County by county news Friday

Detour routes will be provided for the construction by Powder Springs and Cobb County.

Also, the sidewalk on the road’s west side will be extended to connect to the Silver Comet Trail.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Councilman Thrash dies of cancer

Bill Thrash, a Kennesaw council member since 2001, died Wednesday of cancer. Thrash, 58, was in his third term of office after being re-elected in 2010. The Kennesaw Business Association and Cobb Chamber named Thrash citizen of the year in December 2012 for his community service and drive to open a teen center for at-risk youth.

Thrash is survived by his wife Suzie, daughter Mandy and sons Robby and Billy Mealor. Service plans have not been announced. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Cobb Parkway re-opens near mall

A suspicious package at a cell phone store temporarily closed a portion of Cobb Parkway near Cumberland Mall during the afternoon rush hour Wednesday.

A bomb squad arrived at scene shortly after 4 p.m., according to the Cobb County fire department.

Robots were used to blow up the package shortly before 6 p.m., Channel 2 Action News reported. Alexis Stevens

Memorial Day in Powder Springs

Powder Springs American Legion Post 294 will hold its Memorial Day ceremony at noon Monday at the Powder Springs Veterans Memorial in front of the city’s library, 4181 Atlanta St.

Honoring soldiers, sailors and airmen who have died in defense of America, the program will include keynote speaker Brigadier General Joe Jarrard, assistant adjutant general of the Georgia Department of Defense, and Powder Springs Mayor Patricia Vaughn.

In case of rain, the ceremony will be in the Ford Center behind the library.

Information: Post Commander Bob Anderson at 404-944-5179 or post home after 4 p.m. at 770-439-0956.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Austell road resurfacing continues

Austell travelers may face traffic delays on Austell, Perkerson Mill and Old Marietta Roads and Shannon Drive through May 31 while road resurfacing is completed.

Information:

or Austell Public Works, 770-944-4325.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Riverwood Charter picks principal

Riverwood International Charter School recently selected Robert Shaw to serve as their next principal.

Shaw has served as the principal of Hillgrove High School and assistant principal of Pope High School.

He is set to begin at Riverwood International June 3. Daarel Burnette II

GWINNETT

Expect delays on North Berkeley Lake Road

The final portion of Berkeley Lake’s dam repair has begun with the installation of sod along the banks of the newly repaired dam. Once sodding is complete contractors will restore the lake’s recreation parking area back to its preconstruction condition.

The project should be complete within 5-7 weeks.

In addition to delays from this project, motorists will experience interruption to traffic flow along North Berkeley Lake Road due to sidewalk installation.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Memorial Day event honors military heroes

Gwinnett will host its 10th annual Memorial Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial on the grounds of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. The public is invited to attend to pay tribute to those who have served honorably in the military and to memorialize the fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives to protect our nation. The ceremony will be televised at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at www.tvgwinnett.com. Information: www.gwinnettfallenheroes.com. Karen Huppertz

World Turtle Day celebration Saturday

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is celebrating World Turtle Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford.

Information: 770-904-3500 or www.gwinnettehc.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lilburn Farmers Market to open June 7

The Lilburn Farmers Market will open for the 2013 season on June 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. The market is located in the Greenway Trail parking lot across from City Hall. Applications are currently being accepted for vendors and not-for-profit organizations interested in participating in the market. All items must be made and grown by the applicant. No reselling permitted.

For more information please visit www.lilburnfarmersmarket.org or call 678-667-2592. Sandra Marshall Murray

Leadership institute accepting applications

The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute trains and empowers local citizens and community leaders to promote change in their neighborhoods and communities. Organization leaders address growth and development issues, helping youth succeed, preventing violence and crime, environmental concerns and much more.

To apply: www.gnli.org.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Briscoe Park pool opening

Snellville’s Briscoe Park pool opens Saturday with swim lessons beginning in June. Pool hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission: $4 for swimmers age 4 to 49, $1 otherwise. Swim lesson registration is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the park office.

Information: 770-985-3535.

Michael Alpert for the AJC

NORTHSIDE

Supreme Court to decide open meetings case

The Georgia Supreme Court will hear arguments in September the first test of the state’s new Open Meetings Act. The court will hear an appeal of a Forsyth County Court decision allowing a $2 million land deal by the city of Cumming last year. Roswell resident Nydia Tisdale had argued that the transaction was illegal because the deed recording the sale was filed one day before it was approved. She also argued that the vote was invalid because it occurred during a session that violated the Open Meetings Act. Tisdale’s camera was ordered removed from the meeting. Patrick Fox

Farmer’s market to open in Woodstock

The Woodstock Farmer’s Market opens Saturday and will run through Oct. 26. It’ll be on a parking lot at Towne Lake Parkway and Main St., 8:30-11:30 a.m Saturdays. Among the offerings: local produce, bath and beauty products, plants and pet treats.

Information: www.woodstockga.gov

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

State officials honor Forsyth students

Nine Forsyth County high school students have been named 2013 Georgia Scholars by state education officials. Five are from South Forsyth High School; Yoomin Chae, Kripa Chandran, Kristen Hopper, Vidya Iyer and Jae Won Shin. Also honored were Chandler Matz and Haley Vale of Forsyth County High School, and Sarah Kashin and Megan Moore of Lambert High. Only 115 Georgia students were so honored.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Riverside Farmers Market starts June 1

The Riverside Farmers Market will open its fourth season on June 1. The market, operated by the Fulton County Cooperative Extension, runs from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through September in the parking lot of Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St. In addition to fresh produce, visitors can get free advice on topics like planting a garden, canning and radon detection.

Information: 404-613-7670 or 404-332-2400. David Wickert

Police top fundraisers for Special Olympics

The 5th annual Johns Creek Police Special Olympics Golf Tournament on May 6 raised about $20,000 for Special Olympics of Georgia, making Johns Creek police the most successful law enforcement fundraiser for the fourth year in a row.The tournament held on the golf course at St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek is part of the department’s annual participation in the nonprofit’s Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises money to serve more than 23,000 Georgians with intellectual disabilities.

Earlier this year, Johns Creek officers raised $29,899 at the SOGA’s Polar Plunge. With these two events together, the department has raised over $50,000. Andria Simmons

Boating safety meeting set for Lake Lanier

The Lake Lanier Water Safety Alliance, the Lake Lanier Association and other groups will hold a boating safety awareness day 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday at the Sunset Cove. Law enforcement, lake agencies and retailers will have informational items. The U-S Coast Guard Auxiliary will do complimentary vessel safety inspections.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Police seek person of interest in shooting

Khyree Q. Houston, 21, is wanted for questioning for the May 15 shooting on Clifton Road that injured 63-year-old Annie Weems as she did a puzzle in her room.

A bullet struck Weems in the face, but she is expected to survive her injuries, family said.

The day before Weems was shot, a family member told police that Houston had allegedly been threatening her.

Houston is 6-foot-4 and weighs 160 pounds, according to police. Anyone with information should call police at 404-546-2652. Alexis Stevens

Ancestry research workshop offered

In collaboration with the Atlanta History Center, the Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Avenue, NE, will host Frazine Taylor of the Alabama Department of Archives and History (retired) who will discuss researching African-American genealogy 3 p.m. June 1.

Information: 404-730-4001 x100 Sandra Marshall Murray

Service improved for child care searches

The non-profit Quality Care for Children has relaunched its toll-free number, 877-ALL-GA-KIDS (877-255-4254). QCC helped about 25,000 families search and choose child care last year.

Information: www.QualityCareforChildren.org or 404-479-4200. Nancy Badertscher

Need-based summer camps available

Registration is open until slots are filled for the Chick-fil-A Foundation’s need-based summer camps.

Power Camp 2013 is a sports camp for youth ages 8-12. Day camps take place June 10-14, June 17-21, and June 24-28 at Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive S.W. To register, contact LaShea Davis, 864-517-7979, ldavis@fca.org.

WinShape Camps for Communities teach sports, arts, Bible study, recreation, drama and music to ages 7-12, June 3-7 at Kennedy Middle School, 225 James P. Brawley Drive.

Information: www.winshapecamps.org. Mea Watkins

DEKALB

Accident site slated for improvements

The Decatur railroad crossing where a bus stalled and was subsequently hit by a train Wednesday morning is slated for significant upgrades next year. The crossing at North McDonough Street, one of the city’s worst, has been the site of two auto-train collisions in the last 15 months, though no one was killed in either incident. Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon said the intersection will receive a more level grading and a far more efficient series of traffic signals, but the work won’t be completed until late 2014, early 2015. Bill Banks for the AJC

Band sells mattresses for fundraiser

Arabia Mountain High School marching band will be selling mattresses 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday at the school, 6610 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia. National brands are offered at $269 to $1999 a set. Layway plans offered. Proceeds benefit band activities. Information: Anthony Cathey, Custom Fundraising Solutions at acatheycfs@gmail.com Staff

Brookhaven hires first two officers

Brookhaven recently swore in its first two police officers, supervisors who will support Chief Gary Yandura.

Lt. Brandon Gurley will serve as the department’s public information officer and lead community outreach efforts. He previously worked for Sandy Springs Police and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Mike Goode was also sworn in as a commander. He worked for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years before taking on the new role in Brookhaven.

The city expects to hire a full department and begin patrols later this year. April Hunt

DeKalb distributing water quality report

DeKalb County is sending out its annual report of the water quality from its department of watershed management.

The Consumer Confidence Report includes information on testing results during 2012, including tests for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division to ensure water is safe to drink.

The county exceeds state and federal standards for the drinking water it supplies to more than 700,000.

Information: www.dekalbwatershed.com.

April Hunt

Decatur Library to hold book sale

The Friends of the Decatur Library will host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdayat the library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Thousands of gently used fiction, nonfiction and children’s books, DVDs and CDs will be available for purchase. Prices start at $.50 and only cash and checks will be accepted. All proceeds benefit the programs and collections of the library. Admission is free.

Information: 404-370-3070. Veronica Fields Johnson

DeKalb schools change budget hearing plans

Hours before a final hearing on next year’s budget, the DeKalb County School District canceled and rescheduled the event for noon June 3.

The school board is now expected to hear from the public just a week before a possible June 10 preliminary vote on the fiscal year 2014 budget, which starts in July. A vote is expected June 26. Ty Tagami

SOUTHSIDE

Riverdale High to graduate five sets of twins

Riverdale High School’s graduation ceremony today will have five sets of twins among the 234 graduating seniors. They are Raven and Kirstyn Miller; Jasmine and Briana Gaunt; Briana and Ashley Adair;, Kamhad and Kashad Magwood and Damidrick and Damitrious Cowser.

The students participated in school organizations and activities together and played sports on the same teams. Riverdale is part of Operation Graduation, where eight Clayton County graduations are held over three days at the Georgia Dome. Tammy Joyner

Filming will close part of Redwine Road

Traffic on Redwine Road in Fayetteville will be affected off and on in the coming weeks due to filming of a remake of the movie “Endless Love.” The road will be closed today (Friday) from 2 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. between Harris Road and Harp Road. More delays in the same location will occur from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and again June 19. Details at www.fayettecountyga.gov. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Peachtree City seeks festival vendors

Peachtree City’s annual International Festival and Rotary Dragon Boat Races won’t be held until Sept. 28, but the Convention and Visitors Bureau is already seeking vendors for the event. Artisans and craft and food vendors can contact Nikki Sheets at 678-216-0282 or nikki@visitpeachtreecity.com for applications. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Public safety night Tuesday

Safety and Protection Night is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Home Depot parking lot on Fairview Road in Ellenwood. The annual event is hosted by Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes along with Henry County’s public safety departments. The public is invited to attend. Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Spots open in summer music camp

Clayton State University’s Spivey Hall has a few spots left in its Summer Music Camp 9:30 a..m. to 3:30 p.m. daily June 10 -14. It is open to rising 4th to 7th graders. Teacher recommendations required. The camp includes instructions with music experts as well as choral singing, guitar, piano, playing Orff instruments, folk dancing and performing at Spivey Hall. Cost: $150 due by registration deadline June 3. Discounts available to families with multiple students. A late registration fee of $175 per student will be accepted after June 3 on a space-available basis. Information: www.spiveyhall.org/education, or email EducationManager@SpiveyHall.org, or call (678) 466-4481. Tammy Joyner

Nominations asked for community awards

Girls and Guys Organized for Anointed Living (GOAL) is accepting nominations for its annual community service awards. The nonprofit group honors Fayette County students committed to educational excellence and youth leadership, along with the mothers who support them. Awards will be presented at the Youth Gala on May 25. Forms and details are at www.anointedliving.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC