County by county news for Wednesday

Information: Cobb2010.com.

-- Melissa Abbey

Cobb retired educators to meet Thursday

The Cobb Marietta Retired Educators Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Freeman Poole Multipurpose Center, 4025 S. Hurt Rd., Smyrna. Rep. David Wilkerson will be the featured speaker.

Fifth graders from Russell Elementary School will provide entertainment and lunch will be provided by Mother’s Finest for $10 per person.

To make a reservation contact Debby Overstreet at debbybob@comcast.net.

Information: www.cmrea.org.

-- Veronica Fields Johnson

Cobb celebrates Earth Day by cutting waste

Get rid of old electronics, textiles, batteries, documents and even latex paint Saturday, April 20 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Community Recycling Center, where Keep Cobb Beautiful staff will be celebrating Earth Day.

Not accepted: CDs or DVDs, oil based paint, egg cartons, foam food plates or cups and loose packing peanuts.

Information: 770-528-1135 -- Melissa Abbey

Cobb Schools wins finance award

Cobb County School District’s financial services division recently received the “Meritorious Budget Award” from the Association of School Business Officials.

The award recognizes districts for effective budget presentations.

The Association of School Business Officials is a professional organization with more than 6000 members. -- Daarel Burnette II

Chamber hosts military affairs luncheon

The Cobb Chamber will host an annual luncheon 11 a.m. May 20 at the Cobb galleria Centre to celebrate the county’s men and women in the armed forces.

Dennis McCarthy, the former assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, will give the keynote speech and the 2013 USO Patriot of the Year Award will be presented.

Information: www.cobbchamber.org/chamber/military_affairs_luncheon.aspx -- Melissa Abbey

Solid Hires to sponsor veterans career fair

Solid Hires-Premier Hiring Source will sponsor a free Department of Juvenile Justice veterans career fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at VFW Post 2681, 140 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta.

The primary focus will be on juvenile correctional officers, teachers and registered nurses, but a wide range of positions is available.

Information: www.djjnewsandviews.org/djjcareers/. -- Veronica Fields Johnson

GWINNETT

Tree dedication honors Norcross resident

Residents are invited to a tree dedication ceremony in memory of James “Jim” Scarbrough at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21 in Thrasher Park. On June 16, 2012, the 72-year-old Scarbrough was driving his scooter at the intersection of Indian Trail and Beaver Ruin roads in Norcross when a car running a red light hit him, resulting in his death. Scarbrough was known as a retiree from the EPA, the Air Force and Gwinnett County Water Resources. Considered an expert in environmental issues in Norcross, he was a supporter of Sustainable Norcross, the Tree Preservation Board, and the Parks and Green Space Commission. -- Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Peachtree Corners meeting to fight crime

Three Peachtree Corners neighborhoods — Amberfield, Fox Hill and Peachtree Station — will host COPS meeting 6 to 8 p.m. today at Simpsonwood Conference Center, 4511 Jones Bridge Circle. Speakers include West Precinct Crime Prevention Officer Shane Kelly, Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason, Gwinnett Chief of Police Charles Walters and Gwinnett County Deputy Chief of Police Tom Savage. -- Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Students’ artwork at Dogwood Festival

Gwinnett students will have 41 pieces of art work on display during this weekend’s annual Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park. On display during the festival will be 107 pieces of high school art work, including the 41 creations by students in Gwinnett County Public Schools. -- Nancy Badertscher

Horticulture program hosts spring plant sale

The Gwinnett Technical College Horticulture program will host a plant sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thursday at the college Greenhouse, adjacent to Building 600 on the campus, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. Plants will include annuals, perennials, shrubs, herbs, tropicals/tender perennials and house plants. Information: www.gwinnetttech.edu or 770-962-7580. -- Veronica Fields Johnson

Small business award winners announced

The Gwinnett Chamber’s Top 25 Pinnacle Small Business Award winners will be honored during a ceremony sponsored by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April 26 at the Atlanta Marriott-Gwinnett Place.

One overall winner will be selected from the group of 25 finalists, and will be eligible to participate in Georgia’s Small Business of the Year competition. -- Dan Klepal

School board hearings on IE2 proposals

The Gwinnett County school board will hold a public hearing 6 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday on proposals to amend the school system’s IE2 contract. The move to an IE2 system was approved in 2009, with the agreement that the system would meet higher student achievement measures in exchange for freedom from some state requirements. Officials say the amendments are needed to reflect changes at the state and level, new schools and the phasing out of the state high school graduation test. The hearing is at the school system’s central office, 437 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee. -- Nancy Badertscher

NORTHSIDE

Woodstock approves trail signage purchase

The city of Woodstock will be getting signage for its expanding multi-use trail system.

The City Council Monday night approved spending $56,000 for signs for the Noonday Creek and Downtown Spur trails, set for completion over the next 6-12 months.

Cherokee County will reimburse the city from its trail fund.

-- Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Charity seeks sponsors for carnival event

The Golden Soldiers seeks sponsors for its 4th annual Big Day Out, a free carnival for individuals with special needs and their families.

The carnival, which takes place June 8 at North Point Community Church, 4350 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, will feature inflatables, face painting, carnival and video games, live music, balloon artists and more.

The Golden Soldiers Inc. is a faith based, non-profit organization focused on spreading the Golden Rule by providing year-round events, activities, and services for families and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Information: www.thegoldensoldiers.org/events/big-day-out/. -- Mea Watkins

Gardening fair set for next weekend

The “Swing into Gardening” 2013 Garden Faire, sponsored by the North Fulton Master Gardeners, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell.

The event will feature a pass-a-long plant sale, plant vendors, fleatique, bake sale, food court and featured speakers.

Information, www.nfmg.net. -- Mea Watkins

Historical society plans 10th annual fundraiser

The Cherokee County Historical Society will hold its 10th annual Kentucky Derby Day at 3:30 p.m. May 4 at the Rock Barn, 658 Marietta Highway, Canton. Tickets are $50 and include food, a bourbon tasting, and a hat parade and contest.

Information: www.rockbarn.org or 770-345-3288. -- Mark Woolsey for the AJC

SAT test prep series offered at library

Connective Tutoring will offer a six-part series of SAT prep classes, covering both verbal and math components, at 6 p.m. every Monday in April as well as April 23 and 30 at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek.

Information: 770-360-8820.

-- Mea Watkins

Alpharetta offers food truck event

Alpharetta’s “Feast on the Street” is 5 p.m. Thursdays through June 27, with six to eight food trucks and music weekly near 37 Old Roswell St. The city seeks to attract the several thousand patrons a similar Smyrna event reportedly has. Parking is available in the lots at 37 Old Roswell, on Old Milton Avenue and on Haynes Bridge Road.

Information: 678-297-6000. -- Michael Alpert for the AJC

ATLANTA

Council halts plan to install auto cameras

A plan to install 175 cameras in city-owned vehicles has been delayed after members of the Atlanta City Council voted to send it back to committee for further study.

City workers, several of whom spoke at Monday’s meeting, worry that DriveCams, which are designed to record up to 12 seconds of any major change in the car’s speed or direction would be used to spy on them.

CFO Jim Beard said the cameras would not be used as a surveillance tool, but rather as a way to better document accidents and coach workers into better driving habits.

Although the plan has not been approved by the council, a private company has already installed the cameras, which has also concerned some councilmembers. -- Ernie Suggs

Technology fair in City Hall

The City of Atlanta’s Department of Information Technology will hold a technology fair 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday, in the City Hall Atrium, 55 Trinity Ave. featuring presentations by vendors and industry experts who provide IT services to the city, including Google, Oracle and Women Interactive. Information: www.atlantaga.gov/smartfair. -- Ernie Suggs

SPARC health clinicto offer exams, more

The Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center will host a Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration health clinic 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 1821 Anderson Ave., N.W.

The event, presented by the Fulton County Office of Aging and the Atlanta Regional Commission, will offer health screenings, immunizations, clinical breast exams, colorectal prescreens, etc. Attendees should bring medications to have them examined for drug interactions. Medicare, nutrition and dental education will be available, as well as healthy snacks, prizes and giveaways. The first 100 attendees will receive a bag of fresh, Georgia-grown produce. Open to the public; admission is free.

Information: Fulton County Starline, 404-613-6000 or www.sgmays.org. -- Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Decatur police address recent crimes

Due to recent street crimes, Decatur police issued a Monday press release encouraging residents to remain alert about their surroundings and to “limit distractions such as talking on cell phones or using earbuds,” while also securing cellphones, wallets and purses to prevent thefts.

Police have reported seven robberies within city limits since February 6. Six were armed robberies including a holdup at Wahoo Grill, while four were men stealing from women pedestrians.

Police encourage anyone with information regarding the robberies to call 404-373-6551.

-- Bill Banks for the AJC

Thurmond to address parent council

Michael Thurmond, interim superintendent of DeKalb County Schools, will be guest speaker at the Emory Lavista Parent Council meeting 9:15 a.m. today at Coralwood School, 2477 Coralwood Drive, Decatur.

Refreshments will be available starting at 8:45 a.m. Thurmond’s topic will be “the state of the system, revisited.”

-- Nancy Badertscher

County establishes scholarship fund

DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, in partnership with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and the DeKalb County School District, has established the DeKalb County Educational Scholarship Fund for high school students.

The fund will award multiple scholarships in amounts up to $5000 to area high school seniors who have been accepted into a two- or four-year college or vocational training program in Georgia.

Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Applications: www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/dekalb-county-education-scholarship-application-(2013).pdf. Information: scholarship@dekalbchamber.org. -- Veronica Fields Johnson

Golf tourney to benefit local nonprofit

A golf tournament to benefit LaAmistad, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to mentor students, educate parents, and transform families throughout communities, will take place May 16 at Heritage Golf Links, 4445 Britt Rd., Decatur. The 13th Annual LaAmistad Golf Tournament will feature a pre-tournament with practice facility and golf balls available at 11 a.m., and a 12:30 tournament with four-member amateur teams, a 19th hole reception, southern barbecue buffet, awards ceremony and a $25 same day re-play rate.

Information, Cat McAfee, cmcafee@laamistadfriendship.org. -- Mea Watkins

County to hold crosswalk training

DeKalb County will host two training sessions on crosswalk safety for residents in the north and south ends of the county.

The demonstrations, featuring county police and transportation officials, will be held at high-intensity activated crosswalks, of HAWK signals that help alert vehicles to pedestrians.

The first session will be held at 3 p.m. today at the HAWK signal at Candler Road and South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Road, near Decatur.

A second session will be held at 3:30 p.m. April 24 at the HAWK signal at Buford Highway and Pinetree Plaza, 5200 Buford Highway, Doraville. -- April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Republic Services garbage workers on strike

Forty drivers, helpers and mechanics at Republic Services, a waste management company, began a strike in McDonough on Monday, citing what they call unfair labor practices. Efforts to reach Republic for comment were unsuccessful.

The strikers are members of the Teamsters Local Union 728 in Atlanta. Union representative Huey Vample, a Republic driver, said union members are discliplined more harshly than non-union members and workers are not paid for extra work hours. -- Christopher Seward

Fayette schools names superintendent finalist

The Fayette County school board has narrowed its search for a superintendent to a single finalist. Joseph C. Barrow Jr. is currently the school superintendent in Ware County in the southeastern tip of Georgia near the Florida line. Barrow’s resume is available for public review at www.fcboe.org or at the Board of Education complex, 210 Stonewall Ave. West, Fayetteville. The school board will make its decision on the job at a special-called meeting 7 p.m. April 2 in the Board of Education office. -- Tammy Joyner

State OKs Henry charter school

Henry County’s Hickory Flat Elementary will open as a charter school in the fall. The State Board of Education approved the school’s charter application last week, following years of research, meetings and detailed preparations. This will be the county’s second charter school and first charter elementary school.

Information: www.henry.k12.ga.us/hfe.

-- Nancy Badertscher

‘Taste of Henry’ set for Friday

The Taste of Henry event will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Jason T. Harper Event Center at Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road, McDonough. The event will benefit A Friend’s House, which helps abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 65 and up and $5 for children ages 3-12. Information: www.tasteofhenry.org or 678-432-1630. -- Veronica Fields Johnson

Rep. Scott to hold town hall meeting

State Rep. Sandra G. Scott, D-Rex, will hold a town hall meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Fairview Elementary School, 458 Fairview Road, Stockbridge. Scott will give a legislative wrap-up of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2013 session. Her guest, state Rep. Pam Stephenson (D-Atlanta), will discuss Medicaid expansion. -- Tammy Joyner

Shoe display honors Boston victims

McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland has asked citizens to show their love and support for the victims of the Boston Marathon attack by bringing athletic shoes to City Hall for an outdoor display that will be in place until April 30.

Shoes can be brought any weekday during business hours, and City Hall will remain open until 7 p.m. Friday for those who cannot come earlier in the day.

All shoes not retrieved by their owners after May 6 will be donated to charity. -- Monroe Roark for the AJC