County by county news for Tuesday

Marietta voters passed a $7 million general obligation bond on March 7 to help build the auditorium at the Whitlock Avenue school. The city schools system will pay the remaining costs out of a building fund. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Strand to hold call-a-thon fundraiser

Marietta Square’s Earl Smith Strand Theatre will hold a 12-hour call-a-thon and open house starting 9 a.m. Wednesday .

Friends of the Strand board members will man phones on the theater’s stage with local entertainers performing at the top of every hour.

The goal is to raise $50,000 toward reducing the theater’s $1.5 million capital debt. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Breakfast focuses on transportation tax

A May 21 deadline has been set for registering to attend a Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s leadership breakfast focusing on transportation. The breakfast, with the headline “Getting Georgia Going,” starts at 8 a.m. at Cobb County’s Georgian Club, 1000 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1700. Admission is $25.

More info: http://tinyurl.com/cbxmqon. Nancy Badertscher

Powder Springs offers water line warranty

Powder Springs will receive 10 percent of revenue, $12 annually, for each resident who signs up for a voluntary warranty program for their private water and sewer lines.

In exchange, the city’s logo is used to promote Utility Service Partners, encouraging residents to pay $120 annually for the warranty for water and sewer line repair between their residences and the city’s connections.

No deductibles or service fees are included in this program that is endorsed by the National League of Cities.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org or utilitysp.net. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Mableton Celebration Day Saturday

Mableton Coalition will host its annual Mableton Day Celebration on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mable House Amphitheatre Complex, 5239 Floyd Road. The celebration will include activities for the kids, booths for local artists, businesses and other organizations. Information: Albert McRae at 678-590-2803 or visit www.mabletonday.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Breastfeeding support group meets at library

Village Lactation Services will offer a free support group for breastfeeding and pregnant women at 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of every month at Mountain View Public Library in Marietta. Mountain View Public Library is located at 3320 Sandy Plains Road. Information:Meghan Garcia-Salas, CLC, at 404-457-3924 or meghan@villagelactationservices.com. Mea Watkins

GWINNETT

Collins Hill names new athletics director

Meadowcreek High assistant principal and former athletics director Jason Dopson will succeed Collins Hill’s retiring athletics director, Roland Wallace.

Dopson takes over an Eagles program that twice won the Class AAAAA Director’s Cup, a statewide points competition of schools’ playoff success.

Ranked No. 7 by Sports Illustrated in ‘09 year and No. 9 in ‘07, Collins Hill won 26 state championships and 40 region titles in seven years under Wallace. Michael Alpert for the AJC

GMC to host healthcare breakfast

Gwinnett Medical Center and Partnership Gwinnett will sponsor a free healthcare education breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Friday at the Busbee Center, 700 Building, Gwinnett Technical College, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.

The event will feature panelists answering questions about hydration before and after activities, stretching, youth concussion testing, heat safety and other issues. To register: http://gmc-rsvp.org. David Wickert

Foundation donates salad bars to schools

The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation wants students to belly up to the bar -- the salad bar. The non-profit is donating salad bars to four Gwinnett schools, Knight Elementary, Berkmar Middle, Couch Middle and Buice Middle, to enhance the nutritious and healthy options for students, it was announced Monday. The donations are part of the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools effort, which, to date, has awarded salad bars to more than 1,200 schools across the country. Nancy Badertscher

Gwinnett plans Memorial Day service

Gwinnett invites residents to a Memorial Day ceremony May 28 at 1 p.m. at the Fallen Heroes Memorial. Members of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and honor guard units from the Gwinnett County Corrections, Fire and Emergency Services, Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and the Lawrenceville Police Department will take part in the event. The Fallen Heroes Memorial is located at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville. Information: www.gwinnettfallenheroes.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

John Smoltz book signing upcoming

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz will sign copies of his book, Starting and Closing: Perseverance, Faith and One More Year, at Coolray Field when the Gwinnett Braves take on the Rochester Red Wings on May 25. The event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is free for ticket holders. Information:770-978-5154. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Buford students’ art on exhibit

The Buford City School System’s annual art show reception begins at 6 p.m. on May 22 at the district’s Central Office at 2625 Sawnee Ave. Art work from the district’s four schools -- Buford High, Buford Middle, Buford Elementary and Buford Academy -- will be on display. For information, call 770-945-5035. Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Project to chut down Kelly Mill Road

A portion of Kelly Mill Road just west of Cumming will be closed to through traffic beginning May 28 as road crews reconstruct the culvert at Cheatham Creek. The road will be closed from Bethelview Road to Post Road for about 10 weeks. The project includes adding turn lanes, correcting grade deficiencies and installing curb, gutter and sidewalk on both sides of the road. Crews will also add pedestrian signals at Post and Bethelview roads and install a signal at the entrance to West Forsyth High School. The project is funded by the county-wide SPLOST VI initiative. Patrick Fox

Fourth graders have ideas for Sandy Springs

Fourth graders at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School will present proposals featuring their ideas for downtown development in Sandy Springs.

The students wrote proposals about their ideas for a city center. The class took field trips and created a video that will be shown at a 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall. The class was led by teacher Jim Barton, the Atlanta lower school’s writing specialist. The lesson encouraged students to learn more about local government. D. Aileen Dodd

Autrey Mill students cited for Spanish test

Students at Autrey Mill Middle School in Johns Creek earned recognition for their performance on the 2012 National Spanish Examinations.

Spanish students earned six gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals on their first attempt at the national standardized test. They were among nearly 144,000 students across the country who took the exam.

D. Aileen Dodd

Commissioner Bell completes training

The Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia recently recognized Forsyth County District 4 Commissioner Patrick Bell for completion of the Certified Commissioners Advanced Program training course. Bell was more than 100 county officials from throughout Georgia receiving a certificate at the ACCG annual conference in Savannah.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Ball Ground council approves budget

The Ball Ground City Council recently approved the city’s 2012-13 budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Mayor Rick Roberts says the $1.67 million document is up about 1 percent from last year, with the bulk of the increase going for park maintenance. The budget also includes a 2 percent pay increase for city employees, which would go into effect at the end of the calendar year if city revenues are deemed sufficient. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth BOE to consider budget Thursday

The Forsyth County School Board at its monthly meeting Thursday will grapple with the nearly $5 million shortfall to its beleaguered budget for fiscal 2013. The five board members hope to approve the preliminary $268 million budget, despite a projected property tax decline of nearly $4 million and growth to an estimated 38,400 students. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at Cumming’s Professional Development Center, 1120 Dahlonega Highway. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Reed honors Yunus with Phoenix Award

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed presented a Phoenix Award, the city’s highest honor, to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi banker and economist who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for championing “microcredit” -- small loans given to poor and female entrepreneurs as a way to eradicate poverty.

Representatives from a range of Atlanta charities, health organizations, civil rights groups and universities attended the ceremony on May 11 at City Hall. Jeremiah McWilliams

Seniors offered workshop on scams

Seniors, who are frequent targets of scam artists, can learn how to prevent being victimized at a workshop today offered by Fulton County Housing and Community Development. “Be Aware of the Tricks of the Trade: Guarding against Senior Scams” runs from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Dogwood Neighborhood Senior Center, 1953 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, N.W., Atlanta. Information: 404-613-7944. Johnny Edwards

Reed kicks off ‘Older Atlantans Month’

In honor of Older Atlantans Month, Mayor Kasim Reed kicked off a celebration on recently at City Hall to pay tribute to Atlanta’s senior citizens. Hundreds of seniors attended the event, which included live musical performances, dancing, and dozens of health and wellness vendors. The theme for Older Americans Month 2012, “Never Too Old to Play,” encourages older Americans to stay engaged and active in their communities. Jeremiah McWilliams

Great Atlanta Bicycle Parade Sunday

The Great Atlanta Bicycle Parade is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Highland and North Avenue in Atlanta. The Parade program includes free bike art workshops. The Grown-ups Bike Art Workshop will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. May 12 at Elliot Street Deli & Pub in Atlanta. The Kid’s Bike Art Workshop will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Grant Park Recreational Center. Both workshops require registration. Registration: www.GreatAtlantaBicycleParade.com. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Take diverging diamond for test drive

As a crews build a brand-new type of highway interchange on the Perimeter, drivers are asked to come for a test drive this Saturday.

Georgia has never before seen a “diverging diamond” interchange, the type being installed at Ashford-Dunwoody Road and I-285.

Local officials want drivers to at least get a taste of the figure-eight maze before it goes live, if only in a mock-up next door.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday drivers are welcome to a test drive in the Perimeter Mall parking lot.

It’s at the corner of Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center West, and a current driver’s license is required. Ariel Hart

Serial bank robbing suspect arrested

The jig is up for a Stone Mountain man suspected in several bank robberies, the FBI said Monday.

Numerous tips from the public led to the arrest of Benjamin Rivers, 33, by DeKalb County police, said the FBI in a press release. Rivers is charged with multiple federal offenses.

Rivers followed a similar pattern in each of the robberies, the FBI said.

He would allegedly enter the bank wearing a baseball cap, wait in line and approach a teller while speaking on a cellphone.

Then he’d present a demand note that said he had a gun. No weapon was ever displayed in the robberies, however.

After receiving money, Rivers would flee the premises, the FBI said. Staff reports

Empowerment office wins honor

DeKalb County’s Office of Neighborhood Empowerment earned a community award during the recent Association County Commissioners of Georgia annual conference.

The association named the office, known as One DeKalb, at its 2012 Civic and Community Engagement Advocate of the Year for its work in creating and supporting community events. April Hunt

Project to impact West Ponce traffic

Decatur drivers can expect traffic delays on West Ponce de Leon Avenue near the post office this week due to sidewalk and curb repairs.

The work covers the area from Nelson Ferry Road to Pinetree Road. Approximately 400 feet of both curbing and sidewalk will be fixed in front of the First Christian Church, along with another 250 feet of curbing and 70 feet of sidewalk alongside the Hampton Court townhouse development.

Work should take two or three weeks during which one lane of West Ponce traffic will be closed in front of the church. Bill Banks for the AJC

Retired educators to meet Thursday

The Georgia Retired Educators Association in Decatur and DeKalb will hold its monthly meeting this week.

Retirees from Decatur and DeKalb schools, both public and private, as well as retirees of other districts who live in the county, are welcome in the group, which will hold its year-end luncheon this month.

The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Decatur First Christian Church fellowship hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

Information: 770-498-9493. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

United Way picks new fundraising chairman

Alphonso Ogbuehi, dean of the school of business at Clayton State University, will lead the 2012-13 fundraising effort for the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta in Clayton County.

Ogbuehi worked with others on the United Way’s Campaign Cabinet to raise money to fund work in the organization’s focus areas of education, health, income and homelessness.

The United Way funds several programs in Clayton including the board of health’s hypertension and diabetes clinic, which helps the underinsured and uninsured. Shelia M. Poole

Family court holds workshop for litigants

Fulton County Superior Court’s Family Division is holding “Family Law Community Days” this month to help those planning to represent themselves in Family Court. The court handles divorces and child support cases, among other things. The division wants to give pointers about paperwork requirements and court processes.

The next session will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the county’s South Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, suite 224, in south Fulton. Another will follow Saturday in Atlanta. Information: www.fultoncourt.org. Johnny Edwards

Commission to hold hearing on grant

Clayton County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on tonight regarding the Edward Byrne Memorial Local Law Enforcement Assistance grant program. The hearing will be at 7 p.m. at the Clayton County administration building, 112 Smith St. in Jonesboro.

The purpose of the hearing is to let the public know the Clayton County police department is applying for the Byrne grant to buy motorcycles and equipment. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City senior center to re-open

A special celebration will be held Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. to commemorate the re-opening of the Gathering Place senior center in Peachtree City.

The center has been closed for renovations following a new partnership between the city and Fayette Senior Services. The open house will feature refreshments and presentations by FSS staff regarding new programs being offered for older adults.

Seating is limited; RSVP to 770-461-0813.

The center is in the McIntosh Recreation Area at 203 McIntosh Trail. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette chamber to host jobs briefing

The Fayette Chamber of Commerce will host a breakfast briefing Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. featuring Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

The event, at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City, will include a panel discussion among educational and industrial leaders about “21st Century Jobs and Workforce Challenges & Opportunities.”

It is open to chamber members and nonmembers; admission is $20 per person.

To register, visit www.FayetteChamber.org or call 770-461-9983. Jill Howard Church for the AJC