County by county news for Wednesday

Powder Springs council work session today

Powder Springs City Council members will hold a work session at 5 p.m. today.

They will meet with Mayor Patricia Vaughn in the second floor conference room of City Hall, 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs. Another work session is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Community Development building’s conference room, 4488 Pineview Drive next to City Hall. Their voting meeting will follow at 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers, also in the Community Development building.

Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Teens to pack meals for those in need

More than 1,500 metro Atlanta high school students will pack an average of nearly 17 meals a piece as part of a leadership experience Saturday in Marietta. The conference presented by the ADDO Institute (www.AddoInstitute.com) will use stories to teach understanding and compassion and to encourage achievement. Speakers include Vince Dooley, former University of Georgia football coach. This second annual ADDO Gathering will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Piedmont Conference Center, 570 Piedmont Road. The packing of meals for 25,000 in need is at noon. Ty Tagami

Free family reunion workshop March 10

Cobb County Travel & Tourism is offering a Family Reunion Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10 for people seeking ways for relatives to reconnect, celebrate their heritage, and make new memories.

The 101-style seminar at Hilton Garden Inn Wildwood at 3045 Windy Hill Road in Atlanta includes a “How to Plan a Family Reunion” presentation and a meet and greet with hospitality industry partners.

Admission is free to anyone planning a family reunion in Cobb, but seating is limited to two guests per reunion. To reserve a space, visit www.travelcobb.org. Andria Simmons

Children’s consignment sale starts Thursday

The West Cobb/Marietta consignment sale by All4Kids will be Thursday through Saturday.

More than 75,000 items of spring/summer children’s clothes, toys, shoes, books and baby equipment will be on sale at Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.

Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

On Thursday, those who donate $5 cash per adult to missions may enter at 8:30 a.m.

Many items will be half price on Saturday.

Information: All4Kids.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Shirley Lasseter won’t seek re-election

Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Lasseter has decided not to seek re-election.

Lasseter, who represents District 1, said recent health problems contributed to her decision not to seek another term. She was elected to the post in 2008.

Two candidates have announced they will seek the District 1 commission seat: Suwanee City Councilman Jace Brooks and Duluth accountant Laurie McClain. Both, like Lasseter, are Republicans. David Wickert

Sugar Hill considering natural gas vehicles

Sugar Hill is hiring Wise Gas, Inc., of Westin Fla., to study the feasibility of powering city vehicles with natural gas, instead of gasoline. Gwinnett’s third-largest city has appropriated $5,000 to study the conversion of initially some then potentially all of its estimated 60 vehicles, starting with meter readers’ small ones, then ultimately large utility vehicles. City Manager Bob Hail said he foresees some day having a filling station for city and even county vehicles, as well as residents’ cars.

Hail said Wise Gas consultants will visit Sugar Hill for three days for on-site investigation and interviews, as well as engineering and construction review to create the analysis. Michael Alpert

Orchestra teacher honored

Bernadette Scruggs, an orchestra teacher at Gwinnett County’s Peachtree Ridge High School, was recently named 2012 Georgia American String Teacher Association Educator of the Year. Scruggs has shared her love of music with students for nearly three decades.

“Not only do I have terrific students, but we are also charged with the wonderful task of working together to create beautiful music,” Scruggs said. She established an orchestra program when Peachtree Ridge opened in 2003. Nancy Badertscher

Lilburn contemplating community garden

Just two years after creating its highly successful downtown farmers market, Lilburn plans to create a community garden. The west Gwinnett city of nearly 12,000 is seeking new and experienced gardeners to create the garden, where residents cultivate small plots of communal land.

Those interested should contact Mayor Johnny Crist, who spearheaded creation of the market when a city councilman.

Garden advocates undoubtedly seek to replicate success of the non-profit market, which grew from 17 vendors to nearly 60 in its second year and is open 13 Fridays each summer. Michael Alpert

Aurora to show Bonnie and Clyde musical

The Aurora Theatre has announced a new musical, “Bonnie & Clyde: A Folktale,” will debut at the theater in March.

The show is set in Depression-era Texas, following renowned outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The shows will run March 15 through April 8.

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

NORTHSIDE

Cumming man killed when truck hit pole

A Cumming man was killed Monday when the pickup truck he was driving ran off a south Forsyth County road and struck a utility pole. The crash happened after 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Laurel Springs Parkway, according to Forsyth sheriff’s spokeswoman Karleen Chalker. Chalker said the 2000 Ford F-150 truck driven by Raymond Holbrook, 56, left the roadway, traveled about 50 feet down the sidewalk, then re-entered the roadway and traveled another 75 feet before leaving the roadway again and striking a cement power pole. Mike Morris

Water main fixed, boil advisory remains

Canton city officials have repaired a Feb. 26 water main break which prompted a boil water advisory, but the advisory remains in effect for now. The break led to low pressure or loss of water to areas west of I-575, including downtown Canton, and an area from Ga.140 north toward Waleska. Officials say water service has been restored. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Ground to break on senior center expansion

Cherokee County officials today break ground on a significant renovation and expansion of the main office of Cherokee Senior Services, 1001 Univeter Road in Canton. Director Nathan Brandon says the project will add 2,500 square feet to the 7,500-square-foot facility, including more space for senior day programs and a new kitchen for the agency’s Meals on Wheels program. The project is set to be finished in early June at a cost of $1.2 million. More info: 770-345-2675 Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Woodstock offers citizens police academy

The Woodstock Police Department is accepting applications for its spring 2012 Citizens Police Academy, which is set to begin on April 11. The classes are designed to further police/community links and as a general informational tool, and cover such areas as traffic stops, crime scene processing, narcotics enforcement and K-9 demonstrations. Applicants must be at least 19, and must live or work in the city. More info: 770-592-6000, ext. 1172 or gstepp@woodstockga.gov Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Register for Run for Orphans 5K

Choose to Invest is hosting a Run for Orphans 5K and Fun Run/Walk on March 31 from 7:30-9:30 a.m., at Wills Park in Alpharetta.

Registration is $20 for the 5K and $15 for the run/walk until March 9. Proceeds will help buy land to build an orphanage in Kenya.

Register by visiting http://runfororphans.eventbrite.com. For information, sponsorship or volunteering, e-mail Edward Phillips at Edward@choosetoinvest.org. Kenneth Musisi

Arbor Day Foundation cites Woodstock

Citing its commitment to urban forestry projects, the Arbor Day Foundation has awarded the Woodstock a Tree City USA Community designation. It’s the 12th year the city has won the award, which is based on such criteria as a city having a tree board or department, a community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Moore chairman of state hospital panel

William T. Moore, president and chief executive officer of the Atlanta Medical Center, has been installed as chairman of the board of trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association.

Moore is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is a past chair of the ACCESS Healthcare Coalition, and a member of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission. Laurie Hoffman

Found remains are those of missing man

Atlanta police confirmed Tuesday that the decomposed remains found behind an abandoned house last week are those of a 51-year-old man reported missing in January.

Officers canvassing the area for Marvin Simmons discovered the remains at the rear of a house in the 1300 block of Wichita Drive in southwest Atlanta. Cause of death is undetermined. Mike Morris

‘No Apologies’ author to speak at library

In a Black History Month program, state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, will be at Atlanta-Fulton’s Georgia Hill branch library on Wednesday to talk about her book, “No Apologies: Powerful Life Lessons in Love, Life, and Politics.” The program starts at 11 a.m. The library is at 250 Georgia Avenue, near Grant Park in Atlanta. Information: 404-730-5427. Johnny Edwards

City helps families claim tax credit

Atlanta is kicking off a program to help local families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Eligible citizens can obtain the credit with free tax preparation services at local Volunteer Income Tax Centers. Those centers are located at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Center for Working Families, Rosel Fann Recreation Center, Thomasville Recreation Center, Central Fulton Public Library, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Fort McPherson, Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, Saint Paul AME Church, Saint Philip AME Church and the Sullivan Center. Jeremiah McWilliams

DEKALB

Ellis lobbies for I-20 MARTA rail money

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis met with executive officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington Monday to ask for help to build MARTA rail to the Interstate-20 east corridor if voters pass a regional sales tax for transportation.

If the vote passes, MARTA would get $225 million to build an expansive bus system to tie south DeKalb to metro job centers. Ellis wants to use the money to attract matching -- and scarce -- federal dollars to build rail from the Indian Creek MARTA station to the I-20 intersection with Wesley Chapel Road and eventually to Stonecrest Mall. Steve Visser

No extra openings for tuition students

With a steady rise in new-student enrollment, Decatur Superintendent Phyllis Edwards doesn’t anticipate any openings for new tuition students in kindergarten through the fifth grade next year.

The school system’s Enrollment Committee has predicted 384 new students for 2012-13, and as of Monday, one month since registration opened, 129 new students have already enrolled.

Edwards added the immediate solution for growth is reopening the old Westchester Elementary, by 2014-15 at the latest.

Decatur schools have 160 students paying an annual out-of-district tuition of $5,480.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Council rejects permit for composting facility

DeKalb County’s Community Council unanimously rejected a special land use permit that would let a composting firm set up shop in South DeKalb.

Greenco Environmental needs the permit to run a composting facility, turning organic waste into compost, on 22 acres of the LaFarge Quarry in Lithonia, where it would be about a mile from homes.

More than 200 residents have opposed the plant, though, saying it is still too close to their homes.

The issue next heads to the county’s planning commission on March 6. The county commission to first hear the request on March 27. April Hunt

Doraville youth soccer registration open

Registration is still open for youth soccer leagues in Doraville.

The citys’ recreation department partners with the Atlanta Spurs Football Club for three levels of soccer for children between 6 and 19.

Registration is open until Wednesday and is $100 for the season. Practices begin March 1 and the season runs through May.

More information: 770- 936-3850. April Hunt

Church gears up for fair trade sale

The Spring Fair Trade Sale is set for March 23 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School in Atlanta.

Choose from a selection of items from developing regions all over the globe, including gifts, jewelry, scarves and other handcrafted items, as well as fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate. For 12 years, the school’s students, alumni, teachers and parents have volunteered their time to sponsor these sales.

More info: cgraciaa@ihmschool.org , 404-636-4488, ext. 237. The school is at 2855 Briarcliff Road. Nancy Badertscher

SOUTHSIDE

Edwards touts surplus and new facilities

Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards touted the county’s solid financial standing and new multimillion dollar facilities added to his district in a state of unincorporated south Fulton address last week. Edwards spoke at a luncheon sponsored by the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce . Edwards said the county has a surplus of more than $50 million and that, since he began serving in 2000, he has never seen a budget deficit. He also pointed to $2.6 million being spent on a new health clinic and the $6.1 million Wolf Creek Amphitheater. Johnny Edwards

Rotary Club leads drive for classroom supplies

Peachtree City’s Rotary Club is leading a drive to collect classroom materials to help Fayette County teachers maintain adequate supplies for their students. Donations of paper, craft materials and office and clinic supplies are needed for The Honeycomb, the Teacher Resource ReUse/Recycle Center. Items can be dropped off at the LaFayette Education Center at 205 LaFayette Ave., Building E, in Fayetteville. Contact Terry Wilson at beehive@mail.fcboe.org or 770-460-3990 ext. 230 for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton schools parent summit March 17

Clayton County public schools will host an E3 Parent Summit, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 17 at Forest Park High. There will be community resources, bookbags, activities for children, give-aways, refreshments and workshops. Parents will learn how they can help their children at home and get details about federal, state, and locally-funded programs. Details: 770-473-2742. Tammy Joyner

Arts Clayton set for Arte’ Gras March 10

Arts Clayton will host its sixth annual Arte’ Gras on March 10 from 7 p .m. to midnight at the National Archives in Atlanta. The archives is in Morrow. Proceeds from the black-tie event support children’s education iniatives of Arts Clayton. Cost: $125 per seat; $1,000 for a table of eight. Details: Linda Summerlin, 770 473-5831. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City CVB needs board members

Peachtree City’s Convention and Visitors Bureau is accepting applications for its volunteer board of directors.

The CVB seeks individuals who either own a business in the city (preferably with tourism media-related experience) or someone who owns, manages or operates a hotel in Peachtree City. Applications, available at City Hall or at www.peachtree-city.org/jobs, are due Friday. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Register for Clayton’s pre-k lottery

Registration for Clayton County Public Schools’ pre-k lottery for the 2012-13 school year will be March 5-10. The lottery will be at each pre-k site. Registration is 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1- 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Extended registration hours are March 8, from 1 -- 6 p.m. Acceptance will be based on a ‘computer-generated’ lottery system. Details: www.clayton.k12.ga.us. Tammy Joyner