COBB
Austell opens Veterans Memorial Park
Austell city officials will hold their Veterans Memorial Park opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday at 2633 Veterans Memorial Highway, corner of Jefferson Street and Joe Jerkins Boulevard.
Parking will be available across the bridge at the Collar Community Center, 3625 Joe Jerkins Blvd., with drop-off available at the new park. The event will begin with a processional ride-by with American Legion bike riders followed by an antique military jeep unit and the presentation of colors by an ROTC Color Guard.
Information: austellga.gov/veterans; Austell Community Affairs, 770-944-4309. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Austell transportation meeting Monday
Cobb District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid and the Austell Community Task Force will hold a community meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Six Flags Drive, Austell.
Updates will be given about the Livable Centers Initiative study and the Cobb Community Transit flex bus route.
Information: cobbcounty.org, email lisa.cupid@cobbcounty.org or 770-528-3311. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Lace Up with Lax event at Pope High
Pope High School’s boys lacrosse team will play Sprayberry High in its Lace Up with Lax benefit game at 6 p.m. Thursday at its home field, 3001 Hembree Road, Marietta.
Visitors are encouraged to bring new pairs of children’s and baby shoes, which will be donated to the Atlanta Union Mission’s My Sister’s House as well as other shelters and programs in metro Atlanta.
Information: www.popelacrosse.com Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Powder Springs holds subdivision bond
The Powder Springs City Council voted recently to hold a $40,000 bond until Pacific 3 completes the top coating of its Carrington Subdivision streets.
The city’s Community Development Director Pam Conner said Pacific officials want to wait on finishing the streets until they sell the remaining six townhouse lots and also a commercial piece at the front.
Information: atlantatownhomeadvisor.com/carrington. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
YWCA to honor women for leadership
The YWCA of Northwest Georgia will recognize 15 women from Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties for community leadership 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. The 29th Women of Achievement awards program will benefit YWCA programs that help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Information: www.ywcanwga.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
South Cobb Police meet Wednesday
The first South Cobb Police Email Notification System meeting of this year will be 7 p.m. today at the South Cobb Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton.
The speaker will be Sgt. C. Michael of the Quality of Life Unit, which is concerned with such issues as illegally parked cars, sanitation and signs.
Information: precinct2pens@cobbcounty.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Lilburn CID seeks improvement plan help
The Lilburn Community Improvement District is seeking professional support to improve one of Highway 29’s busiest sections. The CID is accepting qualifications from consultants to create a detailed plan for improving the roadway, bicycle and pedestrian environment along four miles of Highway 29 from Rockbridge Road to Ronald Reagan Parkway. Qualifications must be submitted to the Lilburn CID by 2 p.m. on April 18.
Information: www.lilburncid.com, www.glga.org. Molly Bloom
Millennium Mat Co. expands headquarters
Millennium Mat Co., a manufacturer of industrial mats, announced Tuesday the relocation and expansion of its headquarters and manufacturing operations in Suwanee. This will add 50 new jobs and $9.5 million in capital investment over the next five years. Information: www.millmats.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth names new city manager
The Duluth city council has approved city planning director James Riker as the new city manager. Riker will move into the new position immediately. Prior to his appointment as city planning director just over a year ago, Riker spent eight years as planning and community development manager in Flowery Branch.
Information: www.duluthga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth reviews insurance premium
Duluth’s city council is examining insurance carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia’s request for a 26.35 percent increase at renewal June 1. After reviewing options, the finance committee is recommending renewing with Blue Cross Blue Shield under a single option plan that will increase individual deductibles from $2,000 to $2,500 and family deductibles from $6,000 to $7,500. Overall the recommended plan will represent a 15.82 percent or $213,753.09 increase in cost to the city. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
5K dash to benefit Habitat for Humanity
The Georgia Green Industry Association will hold its first Spring Into Color 5K Dash on Saturday at Town Center Park in Suwanee.
Participants can run, walk, crawl or otherwise propel themselves through the course amid a bombardment of color.
Race proceeds benefit Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Trees Atlanta, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Information: www.springintocolor5kdash.com. Molly Bloom
Lilburn seeking code enforcement officer
Lilburn is accepting applications for a Code Enforcement Officer to perform independent field investigations to determine compliance with codes and ordinances, issue notices, citations and prepare reports of findings. Position reports to the Lilburn City Planner.
Information: www.cityoflilburn.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Johns Creek hires city manager
The city of Johns Creek has a new city manager. The City Council Monday night unanimously approved Mayor Mike Bodker’s choice of Warren Hutmacher. Hutmacher, who has been city manager of Dunwoody since its founding in 2008, will assume the Johns Creek job April 28. Hutmacher also has served as city manager of Norcross and Avondale Estates. He replaces John Kachmar, who stepped down March 1. About 80 candidates applied for the Johns Creek position. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Corporate exec to speak at UNG event
The president of Cinnabon Inc., Kat Cole, will keynote the University of North Georgia’s Inspirational Leaders Award Luncheon 11:30 a.m. April 8 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Cumming. During the luncheon, the North Georgia Inspiration in Business and North Georgia Inspiration in Community awards will be presented. Tickets: $35
Information: ung.edu/cfng Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth group hosts recycling day
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will hold an electronics recycling event 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. May 3 at the Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot off of Castleberry Road. Accepted items include laptops, stereos, CD players, cell phones, microwaves and cameras. Information: www.forsythco.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Tossed Out Treasures flea market event set
The Sandy Springs Society will hold its 23rd annual Tossed Out Treasures flea market 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday at Tom Jumper Chevrolet, 7200 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs.
Free. Preview event 6 p.m. Thursday is $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Information: www.sandyspringssociety.org or 404-396-1054. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Cherokee Fireseeks candidates
Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services is accepting applications for firefighters. Orientation seminars are 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Monday at 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Information: munisweb.cherokeega.com/ Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Ag expo coming to Cherokee County
The Cherokee County Farm Bureau sponsors an agriculture expo 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Parks and Recreation Center, 7545 Main St., Woodstock. Farmers markets and other agribusinesses will man more than 30 booths. Agribusiness brings in $491 million annually to the county. Mark Woolsey
Cherokee fireseeks candidates
Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services officials are accepting applications for firefighters. You must be 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED, and must pass a background and driver history check. Orientation seminars will be held 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Monday at 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Candidates must attend one of the sessions. Information: munisweb.cherokeega.com/ Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
School bus driver firing upheld
The Atlanta school board has upheld the firing of a bus driver who left a sleeping child inside her bus while she used a grocery store restroom.
Felecia Dean, who drove Atlanta school buses for more than 20 years, failed to conduct a post-trip inspection after dropping off students at Kimberly Elementary on April 16, 2013, according to a hearing officer’s report obtained by The AJC through an open records request.
A concerned citizen called police after finding the crying child, and Dean wasn’t charged with any violation. Mark Niesse
Special education workshop planned
Families with special needs students are being encouraged by the Atlanta Public Schools Department of Special Education to attend a workshop Thursday about available programs and resources.
The event will cover topics from pre-k to college education, including vocational programs, technical institutions and family support providers.
The workshop at Maynard Jackson High School begins with a vendor fair at 5:30 p.m. followed by the workshop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mark Niesse
Sunday is Play Day at BeltLine park
The Atlanta BeltLine PLAY DAY for children and adults is 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Boulevard Crossing Park, 500 Englewood Ave. Play Day is a free day of sports, fitness, nutrition, and education, where local coaches and organizations come together to facilitate activities, drills and games for various sports and activities. Information: beltline.org/event/play-day/. Arlinda Smith Broady
Students to compete against celebrities
Celebrities will challenge students from KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools in a Thursday game-show fundraiser.
“Are You Smarter than a KIPPster” contestants include comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, Morehouse College President Silvanus Wilson Jr. and Channel 2 Action News anchor John Bachman. Mark Niesse
DEKALB
North end streetscapes still two years out
Drawings for streetscape improvements to Decatur’s Commerce Drive, Church Street and Clairemont Avenue received mostly positive feedback during a recent open house presentation at City Hall. But planning and engineering consultant Jimmy Garrison said construction on the project, in the design stage since 2011, won’t begin until at least 2016, and would take 12 to 18 months. Plans call for two-lanes of car traffic, bike tracks, wider sidewalks and narrower intersection crossings. Bill Banks for the AJC
Landscape upgrades underway at intersections
More than $1.2 million of work has begun to spiff up seven key interchanges in DeKalb County.
The Fresh Start program is designed to encourage economic development by providing professional landscaping, including new trees, and monument signs at central entry points into the county along I-20, I-285, I-85 and U.S. Highway 78.
Work is slated to be completed by June. April Hunt
Franklin back on Lithonia council
Al T. Franklin, a former city councilman in Lithonia, won the city’s recent special election to return to the board.
Franklin won the March 18 special election with 30 votes, or 51 percent of those cast. He takes his seat on the six-member council on April 7. April Hunt
Proposed DeKalb CID taking shape
About a third of commercial property owners in a proposed 39-square-mile community improvement district in DeKalb County have signed on to the project.
The owners would tax themselves to fund the East Metro DeKalb CID, to run between I-20 and Stonecrest to the Wesley Chapel and Candler Road business areas.
The deadline for property owners to sign up is April 25. More information: www.eastmetroCID.com. April Hunt
Animal welfare group offering summer camp
PAWS Atlanta, a DeKalb County animal welfare group, will host offer summer camps for kids aged 8 to 13 this year, to focus on being responsible pet owners and humane animal treatment.
Each camp will also include several hands-on sessions with animals.
Information: www.pawsatlanta.org. April Hunt
Classes start soon for Chamblee 101
Residents and business owners in Chamblee can sign up for an eight-week course to learn more about thecity.
Chamblee 101 classes will run weekly from April 2 through May 20 and offers insights into departments including planning and zoning and the police force.
Information: 770-986-5018. April Hunt
ART Station exhibit ends this month
ART Station will host a new exhibit of paintings by local artist Pat Fiorello called “Take Me Away through March 30.
Information: 770-469-1105 or www.artstation.org Arlinda Smith Broady
SOUTHSIDE
Stately Oaks gets National Register plaque
Stately Oaks Plantation has received a sign touting its National Register of Historic Places designation. The attraction has been on the national register since the 1980s but there was nothing that informed visitors of that distinction. Texas resident Janet Batcherlor purchased the plaque which was dedicated in a recent ceremony at the museum at 100 Carriage Lane in Jonesboro. Hours:10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Admission: $12 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and military people and $6 for children. Information: www.historicaljonesboro.org Tammy Joyner
Legislative session topic of educator meeting
State Senator Ronnie Chance will discuss the recent legislative session at the next meeting of the Fayette County Retired Educators Association. All TRS of Georgia retirees and their spouses are welcomed to the event 10:30 a.m. April 3 at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church (next door to the old Courthouse). The meetings are also a drop off station for items for Fayette Samaritans and teaching materials.
Information 770-487-7731 or www.fayettegaretirededucators.org. Arlinda Smith Broady
Sickle Cell charity run, walk April 12
The 35th annual Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk is April 12 at Welcome All Park, 4255 Will Lee Road, College Park. The South Fulton Running Partners Inc. hosts the event to benefit the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia. . Runners can use times for placements in the Peachtree Road Race. A pre-race expo will be held at the park 6 to 8 p.m. on April 11.
Information: www.active.com or email: race@sicklecellga.org or 404 755-1641. Tammy Joyner
Deadline extended for BOE applications
The Fayette County Board of Education has extended the deadline for submitting applications to fill its vacant Post 2 seat. Letters of interest and resumes must be received by 10 a.m. on April 14 at the BOE office in Fayetteville. Information: www.fcboe.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Exhibitors wanted for Fayette Earth Day
Fayette County’s annual Earth Day Festival will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 26 at the Courthouse Square in downtown Fayetteville. The event will feature information, products and activities related to environmental awareness and sustainability. Green Market vendors, food vendors and educational exhibitors can sign up for booth space until April 4.
Information: www.fayettecoearthday.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Health insurance signup help available
State Rep. Darryl Jordan (D-Riverdale) will host an Affordable Care Act Enrollment Event on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Riverdale City Hall. Participants should bring their social security numbers, employer and income information, policy numbers for any current health insurance plans and completed employer coverage tools, which are available at www.healthcare.gov. Licensed navigators will be available to help with enrollment. City Hall is located at 7200 Church St. in Riverdale. Tammy Joyner
