County by county news for Wednesday

The increase, which would have to be approved by the full commission, would raise the county’s current 9.60 millage rate about 16 percent.

Cobb has held its current millage rate, one of the lowest in the metro area, for more than five years. Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the fiscal 2012 budget on September 13. Janel Davis

Austell prepares for flood demolition

Austell city officials will take their first steps on Thursday toward demolishing 19 houses damaged by the September 2009 flood. A meeting will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday for interested asbestos abatement and structure demolition contractors who have been qualified by the state.

The meeting will be held in Suite 107, Austell Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road. Completed Request for Proposal packages must be received by 4 p.m. July 22. Information: Austell Public Works, 770-944-4309. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Graduation Friday for summer school

A graduation ceremony will be held for students completing Cobb’s summer school program at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Osborne High School. In May, the county graduated more than 7,500 seniors from Cobb County high schools. Information: www.cobbk12.org. Jaime Sarrio

Breakfast with the mayor Saturday

Over breakfast this Saturday, Powder Springs residents are invited to ask questions of their elected officials. The 9 a.m. meetings are held on the second Saturdays at Off the Bone BBQ on Brownsville Road near U.S. 278 in the Kroger shopping center. Mayor Patricia Vaughn said the turnout has been growing since city officials began the breakfast meetings in November. Information: City Hall, 770-943-1666. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Acworth nears vote on Sunday alcohol sales

The Acworth City Council will vote Thursday on a first reading of a resolution that would allow voters to decide if Sunday alcohol package sales should be allowed within city limits. Acworth would become the third Cobb city to vote to hold a November referendum, joining Kennesaw and Smyrna.

Senate Bill 10, which went into affect last week, allows Sunday store sales of beer, wine and liquor so long as voters approve in city- and county-level referendums. Johnny Edwards

Cobb PTA council honored

Cobb County’s Jessye Coleman Council of PTAs was honored by the Georgia PTA for having the highest increase in membership for 2010-11. The council represents schools in the southwest area of Cobb including Campbell and Osborne high schools, Oakwood Digital Academy; Campbell, Griffin and Smitha middle schools; and Argyle, Belmont Hills, Birney, Brown, Fair Oaks, Green Acres, King Springs, LaBelle, Milford, Nickajack, Norton Park and Teasley elementary schools. Information: www.cobbk12.org. Jaime Sarrio

GWINNETT

Silent auction to benefit county senior services

Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services will hold a silent auction from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 14 at Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett, 3100 Club Drive, Lawrenceville.

Participants are encouraged to wear ball gowns or dress as fairy tale characters to bid on items like AirTrans tickets valued at $1,000 and a stay at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simon’s Island.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Proceeds will benefit senior programs like Meals on Wheels. To buy tickets or sponsor the event call 678-377-3020. David Wickert

Aurora Theatre kicks off Funny Fridays

Aurora Theatre’s Funny Friday series will kick off its fifth season July 15 with a performance by the Blacktop Improv Group.

The Blacktop Improv Group is an local improv troupe made up of six stand-up comedians who boast televised appearances on BET, HBO and Comedy Central.

Showtimes are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Tickets cost $15.

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

Police launch civilian volunteer program

The Gwinnett County Police Department recently initiated a civilian volunteer program. Individuals interested should be at least 18 years of age, and will need to pass a background check. Opportunities are available in several areas including animal shelters and the community emergency response team.

Police are asking for a one year commitment with a minimum of 24 service hours. For more information, call Sgt. Christina Schiralli 770-513-5506 or email policevolunteers@gwinnettcounty.com

Alaya Boykin

Gwinnett to host concert Thursday

Gwinnett County will hold a brown bag concert from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn, 185 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville.

Scott Douglas Steel Drums will perform. Residents can bring a sack lunch and a blanket to watch the show. The event also will feature crafts, face painting and vendors. David Wickert

Gwinnett Cub Scout campout July 15

Gwinnett County will sponsor at Cub Scout campout from 6 p.m. July 15 to 8 a.m. July 16 at Yellow River Park, 3232 Juhan Road, Stone Mountain.

The event includes dinner and breakfast. All participants must bring their own tent and camping supplies. The cost is $23 per parent and scout pair, plus $7 for each additional camper. Pre-registration is required by July 9. To register, call 770-418-2331. David Wickert

County marks parks and recreation month

Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation celebrates the National Parks and Recreation Month with family fun outdoors for the month of July.

Events will run from July 8-30 at Gwinnett Community Recreation Centers.

Visit www.gwinnettparks.com for more information. Alaya Boykin

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth to hold hearing on budget changes

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing Thursday to discuss the latest adjustments to the proposed 2012 budget which last week county finance director David Gruen said was within about $430,000 of being balanced, as required by law. The commission will also address millage rates, which commissioners have said they don’t plan to increase to make up the shortfall. Gruen said last week he will present a proposed balanced budget to the commission at this Thursday’s meeting. Jeffry Scott

Forsyth moves forward to buy ambulance

The Forsyth County Commission moved by unanimous vote at its Tuesday work session to pursue a proposal to purchase a pediatric neonatal ambulance that would be operated by a hospital or ambulance service and provide emergency care for newborns. The proposal was put forward by commission chairman Brian Tam. County attorney Ken Jarrard estimated the ambulance would cost between $500,000 and $700,000. He said the county could pursue private funding for the vehicle. Jeffry ScotT

Midnight Star at Woodstock concert

The 14th annual Woodstock concert series will host Midnight Star on Saturday.

The ‘80s R&B band will perform at the Park and City Center in downtown Woodstock at 7:30 p.m.

The concert is free to the public. People can bring picnics but food and drinks are available. Information: 770-517-6788 Elise Hitchcock

Solar array dedicated in Alpharetta

State Senator John Albers, R-Roswell recently attended a dedication ceremony for a new rooftop solar array at JM Family Enterprises and its subsidiary, DataScan Technologies, in Alpharetta.

Tax credits which Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law in May gave incentives for companies to build solar installations. Albers supported House Bill 346 which extended the tax credits for two more years through 2014.

JM Family Enterprises is a diversified automotive company, and DataScan Technologies LLC, is a wholesale finance accounting and risk management systems company. Andria Simmons

Safety foundation gets $1,000 donation

Colonial Pipeline this month announced it is making a $1,000 donation to the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation to celebrate going 12 million work hours without a safety loss.

The Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting public safety workers in the city. Info: www.apsfoundation.org. Andria Simmons

Free movie Saturday in Sandy Springs

Join the Church of St. Andrew for a free movie at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 5855 Riverside Drive, Sandy Springs.

The featured film will be “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” and free popcorn and hotdogs will be available. Michelle E. Shaw

ATLANTA

City accepts grant to hire firefighters

The Atlanta City Council officially voted Tuesday to accept a $9.8 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to hire 75 new fire fighters.

The grant, while increasing the ranks of Atlanta Fire Rescue, will allow the department to put at least four people on every truck for emergency calls to meet industry standards.

The new fire fighters will be hired at $38,193 annually. Ernie Suggs

Atlanta’s farmers markets among favorite

Farmers markets in Gwinnett County and Atlanta were leading an online popularity contest in Georgia organized by the American Farmland Trust.

The organization released state-by-state results Friday for the third annual America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest at www.farmland.org/vote. Snellville Farmers Market had the most votes in Georgia, followed by Peachtree Road Farmers Market, East Atlanta Village Farmers Market, Waleska Farmers Market at Reinhardt and Riverside Farmers Market.

The standings update until Aug. 31. Ty Tagami

AKA sorority conference July 13-17

Some 4,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the world’s largest and oldest sorority for African-American women, are expected to attend the AKA biennial Leadership Seminar July 13-17 in Atlanta.

Information: Melody M. McDowell at 312-371-8917 or log onto www.aka1908.com. Gracie Bonds Staples

Fernbank invites little pirates and princesses

Pirates and princesses will take over Fernbank Museum of Natural History on Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Children are encouraged to dress in their best fantasy garb to participate in activities such as the recycled craft corner, the name generator game and the medieval times dinner and tournament being held at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

Info: 404-929-6300, www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Melissa Ruggieri

DEKALB

Decatur, Chamblee reschedule fireworks

The Independence Day fireworks displays rained out in Decatur and Chamblee have been rescheduled.

Chamblee will host its make-up show on at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with music and food vendors at Keswick Park. Fireworks begin at dark.

Decatur fans will have a longer wait. The city will have its fireworks show immediately following a concert on the square on Saturday, Sept. 24. The fireworks show should begin about 9:30 p.m.

Information: www.chambleega.com and http://thedecaturminute.wordpress.com. April Hunt

Decatur expands LCI to cover city

Decatur recently expanded its 10-year Livable Centers Initiative Plan to include the city’s entire four square miles. The previous two designated LCI districts included only downtown and the Avondale MARTA Station area. “This expansion,” said Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne, “makes the entire city eligible for LCI grant funds for projects like intersections improvements, bicycle lanes, sidewalk construction and streetscape improvements.” Bill Banks for the AJC

Cyclist safety fair in Decatur Saturday

Cyclists of all ages are invited to a safety fair in Decatur Saturday in Decatur. The city’s police and recreation departments are sponsoring the event.

The fair is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the upper parking lot of Decatur High School on North McDonough Street. Information: 678-553-6541 or cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com.

April Hunt

County to raise fees at senior center

The cost of an annual membership to a popular DeKalb County senior center is nearly doubling. The county commission voted Tuesday to raise the fee to the Lou Walker Senior Center near Lithonia from $61 to $120. April Hunt

Registration open for fall sports leagues

Chamblee’s parks department began registering children for the fall sports leagues this week. Registration is underway for city residents and it will be July 11 for non-residents and runs through Aug. 12. Leagues include T-ball, soccer and baseball, with fees ranging from $40 to $90. Registration can be done at the parks office, 3540 Broad St., Chamblee or online at www.chambleega.com. Information: 770-986-5016. April Hunt

CID launched in Stone Mountain

DeKalb County, supported by a several residents and businesses, has launched a community improvement district in the Stone Mountain area.

The district in turn elected five board members: Larry Callahan, Joey Chapman, Rusty McKellar, Russell Smith and David Westcott. The county also appointed two members, Karen Glover and state Sen. Steve Henson, to round out the board.

Emory Morsberger is the appointed president of the district, the second in DeKalb County after one in the Perimeter area.

Businesses in the district have agreed to tax themselves to fund improvements in the area such as security, roads and landscaping. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Palmetto near vote on Sunday alcohol sales

Palmetto residents will have a chance to decide this November if grocery stores and liquor stores should be allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays. The city council will vote on a second reading of a resolution calling for a referendum today at 7:30 p.m. The first reading passed unanimously.

Palmetto will be the sixth Fulton city to call for an election, made possible by Senate Bill 10.

The others are Alpharetta, College Park, East Point, Johns Creek and Union City. Johnny Edwards

Forest Park looks at Sunday alcohol sales

The Forest Park City Council will consider a resolution today that would allow voters to decide in November if alcohol should be sold by grocery stores, convenience stores and liquor stores on Sundays. Forest Park would become the third Clayton city holding a referendum, along with Jonesboro, Lovejoy and Riverdale.

Senate Bill 10, which went into effect last week, legalized Sunday store sales of beer, wine and liquor so long as voters approve in city- and county-level elections. Johnny Edwards

County school offices to be closed on Mondays

Central offices of the Fulton County School System, including the administrative center on Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta, are closing on Mondays in July. Individuals and businesses having business that involves the central office are advised to plan for a Tuesday to Friday schedule. Nancy Badertscher

No Peachtree City meeting on Thursday

The City Council of Peachtree City has canceled itsThursday meeting. The next regular session will be held July 21 at 7 p.m. However, the mayor and Council will hold another budget workshop meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to discuss the proposed FY 2011-12 budget. For details, see www.peachtree-city.org.

Jill Howard Church

Man drowns in Clayton County reservoir

Divers found the body of man Tuesday afternoon that apparently drowned in a Clayton County reservoir.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, arrived at the J.W. Smith Reservoir around 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to Jacqueline Feilke with the Clayton County fire department. At 11:30, another boater reported a boat was adrift.

After a search the man’s body was located in about 12 feet of water. Alexis Stevens

CSU hold business financing seminar

The Clayton State University Small Business Development Center is holding an “Alternative Financing in Today’s Marketplace” Seminar on July 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, 1709 Hwy 20 West in McDonough. The free seminar is sponsored by Borrego Springs Bank NA. Registration is required.

Details: http://www.georgiasbdc.org/?page_name=description&product=110728&referrer=view_classes&city=Morrow

Tammy Joyner