County by county news for Wednesday

Mullins will join the hospital on April 23 and be responsible for its day-to-day operations and strategic planning.

He has more than 16 years of hospital administration experience, including serving as chief operating officer for Atlanta Medical Center. Most recently, he served as CEO for Tenet Healthcare Corp.’s Saint Francis Hospital–Bartlett in the Memphis region. Misty Williams

Powder Springs hires finance director

Powder Springs City Council members voted 5-0 Monday to hire a new finance director, the city’s fourth since 2007.

Amy Davis has 19 years of experience in governmental accounting, said Brad Hulsey, interim city manager.Her salary will be $85,000 -- the same salary paid to Beverly Waldrip, who resigned last month . Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Deal to sign bill zoning reviews

Gov. Nathan Deal will sign HB 1089 on Thursday. The legislation, sponsored by first-year state Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, repeals a population act that would have required unnecessary zoning proposal review procedures for Cobb County.

Because of 2010 Census population growth, the requirements—that had only applied to DeKalb and Fulton Counties—would have also applied to Cobb and Gwinnett. The additional zoning studies could have cost taxpayers between $100,000 and $300,000.

The bill signing begins at 1:30 p.m. in the governor’s office.

Information: 404-575-2785 Janel Davis

Zoning decision delayed for transfer station

Cobb officials delayed discussion Tuesday on whether to allow a rezoning for the Bankhead C&D Transfer Station wanting to take in household waste. Officials are waiting on the results of an FAA study into the transfer station’s proximity to the Fulton County Airport, and whether the company’s activities, which could attract birds, would pose a problem for planes. Cobb’s planning staff had recommended the zoning change, although nearby residents have strongly opposed the changes. The company was cited last month for taking in waste without a permit. The issue could come back before the board in May. Janel Davis

Parenting expert, author to speak

Child psychologist and author John Rosemond will speak on the subject Parenting with Love and Leadership (from Tots to Teens) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Whitefield Academy, 1 Whitefield Drive, Mableton. Registration is required. Information: http://www.whitefieldacademy.com/Rosemond.aspx or 678-305-3000. Veronica Fields Johnson

JROTC cadets to conduct military pass in review

Cadets in the JROTC programs at Cobb County and Marietta City schools will conduct a military pass in review at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday at Campbell High School stadium, 5265 Ward St., Smyrna. The event is open to the public. Information: Major (Ret.) Larry Moyers at 678-842-6870 or Larry.Moyers@cobbk12.org. Sandra Marshall Murray

GWINNETT

Commission moves up Sunday alcohol sales

Residents can buy packaged alcohol on Sunday in unincorporated Gwinnett County beginning in May.

The County Commission Tuesday moved up the effective date of Sunday alcohol sales and established a $500 annual fee for businesses selling both beer and wine on Sunday and a $250 fee for selling one of those items.

County voters approved Sunday alcohol sales in March. The measure was originally scheduled to take effect in June, but Gwinnett was able to speed up the effective date after establishing the new fees. The first Sunday for sales is May 6. David Wickert

Peachtree Corners to celebrate cityhood

The Atlanta Hawks will bring about 15 food trucks to Peachtree Corners on Saturday to celebrate the incorporation of the new city.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Corners Parkway, about one block west of Peachtree Parkway at Chick-Fil-A. The Hawks will bring former players Dominique Wilkins and Jerry Stackhouse, Hawks cheerleaders, mascot Harry the Hawk, a full basketball court, inflatables and games.

Information: www.nba.com/hawks/FoodTrucks. Joel Anderson

Snellville fitness classes to begin

Walk-A-Weigh fitness and nutrition classes begin in Snellville 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays through May 24. The six-week course will focus on healthy eating and cooking habits, plus losing weight. Cost is $13. Classes sponsored by Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service will meet at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road. To register for classes, call the Centerville Community Center at 770-985-4713 or Ines Beltran at 678-377-4010.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Equine clinic for those who use prosthetics

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Orthotics & Prosthetics Program, in cooperation with Deenie McKeever and the Orthotic-Prosthetic Activities Foundation will host the fourth annual McKeever’s First Ride at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. The equine-assisted adaptive sports clinic is for individuals who use prosthetic limbs and orthopedic braces. Kenneth Musisi

Snellville Days Festival to be May 5-6

More than 150 arts and crafts vendors are scheduled to be at the 39th annual Snellville Days Festival on May 5 -6 at Briscoe Park. Live entertainment, food and kids’ games and rides are included in the event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For information, visit SnellvilleDays.com or call Debbie Puette at 770-985-3535. Michael Alpert for the AJC

Loganville purchasing police cars

Loganville is purchasing five fully equipped police cars with some of its roughly $165,000 service delivery strategy settlement from Gwinnett County, as well as assets confiscated from drug enforcement. Loganville and Gwinnett’s 14 other cities will get their settlements from the county in the next few months. Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Water work to close Buice Road for three days

Buice Road in Johns Creek will be totally closed to through traffic for three days, starting Thursday. Fulton County’s Water Resources Department is installing a 54-inch water main along the roadway, heading north from the Jones Bridge Road intersection.

After Saturday, only one lane of Buice Road will be open, with flag operators having northbound and southbound traffic take turns, until work is finished in early May.

Signs will point drivers to a detour. Information: 404-730-7418. Johnny Edwards

Forsyth lawmakers to hold town hall meetings

Three Forsyth County state lawmakers plan a town hall meeting later this week. State Senator Jack Murphy, R-Cumming, and state representatives Mike Dudgeon and Mark Hamilton, both Cumming Republicans, will appear at the Three Chimneys Farm subdivision clubhouse from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday. The trio will make brief remarks about the 2012 legislative session and then field questions. The subdivision is located near Windemere Parkway and Old Atlanta Road. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Pilot to drop candy from sky for kids

Mountain Park Elementary School kids will receive a sweet treat from the heavens Thursday.

Gail Halvorsen, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel will recreate the “candy drop” that he did as a pilot in Berlin during World War II.

Flying a bi-plane, the 91-year-old will drop candy tied to parachutes that will float into the hands of Mountain Park students. The drop is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. in Roswell.

Halvorsen participated in the Berlin Airlift that dropped supplies to Berlin by airplane when ground transport of food and survival materials had been cut off.

D. Aileen Dodd

Dogs compete to make a splash

The second annual Rucker Jump Into Summer DockDogs returns Friday through Sunday. The event will feature dogs jumping great lengths to splash down into a pool of water. Over 100 dogs from all over the country will compete. No entry fee for attending.

To have your dog participate, register at www.DixieDockDogs.com. Information: Nancy Akin at 706-540-9395 or Bill Akin at 706-540-6539. Kenneth Musisi

Nature Center receives $10,000 grant

The Chattahoochee Nature Center received a $10,000 donation from GE Energy during the Earth Day Kids Fest event in Roswell on April 14.

The grant will be used for the Center’s scholarship program. Kenneth Musisi

Free shredding in Cumming April 23-27

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful is offering free document shredding to residents April 23-27 at Shredderman Document Destruction Service, 3605 North Parkway, Cumming.

Personal papers, file boxes, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, empty prescription bottles and X-rays can be destroyed and recycled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Information: 770-205-4573. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Sanders YMCA wins Livestrong award

The Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead is one of the 90 national Livestrong Community Impact Project award recipients. The Sanders Buckhead YMCA will use the $3,500 award to launch Livestrong, a research-based program that offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities. Information: 404-588-9622 or www.ymcaatlanta.org. Kenneth Musisi

Citizen Review Board to meet today

The Atlanta Citizen Review Board has scheduled a special called meeting for today, less than a week after the panel choose a new executive director. The notice did not give a reason for the meeting nor an agenda for the 6 p.m. meeting on the second floor of City Hall.

The police watchdog organization has been without a permanent executive director since November. Last week the board chose Holly Wiseman to replace her. Rhonda Cook

APS moves ahead with new high school

The Atlanta school board last week approved a contract with R.J. Griffin & Company for $70.9 million for the construction on the new North Atlanta High. According to board information, the design documents are now being completed by the architect. The school is slated to open in 2013 at the IBM complex on Northside Parkway. Jaime Sarrio

Prom Closet asks for donations

The Housing Authority of Fulton County and the Resident Advisory Board are sponsoring the third Annual Prom Closet Program by collecting formalwear of all sizes for high school seniors without financial resources. The public can donate used formal dresses, tuxedos, shoes, handbags and accessories until Friday. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at HAFC, 4273 Wendell Drive, Atlanta. The Prom Dress Giveaway Program will be 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the HAFC. Information: Iris Conners at iconners@hfac.org. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

5 teens charged in vandalizing garden

Dunwoody police have charged five teenagers with vandalizing a community garden at Brook Run Park late last month. The five juveniles, four from Dunwoody and one from Roswell, were charged after an anonymous tip to investigators, Dunwoody police Sgt. Mike Carlson said. He said the five were charged with criminal damage to property. They were released to their parents.

The vandalism caused substantial damage to the community garden, destroying food that was to be donated to a local food bank, police said. Mike Morris

Decatur schools may move central office

A joint meeting Monday between the Decatur Commission and the city’s school board discussed a potential move of the board’s central office from Westchester to the old Trinity High/Beacon Hill building next to the police station. This would allow the city to reopen Westchester as a school, probably by 2014-15. But a renovation of the Beacon Hill complex, costing approximately $30 million, would take longer. City manager Peggy Merriss estimates completion by early 2015 at the soonest, meaning the Board would need a transitional space during the interim. Bill Banks for the AJC

County to unveil new trail, dog park

DeKalb County will unveil its newest PATH trail and a dog park at Mason Mill Park this Saturday. The county also recently restored a wetland area at the park, 1340 McConnell Dr., north of Decatur.

A ribbon cutting begins at 2 p.m. at the park. April Hunt

Toy drive supports Nia’s Place

DeKalb County’s solicitor-general is hosting a toy drive for Nia’s Place, the only supervised visitation and exchange center in the state for children of those involved in domestic violence cases.

Sherry Boston said the center needs art supplies, board games and snacks such as raisins and juice boxes, for children who meet with family members at the center.

Items can be dropped off during regular business hours between April 23 and April 27 at the solicitor’s office, 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur. April Hunt

County information officer finalist for award

DeKalb County’s chief information officer was recently named a finalist for the best government technology officer in the state.

Curtis Rawlings will find out in October if he is Georgia’s CIO of the Year, as per the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. The professional group gives the honor for technology leaders based on innovation, planning and service to the industry. April Hunt

Chamblee Run and Rotary Roll May 5

The Chamblee Run and Rotary Roll, 5K Run, and 1K Walk and Roll be May 5 at DeKalb Peachtree Airport.

Hosted by Chamblee Parks and Recreation and the North Atlanta Rotary Club, the event will start and finish at the airport, at 2000 Airport Road, Atlanta. Racing will start at 8 a.m. Early entry is $20. Race day registration, and entry after April 30 is $25.

For information: 770-986-5016. Laurie Hoffman

SOUTHSIDE

Fayette parents, teachers weigh on school closings

The Fayette County Board of Education got an earful Monday from parents and teachers concerned about the pending closure of several schools. The meeting focused on public comment following a recent announcement that Hood Avenue Primary, Fayette Intermediate and Fayette Middle were slated to be closed in 2013-14 due to declining revenue and enrollment. Concerns included feeder patterns, transportation costs and redistricting.

The board and superintendent agreed to compile additional data for continued discussion. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Woodward Academy debate team wins

Woodward Academy’s senior debate team recently won the National Debate Coaches’ Association championship in Las Vegas. The win is the College Park school’s first national debate championship, officials said.

Senior debate team members Jason Sigalos and Rahim Shakoor won seven preliminary rounds and four elimination rounds. The students also twice defeated the top ranked team in the country, Greenhill School of Dallas. D. Aileen Dodd

Hapeville movie under the stars on Friday

Enjoy a movie under the stars Friday in Hapeville. The first movie in the series is the family favorite, “Charlotte’s Web.”

The movie nights are held at the Hapeville Football Stadium and admission is free. In the event of rain, the screening moves to the Hoyt Smith Center gym and starts at 7:30 p.m. John Thompson for the AJC

Villages Amphitheater gets a new name

Due to new partnership between Fayetteville Main Street and Fayette County native Zac Brown, the Villages Amphitheater will now be known as the Southern Ground Amphitheater. Brown is the founder of the Camp Southern Ground, now under construction in the county. Fayetteville Main Street Director Brian Wismer called the new venture “a big plus for Fayetteville.” Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Friday golf tourney to benefit scholarships

Clayton County Public Schools’ third annual Promoting Student Achievement (PSA) Golf Tournament is Friday at Lake Spivey Golf Club, 8255 Clubhouse Way. The contest benefits the school system’s student scholarship fund. The tournament is expected to raise at least $35,000 for student scholarships. Fees: $125 per person or $500 per four-member team. Payment is due today . The fee includes tournament play, a box lunch, an awards dinner, and tournament prizes. Registration is at 11 a.m. Details: Teri Rodgers, 770 473-2700. Tammy Joyner

Henry to mark crime victims week

Henry County agencies will host activities in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 22-28. This year’s events combine a community awareness fair and law enforcement recognition with the annual memorial service on April 26 at the Henry County Judicial Center. The fair begins at 6 p.m. followed by the memorial service at 7 p.m. Details: Office of District Attorney, 770-288-6400 or Office of Solicitor General, 770-288-7178. Tammy Joyner