County by county news for Wednesday

Finance Director Denise Soesbee said that may change if the city has to add increased costs for fuel and employee health coverage. The first reading will be 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 2716 Broad St. with final approval expected June 6.

Beginning Friday, the budget proposal may be reviewed at either City Hall or Suite 137, Threadmill Complex, 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road. Info: Finance Department, 770-944-4315. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Powder Springs Senior Center to hold yard sale

The Powder Springs Senior Center will hold a yard sale Friday and Saturday to raise funds for the center. This event will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the center, 4181 Atlanta St. next to the library. The center may have to become more self-sustaining since the city faces a budget shortfall of $600,000, said Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn during Thursday’s town hall meeting.

The same is true of the Seven Springs Museum in Powder Springs Park on Brownsville Road, she added.Info: 770-943-1555. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

YWCA to hold vigil for assault victims

The YWCA of Northwest Georgia will hold a sexual violence prevention vigil starting 6 p.m. Thursday at Glover Park on the Marietta Square. The vigil will focus on sexual assault and crime victims’ rights. The Marietta- based YWCA provides sexual assault services in Cobb, Cherokee and Paulding counties. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Kennesaw officer in 2011 torch run

Officer Scott Luther of the Kennesaw Police Department will represent Georgia for the final leg of the torch run at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Greece.

Starting with the flame lighting ceremony June 9, the torch team will visit cities and towns in Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt during a three-week journey. The opening ceremony is in Athens June 25. Christopher Quinn

Acworth Farmer’s Market to open May 27

The Acworth Farmer’s Market will open May 27, and continue each Friday morning from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 28. The market is located in downtown Acworth in the upper parking lot by the railroad tracks on Main Street. Sellers will have a variety of Georgia grown vegetables, bedding plants, fresh baked pies, cakes, bread, and jams to sell. Christopher Quinn

Registration ends Saturday for expo

Registration concludes Saturday for a Spring Business Expo to be hosted in May by the Austell and Powder Springs Business Associations.

With lunch included, cost is $25 for a half display table or $50 for a full display table for any business owner. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. May 10 at the Ford Center behind the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St. Those with no display tables will be charged $15 for lunch if a guest and $10 if a member. Info: www.powderspringsassoc.com or www.austellbusinessassociation.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Three schools get new assistant principals

Three Gwinnett County Schools’ assistant principals will lead campuses next fall. The Gwinnett school board recently promoted three administrators to fill vacancies resulting from principal retirements and transfers.

Ruth Tomlinson, an assistant principal at Harris Elementary, will lead Corley Elementary in Lawrenceville; Tyese Scott-Oates, an assistant principal at Nesbit Elementary, will lead Patrick Elementary in Buford; and Alfred Taylor, an assistant principal at Meadowcreek High, will lead Radloff Middle in Duluth.

The appointments are effective on June 1. D. Aileen Dodd

County praises volunteers for service

Gwinnett County’s health and human services division honored about 150 volunteers at a luncheon Monday.

County officials say volunteers provided 50,000 hours of service worth $1 million to the division in 2010. Among other things, they delivered meals, provided health screenings and made minor home repairs.

“The value of volunteerism in Gwinnett County cannot be overstated,” said Shawn Valadez, volunteer specialist for the division. David Wickert

31 win community scholarships

The Gwinnett County school board recently honored 31 students who were awarded community scholarships.

The scholarships, facilitated by the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation, were funded by local community organizations, residents and businesses. The Gwinnett Federal Credit Union awarded $2,500 to Lindsey Grizzard from Grayson High, winner of the 2011 Louise Radloff Scholarship.

Atlanta Toyota presented $40,500 in scholarships including $1,500 to one senior from each Gwinnett County public high school, and a $750 award to the teacher who inspired their success. D. Aileen Dodd

View meteor shower at park on May 7

Gwinnett residents who want to watch the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will have a chance from 3:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. May 7 at the observation area at Little Mulberry Park, 3855 Fence Road, Auburn.

The cost is $5 per person. Registration is required. To register, call 770-614-2060 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com. David Wickert

Hide-and-seek art event starts Sunday

Art on a Limb, Suwanee’s annual program to celebrate art and the city’s trails, starts Sunday. Those who find the artwork can keep it.

This year’s Art on a Limb piece is a steel, ring-shaped candle lanterns with S-shaped hooks created out of two horseshoes. The artist is new Suwanee resident John Wareham. Joel Anderson

County invites kids on a fishing trip

Gwinnett County will sponsor a kids fishing derby from 10 a.m. to noon May 14 at Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Children age 0 to 16 will be able to fish without a license. Kids should bring poles, but bait will be provided. Parents must be present to sign a waiver for children to participate. To volunteer, call 770-985-4713. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Woodstock prepares for Sunday alcohol vote

The City Council of Woodstock told the city manager Monday night to prepare to get a referendum on the November ballot that would allow residents to vote on the Sunday sales of alcohol.

The city has until about June 30 to make a final decision, but the council members did not want to wait until the last minute to prepare. The General Assembly passed legislation to allow local referendums. Gov. Nathan Deal has not yet signed the bill, he has said he would. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners also had discussions about Sunday sales. Christopher Quinn

Commission holds special-called meeting

The Fulton County Commission will hold a special-called meeting today at 10 a.m. to talk about the jail and how taxpayers should fund it. Topics to be covered include 2012 budget projections, inmate demographics, diversion programs, the inmate reentry program and the 2006 blue ribbon committee recommendations.

The meeting will be held in the Assembly Hall of the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street, SW, Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

Crematorium’s plans draw opposition

Neighbors along Ga. 92 in Woodstock are organizing against a crematorium, which notified the Woodstock City Council that it may in the future want to build a crematorium at a location near Trickum Road.

Martin Juman of Woodstock told city council members Monday he and others were getting a petition against the facility.

A city employee said that any location for a crematorium would require a special permit and have to go through a public hearing. Christopher Quinn

Alpharetta school wins $1,000 for green project

Alpharetta Elementary School has won $1,000 through the Kroger Learning Plus Earning Contest. The money will be used by buy supplies for the school and to convince people to recycle. The winning project, a digital story on staying “green,” was the creation of Pam Haight’s “Haight’s Green Machines.” Nancy Badertscher

Forsyth seeks input on growth map

Forsyth County planners will seek public opinions Thursday on the description of “character areas” as the county plots its growth map for the next 20 years as required by state law. In last week’s Comprehensive Plan session a steering committee voted unanimously to advance a future development map different than one that drew the most public support. Planners will go through another round of public comments on planning maps next fall. The meeting is 6 p.m. -- 8 p.m., suite 220, county administration building, 110 E. Main Street, Cumming. Jeffry Scott

First roundabout coming to Johns Creek

Johns Creek is getting its first roundabout. Officials said they hope the circular intersection will relieve congestion at Bell and Roles roads on the city’s northeast side.

An information session to explain the project and answer questions will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Community Room at Station 62 at 10925 Rogers Circle, Johns Creek. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

New water chief almost at her desk

Atlanta’s new commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management, Jo Ann Macrina, is on the job – kinda.

On Tuesday, the city’s utilities committee, held up her confirmation because some members of the council want to meet her before rubber-stamping her new job. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced in early April that Macrina, who held similar watershed positions in DeKalb County, would be hired to run Atlanta’s massive program. Ernie Suggs

Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday

Fiesta Atlanta, a free family festival celebrating Cinco de Mayo, will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Information: www.FiestaAtlanta.com or

D. Aileen Dodd

‘Raisin in The Sun’ discussion at CAU

After a performance of the 1950s-era play “A Raisin in The Sun” by the Clark Atlanta University Players, a panel discussion on its modern relevance will be in the university’s Davage Auditorium, 223 James P. Brawley Dr., Atlanta, on Thursday. The event, part of Fair Housing Month, runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

One of the panel members will be U.S. Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John D. Trasviña. Johnny Edwards

Veterans, disabled get help with homes

Fulton County’s HOME Investment Partnership Program will lay out resources for veterans and disabled persons Thursday to help them become homeowners, including special mortgage loans, down payment and closing cost assistance and foreclosure intervention. “The Close Reality of Homeownership” runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square, in downtown Atlanta.

The HOME program is funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Information: 404-613-7944. Johnny Edwards

DEKALB

Dunwoody formalizes volunteer committee

Dunwoody’s Volunteer Coordinating Committee, set up in 2009, is now one of the city’s official advisory groups.

The committee helps encourage activity at various events and with different nonprofits, churches and schools.

City Council formalized the committee on Monday. The mayor and council will appoint people to the seven-member body.

Three seats on the committee are now open. April Hunt

Former COO named Clarkston city manager

Keith Barker, former DeKalb County Chief Operating Officer, has accepted the position of City Manager of Clarkston. Barker was chosen from approximately 35 applicants, according to a news release from the city. Barker was fired from DeKalb in late 2010 after it was discovered he had an improper relationship with a water department secretary. Michelle Shaw

County reports more sewage spills

More than 13,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into DeKalb County waterways Monday, according to the watershed management department.

County water reports show an 8,865-gallon spill into a tributary flowing in to Honey Creek from the 7800 block of Covington Highway in Lithonia. Records also show a 5,680-gallon spill into Conley Creek from the 4200 block of Panthersville Road in Ellenwood. Michelle Shaw

Former DeKalb CEO to be honored

Former DeKalb CEO Liane Levetan will be honored May 21 during Senior Connections’ third annual Senior Prom. Levetan will receive the group’s 2011 Community Connections Award, which recognizes older adults who have given back significantly to the communities in which they work and live. The event will be held at the Letitia Pate Evans Building on the Agnes Scott College Campus in Decatur. Information: 770-455-7602. Michelle Shaw

Energy efficiency program to give rebates

DecaturWISE, an energy efficiency program offering Decatur residents up to $3,200 in rebates for home performance improvements, was officially launched this week. The program is a partnership between the city and Georgia Power. According to Lena Stevens, the city’s Resource Conservation Coordinator, typical energy improvements include insulation, weather stripping, duct sealing and air sealing. She added that to be eligible for rebates, homes must produce a 15 to 20 percent energy efficiency improvement based on post-upgrades testing. Bill Banks for the AJC

Avondale Estates gets ready for Sunday Ride

Avondale Estates released details this week concerning its ambitious Sunday Ride event scheduled for May 22. Tom Brooks, one of the event’s co-founders, said that about 60 percent of the city’s two square miles will be closed to automobiles four hours that day, allowing free reign to bikers, walkers, joggers, scooters and skaters. “We want to encourage safe, environment-friendly, emission-free activities,” Brooks said, “and we want to open up our city to surrounding neighborhoods.” Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

East Point lawyer booked on fraud charges

An East Point lawyer accused in a securities fraud scheme was booked in a south Alabama jail this month.

The Mobile Press-Register reported Samuel Williams Jr., 50, reported to the Baldwin County jail. Charges against Williams include 10 counts of securities fraud, the newspaper reported.

The Alabama Securities Commission investigated securities transactions involving Synergy Finance Group LLC, a company in Robertsdale near Mobile. Investigators said investors lost millions of dollars through sales of bogus securities. Steve Visser

Fayette Middle School teacher honored

Aimee Gumerson of Fayette Middle School has been named Fayette County’s 2011 Teacher of the Year. The award was announced by Superintendent Jeff Bearden on April 21.

Gumerson is a 12-year veteran who has spent her entire career in Fayette, including positions at Whitewater and Flat Rock middle schools and Fayette County High. She will represent the county at the national competition.

Gumerson, along with finalists Keelan Seabolt and Shelly Dowse, received a computer and other prizes donated by regional sponsors. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

HMC holds open house for new center

Henry Medical Center will host an open house for its new Outpatient Surgery Center Thursdayfrom 5:30 to 7 p.m. A brief welcome and ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 5:45. The Outpatient Surgery Center is on the ground floor of the hospital’s North Tower. Monroe Roark for the AJC

‘Night Flicks’ begins Friday in East Point

East Point’s Friday Night Flicks premieres Friday with a screening of “Tangled.” The movie starts at dusk at downtown East Point’s “Commons,” across from the East Point MARTA Station. Bring a blanket, folding chairs and your friends and family and enjoy the movie. Light concessions such as freshly popped popcorn, candy and sodas will be available for purchase. John Thompson for the AJC

Clayton to hold fishing derby May 14

The Clayton County Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring a Fishing Derby May 14 from 8 a.m. to noon at International Park also known as “The Beach.” The event is free for children 13 and under who are accompanied by an adult. Prizes will be given for the heaviest fish, longest fish and the first to catch an albino fish. The Beach is at 2300 Highway 138 SE in Jonesboro. Tammy Joyner

Peachtree City limits graduation signs

Proud parents can publicly praise their graduates, but only for a month in Peachtree City.

May 15-June 15 has been designated as the official “free temporary sign” period during which graduation signs may be displayed in subdivisions or front yards. Anyone wanting to display signs before or after those dates must complete a temporary sign application form, available from the Community Development Department. The cost is $30 for a two-week period.

Information: 770-487-5731. Jill Howard Church for the A