COBB
Speed-limit decrease tabled in Powder Springs
The Powder Springs City Council voted Monday to table a vote on decreasing the speed limit of New Macland Road from 45 to 35 mph. In a rare disagreement with Mayor Patricia Vaughn, Councilwomen Rosalyn Neal and Cheryl Sarvis and Councilman Chris Wizner all said they would oppose the decrease during Monday’s 6:30 p.m. work session before the 7 p.m. Council meeting.
Wizner said he thinks more motorists will bypass the city if the decrease is implemented. Vaughn said she is concerned that drivers travel too fast through the residential section that also includes Compton Elementary School. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Roads to be closed Saturday for race
Parts of Atlanta Street and Lewis Road will be closed 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday for the Powder Springs Woman’s Club’s race to benefit the Powder Springs Senior Center and the club’s scholarship fund.
Registration for “Run for the Ages” is 7:30 a.m. The event begins and ends at the Ford Center behind the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.
Cost: $10 ; $25. Information: info@pswc.net or pswc.net/fundraisers/runfortheages. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Smyrna tables smoking ban
The Smyrna City Council on Monday tabled a vote to prohibit smoking in city parks and property until the May 19 meeting. A vote was also tabled at a March meeting.
City staff needs more time to determine which parks are large enough to have smoking areas and where they will be located. Information: www.smyrna-city.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Month-long flea market to benefit cat shelter
Good Mews Animal Foundation, which operates a volunteer-based, no-kill shelter, holds a Spring flea market 9 a.m. Friday at the Sandy Plains Exchange Shopping Center, 1860 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. The flea market will continue on weekends to May 25. Information: www.goodmews.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Public safety party on Saturday
A Public Safety Education Block Party will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the entrance of Parkview Apartments, 360 Six Flags Drive, Austell.
Local fire and police departments, 911, Community Emergency Response Team, Austell Community Task Force, Animal Control and the Neighborhood Safety Commission will participate in this free event.
Information: austelltaskforce.org.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Cemetery cleanup looking for volunteers
Volunteers are invited to join River Line Historic Area volunteers 10 a.m. to noon Saturday to restore the historic Turner Sewell Cemetery, 1490 Veterans Memorial Highway, Mableton.
The cemetery is being cleaned in preparation for the unveiling on May 10 of an interpretative sign, containing information about the pioneer Turner family and the ferry they operated across the Chattahoochee River during the nineteenth century.
Reservations: riverlinega@gmail.com.
Information:
, riverline.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
GWINNETT
Winder getting new citizens alert system
Winder is replacing their early warning sirens with a new citizen alert system that allows citizens to sign up for free notifications by home phone, cell phone, text and email. These alerts, available after May 15 through www.cityofwinder.com, can vary from severe weather warnings to gas main breaks or upcoming city events. Residents needing help signing up may visit the Pavilion during the Great American Clean Up Friday and Saturday April 25-26, or at the Winder Police Department May 3, 7 and 13. Questions: Missy Towe at 770-867-2156 or Kristen Massey at 678-425-6853. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Norcross business leaders breakfast
Norcross and the City’s Economic Development Department invite business managers and business owners to the Sixth Annual Business Breakfast 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Norcross Community Center, 10 College Street. Business leaders will have a chance to meet with the Mayor, City Council members, City Manager, department heads and staff. Registration: www.norcrossga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Park event will support healthy living
Gwinnett County Parks and Eastside Medical Center will launch Live Healthy Gwinnett with a POP-UP Park event 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Eastside Medical Center, 1700 Medical Way, Snellville with fitness demonstrations, inflatables, music, medical screenings and giveaways. Includes a kick-off 3K glow in the dark fun walk/run and movie at 8 p.m. Friday. Proceeds support the Live Healthy Gwinnett scholarship fund. Information: www.livehealthygwinnett.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Run to support alcohol-free youth
The Hooked Teen Club will sponsor a Alcohol Free 5K and Fun Run at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway in Lawrenceville with proceeds going to the Georgia Teen Institute Scholarship Fund and Hooked Teen Club. Registration: www.tinyurl.com/lejbxoj or 678-277-0900.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Hudgens exhibit shows crimes against nature
The Hudgens Center for the Arts hosts a reception and family day for works by Pam Longobardi, winner of the $50,000 Hudgens Prize, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. The show, What Once Was Lost Must Now Be Found, is a continuation of her Drifters Project, an ongoing environmental art intervention involving photography.
Information: www.thehudgens.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Roadway resurfacing to begin in Duluth
Duluth roadways will benefit from the 2014 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant for milling, patching, and resurfacing funded by the motor fuel tax with a 30 percent match from SPLOST dollars. Roadways were chosen based on results from the Pavement Evaluation Report.
Roadways to receive repair: www.duluthga.net/departments/public_works.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Body pulled from Cherokee lake identified
Authorities have identified the body of the woman pulled around 7:30 Monday night from Cherokee County’s Lake Arrowhead as Cindy Naterman, 70, of Waleska. Naterman lives at the lake, officials said.
Deputies were called to the lake after a boater spotted the body floating. Divers with the county’s fire department removed the body from the water about two hours latersaid.
An autopsy is being conducted today. Marcus K. Garner and Alexis Stevens
Ball Ground seeks comment on proposals
The city of Ball Ground holds a public hearing 7 p.m. May 8, 215 Valley St. on a proposed park ordinance and changes to the city’s sign ordinance. The proposal regulates park behavior, including banning littering, alcohol and camping, and sets policies on the use of park facilities. The signage change will regulate public and private property. Information: cityofballground.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Council passes new security camera policy
Sandy Springs revised security cameras will allow surveillance camera poles on private property to be between 4 and 12 feet high, provided they are approved by 75 percent of the property owners, and 100 percent of the property owners within 100 feet of a proposed camera.
Neighborhoods currently are allowed to install cameras without a permit on poles less than 4 feet high. Information: www.sandyspringsga.gov
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Cherokee chamber to honor young leaders
The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce seeks nominees for Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals recognition program. The program highlights residents under 40 considered to be future leaders.
Deadline: May 1.
Winners will be honored at a Chamber breakfast in June.
Information: 770-345-0400.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Workshops to focus on cyber safety
The Milton Community Alliance for Mental Wellness is sponsoring GBI cyber safety workshops at 2 p.m. Sundayat Northwestern Middle School, 12805 Birmingham Highway; and 7 p.m. April 29 at Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend.
The GBI’s Georgia CyberSafety Initiative is a multi-agency collaboration that seeks to educate parents on current trends among children and their use of technology and to ensure children’s safety from online threats. The workshops are open to the public.
Information: www.cityofmiltonga.us
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Cherokee water, sewer offices to move
The Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority is moving from 391 W. Main St. to 140 W. Main St., Canton.
The authority’s 175 employees will gradually transition to the new offices during May.
He says no exact date’s been set for a changeover of its customer service and bill payment functions.Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
Construction exec appointed to Georgia regents
Gov. Nathan Deal appointed contracting executive Sachin Shailendra to the state Board of Regents.
Shailendra, president of SG Contracting in Atlanta, was sworn in last week to the 19-member board that is the governing body of the University System of Georgia. Regents are appointed for seven year terms.
Shailendra is a Georgia Tech graduate, and sits on the boards of the Atlanta Opera and the Children’s Healthcare Sports Network.
He replaces outgoing Regent Kenneth R. Bernard, Jr., whose term ended this year.
Janel Davis
City announces ‘streetcar race’ in June
To promote the opening of the Atlanta Streetcar, city officials, Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and Siemens are hosting a “Run the Rails 5K” in June along the streetcar’s downtown tracks. The race begins 8 a.m., June 21. Entry fees range between $30 and $35, plus fees. Information, visit www.theatlantastreetcarrace.com. Katie Leslie
Job fair at Fulton government center
The Fulton County Office of Workforce Development hosts a job fair 10 a.m. today in the atrium of the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor St.
Employers that expect to hire within the next 90 days will be present. Information: 404-613-6381. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Reception to benefit Mental Health of Ga.
A reception and silent auction to benefit Mental Health America of Georgia is 5 p.m. Thursday at the offices of Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough, 201 17th St. NW.
State Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is the honorary chairman. Former WSB news personality Monica Pearson is the emcee.
A $50 donation is suggested. Mental Health America of Georgia works to enhance mental health through education, outreach and advocacy. Information: cindy@mhageorgia.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
DeKalb chamber names interim leader
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce named Katerina Taylor as its interim leader while a search gets underway for a new president.
Current chamber president Leonardo McClarty is leaving the position effective May 23 to accept another position in York, Pa. Taylor has been the chamber’s membership director. The board also named her as its director of operations and investor relations. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Decatur may see racial profiling board
Decatur resident Don Denard made a “formal request” to the city’s commission for an “appropriate response” to his claim of being racially profiled by city police last Dec. 15. Denard’s statement suggested 13 separate ideas including the creation of a community review board to monitor all racial-profiling complaints. Mayor Jim Baskett assured Denard his request would be carefully reviewed. Bill Banks for the AJC
Final UDO meeting tonight
The fourth and final Unified Development Ordinance community workshop is 7-9 p.m. tonight at Decatur’s City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St. Tonight’s meeting covers the idea of transitional districts between the city’s predominantly single-family residential and downtown business.
This includes, among others, areas that accommodate live/work units, downtown-friendly townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings. The final draft of the UDO is slated for a September completion. Bill Banks for the AJC
Open house on East Metro DeKalb CID
Commercial and industrial property owners in south DeKalb County will host an open house on the new East Metro DeKalb Community Improvement District at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.
The proposed CID boundary is along the I-20 corridor. Property owners attending the open house will receive information about the new CID, and have an opportunity to ask questions as well as to sign up to participate.
Information: www.eastmetrocid.com or 404-684-7031. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Job fair for careers in juvenile justice
The state Department of Juvenile Justice is hosting an information session about careers with the department at 2 p.m. today in the DeKalb Conference Center at Georgia Piedmont College, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston.
The department is sponsoring job fairs throughout the state this month to attract qualified candidates, including veterans, seeking careers in juvenile corrections. The events are free and open to the public.
Information: www.djjnewsandviews.org/djjcareers Kent A. Miles for the AJC
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
SOUTHSIDE
Former Clayton teacher charged with child sex
A former Clayton County Schools teacher is in jail after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Roderick Winslow Arrington was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with child sexual exploitation, sexual assault of a person in custody or school, and possession of a weapon at school, according to court records.
Arrington, 29, was dismissed Monday from his teaching job at Drew High School in Riverdale, authorities said. Marcus K. Garner
Fayette BOE interviews applicants
The 10 candidates who have applied to fill the unexpired Post 2 seat on the Fayette County Board of Education gave brief presentations about their qualifications at a called meeting Monday. The existing board members will appoint either Kevin Aycock, Dan Colwell, Tonya Cureton Curry, Gary Griffin, Paul Post, Catherine Sanderson, Susan Stopford, Carol Sweatman, Becky Talley or Ching Ching Yap, as early as April 28. Jill Howard Church
Community recycling event in College Park
College Park residents may recycle electronics and hazardous household materials.
Hazardous household materials will be collected for disposal beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at the John Calvin-College Street recyclable materials collection center, and the Jamestown recyclable collections center off Herschel Road.
Electronics and computer hardware can be dropped off starting at 9 a.m. through Monday in the parking lot of the public safety building, 3717 College St. Information: www.collegeparkga.com
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Easter egg hunt rescheduled
Due to heavy rain last weekend, the Peachtree City Easter Egg Hunt has been rescheduled for 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Shakerag Knoll on McIntosh Trail. Registration starts at 9:30 and the search at 10:30 (bring your own basket); and other activities include a moonwalk and games. No pets allowed.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Woodward Academy zoning changed
The College Park City Council voted Monday to update the zoning for Woodward Academy from a decades-old residential classification to “civic institutional.” Officials say the change will provide long-term zoning continuity as the school seeks to renovate and expand on its 80-acre campus. The school has more than 2,700 students.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Henry County students tapped for program
Twenty-two students from eight Henry County high schools have been selected as finalists for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program — the third straight year the district has had more than 20 students selected. Nearly 700 students from across the state will participate this summer at Valdosta State University. Since the program is fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly, there is no charge for students to attend. Information: www.gosa.georgia.gov or www.henry.k12.ga.us.
Monroe Roark for the AJC
