County by county news for Wednesday

There are no layoffs or decreases in service.

The property tax increase from 3.12 to 4 mills will become official only after three public hearings are held in July and another vote is taken. If approved, residents will pay an average of $39 more, said Finance Director Denise Soesbee. Now the owner of a $100,000 house in Austell pays around $2 for city taxes due to a county discount. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Pair charged in water park thefts

Two people have been charged with stealing from water park patrons.

For three straight weekends beginning May 19, the duo visited the park and took unattended valuables, Officer Dave Baldwin with Marietta police said.

When stolen credit cards were used at a nearby Wal-Mart, the store led investigators to the suspects, Baldwin said.

Amanda Young, 27, and Xavier Ransom, 18, both of Marietta, were arrested and charged with numerous felony charges and more are possible, police said. Alexis Stevens

Fabric.com to move to Kennesaw

Fabric.com, an online fabric store, will relocate its business off Franklin Road in Marietta to a larger location in Kennesaw. The company plans to move into a 200,000-square–foot building at Jiles Road and Royal Drive in August. The new location will allow the business, owned by Amazon.com, to add 50 employees to a staff of 200. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Velociteach names small business of year

Kennesaw-based company Velociteach was selected as the 2012 small business of the year on Monday by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Velociteach is a project management education and certification company of 26 employees serving more than 30,000 customers. In 2011, company employees contributed nearly 700 volunteer service hours and $24,000 in donations to local charities.

The company was chosen from 25 top small businesses for the award. Velociteach will compete in the state’s small business of the year competition later this year. Janel Davis

Cobb launches park outdoor fun today

Cobb’s “Outdoor Romping and Creek Stomping” family series of outdoor summer fun and educational activities begins today at East Cobb Park.

The series includes events throughout June and July including creek hikes, scavenger hunts and wetland walks.

Registration is $2 per person.

Information: 770-528-8803; karen.faucett@cobbcounty.org Janel Davis

Acworth to hold hearing on 2013 budget

Acworth will hold a public hearing about a proposed $32 million budget 7 p.m. Thursday at City hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave. The Board of Aldermen will decide the 2013 budget at another public meeting June 21. The budget includes a $10.9 million operating fund that is $390,000 less than in 2012. Acworth has had a 6 percent decrease in it its tax digest. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Planning director in Duluth honored

Duluth Planning Director Glenn Coyne was inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows at the National Planning Conference recently. Fellowship is granted to planners who have been members of AICP and have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public and community service, and leadership. Coyne was one of only 41, three from Georgia, inducted into the AICP College of Fellows this year. Kenneth Musisi

Keep the kids busy and laughing at the Aurora

The Aurora Theatre’s Children’s Playhouse in Lawrenceville hosts BlackTop Improv Group for kids today at 10 and 11:30 a.m.

BlackTop Improv Group comedians have appeared on BET, HBO and Comedy Central. BlackTop creates funny scenes using suggestions from the crowd, and with those suggestions coming from children.

Tickets: www.auroratheatre.com, or call 678-226-6222. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Bar honors Duluth Judge Charles Barrett

Duluth’s Chief Judge Charles Barrett received the Liberty Bell Award recently.

The award was presented to Judge Barrett by the Gwinnett County Bar Association at the “Law Day Banquet” at the Hudgens Center for the Arts.

Judge Barrett has served on the bench of the Duluth Municipal Court since 2001 and has developed many community programs in addition to presiding over the court. Kenneth Musisi

Norcross mayor highlights event

Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson will be featured at the Success Lives Here Business Leadership Series on June 15 at Duluth’s 1818 Club at 6500 Sugarloaf Pkwy.

The event is from 7:30 to 9 a.m. For information, call 678-957-4958. Michael Alpert for the AJC

‘Real Steel’ shows in Suwanee Saturday

Suwanee’s “B at the Movies” program will present “Real Steel” at Town Center Park on Saturday.

The event will begin around 7 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk. “Real Steel,” which is rated PG-13, is a boxing film set in a future where the sport has been taken over by 8-foot, 2,000-pound steel robots.

Moviegoers can bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. No alcohol will be permitted in the park. Joel Anderson

Arts league raising money for scholarships

The Duluth Fine Arts League’s fourth annual Arts at Twilight, “An Evening in Paris,” will be 7-10 p.m. , July 14 at Hardeman’s Stained Glass, 3111 Main St. in Duluth.

The event includes music, silent auction, wine, hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Proceeds go to the scholarship fund presented to high school seniors that will pursue a fine arts degree.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 by calling 770-476-7328. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Cherokee authority evicts recycling company

The Cherokee County Resource Recovery Development Authority met Tuesday to approve an eviction notice it served last month to Ball Ground Recycling. The recycling company, which formed a partnership with the county in 2005, was obligated to pay about $100,000 a month on $18.1 million in bonds Cherokee sold to fund the project. When the company’s business tanked last year, the county had to pick up the payments. It paid $1.2 million in 2011, and will pay another nearly $600,000 this year. The authority is composed of county commissioners. Jeffry Scott

Alpharettans can review downtown plans

Alpharetta residents will have three opportunities this month to gain information and pose questions about the city’s $30 million plan to develop 22 acres in the heart of its downtown. A public information meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at City Hall to introduce the latest site plans for the project. The public can attend a City Council workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday and at a council meeting at 7:30 p.m. June 18.

The current plan image can be viewed at www.alpharetta.ga.us. Patrick Fox

Olens files complaint against Gravitt

Attorney General Sam Olens filed a complaint Tuesday in Forsyth County Superior Court against Cumming mayor Henry Gravitt for violating Georgia open meetings laws by ordering activist Nydia Tisdale to turn off her video camera and leave an April 17 meeting of the Cumming City Council. The complaint asks for a fine of $1,000 or more, and legal costs. Jeffry Scott

Woodstock to hold open houses on zoning plan

Woodstock development officials will hold a pair of open houses Saturday and Monday to discuss a revised “Smart Code” draft zoning plan for the Ridgewalk Parkway area on the north side. Residents will be able to make comments during the meetings at the Chambers at City Center, 853 4 Main St., from 3-5 p.m. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Sandy Springs offers teen driving class

The Sandy Springs Police Department will present its next free teen driving class Teen Driving Class from 6 to 8 p.m. June 27 at the Sandy Springs Police Department. The two-hour class is designed to help parents and their new teen drivers, ages 14-16, learn what is necessary during the required 40 hours of supervised practice driving time. It is not a hands-on driver training class. A parent must accompany each teen, and registration is required.

Information and registration: email sandyspringsteeens@gmail.com. Patrick Fox

Candidates forum Tuesday in Cumming

Smart Growth Forsyth will hold a “Meet the Candidates” forum Tuesday night at the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce events facility, 513 W. Maple St., Cumming. Board of commissioner candidates from districts 2, 4 and 5 have been invited to discuss growth and quality of life issues. An audience Q and A is also scheduled. The forum begins at 7 p.m. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

School board approves lean budget

The Atlanta school board Monday approved a leaner $574.7 million budget calling for four furlough days and the possibility of 375 fewer positions. Almost every department was asked to cut spending this year by 10 percent to help fill a $47 million gap. Property tax revenue is expected to drop by $20 million and has decreased by $119 million since 2008. Over the same period, the budget for the 49,000-student district has decreased by $56 million. Officials say the budget allows the district to live within its means. Jaime Sarrio

GSU decides to keep fall graduation

Georgia State University reversed a decision to hold just one commencement a year and instead will continue to provide a fall ceremony, officials announced Tuesday. The university decided earlier this year to eliminate the fall event to save money and because of scheduling concerns with the Georgia Dome. Fall graduates would have been invited to walk in the spring ceremony. But students were not happy with the decision. Laura Diamond

History walk Saturday at preserve

Buckhead Heritage and the Blue Heron Nature Preserve invite the public to take “A Walk Through Time in North Buckhead” at 10 a.m. Saturday. The 2-hour trek begins at the Preserve, 4055 Roswell Road. Admission is free for members; $10 for non-members. 404- 345-1008; www.buckheadheritage.com. H.M. Cauley for the AJC

Libary marks Caribbean Heritage Month

For Caribbean American Heritage Month, Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library will have its fifth annual Caribbean Film Festival this month. On Wednesdays, receptions start at 5 p.m. and movies show at 6 p.m., followed by question-and-answer sessions.

The first showing, today, will be “Fire in Babylon,” a British documentary about the West Indies cricket team of the 1970s and 1980s. Next, on June 13, will be “Calypso Dreams.” The library is at One Margaret Mitchell Square. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Georgia Piedmont looks for new president

The Technical College System of Georgia formed a 13-person committee to search for the next president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

The committee is expected to start interviewing applicants within the next few weeks and will narrow the field to three candidates.

The former president, Robin Hoffman, retired last July. Larry Teems, the college’s executive vice president, has been serving as acting president. The college, based in Clarkston, teaches about 8,000 students. Laura Diamond

Librarian wins award for youth program

The youth services librarian at the Salem-Panola branch of the DeKalb County Library System recently won a national program that encourages teen interns at local libraries.

Candace Ushery’s award of $1,000 from the Young Adult Library Services Association will pay for two-month internships for up to four teens this summer at the Salem-Panola branch near Lithonia. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds the award. April Hunt

Hispanic group honors CEO Ellis

The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently honored DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis for excellence in public service.

The award was presented at the group’s annual award gala. Past recipients of the honor include Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, D-Atlanta. April Hunt

Adopt-A-Stream to hold training workshop

DeKalb County’s Adopt-A-Stream program will host a training workshop Saturday at Stone Mountain Park.

There is no charge for the session, which will train volunteers how to collect water samples from county streams and how to interpret the data.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park’s Confederate Hall, is limited to the 20 participants.

Registration/information: Michael O’Shield at 770-724-1456 or msoshield@dekalbcountyga.gov. April Hunt

Climb benefits Doctors Without Borders

Several organizations will come together to host the Stone Mountain Climb at 9 a.m. on Saturday, a fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders. There is no cost to participate, however there is a park fee to enter Stone Mountain Park. Donations are welcome. Doctors Without Borders works in nearly 70 countries providing aid to those most in need. Information: www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Kenneth Musisi

Log Cabin Storytelling series starts today

DeKalb History Center opens its Log Cabin Storytelling series today with B. J. Abraham’s “Bear Stories: History of the First Teddy Bear.” Sessions are every Wednesday through July (except July 4), 10 to 11 a.m., at the Biffle Cabin, 720 W. Trinity Pl., in Decatur. Readings are for children ages 6 – 12, $4 per child for History Center members or $6 for non-members. There’s a 10 percent discount for purchase of a summer season pass for all seven sessions. For reservations and information: Leslie Borger at 404-373-1088, ext. 20, or email borger@dekalbhistory.org. Bill Banks for the AJC

DEKALB

Fayette board gives first nod to tight budget

The Fayette County Board of Education narrowly approved its $178 million preliminary budget for 2012-13 on Monday. The plan calls for using the $15 million fund balance from this year and reducing employee benefits to balance the budget amid falling revenue. Marion Key and Bob Todd balked at the plan. Todd favors pay cuts for all employees; Key offered no alternative to what was proposed. Supt. Jeff Bearden said the emphasis is on cutting operating costs rather than student programs or teachers. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Edwards: Funk Fest profitable for county

The two-day Funk Fest at Wolf Creek Amphitheater last month turned a $68,000 profit for Fulton County, according to Commissioner Bill Edwards. The figure is $28,000 above projected earnings.

It was the $7 million venue’s first for-profit event with sizable attendance. The Friday show, with a reunited New Edition, nearly sold out, and Saturday’s concert with Erykah Badu sold more than 3,000 tickets. While Edwards says other bookings are in the works, a county-staged concert on June 9, headlined by Angie Stone, is all that’s scheduled for the rest of 2012. Johnny Edwards

Workshop focuses on sanitary food practices

Faith-based and nonprofit organizations are invited to participate in a free food service protection program training from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondayand Tuesday, sponsored by the Clayton County Board of Health Office of Environmental Health, 1117 Battle Creek Road, Jonesboro. Participants will learn basic sanitary food practices and how to properly handle, serve and distribute food to the public. Registration is limited to 50 participants. Information: Shantel Ward at 678-610-7469 or shantelward@dhr.state.ga.us. Veronica Fields Johnson

Peachtree City: Please don’t feed the geese

Peachtree City is asking residents to keep their aquatic feathered friends on a natural diet. Feeding ducks and geese bread, popcorn and other “junk food” is harmful to the birds living in local lakes and ponds.

Feedings also create large concentrations of birds and droppings, which can spread disease. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Union City movie in the park Saturday

Union City will host its annual Movies by Moonlight featuring ‘Courageous’ on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ronald Bridges Park 5285 Lakeside Dr. Moviegoers are welcome to bring picnic baskets. Glass containers and grills are prohibited. There will be play stations set up for kids, games for families, and snacks. No pets. Information : http://www.unioncityga.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

Hampton looks for old photos for museum

Hampton will celebrate Old Photo and Crack-the-Safe Day at the Historic Hampton Depot, 20 East Main St. on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring in historic photos of the Hampton area to be copied for display in the Hampton Museum. Information: 770-946-4306 or www.mainstreethamptonga.com. Veronica Fields Johnson