County by county news for Tuesday

Luz Gutierrez, 46, who ran a brothel, also pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens. Gutierrez employed illegal aliens as house caretakers and as prostitutes and regularly recruited illegal alients living in Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts and North Carolina to come to Georgia and work in brothels, prosecutors said. She is to be sentenced July 10. Bill Rankin

Special election set to replace Pearlberg

A special election to replace outgoing Marietta City Councilman Irvan Alan Pearlberg will be held July 31, along with the general primary.

The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration held a special early-morning meeting Monday to set the date for the special election.

Pearlberg, who has been on the council for six years, resigned from his seat on April 20 to run for Cobb County Superior Court Judge. Ernie Suggs

Crowds expected for Taste of Marietta

If the weather is good, Marietta expects close to 100,000 people to turn out from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday for the 19th Taste of Marietta on streets around the downtown Square. More than 80 restaurants and food vendors will sell samples of barbecue to seafood and desserts for 50 cents to $5. The event will include a car show, sports corner, kids activities, food truck alley and a sunset concert with Banks & Shane. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Smyrna gears up for Jonquil Festival

More than 175 artists will set up at Smyrna’s Jonquil Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 200 Village Green Circle in downtown Smyrna. Art will include paintings, crafts, furniture, jewelry, pottery and folk art. The annual Jonquil City 5K Jog starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at Smyrna City Hall, 2800 King St. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Senior center opens new building

The Austell Neighborhood Senior Center opened Monday in a new building in a new location -- Clarkdale Park. The site, 4905 Austell-Powder Springs Road, is near its original location in Legion Park until the September 2009 floods devastated it for the second time in around four years. Free tours are open to the public by appointment on weekdays after 2 p.m. Information: Cobb Senior Services Program Leader Linda Martin, 770-819-3200. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Cobb EMC elects last two board members

Cobb EMC members elected the final two members of the co-op’s 10-member board on Saturday in a runoff election.

Tripper Sharp, one of the members who sued the company in 2007, and David McClellan were selected to fill the seats. The election represents a full turnover on the board, which now has 10 new members and no incumbent directors. Sharp and McClellan will serve until 2016. The new board will hold a town hall meeting for members on tonight at the EMC offices in Marietta.

Election results: www.cobbemc.com Janel Davis

GWINNETT

County to install traffic cameras on Ga. 124

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved new traffic cameras on Ga. 124 last week. Commissioners awarded a $677,377 contract to Midasco LLC to install fiber-optic cables and traffic monitoring cameras along nearly 7 miles of the highway from U.S. 78 to the DeKalb County line. The new equipment will allow Gwinnett to make real-time adjustments to traffic signals based on conditions. The public can view live feeds from traffic cameras 24 hours a day at www.gcsmartcommute.com and on the county’s cable television channel from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. David Wickert

Hugh Floyd to seek a sixth term

Norcross Democrat Hugh Floyd announced Monday his plans to seek a sixth term in the Georgia House. Floyd, a retired sales executive, serves on the House Education, Economic Development and Tourism, Governmental Affairs and Industrial Relations committees. “In addition to dealing with the ongoing economic challenges facing the Georgia these days, the General Assembly has many other issues that must be addressed,” Floyd said. “Experienced leadership is needed at the State Capitol now more than ever.” Info: www.hughfloyd.com. Nancy Badertscher

Elementary school wins $15,000

Chattahoochee Elementary School claimed a $15,000 prize Monday from a recent contest aimed at helping schools with technology and other equipment. More than 1,000 schools in the U.S. and Canada entered, and Chattahoochee was one of three winners. The school received a check from Steve Gornall, owner of Cartridge World in Johns Creek, at a surprise faculty meeting. Nancy Badertscher

Five students go to national competition

The artistic talent of five Gwinnett County Public School students has put them on the path to national recognition from the National Parent Teacher Association. The five -- who advance to the national PTA competition as first place state winners -- are: Duncan Creek Elementary first grader William Skidmore III and Mill Creek High senior Ian Brown in musical composition; Pharr Elementary fourth grader Iris Hundeby in dance choreography; Pinckneyville Middle eighth grader Maya Vuist in film production; Mill Creek High 11th grader Kay Thomas in visual arts. Nancy Badertscher

Buford tax notices have errors

Potentially 4,500 Buford households mistakenly received tax notices showing no homestead deduction. Corrected notices are being issued, and residents will be given additional time to appeal.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

Library to host teen summit Saturday

The Gwinnett County Public Library will host a teen summit from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center, 10 College St., Norcross. Online safety, safe driving, self-defense and job hunting are among the topics to be covered. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth board changes school calendar

The Forsyth County School Board made several changes to its 2012-13 student calendar recently, reducing student days by one, to 178 and teacher workdays by three, to 187.

School officials say the decision will save money, in light of increased employer medical costs and anticipated continued shortfalls in state and local revenue. School begins Aug. 9.

More info: www.forsyth.k12.ga.us Mark Woolsey for the AJC

New finance director on job in Woodstock

Woodstock has a new finance director. City manager Jeff Moon says Robert Porche started Monday. Porche has held similar positions with the cities of Smyrna and Holly Springs, and is a Woodstock resident. He replaces Henry Bucci, who resigned this year after audits showed his department had record-keeping issues. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Boulder Dash 5K runs on Saturday

Runners and walkers are invited to the third annual Boulder Dash 5K, at 9 a.m. Saturday at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr. in Cumming. The event, which includes a run through Lafarge Quarry, is being organized by the Healthcare Association of Forsyth County. Registration is $30 and the last day to register online is Thursday. Information: www.BoulderDash5k.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

Reinhardt to break ground on music center

Officials at Reinhardt University in Waleska will break ground May 15 on the Ken White Music Center. The 4,000 square-foot addition will almost double instructional space for the school’s music program. The $750,000 project is set for late summer completion. The groundbreaking will be at 9 a.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Heart scans offered to Johns Creek athletes

Smart Heart Scans for athletes will be offering mobile heart ultrasound for Johns Creek High School athletes starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the school, 5575 State Bridge Road. The scan was developed in response to the growing concern regarding high school athletes falling victim to Sudden Cardiac Death from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, also known as the enlarged heart. Information: www.smartheartscans.com or contact the school at 770-623-2138. Sandra Marshall Murray

Canton Main Street board to meet

The Canton Main Street Program board of directors will hold its annual work session on May 1 from 5-7 p.m. to set economic development and other goals for the downtown area. One item on the agenda involves refining a controversial proposed excise tax on rental car companies that would fund rental assistance for new businesses locating downtown. The proposal is set to go back before the City Council May 17. The Main Street Program is headquartered at 151 Elizabeth St., and the meeting is open to the public. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

GDOT wants input on passenger terminal

The Georgia Department of Transportation says it wants public input on the multimodal passenger terminal proposed for downtown Atlanta. GDOT has started preparing an environmental impact statement, a key initial step toward the project’s development, and plans to hold a series of public meetings on the need and purpose of the project, alternatives and their potential impacts. The first meeting is scheduled for today from 4-7 p.m. in the Freight Room of the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive S.E. Jeremiah McWilliams

Football game benefits Epilepsy Foundation

The North Atlanta Men of Excellence at North Atlanta High School are hosting “Chilly Bowl,” a flag football tournament to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. The event is Friday at 4:30 p.m. at the North Atlanta High turf field. Players must be North Atlanta students and the cost is $5 per player.

Sponsorship opportunities available. Information: Aly Lacks at 404-527-7155 or aly@epilepsyga.org. Jaime Sarrio

Environmental Youth Award to be presented

The 2011 President’s Environmental Youth award will be presented at the “Downtown Atlanta Cleanup Challenge Celebration” set for 11 a.m. today at Centennial Olympic Park. Gwen Keyes Fleming, Region 4 administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, will present the award to Andrew Day of Fort Valley.

More info: http://www.epa.gov/peya. Nancy Badertscher

Hosts wanted for French students

A French cultural exchange group is looking for Atlanta host families for 25 French students who will be visiting from July 5 through July 25.

Paris-based sponsor Loisirs Culturels à l’étranger gives the teens comprehensive medical insurance and gives host families compensation for room and board. Information: 770-973-2452, lgfarmer@aol.com and see www.lec-usa.com. Ty Tagami

DEKALB

State of Perimeter address to be Friday

The annual address examining the Perimeter Mall and business area in both DeKalb and Fulton counties has been slated for later this month.

The “State of the Perimeter” panel will feature DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and mayors from Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.

The free event begins at 11:30 a.m. April 27 at Villa Christina on Summit Boulevard. The Perimeter Community Improvement District, a self-taxing district that oversees development in the area, is sponsoring the event. April Hunt

Police shoot man in domestic disturbance

A suspect in a DeKalb County domestic disturbance was shot and wounded by officers Sunday afternoon, police said.

Channel 2 Action News reported that when officers went to the home on Brannen Road to arrest the man, he took off running, and was chased by officers to a yard on Sugar Creek Place.

“He threatened the officers, and they gave him verbal commands to show them his hands, and he refused,” DeKalb police Lt. C.A. Williams told Channel 2.

The station reported that officers used a Taser on the man, then shot him.

Police have not released the man’s name or his condition. Mike Morris

County event strives to get kids insured

DeKalb County will host an event Wednesday in Decatur that focuses on getting children health insurance.

The lunchtime event, presented with West End Medical Centers, will provide information on getting low-cost insurance for children and assistance for those who qualify.

The event runs from noon to 1 p.m. at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr. Registration is required to receive lunch. Information or to register gbjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Clarkston needs volunteers for clean-up

Clarkston and Keep DeKalb Beautiful are teaming up in a clean-up effort on Saturday for the city and a large park.

Volunteers will help remove litter and debris from city streets or the South Fork Peachtree Creek at Friendship Forest. Volunteers also can help install curb markers on storm drains, reminders not to dump into the waterways.

All crews will meet at 9 a.m. the Woman’s Club on Church Street. Information: 404-296-6489. April Hunt

Big band music returns to the mall

The chance to dance and sway to big-band music returns this week at Northlake Mall in Tucker. The Atlanta-New York Connection provides the music at the free event held in the mall’s food court. The next dance will be from 6-8 p.m. today at the mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road. April Hunt

Brookhaven Farmer’s Market set to open

The Brookhaven Farmer’s Market will open for its second season May 5. Located in the 1400 block of Brookhaven’s Dresden Drive, the market will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through late fall. The market will offer locally-grown products from more than 20 farmers, food producers and artisans. Information: www.brookhavenfarmersmarket.com. Laurie Hoffman

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette County names teacher of year

Whitewater High School math teacher Jacqueline Mullen was named Fayette County’s 2012 Teacher of the Year at a ceremony last week. Mullen was among three finalists chosen from 29 teachers nominated from each of the county’s elementary, middle and high schools. Finalists received cash and prizes donated by local businesses. Mullen told her students, “Thank you for allowing me to consider you my children for 180 days, and please don’t ever forget that it’s OK to like math.”

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Ministers’ prayer breakfast May 3

The Clayton County Minister’s Conference annual prayer breakfast will be May 3 at the National Archives-Atlanta, 5780 Jonesboro Road in Morrow. The event is part of the National Day of Prayer. Tickets are $15. Clayton County Board of Health Director Alpha Fowler-Bryan is this year’s featured speaker. Details 678 479-7730. Tammy Joyner

Henry zoning meetings to air on cable TV

Henry TV14, the Henry County government access channel, will begin broadcasting the Henry County Zoning Advisory Board meetings May 10. They will be aired live the second Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. and then rebroadcast the following Thursday at the same time.

Visit www.hcpz.org for more information about the Zoning Advisory Board or to view meeting agendas. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Ramsey to speak to Fayette Tea Party group

Rep. Matt Ramsey will speak to members of the Fayette County Issues Tea Party at the group’s meeting today at 7 p.m. at Whitewater Creek Amenities Center.

Ramsey will discuss several key legislative actions and how he voted. Tammy Joyner

Henry burning ban begins May 1

Henry County, like the rest of the metro Atlanta area, will be under a total outdoor burning ban beginning May 1.

All outdoor burning will prohibited.

The ban is scheduled to be lifted Oct. 1, but that date is subject to change based on weather conditions, according to officials with the Henry County Fire Department. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division mandates this ban.

Violators will be subject to a fine of up $1,000 per day per violation, or 60 days in jail, or both, according to county code.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Education reform author to speak

Education reform author Dr. Tony Wagner will discuss 21st century education skills for students on Thursday at Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville.

Wagner is the founder of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

His books include “The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need – and What We Can Do About It.”

The lecture is free and begins at 6:30 p.m. Jill Howard Church for the AJC