County by county news for Wednesday

Including no property tax increases, the $15,657,189 budget is available for public review from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at Powder Springs City Hall, 4484 Marietta St.

Information: cityofpowdersprings.org, 770-943-1666.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Runoff candidates to debate Saturday

Mike Buck and Richard Woods, runoff candidates for state school superintendent, will debate 9 a.m. Saturday at Cobb Republican Party headquarters, 799 Roswell St., Marietta. A breakfast will start at 8:30 a.m. Other general primary candidates for 11 congressional district, Cobb Commission District 1, Cobb School Board Post 2 and Cobb Superior Court will also talk. Information: cobbgop.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Austell officials raise their pay for 2016

The Austell City Council voted 5-1 Monday in favor of 20-percent pay raises for elected officials that would take effect after the November 2015 election in January 2016 with Councilwoman Suzanne A. Thomason opposed.

Salary for the mayor/city manager position, that has been held by Jerkins for 25 years, would increase by $6,000 from $30,000 to $36,000 - among the lowest in the state for city managers but among the highest for mayors in Austell’s Population Group D, according to the 2013 Georgia Department of Community Affairs Local Government Wage and Salary Survey.

Each of the six City Council members would receive $2,400 more - from $12,000 to $14,400 - the highest in the state for City Council members in Population Group D.

Information: austellga.gov, dca.state.ga.us/dcawss/reports.html.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell bidding on solid waste collection

Austell is seeking bids for residential curbside solid waste collections until 5 p.m. June 30 with a mandatory pre-proposal conference at 9 a.m. June 11 in the city’s Threadmill Complex, Public Works Conference Room, Suite 105, 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road.

Potential service providers must register as a vendor at austellga.gov/vendor to access all documents.

Information: Duane R. Demeritt, duane@austell.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell approves city attorney fee increases

The Austell City Council voted 6-0 Monday to pay more to the city attorney, Dupree and Kimbrough.

Effective July 1 with the city’s new budget, the monthly retainer will increase from $600 to $800 and the hourly rate from $75 to $125.

Information: austellga.gov, dupree-lawfirm.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Museum marks film’s 75th anniversary

Marietta’s Gone With the Wind Museum will mark the movie classic’s 75th anniversary starting 11 a.m. Friday with “The Wind has Left,” a show featuring former child stars Greg Giese, Mickey Kuhn and Patrick Curtis at the Murray Art Center, 2250 Stilesboro Road. Events continue through 1 p.m. June 8 at the Museum, 18 Whitlock Ave.. will include a costume ball, the one-woman play, “Vivien,” movie wardrobe presentation and authors’ forum. Information: www.gwtwmarietta.com.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

Job fair for veterans and others

Unemployment Eliminators will hold a Job/Career Fair for veterans, transitioning military personnel, students, recent graduates and anyone seeking employment 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 19 at Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville. Admission and parking are free. Information: www.unemploymenteliminators.com or 678-863-0425.

Flag Day and Father’s Day event rolled into one

Celebrate Flag Day and Father’s Day at the Fourth Annual Peachtree Corners Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 14 and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 15 at 6075 The Corners Parkway in Peachtree Corners. Event includes crafts vendors, food, music, children’s activities, a car & bike show, and beer garden. On Sunday participate in a 5K/ Fun Run race followed by a non-denominational service. Information: www.peachtreecornersfestival.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Beer Fest Duluth: Brews & Tunes

Duluth will host Beer Fest Duluth: Brews & Tunes noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7 on the Duluth Town Green. Residents can enjoy a refreshing drink while listening to the music of The Regulars Band & The Scarlet Stitch Band. Brewers include Monks Mead, Westbrook Brewery and IPA. Tickets may be purchased at Best of Brews in downtown Duluth or online at www.xorbia.com/e/bestofbrews/brews-tunes-2014. General admission: $35, VIP admission: $75.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Festival to commemorate end of slavery

The Gwinnett Juneteenth Organization will host the First Annual Juneteenth Emancipation Day Festival 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7 in the historic Promise Land Community at 4530 Lee Road in Snellville. Event will commemorate the end of slavery and educate the public about the African American culture and history found in Gwinnett. Free event features arts, music, food and public service information. Information: Penny Poole at 404-992-1333 or gwinnettjuneteenth@gmail.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Blues and blueberries for Flag Day

Downtown Historic Norcross is singing the blues 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 14 beginning in Thrasher Park with The Breeze Kings, voted the ‘best blues band in Atlanta’ 9 times by Creative Loafing, followed by Uncle Sugar, one of Atlanta’s hottest blues bands. Then the party strolls over the railroad tracks onto South Peachtree Street where the outdoor stage goes live at 7:30 p.m. with more of Atlanta’s favorite blues artists. Event is free. Chairs and coolers (no glass) welcome. Craft beer specials and other BluesBerry-themed adult libations available. Information: www.aplacetoimagine.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Braselton seeking input on 2015 budget

Braselton residents are invited to comment on the city’s 2015 proposed budget at a public hearing 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 or 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12 at the Braselton Police and Municipal Court Facility, 5040 Ga. Highway 53. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the Braselton Town Hall or by email request to jdees@braselton.net.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Bank robbery suspect arrested

A man suspected in several bank robberies across metro Atlanta was arrested Monday on criminal trespass charges by the Chamblee Police Department, according to Sandy Springs police.

McCutcheon, who was wanted for robberies in Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Atlanta and Gwinnett County, originally gave a fake name, but was identified by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

He was taken to the Sandy Springs Police Department for questioning and is being housed at the Fulton County Jail until his first appearance.

Taylor West

Teacher resigns after child molestation charge

A Fulton County middle school teacher has resigned following an arrest for alleged child molestation.

The Fulton County Schools Police Department arrested Timothy Benton, 59, of Roswell, on May 27 and charged him with child molestation, according to jail booking records.

Benton, who taught social studies at Crabapple Middle School, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, the school system told Channel 2 Action News.

Benton was released from jail Thursday on $50,000 bond, jail records show. Benton resigned from his job, the school system said.

Alexis Stevens

Johns Creek sets millage rate hearings

The city of Johns Creek is in the process of setting its 2014 millage rate, and has set three hearings to gather public feedback. They’re planned for 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 16 and 7 p.m. July 14. All three hearings will be held at the Johns Creek City Hall Council Chambers, 12000 Findley Road, Suite 300. Final adoption of the new rate is set for the Council meeting at 7 p.n. July 14, following the final public hearing. A city spokeswoman says the current millage rate is 4.614, unchanged from the city’s 2006 incorporation.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Forsyth schools name interim head

The Forsyth County Board of Education has approved the hiring of Keith Porter as interim superintendent. Porter recently retired as superintendent of Dawson County Schools a position he’d held since 2009. District officials say Dawson also served as a central office administrator, teacher, coach and principal during his time there, and has been active in several Georgia professional educational groups. Porter replaces, for now, the retiring L.C. (Buster) Evans in the top Forsyth job. Evans steps down June 30, and officials hope to name his permanent replacement by sometime this fall.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Lanier sets fall information sessions

Lanier Technical College has set a series of fall information series for prospective students, including one at its Forsyth County campus. It’s scheduled for 5 p.m. June 10 at 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. School officials say the 60-minute session will cover such topics as how to enroll, financial aid, career options and academic programs. Another session is set for 5 p.m. June 11 at its Dawson County campus, 408 Ga. 9 North, Dawsonville. Information: laniertech.edu

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Johns Creek offering summer fitness programs

The city of Johns Creek is offering the opportunity to get fit for the summertime through Johns Creek Clubhouse Fitness. Classes in yoga, pilates, Zumba and tai chi will begin July 7 and meet once a week for seven to eight weeks at the Newtown Community Clubhouse in Newtown Park, 3115 Old Alabama Road. Registration runs through June 27 and costs are $44 for Johns Creek residents and $66 for non-residents. More information: 678-512-3200 or Sunnie.McWalters@JohnsCreekGA.gov,

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

APS hires 10 new principals

The Atlanta Public Schools board approved the hiring of 10 new principals Monday evening.

The principals will take leadership of their schools starting July 1:

• Gideons Elementary - Jesse Berger

• North Atlanta High - Curtis Douglass

• Mays High - Richard Fowler

• Grady High - Timothy Guiney

• Sutton Middle - Woodbridge Greene, Jr.

• Carver School of Health Sciences and Research - Marcus Jackson

• Carver School of Technology - Josie Love

• Therrell School of Health Sciences and Research - Shelly Powell

• Crim High - Tyree Simmons

• Brandon Elementary - Kara Stimpson

The board also accepted the resignation of Deerwood Academy Principal Noletha High and the retirements of Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Karen Waldon and Crim Open Campus Principal Saundra Windom.

Molly Bloom

Aviation career program taking applications

The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is accepting applications for its Aviation Career Education summer academy, July 21-25 in Atlanta.

The program will introduce young people ages 14 to 18 to career opportunities in aviation. Academy participants will learn the history of aviation, fundamentals of aerodynamics, the role of government in aviation, and the many careers available in the industry.

The deadline to apply for the summer academy is SaturdayJune 7.

Information: www.obap.org or eburke007@aol.com

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Wellness workshop set for seniors

The Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility will host two workshops designed to help older citizens manage chronic disease, stress and mental health.

The workshops, presented by the Wholistic Stress Control Institute, will take place at 10 a.m. on ThursdayJune 5 and June 12 at the Darnell center, 677 Fairburn Road, Atlanta. The discussion will focus on a 10-week program on living well with diabetes.

Information: 404-613-8580.

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

DEKALB

Man charged with killing two women in DeKalb

DeKalb County police have made an arrest in the mid-May shooting deaths of two women at an apartment complex near I-20.

Demetre Mason, 20, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of murder, according to DeKalb police spokeswoman Mekka Parish.

Shaniqua Camacho, 20, and Sonia Williams, 21, were found shot to death about 6 a.m. May 19 outside the Walden Pond apartments on Shellbark Road off Snapfinger Woods Drive.

“The motive is believed to be an ongoing dispute with the suspect and one of the victims,” Parish told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Mike Morris

Clerk shot at gas station near Stone Mountain

DeKalb County police are investigating after a store clerk was shot at a gas station near Stone Mountain.

The shooting happened around 12:15 p.m. Monday at a Texaco station on Memorial Drive at Rays Road, according to DeKalb police spokeswoman Mekka Parish.

Investigators said the shooter stole the clerk’s bank deposit, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Parish told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that one person was shot and transported to a hospital. A witness told Channel 2 that the victim had a leg injury.

Mike Morris

Sheriff candidates to meet in runoff forum

The candidates competing in a runoff election for DeKalb County sheriff, Vernon Jones and Jeff Mann, are expected to meet 7 p.m. June 17 at the Community Achievement Center in Decatur.

Runoff candidates for state schools superintendent and DeKalb County school board will also be there.

The sheriff’s race matches Jones, the former CEO of DeKalb County, against Mann, who took over as sheriff in March after serving as chief deputy since 2004. Mann received 40 percent of the vote in the May 20 primary election, and Jones received 22 percent of the vote.

The runoff election is July 22.

MARK NIESSE

Solicitor’s office recognized for food donations

A drive to feed the hungry in Georgia brought in more than 1.1 million pounds of food, with DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston’s office collecting the most pounds of food.

Boston’s office donated the equivalent of 52,595 pounds of food, the highest amount of any legal organization in the state during the third annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy.

Boston said the food will help children physically and intellectually so they can grow up to become productive citizens.

The food collection effort will support the state’s seven food banks.

Joe Habachy, an Atlanta criminal defense and entertainment lawyer who raised more than $3,000, was awarded the Attorney General’s Cup, which is given to the firm or legal organization that collects the most pounds of food per employee, with each dollar raised counting as four pounds of food.

MARK NIESSE

Asst. City Manager: ‘We’re not raising taxes’

During a presentation before commissioners of the fiscal year 2014-15 budget, Decatur assistant city manager Andrea Arnold emphasized that “contrary to some rumors out there, we are not raising taxes.” She explained there was a 13 percent increase in the commercial/residential real estate tax digest, half due to new property values, the other half to existing property re-evaluations. Taxes on some individual properties will go up because of reassessment, and a few will go down but, she added, “that’s the way it’s always been.”

Bill Banks for the AJC

Lithonia school is contest finalist

Arabia Mountain High School is a finalist for the 2014 Ford Neighborhood Awards category of Best High School.

Online voting in the category will take place June 11. The Ford Neighborhood Awards honor local businesses, religious and neighborhood leaders, churches and high schools for their contributions to their neighborhoods and communities. The awards will be presented Aug. 9 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Entertainer Steve Harvey will be the master of ceremonies.

Information: www.neighborhoodawards.com

Kent A. Miles for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

Fayetteville police identify child killed in Friday wreck

Fayetteville police Tuesday identified the child killed in a two-car wreck on Friday as 6-year-old Jeremy Stone of Atlanta.

Jeremy was one of four children in the back seat of a Toyota Camry that turned left into the path of an oncoming pickup truck near the intersection of Ga. 314 and Pavilion Parkway.

Caleah Thomas, 3, of College Park, is in critical condition, while Cameron Thomas, 5, and Christian Thomas, 8, both of College Park, are in serious condition, police said.

The driver of the Camry, identified as Christopher W. Thomas, 28, of College Park, was also injured in the crash. The pickup driver, Calvin Seth Norman, 22, of Fayetteville, was not injured.

No charges have been filed.

Mike Morris

College Park volunteers to spruce up downtown

The College Park Main Street Association, Inc. will hold its first-ever “Main Street and Virginia Avenue Proud Community Beautification Day” from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, starting with a 9:30 meetup at the pocket park behind Club -e. Volunteers will fan out along Main between Harvard and John Wesley Avenues to clean sidewalks, pick up trash, landscape and replant planters. Interested residents, merchants, neighborhood groups and others can call 678-739-9099 or email ibaxter@cpmsa.org

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Pitts has 5 days to challenge Fulton election

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections Tuesday certified the results of the County Commission chairman’s race, giving Commissioner Robb Pitts five days to challenge the results in court.

In the final result, following a recount of votes last week. Incumbent Chairman John Eaves defeated Pitts by 303 votes. Pitts has said he’s considering a lawsuit to overturn the result. Under state law, he has five days from the certification of the results to challenge the election in court.

Eaves and Pitts, both veteran Democrats, are seeking to challenge Republican Earl Cooper in the November general election.

DAVID WICKERT

Open house Thursday on pedestrian bridge project

An open house on the Global Gateway Connector Project in College Park is 5 p.m. June 16 at city hall, 3667 Main St.

The Global Gateway Connector Project is a proposal to build a pedestrian bridge across Camp Creek Parkway to connect the Georgia International Convention Center with downtown College Park. The project also calls for construction of a multi-use trail to connect the proposed bridge to the convention center and downtown. The public may view the proposal, ask questions and comment. Information: www.collegeparkga.com. KENT A. MILES FOR THE AJC

Farm market to open in south Fulton

The Fulton County Cooperative Extension is opening a new farm market Thursday at the entrance to the Camp Fulton-Truitt 4-H center, 4300 Herschel Road, College Park.

The Fulton Farm Stand will provide fresh, locally grown produce available to south Fulton residents.

The market will be open from 4 to 7 p.m.

Information: 404-762-7085.

KENT A. MILES FOR THE AJC

Give wildlife space in Peachtree City

Peachtree City is reminding residents to give local wildlife a wide berth. Sightings of coyotes and foxes are not uncommon in greenbelt and wooded areas, and the city does not trap or remove animals who are not posing a threat to anyone.

Homeowners should remove bird feeders if they attract mice and their predators.

JILL HOWARD CHURCH FOR THE AJC