Sweetwater Valley Library now accepts reservations for its meeting room.

The library is on the first floor of the historic Threadmill Complex, a facility on the National Register of Historic Places that is owned by the City of Austell and was converted from the former Coats and Clark textile mill into an office building.

Information: Library Branch Manager Rhonda Lane at 770-819-3290 or cobbcat.org/BranchSweetwater.html.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Workforce investment trains prisoners for jobs

Over the past 13 years, federal Workforce Investment Act funds have provided nearly $1 million for job training to inmates at Gwinnett’s Comprehensive Correctional Complex. The county will apply again for a $106,200 grant to continue the program next year.

In 2012, 91 percent of inmates successfully found jobs following their prison release. www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Social media focus of Snellville summit

Snellville in partnership with the Snellville Entrepreneur Council offers an ongoing summit series providing resources for start-up or small businesses. The third quarter summit from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. today at Snellville City Hall will focus on the importance of building a highly visible online presence. More than 90 percent of consumers turn to the Internet for information about businesses and products. Register early at www.snellville.org/summit, 770-985-3508 or email economicdevelopment@snellville.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Community emergency course available

The Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management is offering free Community Emergency Response Team training from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. This eight-week course will educate residents in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

A course review and disaster simulation will take place 8 a.m. to noon July 27. Information: ema@gwinnettcounty.com. Class size limited to 25 participants. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lawrenceville seeking award nominations

The Lawrenceville Hammer Awards recognize individuals and businesses for renovation and construction projects that enhance the city’s esthetics and contribute to its overall vision. Nominations are being accepted through Friday Information: Jenny Savoy at jenny@visitlawrenceville.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Chamber collecting school supplies

The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber is partnering with the community to collect school supplies for needy children in the Berkeley Lake, Norcross and Peachtree Corners areas.

Drop-off bins are located at the YMCA and each City Hall.

Information: Kim Dorough at kdorough@southwestgwinnettchamber.org. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Art show exhibit runs through August

Some people have an eye for creating art from trash. Bree Sauers, from Tannery Row Artist Colony, has created a dress collection from paper and plaster, and landscapes and still lifes from discarded items. The exhibit will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 16 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. Information: 770-822-5450. Hannah Morgan

NORTHSIDE

Officials investigating Woodstock teen’s death

Cherokee County authorities have identified a 16-year-old boy found dead last week at the Terraces of Towne Lake apartments as Alexander Feraire, a Woodstock High School student. Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Jay Baker says autopsy results may not be available for weeks, due to toxicology tests.

Law officers had said on Friday that alcohol may have played a role in the youngster’s death.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Canton okays amphitheater plans

The Canton City Council voted 4-1 Thursday night to okay construction of an amphitheater at the under-construction Etowah River Park. The Council voted to spend $291,000 in city SPLOST VI funds for the structure, which councilman John Beresford said would be a cornerstone to the park, dra.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton to break ground on library Aug. 1

The Atlanta-Fulton County Library System will break ground on the new East Roswell Library at 11 a.m. Aug. 1 at 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road.

The 15,000-square-foot library is expected to open in the third quarter of 2014. Fulton County plans to build eight new library branches in coming years.

For more information on the groundbreaking ceremony or to RSVP, call 404-730-1972 or e-mail laura.wright@fultoncountyga.gov.

For information on the library building program visit www.afpls.org. David Wickert

Autism fundraiser at barbershop event

V’s Barbershop in Sandy Springs will host a fundraiser for the Marcus Autism Center in conjunction with its Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday.

The celebration runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include drinks, food, games, free golf lessons and prizes.

The event is free and open to the public. V’s Barbershop is at 5975 Roswell Rd., Ste E-357, Sandy Springs.

More information: www.vbarbershop.com, 678-819-7826, or vssandysprings@gmail.com.

Hannah Morgan

Cherokee exhibit traces history of mills

The Cherokee County History Museum and Visitors Center, at 100 North St., Suite 140, Canton, presents “Life with the Mills: The Canton Cotton Mills” through Sept. 14.

The free exhibit traces the mills from 1900 to 1981 and features documents, artifacts and photographs.

Information: rockbarn.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek arts group can apply for grants

Johns Creek arts organizations with at least three years of 501(c)(3) status have until 5 p.m. July 31 to apply for a portion of the city’s $30,000 of competitive grant funding.

Applications must be submitted to the city clerk at 12000 Findley Road or emailed by then to grants@JohnsCreekGA.gov. Information: 678-512-3200.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

APS defendants appeal judge’s rulings

The 35 defendants in the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating case are asking the Georgia Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals to hear their appeals before their racketeering trial is to be held in May 2014.

Lawyers for former APS Superintendent Beverly Hall have asked the state Supreme Court to hear a pretrial appeal and overturn rulings recently issued by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter, who is presiding over the case. A similar appeal has been filed in the Court of Appeals by lawyers representing former Kennedy Middle School principal Lucious Brown and former Parks Middle School principal Christopher Waller.

Bill Rankin

Info session set for city office candidates

City and state officials are holding an information session Wednesday for citizens seeking to run for office in Atlanta this fall. The “candidate information session” will feature speakers from several agencies, including the Georgia Secretary of State Elections Office, state ethics commission, Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, the office of Atlanta’s municipal clerk, Atlanta Police Department, the Atlanta Board of Education and more.

Speakers will offer information about the elections process ahead of the November 5 general election. The session is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Atlanta City Council Chamber, located at 55 Trinity Avenue S.W. in downtown Atlanta. For more information, call 404-330-6500.

Katie Leslie

Tenant rights meeting July 23

The Fulton County Housing and Human Services Department will host a tenant rights and responsibilities workshop at 10:30 a.m. July 23 at the Dogwood Neighborhood Senior Center, 1953 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, Atlanta.

The session will include information on understanding leases, security deposits, the importance of paying rent on time, how to report a repair need and other issues. For more information call 404-613-7944. David Wickert

DEKALB

Free health and wellness fair Saturday

New Life Church, in partnership with several health organizations, will host a free health and wellness expo 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church community center, 3592 Flat Shoals Road.

In addition to health screenings, there will be sessions on Obamacare, healthy-cooking demonstrations and a produce market.

Information: 770-322-6262 or www.newlife-atl.org. April Hunt

Donations needed for college-bound kids

A “trunk drive” that seeks to collect gifts for college-bound students in DeKalb County, ends July 25.

Donations can include gift cards, household items and toiletries. Gifts will be distributed to 100 needy students who begin their freshman year of college this fall.

Government drop-off spots are the Maloof government building, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur; the DeKalb Superior Court Clerk’s office in the county courthouse on McDonough Street in downtown Decatur; and the Porter Sanford performing arts center, 3181 Rainbow Dr., south of Decatur.

Donations also will be accepted at the 1st Class Barber Shop inside Stonecrest Mall and Nick’s Barber Shop, 4830 Redan Road, near Stone Mountain. Information: 404-964-4936. April Hunt

Police: Call non-emergency number

Given the spate of Decatur burglaries and robberies over the past seven weeks, police urge residents within city limits that, if wanting to report a crime, a suspicious person or activity, or if followed by another vehicle, call the non-emergency number (404/373-6551) which, unlike 911, goes directly to Decatur police. With the new police station currently under construction, the department’s Communications Center (staffed 24 hours) is at 314-C Church Street, the entrance to the right of the Big Peach Running Company on East Trinity Place. Bill Banks for the AJC

County, Red Cross hosting blood drive

The DeKalb Board of Health and DeKalb Community Service Board are teaming up with the Red Cross for a blood drive later this month.

The drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Fridayat the Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is encouraged at epruddiman@dhr.state.ga.us or 404-294-3792. April Hunt

County to vote on budget, tax rate

The DeKalb County Commission will vote on the midyear budget in later this month. The board also said it will hold the 2013 millage rate steady at 21.21 mills for the unincorporated area.

A public hearing on the budget and millage rate will be 10 a.m. today with a vote expected this evening. April Hunt

Storytelling program at History Center

A storytelling series for children returns to DeKalb History Center 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday through July 31 at the historic Biffle Cabin, 720 W. Trinity Place. The programs, for children ages 6-12, are $4 for children of members and $6 per session for others. Information: 404-373-1088, ext. 22 or www.dekalbhistory.org. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton school students offered free meals

Clayton County Public Schools is slated to implement the Community Eligibility Option for free meal reimbursement this school year. Through the program, the school district, will offer meals at no charge to all students. This eliminates the procedure of distributing and processing meal applications. Clayton County Public Schools’ participation in CEO started July 1 and will continue through June 30, 2017. Georgia is one of 11 states selected to pilot this program. CEO will be available to the entire country in 2015. Nancy Badertscher

East Point salvage yard burns

Fire crews fought a blaze at an East Point salvage yard Sunday evening, authorities said.

Mostly trash and salvaged cars were burned in the fire at Newell Industries, 1359 Central Ave.

No injuries were reported, and fire crews battled the flames for hours. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

Marcus K. Garner

Sandy Creek wins SkillsUSA medals

Students from Sandy Creek High School’s SkillsUSA program won medals at the 2013 National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City. Keri Davis and Rick Steele earned bronze medals for Prepared Speech and Mobile Electronics, respectively.

Derek Ansley placed eighth in Marine Service Technology. They were among more than 6,000 students competing in 98 events.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

McDonough 101 starts in August

This year’s “McDonough 101” citizens academy will begin in August.

The eight-week session is meant to provide citizens with the opportunity to look inside each city department through presentations and tours of city facilities.

Applications will be available a www.mcdonoughga.org and at City Hall beginning July 8.

Class limited to the first 20 applicants age 18 or above, all of whom must be McDonough residents or own a business within the city limits.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

SPLOST meeting Monday in Hampton

City officials in Hampton will host a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, at the Train Depot, 20 East Main Street.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the city’s project list pertaining to the proposed SPLOST referendum scheduled to be on the November ballot.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Self-defense class for Fayette women

The Peachtree City Recreation Department is offering a self-defense class for women and children on Tuesday nights through Aug. 6.

The classes, taught by local stick-fighting instructor Rudy Garcia, will meet at the Kedron Fieldhouse and cost $45 per student.

Register at www.peachtree-city.org/recreation or at 202 Fieldhouse Drive. Jill Howard Church for the AJC