County by county news for Friday

In 2007, a Cobb County jury found Robert Watkins guilty of the murder of 43-year-old Yan Sing Ku and the shooting of another cook, Guadalupe Parilla, 47, who survived. The crimes occurred April 21, 2006, when Watkins and another man entered the Delk Road restaurant through the back door, began demanding money and opened fire on the cooks, the ruling said. Bill Rankin

Citizens panel struggles with budget deficit

A budget panel appointed by the Cobb County Commission has not found a way to plug the $15 million gap in the pending 2012 fiscal year budget, according to the panel chairman.

Marietta accountant Brett McClung said the panelists tapped by the commission to recommend cost-saving measures will likely suggest more scrutiny “in specific areas where we believe there may be more efficiencies.”

The group met behind closed doors this week and will meet again Wednesday before a presentation to the commission on June 28, McClung said. Ty Tagami

School board schedules meeting for June 23

The Cobb school board will meet June 23 at 7 p.m. at the district’s headquarters, 514 Glover Street, Marietta. Public comment will take place during the first 30 minutes with the board meeting after. It will be the last scheduled meeting for outgoing Superintendent Fred Sanderson, who retires at the end of the month. The meeting agenda will be available at www.cobbk12.org Jaime Sarrio

Juneteenth celebration begins today

The Cobb NAACP chapter’s “Night Under the Starts” kicks off its Juneteenth celebration weekend. Today, music and spoken word will be from 7-11 p.m. at Glover Park in Marietta. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the U.S. Information: 770-425-5757Alaya Boykin

Austell councilwoman recovers from surgery

Austell Mayor Pro Tem and Councilwoman Virginia A. Reagan is recovering from open-heart surgery performed Monday.

Mayor Joe Jerkins said she is “doing real well” after the triple-bypass surgery.

A City Council member for around 16 years, Mrs. Reagan, 75, had a light heart attack Friday morning and 4 blockages were found. Up for re-election in November, she is chairwoman of the city’s Finance and Police Committees. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

A day of fun for special needs families

The Golden Soldiers Inc., a local non-profit, is pulling out all the stops Saturday for a day of fun for special needs children and their families. The annual “Big Day Out” event, to be held at the Acworth Sports Complex, is a large field day. It’s to feature inflatables, face painting, carnival games, music, video games, jugglers, balloon artists, special visits from celebrities and professional athletes. The event is free. More info: http://www.thegoldensoldiers.org/our-events/big-day-out. Nancy Badertscher

GWINNETT

$277 million waste treatment plant set to go

Gwinnett County begins operating a new $277 million wastewater treatment plant this week. The new Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility, off Tom Smith Road between Lilburn and Lawrenceville, will replace six older, smaller plants. The plants closing include one at the same site, plus the Big Haynes Creek, Jacks Creek, No Business Creek, Beaver Ruin and Jackson Creek plants. County officials say the new plant can treat 22 million gallons per day and takes up less space than the 1970s technology it’s replacing. It will reduce the county’s costs for chemicals and personnel and reduce pollution in the Yellow River. David Wickert

2011 county budget available to view online

Gwinnett County’s 2011 budget is now available for viewing on its web site. The 360-page document details the $1.3 billion budget approved by the Board of Commissioners in January. It also provides information on all county departments and funds, plus an overview of the county’s demographics, history and economic climate. To read the budget and the reports, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com. David Wickert

Learn how to attract butterflies to garden

The Gwinnett County Extension Service will host a class June 30 on how to attract butterflies to your garden and to identify some of the area’s most common butterflies. The class will be from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gwinnett County Extension Conference Room, 750 South Perry Street, Lawrenceville. Register by June 28. Info: Timothy Daly at 678-377-4010 or timothy.daly@gwinnettcounty.com Nancy Badertscher

Fitness and sports camp for kids coming up

Gwinnett County will host a fitness and sports readiness camp for children ages 3 to 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 20 to July 1. Children can learn the fundamentals of soccer, softball, baseball, basketball, track and field and gymnastics. The cost is $45 and includes snacks and crafts. Information: Maggie.walls@gmail.com or call the Centerville Community Center at 770-985-4713. David Wickert

County teaches how to spice up your table

Want more scent, flavor and color in your cooking? And want to learn how the answer could be as close as your own backyard? Gwinnett County’s hosting a class on growing herbs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 22 at the Shoal Creek Filter Plant.

The registration deadline is June 20. Contact Timothy Daley at 678-377-4010 or timothy.daly@gwinnettcounty.com. Nancy Badertscher

County offers etiquette training for kids

Gwinnett County will host an etiquette class for kids age 11 to 14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 20-21 and July 21-22. The two-day workshop will help young people polish their image as they mature into young adults.

The cost is $25, plus a non-refundable $5 registration fee. Information: Natalie Christiani at 678-468-5048 or natbrownmodels@gmail.com.

To register, call the Centerville Community Center at 770-985-4713. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Commission grants fee waiver for PGA tourner

On her second try, and following a debate along north-south lines, Fulton Commissioner Liz Hausmann succeeded Wednesday in getting $14,275 in permitting fees waived for the PGA Championship being held in Johns Creek in August. The vote was 5-2, with Bill Edwards and Emma Darnell dissenting. Edwards charged that the PGA can afford $14,000, while no fees were waived for south Fulton’s Wolf Creek Amphitheater grand opening this month. “I am very uncomfortable with people getting fees waived by talking to politicians,” Darnell said. Johnny Edwards

Forsyth Republicans plan rally at meeting

Forsyth County Republicans are organizing a caravan to Gainesville’s Brenau University June 21, to implore state legislatures gathered there in an informal meeting to not redraw Forsyth’s political districts. Georgia gained a 14th seat in the U.S. House and an extra vote in the Electoral College in 2012 based on the most recent U.S. Census. The caravan leaves the parking lot across from the Cumming Fairgrounds at 3.45 p.m. Information: Brad Wilkins, 404-783-1392. Jeffry Scott

Forsyth firefighters head for survival training

Forsyth County firefighters next week will take part in the annual Health and Survival Week training, sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Firefighters. The theme this year is “Surviving the Fire Ground: Fire Fighter, Fire Officer & Command Preparedness.” Jeffry Scott

Roswell wants input on block grant plan

The City of Roswell will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. June 27 at City Hall to receive comments before drafting its 2012 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan. The 2012 Action Plan identifies how some $417,000 in federal grant funds will be used to develop the community. Additionally, a 30-day comment period will be held through July 8. Patrick Fox

Alpharetta firm has tool to rate shopping on web

Digital Scientists, an eCommerce digital marketing firm in Alpharetta and Midtown, has developed an online tool that allows shoppers to ask others for feedback while shopping on the web. The service, called Rately, allows shoppers to save items to their queue, then create a question about the product which they post through a link to Facebook or Twitter. The question and any feedback posts to the user’s Rately wall.

The free bookmarklet is available at rately.com. Patrick Fox

Music in the Park returns to Johns Creek

Johns Creek’s “Music in the Park” returns to Newtown Park Saturday with live music, food, and kids games. The event begins at 4 p.m. with children’s activities. The Beethoven Chamber Orchestra, a local youth-based group plays at 5:45 p.m., followed by the Johns Creek Symphony playing a diverse program of Broadway and Americana music at 7:30 p.m. There will be prizes for “Best Americana Themed Picnic,” “Most Musical Themed Picnic” and “Best Georgia Themed Picnic.” Publix is providing free hot dogs, hamburgers and cold sodas. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

HB 87 seminar at LAA on June 25

Community advocates and experts in Constitutional, immigration and criminal law will speak June 25 for a “Know Your Rights Seminar on HB 87.” The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. June 25 at the Latin American Association at 2750 Buford Highway in Atlanta. Interpreters and translated materials will be available in: Chinese, Korean, Spanish and other languages. RSVP online:

Andria Simmons

Final ride Saturday in cycling series

Last call to urban bicycling and “ farming” enthusiasts. Atlanta Councilman Aaron Watson and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition are inviting Atlantans on a round-trip 10-mile bike ride Saturday. It is the final ride in the “ Living Smarter through Cycling Series.” The ride starts at Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Center 8 a.m. Information and registration at www.atlantapost2/rides Steve Visser

Anthony Winkler to speak Saturday

As part of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Jamaican author Anthony Winkler will be at Atlanta-Fulton’s Central Library on Saturday at 2 p.m. for a book discussion and signing, with autographed copies of his works on sale. Winkler wrote “The Duppy,” “Dog Wars,” “The Painted Canoe,” “The Great Yacht Race,” “Going Home to Teach,” “The Annihilation of Fish” and “The Lunatic.” The library is at One Margaret Mitchell Square in downtown Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

Free HIV testing, counseling on June 27

The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness will offer free, confidential testing and counseling for HIV with same day results 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 27 at The Mall West End, 850 Oak Street, Atlanta. Last year more than 400 people got the free test.

Information : 404-730-1458 or log-on to

www.fultoncountygahealth.org for more information on National HIV Testing Day. Steve Visser

DEKALB

Chamblee set to approve election districts

Chamblee City Council is set to approve new election districts, resulting from a recent annexation and population changes reported in the 2010 U.S. Census.

The vote will be part of the council’s next regularly scheduled meeting, which is at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The meeting is at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3450 Broad St. Nancy Badertscher

Avondale Estates set for a blast on July 4

Avondale Estates is preparing for a July 4 celebration that it unabashedly declares a true “blast.”

The holiday celebration, which is a town tradition, will kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade that starts on Clarendon Avenue and ends with fireworks at dusk on the lake. Bill Banks for the AJC

Ranking mormon official to speak here

Keith B. McMullin, one of the highest-ranking leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will speak in the metro area on this weekend.

McMullin is a member of the Presiding Bishopric of the Mormon church.

He will speak from 7-9 p.m. for adults only on Saturday. On Sunday , he will speak from 10 a.m. to noon. Both events will be held at 1947 Brockett Road in Tucker.

The event is free and open to the public. Shelia Poole

Commissioner to host golf tourney

DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson is hosting a golf tournament this weekend in honor of Father’s Day, and to raise money for his monthly community breakfasts.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. at the Sugar Creek Golf Course, 2706 Bouldercrest Road in south DeKalb. Cost is $100 for an individual and $350 for a four-member team and includes a tournament goodie bag.

More information: Tournament Director Dewey McClain, 770-925-3201. April Hunt

Senior Connections offers summer classes

Senior Connections, a nonprofit agency in North DeKalb that works to enhance life for older adults, has announced a series of new classes this summer.

Anyone over 50 is welcome to check out its classes, which range from hands-on courses about Facebook and Twitter to a genealogy program and various lunch-and-learn sessions.

Fees vary for the courses, which are held at the Mack Love Building in Decatur, the Decatur/DeKalb YMCA and the DeKalb Tennis Center.

More information/to register: 770-455-7602 or www.srconn.org. April Hunt

Chamblee asks for input on planning

Chamblee, which in January grew by more 5,000 people through annexation, is asking residents to help the city plan for its future.

To do so, the city is reviewing its comprehensive plan, a road map for community needs and goals. Public meetings will help shape the plan.

The first community meeting runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 23 at Chamblee Civic Center on Broad Street.

A meeting for the business community will be held in mid-July. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Ex-emissions inspector gets two years for bribes

A former Atlanta emissions inspector was sentenced Wednesday to two years in federal prison for taking payoffs to pass hundreds of cars that otherwise would have failed inspection.

Michael Kelly, 40, had pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act for issuing bogus certificates. In 2009, Kelly and two other inspectors, who have also pleaded guilty, issued more than 1,400 fraudulent certificates to cars at a “Stop N Shop” in College Park, charging up to $125 for the certificates, which typically cost about $20, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Bill Rankin

Mortgage help program today in College Park

Those struggling to make mortgage payments can find out if they qualify for the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable program on today and Saturday at the Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park. Homeowners can meet with mortgage company representatives and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department-approved housing counselors from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For a list of documents to bring: 1-888-995-4673 or www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov. Johnny Edwards

Fulton OKs $1.85 million in grant awards

The Fulton County Commission has approved $1.85 million in Fulton Roundtable Expanded Services Headquarters, or F.R.E.S.H., grant awards for 86 nonprofits that run programs for children and teens. The grants extend through June 2012 and will cover such areas as pregnancy prevention, diabetes education, after-school programs and youth leadership. The funds come from the Housing and Human Services Department’s budget. Johnny Edwards

Stockbridge to vote on Sunday alcohol sales

The Stockbridge City Council voted June 13 to call for a referendum in the November general election regarding whether to permit Sunday sales of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits in the city.

Stockbridge is the first municipality in Henry County to put the issue on the ballot since the Georgia General Assembly passed a state law earlier this year to allow a local referendum. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Author Don Barron to sign books

Author, pilot and pastor Don Barron will speak at the Peachtree City Library on Saturday at 10 a.m. He will sign copies of his book “Sky Pilot,” which recounts his experiences as an international pilot and his work as the pioneer pastor of four churches. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For information, contact the Friends of the Peachtree City Library at ptc.library.friends@gmail.com. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Hapeville in line for Opportunity Zone

Hapeville officials announced the city is in line to receive an Opportunity Zone designation from the Department of Community Affairs. The designation would provide a $3,500 tax credit for each job created by a business in the zone that creates two or more jobs. John Thompson for the AJC