County by county news for Tuesday

Board chairwoman won’t return to teach

Cobb County school board chairwoman Alison Bartlett said she will not return to her job as a math teacher in Douglas County. Bartlett said she was offered a contract to return but opted not to because of her health. She suffered a heart attack earlier this year. Before becoming a teacher she worked as an engineer and then a stay-at-home mom. Jaime Sarrio

Meetings to explain political redistricting

The traveling community meetings explaining how Georgia’s political redistricting will proceed this year will be near Cherokee and Cobb counties today in Cartersville. The meeting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Clarence Brown Conference Center, 5450 Ga. 20. Because of the new population numbers from the U.S. census, Georgia’s political districts for state House and Senate seats and for federal representatives and senators will be redrawn. Information: www.brownconferencecenter.com.Christopher Quinn

‘GWTW’ actors in Marietta this weekend

Ann Rutherford, Patrick Curtis and Mickey Kuhn Gone, actors who had roles in Gone with the Wind, will appear at Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum events Friday and Saturday.

The tribute will mark the 75th anniversary of Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel. Information: 770-794-5145 or csoutherland@mariettaga.gov. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

K-9 Coach Cobb small business of the year

Smyrna-based K-9 Coach dog training company was selected Monday as the 2011 Cobb Chamber small business of the year.

The canine company, founded in 2001, is owned by Amber Burckhalter, employees 26 people and will represent Cobb in the statewide small business of the year competition. K-9 Coach became the first-ever company to be voted Best of Atlanta Dog Training, Best of Atlanta Dog Boarding and Best of Atlanta Doggie Daycare in 2009.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the presenting sponsor of the Cobb Chamber Small Business of the Year program. Janel Davis

Kids film festival today in Powder Springs

A free Children’s Foreign Film Festival begins today at the Powder Springs Library.

“The Little Prince” from France will be shown from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Other films will be “Babe” from Australia on June 21, “Mulan” from China on July 5 and “Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer” from Japan on July 19.

Information: 770-439-3600. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Gwinnett, Hall help each other in emergencies

Gwinnett and Hall County officials have agreed to help each other out in the event of a fire or other emergency.

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners recently approved an automatic aid agreement with their northern neighbors for fire and emergency services. The agreement also allows firefighters from both counties to train together. Gwinnett Fire Chief Bill Myers said the new agreement formalizes a long-standing verbal agreement to share equipment and resources across county borders. He said it will help reduce response times and provide adequate coverage along the county line. David Wickert

ARC awards grant for senior services

The Atlanta Regional Commission has awarded a $160,716 grant to Gwinnett County Senior Services to help pay for a voucher program for older adults with disabilities or low-income people.

The Gwinnett grant is part of $2.3 million in federal funding the commission is distributing to 10 local agencies. The agencies operate transportation programs or transit routes that serve people who do not drive because of age, disability or because they cannot afford a car. David Wickert

Anti-child sex training June 23

A Future. Not A Past. – the Juvenile Justice Fund’s campaign to stop child prostitution in Georgia – will provide free training June 23 to professionals in law enforcement, prosecution and forensic interviewing to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gwinnett County Police Training Center at 854 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville.

Info: Grace Schouten at grace@juvenilejusticefund.org or 404-613-4820. Andria Simmons

Lilburn to accept bids on sidewalk extension

Lilburn will accept bids for the city’s Hillcrest Road Sidewalk Extension until 2 p.m. June 24. The work to be completed consists of a sidewalk installation on the north side of Hillcrest Road.Information: http://www.cityoflilburn.com Joel Anderson

Final audition for Lilburn Idol Thursday

Do you want to be the next Lilburn Idol?

If so, the final audition for the Lilburn Idol competition will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The audition will be held in the auditorium of the Calvin Fitchett Municipal Complex at 76 Main Street. Fill out a registration form at http://www.cityoflilburn.com. PDF or either fax it to 770-921-8942, drop it off at City Hall or bring it to the audition. The first Idol performance will be held June 24. Joel Anderson

Aurora Theatre to host swing night

The Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville will host Swing Night on June 25, inviting guests to come out in bell bottoms and fringe to celebrate the 1970s. The Metro Jazz Club, a 17-piece band that covers famous ‘70s artists like Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago, will start the concert at 8:00 p.m. Tickets cost $18.

Information: www.auroratheatre.com or 678-226-6222. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Board to reconsider Cherokee charter school

Cherokee County School Board Chairman Robert Rechsteiner and Superintendent Frank Petruzielo have called a special meeting June 30, at 7:30 p.m. to consider the revised petition by Cherokee Charter Academy to open a school this fall.

After the board twice turned down their petition, the academy’s organizers then got their charter through a state commission, which the Georgia Supreme Court recently ruled had no power to approve charter schools. The academy’s organizers then resubmitted revised their petition. Christopher Quinn

Roswell rec department releases calendar

The Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department is distributing “Best Summer Ever!” calendars at community activity buildings and at City Hall. The calendars note all department events through August. Calendars can also be downloaded at the city’s website, at www.roswellgov.com/bestsummerever. Patrick Fox

Burglar caught in Alpharetta home

A man was arrested Friday in Alpharetta after he was caught breaking into a house on Lowe Lane.

Alpharetta Police found the intruder in the living room, where he was arrested without a fight. Police also found a .32 caliber handgun at the scene. The intruder, Tyrus Rome, was charged with burglary, police said. Andria Simmons

Milton unveils upgraded Bethwell center

Milton will unveil its recently renovated Bethwell Community House at 11 a.m. today. The house, located at 2695 Hopewell Road, was built in the early 1950s and obtained through Fulton County when the city incorporated in 2006.

The $140,000 renovation includes a large porch, playground, parking, central heating and air conditioning, new restrooms, a new kitchen and new floors. Patrick Fox

Workshop on homeless services Wednesday

Fulton County, the Office of Housing and Community Development will hold a workshop on transitional housing and emergency shelters on Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Fulton Annex, 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs.

County-operated and collaboratively-operated facilities include the Jefferson Place Complex for men, Eden Village at the City of Refuge for women and children, and Odyssey Villas at Vineyard Courts for families. Information: 404-874-0412. Johnny Edwards

Fulton schools set up summer food program

The Fulton County School System is participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Seamless Summer Food Service Program,” providing breakfast and lunch at no charge to school-age children under 18. Participating summer schools are: Heritage Elementary, Bear Creek Middle, Camp Creek Middle, Sandy Springs Middle, Paul D. West Middle, Centennial High and Tri-Cities High.

Three summer camps at Campbell Elementary School, Oakley Elementary School and Woodland Middle School also are participating.

Info: 404-669-8960 or www.summerfood.usda.gov.

Nancy Badertscher

ATLANTA

Council votes to scale back court

The Atlanta City Council voted 9-5 on Monday to not fill two judgeship vacancies at the Atlanta Municipal Court This will eliminate one vacant position and one that will be vacant later this month and drops the number of judges from 10 to eight. An audit suggested that the court could run with five judges for a projected savings of $2.3 million. Bill sponsor Felicia Moore, along with Carla Smith, Cleta Winslow, Natalyn Archibong, Alex Wan, Howard Shook, Yolanda Adrean, Joyce Sheperd, and Michael Bond voted for the change. Ivory Young, C.T. Martin, Aaron Watson, Keisha Bottoms and Lamar Willis voted against it. Ernie Suggs

Council panel to discuss pension changes

The Atlanta City Council’s Finance/Executive Committee has scheduled a pension legislative work session for 9:30 a.m. today to discuss the latest version of pending pension changes. A copy of the substitute legislation can be found at http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/2011/images/proposed/11O0672.pdf

The work session will be held in Council Chamber, Atlanta City Hall, 2nd Floor, 55 Trinity Ave. Ernie Suggs

Sugar Ray Leonard to sign books at library

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard will sign copies of his new book, “The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring,” Saturday at Atlanta’s West End branch library. The book has generated publicity because Leonard says he was sexually abused as a teenager by an unnamed, “prominent” Olympic coach. Leonard also describes his drug and alcohol abuse.

“The Big Fight,” written with Michael Arkush, goes on sale this month. The signing will start at noon at 525 Peeples St. S.W., Atlanta. Information: 404-752-8740. johnny edwards

Family Fiesta Saturday at Silverbacks Park

The Latin American Association will host a free Family Fiesta Saturday June 11.

The fun will begin at 11 a.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, 3200 Atlanta Silverbacks Way.

For information: 404-471-1892. D. Aileen Dodd

DEKALB

Emory names insider V.P. for health affairs

Dr. S. Wright Caughman has been named Emory University’s executive vice president for health affairs, CEO of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, and chairman of the board for Emory Healthcare.

The appointments are effective July 1.

Caughman joined the Emory School of Medicine faculty in 1990 after serving in the dermatology branch of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Shelia Poole

Commissioner laments demographic shift

Kecia Cunningham, Decatur’s second ever African-American commissioner, said Monday she’s concerned about the recent census revealing a diminishing minority population.

It’s particularly dramatic in Decatur’s southwest corridor that’s gone from 70 percent minority and 30 percent white in 2000 to a 70-30 white-minority ratio in 2010. “We are basically losing our long-time African American neighborhoods,” she said. “We are a city that’s long prided itself on diversity, yet when the rubber meets the road, we’re not living up to that promise. We’re becoming more of a homogenous middle-class city.”Bill Banks for the AJC

Brookhaven examines feasibility as a city

Researchers at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government have begun examining whether a city of Brookhaven could generate enough money to pay for basic government services.

The feasibility study is expected to be concluded by October and will look at multiple borders for a new city in north DeKalb County. April Hunt

Decatur High girls track and field team honored

During its 47th annual high school awards banquet, the Atlanta Track Club recently honored Decatur High’s girls track team, including head coach Freddie Jones, named as one of three All Metro Outstanding Girls Track Coaches.

Meantime Ashleigh Rasheed and Rosie Parker were named Co-Most Valuable Female Athletes.

Decatur won the AA state championship at the Girls State Track Meet, May 12-14 in Albany. Bill Banks for the AJC

Lynnwood pool closed for maintenance

DeKalb County’s Lynwood pool will be closed this week for maintenance.

The pool, at 3360 Osborne Road, is closed through Friday. Patrons looking for a dip can visit other nearby county pools in Kittredge Park, 2535 N. Druid Hills Road, in Medlock Park, 874 Gaylemont Circle or Murphey Candler Park, 1526 W. Nancy Creek Drive. April Hunt

Dunwoody police hold class for teen drivers

The Dunwoody Police Department is offering Collision Avoidance Training (C.A.T.) for teenage drivers. The program is an advanced defensive driving and vehicle control program designed for teens. To register, contact Lt. William Hegwood at william.hegwood@dunwoodyga.gov. Michelle E. Shaw

Doraville library holds magic show for kids

Doraville Library will host a magic show from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Wednesday. Magician Ken Scott will entertain children of all ages at this free event. No registration is required. Michelle E. Shaw

SOUTHSIDE

South Fulton educators named master teachers

Nine Title I teachers from South Fulton County have been named master teachers. They are: Monica Madden, Camp Creek Middle; Cleopatra Alma Ballantyne, Conley Hills Elementary; Jerilyn Denise Robinson, Hapeville Charter Middle; Toneka Charo Bussey, Love T. Nolan Elementary; Ida M. Ward, Sandtown Middle; James Andrew Payne, Seaborn Lee Elementary; Heavenly R. Montgomery, Stonewall Tell Elementary; Jennifer Slay, Stonewall Tell Elementary; and Elaida T. Pitts, Woodland Middle. Nancy Badertscher

Groundbreaking for memorial today

Construction begins today for the “Circle of Honor,” a granite obelisk at south Fulton’s Wolf Creek Amphitheater memorizing fallen public safety officers. The memorial will be circled by a path of bricks and benches, which individuals and businesses can purchase and have engraved.

Commissioners will attend a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. along with police and fire officials from throughout the county. Renalda Blount, mother of the late Fulton Police Officer Aaron Blount, will be a speaker. Johnny Edwards

Plans for Rex Village to be presented

The head of the Georgia Economic Development Tourism Division will present tourism and redevelopment plans for Historic Rex Village on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center, 3499 Rex Road in Rex. Bruce Green worked with the state’s economic development department, community affairs department, natural resources department, the environmental facilities authority and Georgia Tech to develop plans for Rex Village, which is on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s Places in Peril list. Tammy Joyner

Henry water department wins honor

Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority took top honors at the Georgia Association of Water Professionals’ recent Spring conference. The authority’s Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant and Indian Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and Land Application System were both named best in the state. A spokesman for the group said it is hard for a utility to win plant of the year and even harder to win two awards the same year. Tammy Joyner

Fayette chamber looks for Leadership alumni

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is seeking contact information from former participants in its Leadership Fayette program during the past 30 years. Alumni are asked to send their name, current occupation and participation year to info@fayettechamber.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Free family films return to Peachtree City

Free family films and entertainment will be held every other Friday night June 10-Aug. 5 at The Avenue in Peachtree City.

The “Movies in the Park” series begins with “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules” and continues with “Despicable Me,” “Rio” and more. Movies start at 7 p.m. Information: http://peachtreecity.shoptheavenue.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC