County by county news for Wednesday

Teleworking breakfast topic

A Transportation Breakfast will be hosted by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the chamber office, 240 Interstate North Parkway.

Representatives from local organizations will discuss how telework programs contribute to productivity and morale.

A Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax campaign representative will be giving details on the Cobb SPLOST renewal, coming up on the Nov. 4 ballot, during the second hour.

Registration: info@GaCommuteOptions.com, 877-942-6784.

Information: gacommuteoptions.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell approves zoning attorney

The Austell City Council voted Monday to retain J. Kevin Moore as the city’s zoning attorney at an hourly rate of $150.

Mayor Joe Jerkins said he hopes Moore will be able to find the homeowners of around 20 abandoned houses from the September 2009 flood and take them to court.

Information: mijs.com/attorney_bios/jkmoore.html.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell wants to hire maintenance worker

Austell is accepting employment applications by Oct. 3 for a maintenance worker in its Water Division.

The position requires a CDL (Class B) drivers license and previous water system experience is preferred.

Information: austellga.gov, click Employment on left panel.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Meeting to cover safety, traffic issues

Marietta’s city council will hold a town hall meeting to discuss traffic and safety issues around Westside Elementary and Marietta Middle Schools on Polk Street. The meeting will be 5 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 10 at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. Councilman Johnny Walker has requested adding pedestrian crosswalks with flashing lights to slow traffic at busy intersections along the road.

Information: www.mariettaga.gov.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Cobb schools to spend $11 million on buses

Cobb County Schools Board of Education recently approved buying 125 new school buses for about $11 million. SPLOST 4 funds will cover $10 million of the cost with the rest coming from a Georgia Department of Education bond.

Of the district’s 1,115 fleet, 527 buses are between 10 and 15 years old and 180 buses are more than 16 years old.

The purchase will include 25 exceptional child buses and 100 conventional buses. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Snellville mayor, council to head back to court

The Georgia Supreme Court will review a Georgia Court of Appeals decision from March stating the power to replace City Attorney Tony Powell rests with the city council and not Mayor Kelly Kautz. No specific date has been set, but Kautz and the council will present their cases during a hearing as early as January. The appeals court ruling, which agreed with Gwinnett County Judge Timothy Hamil, was a split decision with three of seven justices sided with Kautz. This action will be in addition to the ongoing issue of who will pay the mayor’s attorney fees. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Duluth approves development

The Duluth City Council unanimously voted to approve a zoning change allowing Fuqua Development to build a 30.69 mixed-use complex at the north end of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and east end by Sugarloaf Parkway.

The plan calls for a residential complex averaging $1,280 in monthly rent, an organic grocery store, specialty shops, personal care services, restaurants, a gas station and parks. In the residential complex, at least 50 percent of the units will be one bedroom, with a maximum of six percent of units three bedrooms. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Gwinnett students talk to astronaut

A group of Gwinnett County students interviewed astronaut Reid Wiseman who is aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday morning.

“Can you dance in space?” The answer to the last question was yes.

About a dozen students from elementary to high school participated in the radio chat, which took place at Lanier High School. The conversation lasted about 15 minutes. At times, it was difficult to hear the answers. The space station is, after all, about 250 miles above Earth’s surface. The chat ended after the signal was lost.

Lanier High School chemistry and engineering teacher Janelle Wilson had worked about a year on arranging the early morning chat. She wanted the students to make a connection with what they are learning in science and technology.

Eric Stirgus

Blue grass on the lawn in Lawrenceville

Gwinnett Parks and Rec brings back their annual Old Fashioned Picnic and Blue Grass Festival at 10 a.m. Saturday on the Historic Courthouse Lawn in Lawrenceville. The free event includes live music , food and craft artisans. Event also includes a doggie parade with fashion show and activities for children. Information: 770-822-5450 or www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Discount cholesterol screenings in Snellville

Find out if you’re cholesterol is putting you at risk for a heart attack 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday at Eastside Medical Center, 1700 Medical Way in Snellville.

Participants will receive a free blood pressure check and education on fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors.

Cholesterol screenings range in price from $3 to $18. Registration: 770-736-2552. Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Johns Creek approves townhouse plan

The Johns Creek City Council Monday approved a scaled-down plan for a gated 50-unit townhouse development on nearly 7 acres of land at 5090-5100 Abbotts Bridge Road near Jones Bridge Road. Developer Abbotts Bridge Mixed-Use LLC’s prior, more ambitious mixed-use proposal was denied by the Council in August of 2013. City officials and neighbors had expressed concerns about the scope of that project and potential traffic impacts. The latest proposal was OKd with a list of conditions, including a buffer between it and existing neighborhoods. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Retired police dog dies of cancer

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday announced the death of Rico, a retired police dog. The 11-year-old died from cancer.

“Rico gave his heart and soul to this agency and this community,” Cpl. Darin Downey said.

Rico, a Belgian Malinois, was assigned to Downey from Aug. 2005 until Nov. 2012, when the four-legged deputy retired. After his retirement, Rico developed cancer. He lived with Downey and his family until his death.Alexis Stevens

Bulky trash day set

The Roswell and Milton public works departments and Keep Roswell Beautiful have set a bulky trash amnesty day for 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at the city of Roswell Public Works Division, 1810 Hembree Road. Some that wont’ be accpeted: paint, household hazardous waste and yard waste. Proof of residency will be required. More information: 770-641-3715 or 678-242-2509. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Sandy Springs chief to be honored

The city of Sandy Springs will honor its departing fire chief next month. Jack McElfish, who will retire in October, will be feted 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Oct. 2 with a picnic lunch at the City Center Green, on Sandy Springs Circle at Johnson Ferry Road.

McElfish announced his retirement in January after a 51-year career in fire/rescue service, which included launching the Sandy Springs Fire Department on Jan. 1, 2007. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Roswell tourism official recognized

A longtime Roswell official was honored at the 2014 Governor’s Tourism Conference, held recently in Augusta. Dotty Etris, the executive director of the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau, was honored with the Tom Kilgore Lifetime Achievement Award.

Etris has headed the organization since its 1992 inception and co-founded the Hospitality Highway initiative along Ga. 400. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Alpharetta hosts free class on lawn care

The city of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Natural Resources Commission will host a free class on lawn care for homeowners 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the city public works office, 1790 Hembree Road.

North Fulton Master Gardeners and cooperative extension officials will cover such topics as: warm vs. cool-season grasses, soil testing and watering best practices.

Information: 678-297-6200.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Savannah slavery focus of lecture

The Hammonds House Museum, in conjunction with WRFG 89.3 FM and the Auburn Avenue Research Library, will host a program at 3 p.m. Saturday about slavery in Savannah.

Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson will lecture on “The 1859 Savannah Slave Auction: A Genealogy of People and Place.”

Emory University’s Leslie Harris will moderate the discussion.

The lecture is part of “Unearthing the Weeping Time,” a public programming series that looks at what it calls “the darkest moments in Georgia’s antebellum history and the lasting imprint of the largest recorded slave auction in U.S History, while honoring and reviving the stories of the people sold.”

All programs are free and open to the public.

Information: www.mawamuseum.org/weepingtime.html Ernie Suggs

Some schools will offer free dinner to students

Fifty Atlanta schools will start offering free dinner to students participating in school-sponsored afterschool programs, thanks to federal funding.

That includes students on athletic teams, in school clubs and enrolled in aftercare.

Long Middle School and Mays and Douglass high schools have already begun offering the meals.

The program will begin at all participating schools on Sept. 15. Molly Bloom

Mini-grant to beautify southside intersection

Atlanta Southside UP! will use a $1,000 mini-grant for streetscape and beautification plans at the University Avenue and Pryor Road intersection.

The non-profit community development corporation received the funds from Love Your Block Initiative, a program of the city of Atlanta, The Neighborhood Fund and Hands on Atlanta.

Information: www.atlantasouthsideup.org. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

DEKALB

Southeast DeKalb seat remains vacant

George Turner, nominee for DeKalb District 5

The shorthanded DeKalb County Commission again delayed a vote Tuesday on a temporary commissioner, leaving it two representatives down.

George Turner, an involved community member in southeast DeKalb, is Interim CEO Lee May’s nominee to serve as his short-term replacement.

The position, representing about 140,000 residents, has been vacant for more than a year since May became the county’s chief executive, replacing CEO Burrell Ellis when he was criminally charged.

Since former Commissioner Elaine Boyer resigned last month, there are five commissioners left on a body with seven elected seats.

Commissioner Jeff Rader said he wants a process in which the DeKalb Commission, rather than May, names the temporary commissioner. Mark Niesse

Doraville forming education task force

Doraville seeks volunteers for an impartial education task force to provide comprehensive reports to City Council on the local academic learning environment.

The Doraville Schools and Education Task Force will make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on ways to make area schools appealing to families that may considering moving to the city.

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Information: www.doravillega.us.Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Chamblee police conduct alcohol sting

In a sting operation that took place Sept. 4 to Sept. 6, with confidential informants posing as minors, Chamblee Police found 28 businesses including restaurants willing to serve alcohol to an under age person. Those businesses were issued citations for under age alcohol sales.

An additional 21 citations were issued for violation of the alcohol handling permit requirement. In those cases, an employee was not licensed to serve or sell alcohol.

Officers visited 85 locations. The police department conducts periodic stings on businesses suspected of selling alcohol to minors. In April 2013, 11 business were issued citations. Adrianne Murchison for the AJC

Edwards nominated for top superintendent

The Georgia School Superintendents Association recently announced Decatur superintendent Phyllis Edwards is one of four finalists for the state’s Superintendent of the Year.

The other three finalists are Philip Lanoue of Clarke County, Curtis Jones of Spalding County and Randy Shearouse of Effingham County.

Each finalist will now formally apply for the honor which will be announced during the GSSA/Georgia School Boards Association conference in December. Bill Banks for the AJC

Longtime Avondale eyesore finally sold

The so-called “erector set” property on College Avenue and Maple Street in Avondale Estates, long a city eyesore, was recently bought by Euramex Management.

A two-story unfinished building whose construction was stopped in 2008, the erector set will be replaced by a first-level retail and upper-level residential development. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Winds cause damage at Henry airport

Several private aircraft at the Henry County Airport in Hampton was damaged Sunday by heavy winds in the area. Six planes were pulled from their tie-downs and flipped, according to county officials, and other planes received minor damage as well as some airplane storage structures. Emergency officials and the National Weather Service determined that straight-line winds of 70-80 miles per hour caused the damage. No injuries were reported.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Military academy applications available

Applications are available to students interested in receiving a congressional nomination to one of the U.S. military academies.Interested students should complete a Congressional Nomination Application available on Congressman David Scott’s website at www.house.gov/davidscott. Completed applications must be received no later than Friday, Oct. 31 in Congressman Scott’s Jonesboro office, 173 N. Main Street, Jonesboro 30236. Details: call Teresa Cooke at 770 210-5073. Tammy Joyner

Hearings set on school closing

The Henry County Board of Education will host two public hearing on a proposal that would close McDonough Elementary School and convert its campus for the relocation of Patrick Henry Academy. Elementary students would be dispersed to three other area elementary schools. The proposed new district map has been released for a three-month public review and comment period. Public hearings are set for Oct. 21 and Nov. 3, with the final vote expected to come in December. Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Workshops focus on children at risk

The Fayette County public school system is sponsoring a series of free workshops for parents of students in the Children at Risk in Education (CARE) program. The Systematic Training for Effective Parenting sessions will meet on Tuesdays from January through March in Fayetteville to discuss behavior, communication and discipline. Space is limited; contact your child’s school counselor to register.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Artists wanted for mural

Artists interested in helping to create a new mural at the Crosstown Water Treatment Plant in Peachtree City may apply by submitting photos of their work to the Fayette County Public Art Committee. The county will award the winning artist(s) $3,000 upon completion. Submissions are due Oct. 3; contact Shanequa Gay at sgay@fayettecountyga.gov or 770-305-5185 for details.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette promotes pet adoption

The Fayette Humane Society will participate in the National Pet Adoption Weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the PetSmart in Peachtree City. Food and entertainment will be included. Information about available animals is at www.fayettehumane.org.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC