COBB
Numbers drop for drivers passing stopped buses
The number of drivers cited for passing stopped school buses has decreased since cameras were installed on the side of 12 Marietta City Schools buses in October. The district reports the number of incidents dropped from 192 incidents three years ago to 112 this year. Drivers passing stopped school buses with stop arms out and red lights activated receive a $300 fine for a first offense and $750 for the third citation. Information: www.marietta-city.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Powder Springs to reveal budget May 27
Powder Springs will hold a special called meeting to reveal the proposed budget 4 p.m. May 27 at the Community Development building, 4488 Pineview Drive.
Also beginning May 27, the proposed budget, taking effect July 1, will be open for public inspection 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at City Hall, 4484 Marietta St.
The first reading of the budget will be 7 p.m. June 2 in the Council Chambers with the second reading and final adoption possibly during the 5 p.m. June 11 agenda meeting in the conference room, both in the Community Development building.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Acworth farmer’s market to open Friday
Acworth’s Farmer’s Market will open for the season 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Friday through Oct. 31 on Main Street in the upper parking lot by the railroad tracks. The market, sponsored by the Acworth Downtown Development Authority, will sell local grown vegetables, bedding plants, baked goods and jams. Information: acworthparksandrecreation.org.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Donate worn flags for retirement
Worn American flags may be donated to American Legion Post 294 for a Memorial Day retirement ceremony at 2 p.m. Monday at the post home, 3282 Florence Road off U.S. 278, Powder Springs.
U.S., military or government flags may be deposited anytime in the post’s red, white and blue mailbox in front of the post home or brought to the post’s Memorial Day ceremony at noon Monday at the Powder Springs Veterans Memorial in front of the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta St.
Information: post home, 770-439-0956 after 4 p.m.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Austell looks to fill 3 full-time job openings
Austell is seeking to hire three full-time employees - a seasonal laborer and a landscaper, both for the Parks department, and a firefighter/EMT. Information: austellga.gov, see “Employment Opportunities” on the right panel, click “Position Details.”Carolyn Cunningham
Marietta seeking WWII veterans for parade
Marietta and the Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association are looking for World War II veterans to participate in the city’s Let Freedom Ring parade July 4.
A military vehicle will be provided for vets to ride in along the 1.5 mile parade route.
Applications for all participants will be accepted through 5 p.m. May 30. Information: Maggi Moss at 770-794-5609. Tucker McQueen
GWINNETT
Trickum student finalist in National Geographic Bee
Ansel Ahabue is hoping to put Georgia on the map as he advances to today’s finals in the National Geographic Bee.
An avid reader, if he Trickum Middle School student is crowned National Geographic Bee champion, he wins a $50,000 college scholarship, lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and an all-expenses-paid expedition for two to the Galápagos Islands aboard the Lindblad ship “National Geographic Endeavour.” The second-place finisher receives a $25,000 college scholarship, and the student who places third receives a college scholarship of $10,000. Alexis Stevens
Women’s business network organizing
The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber is forming a Women’s Networking event 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Marriott Courtyard Peachtree Corners, 3209 Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross. The newly formed steering committee seeks guidance from potential members living or working in Berkeley Lake, Norcross and Peachtree Corners. Information: Kim at 770-239-7442 or www.southwestgwinnettchamber.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Police seeking new officers
The Gwinnett County Police Department hosts a job fair for police officers 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 31 at the Gwinnett County Police Training Center, 854 Winder Highway, Lawrenceville. Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Food Truck Fridays return to Duluth
Duluth’s community block party resumes next week with Food Truck Fridays every Friday from June to October on the Duluth Town Green. The event regularly drew 2,000 to Duluth’s downtown community last summer and local merchants are looking forward to greeting families again for food and fun.
Information: www.duluthga.net.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Courthouse lawn concerts begin
Moonlight & Music summer night concerts return at 8 p.m. the last Friday of each month May through September to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn in downtown Lawrenceville. The Beatles tribute band, Abbey Road Live, will kick-off the season Friday, May 30. Seating available at 6 p.m. with free parking in the downtown parking garage. Chairs, blankets and picnics welcome. Alcohol prohibited. Premium tables for six: $65 by check, $68 by credit card.
Reservations: Lawrenceville Visitors Center at 678-226-2639. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth streets to receive sweeping
Duluth begins street sweeping the week of May 26 for three weeks. Residents are asked to avoid parking along streets after 7 p.m. beginning Monday. Duluth will post temporary ‘No Parking’ signs at least 24 hours before sweeping each street. Sweepers will start in zone 1 and proceed in numerical order to complete all zones.
Zones: www.duluthga.net; Planning and Development Department/Stormwater Zones. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
NORTHSIDE
Cherokee drug suspect floats away from cops
Agents of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad tried to arrest Terry Spriggs, 42, at a relative’s Canton home Monday. Spriggs fled on foot, jumped into nearby Etowah River, grabbed onto a log, and floated downstream. CMANS and Canton law officers tried to follow, but lost sight of him after a quarter-mile due to thick brush and trees along the shoreline. Spriggs is wanted on cocaine and methamphetamine possession charges, as well as a probation violation. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth robbery suspect arrested
Arno C. Lamb III, 30, of Cumming, was picked up by Forsyth County law officers Tuesday for the May 13 robbery of the Chevron Station at Matt and Dahlonega highways. Police say he entered the station, demanded money from the clerk and then fled on foot. He’s facing armed robbery and aggravated assault charges in the case. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth library offers reading programs
The Forsyth County Public Library says its summer reading program this year will put a significant focus on the sciences, with programs targeted at children, teens and adults, outside performers and speakers and a summer reading prize program. In addition, the library will unveil a special new exploration program for ages 8-11 called “S.T.E.A.M Team”, focusing on science, technology, engineering, art and math. Each branch will have a kickoff carnival the week of June 1. More information and to register: forsythpl.org Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Canton making plans for farmers market
The Canton Farmer’s Market in Cannon Park will kick off Saturdayand operate Saturdays through October.
The market will accept only merchant-grown and made agricultural products and handmade crafts. A $5 weekly fee will be charged to vendors to offset advertising.
Information: canton-georgia.com Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Johns Creek farmers market returns
The Johns Creek Farmers Market returns for the summer, beginning 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. May 31 at Newtown Park. The weekly market will feature locally grown produce, as well as local honey, cheeses, breads, jams and jellies, pastries and pasta.
On the first ad third Saturdays of the month, chefs will offer cooking tips for adults and cooking classes for kids. The market will run Saturdays through September 6. More information: johnscreekga.gov
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Ground breaking for library in Milton
Ground breaking for the new Milton library will take place at 11 a.m. May 29.
The library, part of the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System, will be located at 855 Mayfield Road. The 25,000-square-foot building is expected to open in 2015. It is one of eight new library branches that will be built in Fulton County following voter approval of a 2008 referendum.
Information: www.afpls.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
ATLANTA
City moves closer to deal with Google Fiber
Google Fiber is eyeing Atlanta as a test city to build its fiber optic network. City Council unanimously passed legislation Monday authorizing city officials to enter into an equipment housing licensing agreement , in the event Google selects Atlanta. The legislation, officials said, essentially allows Google to move forward with due diligence on engineering and costs of its network “huts.” Katie Leslie
Scholarship awarded to IHM student
The Edward Barnsley ’86 Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Immaculate Heart of Mary student Georgia Brieske. The award was presented by Diana Barnsley Fleming, a 1989 IHM graduate and Edward Barnsley’s sister. Georgia, a rising eighth grader, was chosen based on her aptitude for and interest in creative writing. Georgia received a $1,000 scholarship. . Nancy Badertscher
Films from Belize, Curacao in festival
The seventh Caribbean Film Festival, hosted by the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System, is 1 p.m. June 7 with screenings of two films at the Central Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square.
Filmmaker and professor Oliver Greene will introduce and facilitate a discussion of his film “Play, Jankunu Play – the Garifuna Wanaragua Ritual of Belize.” “The Boys of Summer” documents the journey of the Curacao team to the Little League World Series.
Films from the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Cuba will also be shown during the month which is National Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Information: www.afpls.org/news Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Atlanta Ride for Kids registration underway
Registration is open for the Atlanta Ride for Kids fundraiser 10 a.m. June 1 at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming.
Registration is 8 a.m. Cost: $40 per motorcycle. Proceeds go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Information: www.curethekids.org/events
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
DEKALB
Five arrested after police chase
Police have five people in custody following a chase that ended in south DeKalb.
Officers were called to a burglary in progress on Baltic Way near Stone Mountain around noon Tuesday. Residents gave a description of the stolen getaway vehicle to police who spotted it on Turner Hill Road.
Officers pursued the vehicle to Hillandale Drive and Panola Road. The vehicle flipped over and the individuals inside fled on foot.
Police set up a perimeter and arrest them. Marcus K. Garner
Water main work closes Rockbridge Road
Rockbridge Road between Allgood Road and Rowland Road will be closed to through traffic 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today to facilitate the tapping of an 8-inch water main. Road closure signs will be posted advising of construction work and traffic detours. Information: Nikki Peek of Lester Peek Grading & Hauling at 770-775-2019. Arliinda Smith Broady
Decatur passes new tree ordinance
Decatur’s city commission passed a tree ordinance significantly revising the original 1988 ordinance. Before commissioners voted planning director Amanda Thompson said the ordinance is “not meant to stop development but to mitigate the impact of development and encourage replanting.”
The revision was deemed necessary because the city’s lost 4.1 percent of its canopy, or roughly 700 trees, in the last 27 years. The new ordinance takes effect July 7, with a full-time city arborist likely getting hired later this month. Bill Banks for the AJC
Chapel Hill wins ‘makeover’ prize
Chapel Hill Elementary School will get a makeover in time for the opening of the school year in August.
The school, at 3536 Radcliffe Boulevard is the winner of the “School Crasher” makeover program sponsored by Georgia United Credit Union. Chapel Hill was selected from over 700 public, private and parochial schools in the state that submitted nominations.
The work will be done by volunteers July 25 and 26.
Information: www.georgiaunitedcu.org/schoolcrashers
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Compulsive eating risks topic of workshop
A free workshop for people struggling with compulsive or emotional eating is 6:30 p.m. Thursday at DeKalb Medical, 2701 North Decatur Road.
Learn the skills and tools needed to take control of emotional eating, which when combined with diabetes can impact a person’s health and well being..Information: 404-501-9355. Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Civil Air Patrol meets Thursdays
The Civil Air Patrol’s DeKalb County cadet squadron meets at 6:45 p.m. Thursdays at Peachtree DeKalb Airport, 2000 Airport Road, Suite 227.
The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The squadron is open to youth 12 to 18 who want to learn more about in aviation, aerospace, search and rescue and leadership.
Members participate in aircraft orientation flights and field trips. Information: sites.google.com/site/ga065cap Kent A. Miles for the AJC
SOUTHSIDE
Independence Day parade registration begins June 2
Residents and businesses wishing to participate in Peachtree City’s 4th of July Parade can begin registering June 2. Applicants can go to the Kedron Fieldhouse or call 770-631-2525. Registration for all other Fayette County residents begins June 9. Rules, fees and requirements: www.peachtree-city.org, search for ‘parade’ and click ‘Parade Rules’ document. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Hawkins to speak on Memorial Day
Brig. Gen. Steven R. Hawkins will be the guest speaker at the Memorial Day Tribute at 9 a.m. Monday at City Hall Plaza in Peachtree City. Hawkins retired from the Army in 2005 after serving in eight countries. The Kiwanis Club will lead a golf cart procession starting at 8:30 a.m. from The Gathering Place to the ceremony.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Woman’s ex suspect in Fairburn shooting
Fairburn police believe Terry B. Marshall, 44, shot Marshal Tucker, 48, and Latonia Patter, 53, around 11:45 p.m. Monday at the Harbor Lakes apartments off Roosevelt Highway in Fairburn.
Officers found Tucker dead. Patterson was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition. Police said Marshall was the ex-boyfriend of Patterson and the motive for the crime is thought to be jealousy over her new boyfriend.
Marshall is believed to be living in Valley, Ala., just across the state line from West Point and about an hour southwest of Fairburn, and is known to drive an older, black Lincoln Continental. Mike Morris
Quilt sale to benefit animal shelter
A quilt sale to benefit the Clayton County Humane Society will take place at 9 a.m. June 7 at the Quilts and Fixins store, 7986 N. Main St., Jonesboro.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the humane society for the care of its shelter animals.
Information: claytoncountyhumane.org
Kent A. Miles for the AJC
Piedmont Henry hosts cooking class
Piedmont Henry Hospital is hosting two cooking demonstrations for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers noon to 2 p.m. in the hospital’s Foundation Education Center in May and June. “Fear Factor: From fearful to fearless in the kitchen” is May 28, and “How does your herb garden grow?” is June 25.
Information and registration: piedmontcancer.org or 770-719-5860. Monroe Roark for the AJC
Ride of Silence to honor fallen cyclists
SouthSide Cycling will hold a Ride of Silence at 7 p.m. May 21 starting at City Hall in Peachtree City.
The 11th annual event is part of a worldwide commemoration of all cyclists injured or killed while riding. The 10- to 12-mile route will average 10 miles per hour and be ridden in silence.
Information: dodgen336@yahoo.com.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
