County by county news for Tuesday

The city council in 2011 designated an area of distressed properties in the city as an opportunity zone for redevelopment. The zone allows business owners who create two or more jobs to apply for state tax credits through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

Information: www.smyrnacity.com.Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Family history research explored

Family history research will be explored 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Tips on using the library’s online and print resources in genealogical research will be given by Carolyn Crawford, head of the The Georgia Room, the genealogical and historical collection of the Cobb County Public Library System.

Registration is required.

Participants should bring their laptop computers if they have one.

Information: cobbcat.org/GaRm-1.html or 770-439-3600.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Burglaries, entering autos on increase

West Cobb police report “a spike” around Macland and Powder Springs Roads in residential burglaries and entering autos.

These crimes “remain the most significant incidents officers respond to on a regular basis,” Precinct 5 police note in this month’s email bulletin.

Burglaries also have been reported in the Lost Creek subdivision on Due West Road.

Police urge residents to call 911 about suspicious persons, vehicles or activities, including number of suspects (age, height, weight, hair color, clothing), vehicle description (color, make, model, type, tag number), direction of travel and observation of property or weapons. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell approves park improvements

The Austell City Council approved improvements to two parks last week.

Behind the pavilion on the back side of Legion Park, more parking will be added along with beach volleyball, covered horseshoe pits and playground equipment.

The $45,000 cost will be paid with $18,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds for the playground and $27,000 of special purpose local option sales tax funds.

Also, the city will buy a half-acre lot at 3045 Veterans Memorial Highway for $20,000 to provide access into Louise Suggs Memorial Park, including the city’s new disc golf course. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

KSU to host casino night fundraiser

The Kennesaw State University College of Continuing and Professional Education will host a Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Dr., Kennesaw.

Tickets are $100.

Information: www.ksufundraiser.com or 770-499-3340. Veronica Fields Johnson

GWINNETT

Lower speed limits along Peachtree Industrial

Gwinnett County recently lowered the speed limits along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to 45 miles per hour from SR 141/Peachtree Parkway to SR 20/Nelson Brogdon Boulevard and 50 mph from SR 20 to the Hall County line.

Transportation staff reviewed speed studies, crash history, and drove the corridor during peak hours before recommending the speed limits be lowered to improve safety, consistency and to prevent future accidents.

Informationi: www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Ribbon cut on school fitness center

Gov. Nathan Deal, First Lady Sandra Deal, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils Jake Steinfeld, dignitaries and more than 350 students participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Berkmar Middle School’s state-of-the-art Live PositivelyTM Fitness Center recently. Berkmar was awarded a fitness center for demonstrating innovative ways to promote student physical activity and wellness.

Nancy Badertscher

Longer turn lanes at busy intersections

Gwinnett DOTwill use Quick Response funds to extend left turn lanes on Lawrenceville Suwanee Road at Satellite Boulevard and on Beaver Ruin Road on the west side of the I-85 interchange. Gwinnett will also install left turn lanes on Buford Highway at South Scales Road and extend an existing one at South Lee Street under a $215,170 contract. A $180,000 contract will extend left turn lanes on Scenic Highway at Jackson Street and on Grayson Highway at Webb Gin House Road. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Organization to sponsor free SAT Prep

College Nannies & Tutors of Duluth offers a free SAT Prep class 5 to 8 p.m. today at Gwinnett Fire Station 7, 3343 Bunten Road, Duluth.

Participants must register at least a week in advance by calling 678-259-0232. Information: www.collegetutors.com.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Adopt-A-Road seeks volunteer groups

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and the Gwinnett Department of Transportation is urging more residents to join the Adopt-A-Road program to help reduce trash and illegal signage alongside county roads.

Information: www.gwinnettcb.org/volunteer or 770-822-5187 or gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Kudzu Art Zone to host charity exhibit

Kudzu Art Zone will partner with Perimeter Church’s Global Outreach Ministry in a fundraising event to bring hope, food, shelter and health services to the village of Karansi, Tanzania. The Karansi Project will feature artwork inspired by daily life in the African village. All proceeds and any donations will benefit Karansi widows and orphans. Kudzu Art Zone is looking for local artists to submit their artwork 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. Additional details about the exhibition as well as requirements for entry available at www.kudzuartzone.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Higher water, sewer rates coming for Canton

Canton residents and businesses will pay higher water and sewer rates beginning Oct. 1. The 4.5% hike is part of the fiscal 2014 budget approved early this month.

City Manager Scott Wood said a typical homeowner will pay about $3.00 more monthly. Wood said a major impetus for the hike is the need to modernize and upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Information: www.canton-georgia.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Tax burden lighter for Ball Ground residents

Ball Ground residents will pay less in city property taxes this year.

The City Council late last week decided to leave the millage rate at an even 6 mills.

City Manager Eric Wilmarth says that, because the city saw a $1.3 million drop in the tax digest residents will, on average, pay about 3 percent or 13 dollars less-on taxes due in December. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek library to host teen writing club

The Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library branch will host the NESO Writer’s Club for Teens at 2:30 p.m. on most fourth Sundays at the library, 9560 Spruill Rd., Johns Creek. NESO writing tutor Sarah Calhoun will lead monthly workshops on writing and youth ages 12-18 are encouraged to bring works in progress to share and discuss.

Registration is required. Information: 770-360-8820.

Veronica Fields Johnson

Cherokee program seeks nominees

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominees for the 2014 Leadership Cherokee class through Oct. 1.

Nominees will fill out a written application and be interviewed for possible placement in the nine-month leadership training program which begins in January.

Those selected must live and/or work in Cherokee. Information: 770-345-0400.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth jail, courthouse construction on Web

Forsyth County residents can monitor construction of the new courthouse and jail in downtown Cumming via time-lapse videos of the construction at forsythco.com.

Videos will be updated weekly. Completion of the $100 million project is set for December 2014.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee victim notification offered

The Cherokee County Victim & Notification Everyday registration is a comprehensive community awareness program that uses computer technology and the telephone to provide victims of crime with offender custody information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Callers to the VINE hotline can determine the custody status of an offender in the Cherokee County Jail.

Registered victims will also receive automated telephone notification upon the arrest, release, transfer, or escape of that offender. .

Information: 770-928-0239. Staff

ATLANTA

Braves fan club holds fall luncheon

The Braves 400 Fan Club’s 2013 Call-Up Luncheon will be Sept. 25, at Turner Field’s 755 Club. Players recently added to the Atlanta Braves roster have been invited to attend. Former Braves pitcher and MLB All-Star Billy Wagner will make a special appearance to sign his new book, “A Way Out: Faith, Hope & the Love of the Game.” The luncheon begins at noon. The public is welcome.

Reservations: www.braves400.org/event.luncheon.20130925.html.The Braves 400 Fan Club supports baseball at all levels in the community. Nancy Badertscher

Auburn library to host film screening

The Auburn Avenue Research Library will host a screening of the 2010 feature film For Colored Girls, an adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s theatrical classic, at 3 p.m Sept. 29. This film is rated R and contains material not suitable for children. After the screening, there will be a brief community discussion of the film. The event is part of the library’s From Stage to Big Screen Fall Movie Series.

Information: 404-730-4001 x100. Veronica Fields Johnson

Superintendent will speak at conference

Atlanta Superintendent Erroll Davis will deliver the keynote address at the Board Governance Summit conference today and Wednesday at the Terry Executive Education Center in Buckhead.

The conference examines the impact of regulatory changes in legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of board members. Mark Niesse

Rehab center sponsors falls prevention event

The Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center will host a falls prevention awareness fair 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the center, 1821 Anderson Avenue, N.W. Health screenings for vision, balance, blood pressure and blood sugar will be offered. Medication reviews are available and participants should bring a list of their prescriptions. Free, donations accepted.

Information: 678-420-2915. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Brookhaven offering interactive maps

Brookhaven residents and businesses can access a new interactive city map online.

The GIS WebApp will show city boundaries and districts, allowing users to look up properties by owner, house number of parcel number. Information: brookhavenga.gov/map.html.

April Hunt

History Center to host genealogy workshop

The DeKalb History Center will host a Lunch & Learn with genealogy columnist Kenneth H. Thomas Jr. at 1 p.m. today at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, Second Floor, Old Superior Courtroom, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Attendees will learn how to research a family tree and receive tips on how to make the process easier. The event is free and attendees can bring their lunch. Information: 404-373-1088. Veronica Fields Johnson

Retired educators meet this week

The Georgia Retired Educators Association in Decatur and DeKalb will hold its monthly meeting 2 p.m. Thursday at Decatur First Christian Church fellowship hall, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.

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. Information: 770-498-9493. April Hunt

DeKalb hosting job fair Wednesday

DeKalb Workforce Development will a job fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Workforce offices, 774 Jordan Lane,as part of an economic development showcase.

Information: 404-687-3400.

April Hunt

Pit bulls can be spayed or neutered for free

A new program at DeKalb County Animal Services will provide free spay and neuter procedures to pit bulls and pit bull mixes owned by DeKalb County residents. The Free Pit Fix program, funded by a private grant, aims to combat pit bull overpopulation and reduce the number of pit bulls euthanized.

The free spay/neuter service will be provided by LifeLine Animal Project in Avondale Estates, and will include vaccinations.

Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com or DeKalb County Animal Services, 845 Camp Road. Mea Watkins

“Walk of Heroes” 5K returns

Registration is underway for a 5K run/walk to benefit DeKalb County residents with developmental disabilities, substance addiction and mental illness.

The Walk of Heroes will be held Saturday, in Kirkwood. All proceeds benefit the DeKalb Community Service Board.

Information/race registration: www.walkofheroes5k.com.

April Hunt

Registration open for basketball leagues

DeKalb County parks is accepting registration through November for a winter adult basketball league at all county recreation centers.

Cost is $320 per team an eight-game season that begins in December. Participants must be 35 or older and provide their own uniforms for the league.

Information: 770-414-2113. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Commission applications due Friday

Applications for volunteer positions on Peachtree City’s Planning Commission are due by 5 p.m. Friday at City Hall. Members of the five-member board are appointed to three-year terms, with meetings on the second Monday of each month.

The group helps administer the city’s zoning and land development ordinances. Applications at peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?nid=155. Jill Howard Church for the AJCSheriff Hill to speak at ‘Leader Night’

Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill will be the featured speaker at the “Meet Your Leader Night” Monday at the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, 6549 Highway 85 in Riverdale. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the question and answer session is 7 to 8 p.m. Phone: 770 991-9498. Tammy Joyner

Henry teacher honored by Symetra, Falcons

Rocky Creek fourth grade teacher, Gaelon Farquharson has been recognized by Symetra Financial as one of its 16 Heroes in the Classroom along with the Atlanta Falcons and SunTrust Bank. The Heroes in the Classroom program honors teachers who balance curriculum with students’ individual needs, build trust among students, parents, and the community and invest in their students’ long-term success. The honor netted the school $1,000 for supplies, an autographed Julio Jones jersey, and tickets to a Falcons game. Nancy Badertscher

Fayette Expo highlights businesses

More than 100 Fayette County businesses will be showcased at the Fayette Chamber’s 23rd Annual Community Expo 3 to 7 p.m. today at New Hope Baptist Church’s south campus, 1563 Joel Cowan Parkway. Healthcare providers, legal and business services, education resources and home and pet products will be among the exhibits.

Admission is free; see www.FayetteChamber.org or call 770-461-9983. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

College Park library to offer GED testing

The College Park Library Branch will offer GED Testing at 9 a.m. Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 at the library, 3647 Main St., College Park. The GED consists of five tests.

Each test is $32 and the entire battery is $160. Each participant must bring a valid state ID and money order when registering. Information: 404-762-4060. Veronica Fields Johnson

Early voting in Henry begins Oct. 14

Voters in Henry County may cast ballots beginning Oct. 14 at the county election headquarters, 345 Phillips Dr., McDonough. And Monday through Saturday until Nov. 2.

The polls open Oct. 19 at the Ted Strickland Community Center, 130 W. Berry St., Stockbridge. And starting Oct. 28: Hampton Depot, 17 E. Main St.; Locust Grove Recreation Center, 10 Cleveland St.

Voters in all of Henry County will decide a SPLOST referendum. Monroe Roark for rhe AJC