County by county news for Wednesday

Marietta City Council has appointed Cheryl Richardson Ward 1, to a three-year term on the planning commission and councilman Philip Goldstein to a term through Dec. 31 on the Marietta Visitor’s Bureau. Steve Arrants, Ward 2, was also appointed to the construction board of adjustment and appeals for five years and James Fausett to the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation for two years. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Marietta looking for firefighters

The Marietta Fire Department, 112 Haynes St., is taking applications through April 1 to fill six firefighter/EMT positions. The department has six stations and 132 uniformed firefighters. Applicants have to be at least 18 years-old, a high school or GED graduate and have a good driving record and ability to meet the demands of the job. Information: www.joinmariettafire.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Commissioner seeks applicants for boards

Commissioner Lisa Cupid, who serves south Cobb, is accepting applications until April 5 from residents in District 4 to serve on a county board or authority.

Applications are available at www.cobbcounty.org/cupid or county facilities in south Cobb.

Information: 770-528-3311 Saleemah.Johnson@cobbcounty.org Jaime Sarrio

Cobb EMC Board to hold town hall

The Cobb EMC Board of Directors will hold a town hall meeting for customers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1000 EMC Parkway, Marietta, in the Cobb EMC community room. The event will provide customers an opportunity to interact with directors and receive an update on board activity. To register, call 678-355-3102 or visit www.cobbemc.com/townhall. Photo identification is required. Jaime Sarrio

Ghanian ambassador to U.S. to speak at KSU

Ghana’s ambassador to the United States, Daniel Ohene Agyekum, is scheduled to speak during a three-day international conference and business forum at Kennesaw State University March 21-23. The conference is part of the university’s “Year of Ghana,” the 28th annual year-long study of a country or region of the world, and examines the West African nation’s status as a model for democratic governance, economic growth and sustainable development. The conference will be held in social sciences building 22 at Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road. Information: www.kennesaw.edu/yearofghana/conference.html. Mea Watkins

GWINNETT

Lilburn officer shoots shoplifting suspect

A City of Lilburn police officer shot a shoplifting suspect Monday afternoon at a Family Dollar store.

The officer, whose name was not released, approached the suspect and the suspect began to fight with the officer, Lilburn police said. The officer attempted to use his city-issued Taser, but the suspect took it from him. The officer then pulled out his service weapon and shot the suspect in the chest and face, police said.

The GBI is assisting Lilburn with the investigation. Alexis Stevens

Duluth selects artist for public art project

Duluth has selected Michael Dillon from Milton as the local artist for the Gateway Art Project to design the city’s first piece of public art. The design will be a permanent piece to be installed in the center of the roundabout at the intersections of West Lawrenceville Street, McClure Bridge Road and Irvindale Road. Dillon is the owner of Dillon Forge, an artist/blacksmith studio, and has been creating art for 20 years. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Woodall to lead Lilburn town hall meeting

U.S. Representative Rob Woodall will host a town hall meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall in Lilburn. The discussion will include recent sequestration and how it may affect Gwinnett residents. Information: www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn police to offer gun safety seminar

The Lilburn Police Department will host a Firearm Safety Seminar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with location to be announced. Topics will include gun safety, gun laws, home defense weapons and alternative weapons information.

Citizens need not bring anything to the class. Gun locks will be provided free of charge to attendees. Register by emailing Training Coordinator Sgt. Tim Allen at tallen@cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Homestead exemption deadline is April 1

Gwinnett is reminding residents the application deadline to file for homestead exemption to reduce property taxes is April 1. Apply online or contact the Property Tax Department for an application.

Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year.

Information: www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com, tax@gwinnettcounty.com or 770-822-8800. Karen Huppertz

Chattahoochee access to be easier in Duluth

Duluth broke ground for the construction of a canoe launch at Rogers Bridge Park to be completed by May.

It includes a walk-down canoe ramp, a step-down boardwalk, a viewing area, and natural plantings.

The canoe launch project is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Interior, State Department of the National Park Service, and the City of Duluth. Construction will be paid for using Park SPLOST funds.

Information: Kathy Marelle at kmarelle@duluthga.net or 678-417-9269. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Body in lake identified as missing boater

A body located in Lake Lanier was identified as that of a missing boater.

George “Marty” Counts, 47, of Tucker, had been missing since Feb. 11, when his empty boat was spotted going in circles near Bald Ridge Creek, the state Department of Natural Resources previously said.

The body was recovered around 9:30 a.m. and transported to the GBI Crime Lab, where an autopsy was conducted Monday. Alexis Stevens

Holly Springs approves property request

The Holly Springs City Council Monday night approved Marietta-based Wellstar Health System’s proposal to rezone the balance of 62 acres it owns at Interstate 575 and Sixes Road from mixed use to general commercial, while denying a conditional use permit for the property. The decision means that Wellstar can build a medical office park, but not a proposed hospital or hospice. City Manager Robert Logan says Wellstar can re-apply in one years’ time. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Cherokee writing test scores improve

Cherokee County School District eighth grade student scores continue to rise on the annual Grade 8 Writing Assessment. Results of the statewide exam administered in January show 92 percent of the Cherokee students meeting or exceeding so-called Georgia Performance Standards, compared to 91 percent in 2012. Statewide scores for both years were 86 percent. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth county seniors to get arts preview

Forsyth County seniors interested in county senior services art programs can get a preview this weekend. An “artists demo day” is set 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road. Instructors will be on hand to demonstrate what’s involved in photography, painting and other art classes. Information: www.forsythco.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Milton revealing plans for highway

Milton’s Community Development Department is holding a public meeting at 6 p.m. March 27 at the Crooked Creek subdivision clubhouse, 14250 Creek Club Drive, to present plans for developing Ga. Highway 9 from Bethany Bend to the Forsyth County line. Developed from residents’ input, feedback on the plans is welcome.

“We can’t wait to bring back the results of the visioning exercise from the last meeting and hear what the community thinks,” said the city’s principal planner, Michele McIntosh-Ross. Information: 678-242-2538, michele.mcintosh@cityofmiltonga.us. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Roswell summer programs opening

Registration for Roswell’s summer Parks and Recreation programs begins at 10 a.m. April 8 at roswellgov.com and the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building, 10495 Woodstock Road. Programs include youth athletics, camps and health and wellness classes. Information: 770-641-3760. Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Middle school locked down Monday

Brown Middle School was put on lockdown shortly before classes were dismissed Monday because two burglary suspects were in the area, a school district spokesman said.

Dismissal from the school was delayed by about a half hour until Atlanta police arrested the suspects. Mark Niesse

Clark Atlanta’s Founders Day set

Clark Atlanta University will celebrate its 2013 Founders Day with an address by renowned educator, CAU trustee and alumna Delores Aldridge 10:45 a.m. Thursday in the Vivian Henderson Center’s Leonidas Epps Gymnasium, at the corner of Vine Street and Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard. “Celebrating Our Legacy: A Past to Cherish; A Future to Fulfill” is the theme. Nancy Badertscher

Youth orchestra seeks donations online

The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra was recently selected to participate in Atlanta’s “Power2Give” campaign, a fundraising effort supported by the Arts & Science Council and the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs that connects donors to creative projects that inspire them. The online campaign, which runs through June 3, has a goal of raising $2,500 to support scholarships. The scholarships will enable ASYO student musicians to participate in summer music training programs, and will help graduating ASYO high school seniors during the first year of their college-level music studies.

Information: www.power2give.org/go/o/395. Mea Watkins

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers needed

AARP Tax-Aide is seeking Atlanta volunteers to provide free tax preparation and filing assistance to area taxpayers.

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers receive free IRS-certified tax training and learn new skills while giving back to their local communities.

Volunteers should have some computer experience, such as e-mail and internet browsing. Information: www.aarp.org/tavolunteer8. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Emory launches free legal clinic for vets

A new student-founded clinic at Emory University School of Law has begun providing free legal services to Georgia veterans.

The Emory Law Volunteer Clinic for Veterans offers free legal assistance for disability benefit claims and appeal hearings.

Students will also work with experienced attorneys on legislation and other initiatives to create an alternative court for state veterans involved in criminal proceedings, the school said. Bill Rankin

DeKalb animal shelter seeks donations

The DeKalb County animal shelter is readying for spring by updating its online wish lists to help with the expected puppies and kittens.

Among key things the shelter needs are bins for pregnant pets as well as bottles and milk replacement products.

To see a full list, visit www.amazon.com/gifts and search for DeKalb County Animal Services.

For animal adoption: www.dekalbcountyanimalservices.com. April Hunt

Meeting focuses on Lakeside cityhood

DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer will host an informational meeting later this month about a possible new city of Lakeside.

Members of the Lakeside City Alliance will make a presentation about the proposed city, while attendees can also make comments about the proposal.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Monday at Tucker Middle School, 2160 Idlewood Road. April Hunt

Spring music show in Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain will host a two-day music festival this weekend in its historic downtown.

The Blue Grassroots Music and Arts Festival will feature local bands, street jams, dancing and local food trucks, as well as more than 150 artists from around the region.

The free event runs Saturday and Sunday on Main Street.

Information: www.stonemountainvillage.com. April Hunt

Volunteers needed for cleanup

Keep DeKalb Beautiful is accepting volunteers to help with the local effort in the Great American Cleanup.

Last year, more than 80 groups of volunteers removed more than 25,000 pounds of litter from 168 miles of county roadways in the one-day event.

The cleanup will take place on April 27. Volunteers must register by April 5.

Registration/information: 404-371-2654 or www.keepdekalbbeautiful.org. April Hunt

Learning for Life Family Series continues

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s Learning for Life Family Series will continue through June with monthly events aimed toward healthy living, safety and more at the DeKalb Cooperative Extension, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur.

The series is free and open to DeKalb County residents.

Upcoming workshops include: Survival in the City, 10 a.m. to noon, April 20; and An Ounce of Prevention, 10 a.m. to noon, May 18.

Information: 404-298-4080 or www.ugaextension.com/dekalb. Mea Watkins

SOUTHSIDE

Employee used city funds to buy psychic website

Brad Williams, a former city of Fairburn employee used a city-issued credit card to buy a psychic website and for other unauthorized purchases, according to authorities. Williams, 49, pleaded guilty to five counts of false statements on Monday and was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $17,500 in restitution. Investigators said Williams used the city credit card to make unauthorized web-related purchases dating to 2005.

As a condition of his plea agreement, Williams is not allowed to hold a government position while on probation. Fran Jeffries

Fayette approves new school district map

The Fayette County Board of Education voted 4-1 Monday to approve new school district maps. The redistricting was the result of four school closings that will be effective this fall. Most of the changes affect elementary students, but some middle and high school districts were modified as well. Interim Superintendent Dan Colwell said the new map is “about as good as it can be made, considering the circumstances.” Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Police to get sex-trafficking training

Wellspring Living is hosting a training for Fayette County law enforcement 9 a.m.to noon Friday at The Bridge, 225 Willow Bend Road, Peachtree City about how to detect and respond to signs of sexual exploitation.

Register: Jason King, jking@wellspringliving.org. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City library closed this weekend

The Peachtree City Library will be closed Friday-Sunday due to computer software upgrades being made to the PINES system. The online catalog at www.gapines.org will also be offline. The Fayette County Public Library in Fayetteville will remain open, but will not have computer access and books may not be checked out. Information: 770-305-5426. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

College Park hosts utility assistance

The city of College Park, in partnership with the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority utility assistance program, will host a FACAA team from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at City Hall at 3667 Main St to help Fulton County College Park utility customers sign up for utility bill assistance.

Residents must reside in Fulton County, and provide proof of income, Social Security cards for all household members, home heating bill and proof of citizenship. Information: facaa.org/wp/ John Thompson for the AJC

Dental services offered to expectant moms

The Clayton County Board of Health will offer dental cleanings and basic dental services to area expectant mothers on Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The initiative is part of the “Smile, You’re Pregnant” prenatal dental health campaign, designed to educate mothers on the importance of dental health as it relates to a link between gum disease and premature, underweight births.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call CCBOH at 678-610-7199. Veronica Fields Johnson