County by county news for Thursday

Elementary school students will help demonstrate the correct “drop, cover and hold on” drill for earthquake preparedness. The ShakeOut is the largest earthquake drill in the region and will take place simultaneously across 10 states.

Rex, the mascot of the “Ready” campaign will also assist in the demonstrations.

The drill begins at 10:15 a.m. at Milford Elementary School, 2390 Austell Road SW in Marietta. Janel Davis

Cobb senior center to close May 6

Cobb County’s Senior Day Center will be open an additional week, through May 6, to allow families of clients to find other care facilities.

The day center and the Windy Hill Senior Center will be closed as part of a plan to make up the county’s initial $31 million mid-year budget shortfall. Closing the two centers will save about $382,000 through the end of the fiscal year in September.

The Windy Hill center will close on Friday. janel davis

Plant sale benefits living history museum

Gardeners will have a chance this weekend to buy plants from some of the best gardens and nurseries in Marietta. Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society’s annual heirloom plant sale will be 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m, Friday and Saturday at the Root House Museum, North Marietta Parkway at Polk Street. Cobb Master Gardeners will give advice and answer questions at the sale that benefits the 1850’s living history museum. Information: www. cobblandmarks.com. Tucker McQueen for the ajc

Smyrna’s Jonquil Festival opens this weekend

Smyrna’s annual Spring Jonquil Festival is this weekend with more than 175 arts and craft booths, children’s activities, an artists market, food and entertainment. The free event will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and noon-5 p.m., Sunday on the Village Green in downtown Smyrna. The Jonquil Jog, a 5k run/walk will start at 8 a.m. Saturday at Smyrna City Hall. Information: wwww.smyrnacity.com. Tucker McQueen for the ajc

Jobs fair set for Friday

Congressman David Scott will host his annual 13th Congressional District Jobs Fair on Friday at the Georgia International Convention Center.

More than 100 employers -- including Georgia Power, MARTA and Lockheed Martin -- are slated to participate.

The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the convention center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse in College Park.

Information: visit, http://www.davidscott.house.gov Janel Davis

Cobb lawmaker hosts town hall meeting

State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan will hold a town hall meeting today featuring a summary of this year’s legislative session.

Morgan will discuss the key issues of the session, including the HOPE scholarship, immigration and tax reform.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Dr., SW.

Information: call, 404-656-0109. Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Three Lawrenceville buildings face demolition

The downtown buildings served as Gwinnett’s administrative headquarters before the county moved into the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in 1988. Two of the buildings were built in 1948 to house Lawrenceville High School.

County officials say the buildings pose a health hazard. Cummins Enterprises Inc. was the lowest responsive bidder at $204,700. The demolition will be complete within 90 days. County officials plan to sell the property. David Wickert

SPLOST review set for Friday

Gwinnett County’s SPLOST Citizen Review Committee will hold its semi-annual meeting at 9 a.m. Friday at Fire Station 18, 1515 Mineral Springs Road, Hoschton.

Discussion includes progress on projects paid for with special local option sales tax money. The current SPLOST program, which runs through March 2014, is expected to raise about $730 million for transportation, parks, public safety and other capital projects. David Wickert

Restaurant helps distibute 135,000 meals

Outback Steakhouse in Suwanee has subsidized 135,000 home delivered meals for seniors in Gwinnett County.

It’s the 12th year the restaurant has contributed to Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services who provide daily services to more than 750 people age 60 and over. david wickert

Fire department to hold camp for students

The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services is hosting its first F.L.A.M.E. camp, a mentoring program that pairs firefighters with at-risk kids from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 at the county’s fire training academy, 3608 Braselton Highway in Dacula. Students will see the school that emergency personnel attend to become firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. F.L.A.M.E. (Firefighter Lunch and Mentorship Experience) meetings are held monthly at schools around Gwinnett. Andria Simmons

Amnesty offered for some warrants

Gwinnett County State Court is offering a one-time amnesty program for some offenders who have outstanding misdemeanor probation warrants.

Those who have bench warrants for failing to pay fees or court costs, or failing to comply with other probation conditions, can pay the fines and fees in full between May 1 and June 30 to avoid possible arrest. Contact Southeast Corrections, program manager Nicki Long at 404-410-2555 ext. 1003. Andria Simmons

Lilburn earns fourth year as Tree City

The Arbor Day Foundation has named Lilburn a Tree City USA community for the fourth consecutive year.

Lilburn met the nonprofit’s four standards to earn the distinction: s a tree board; a tree-care ordinance; a comprehensive community forestry program; and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

Information: www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Forsyth sheriff makes pitch for new jail

Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton told the Forsyth County Commission Tuesday that if the county doesn’t build a new jail, from now until 2020 the sheriff’s office will spend more than $66 million dollars to house inmates outside the county, based on current costs of about $35 per day, per inmate. He said in the last decade the sheriff’s office, which sends most of its overflow inmate to Hall County, spent $14 million to house prisoners elsewhere. He was pitching his case to be included on a November Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum. Jeffry Scott

Animal shelter to hold yard sale, clinic

The Shelter Friends in Cherokee County will hold its annual yard sale and mini-clinic to raise money for the county animal shelter Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pets can get a rabies shot for $10 and a identifying microchip for $20. Payments in cash only. Yard sale space for sellers can be had by contacting shelterfriends@gmail.com

The event will take place at 1015 Univeter Road in Canton. Christopher Quinn

Price of justice may be cut in Fulton

Fulton County Commissioners met with leaders of the county criminal-justice system Wednesday to try and head off a fight next fall. The county is projecting a $107 million shortfall in 2012 and the justice system -- including the sheriff, district attorney, public defender and courts -- makes up more than third of the $600 million general fund in this fiscal year. The commissioners want the largely elected justice officials to develop a plan to cut costs. Steve Visser

Unwanted prescription collection Saturday

The Roswell Police Department will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration to collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs on 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. Saturday at the Roswell Police Department, 39 Hill Street.

The event, part of the Prescription Drug Take Back Program, is free and anonymous. Information: 770-640-4100. Joel Anderson

Arts Center present Art in Bloom

The Johns Creek Arts Center presents Art in Bloom, an event pairing floral design with two-dimensional art pieces Friday through Sunday at Gallery Events and the Johns Creek Arts Center. Presented with the Southeastern Horticultural Society, the event will offer flower design demonstrations, painting workshops, jewelry-making classes and an appearance by Vince Dooley, author of “Vince Dooley’s Garden: A Horticultural Journey of a Football Coach.”

Information and tickets: www.johnscreekarts.org. Patrick Fox

Roswell Cycling Festival this weekend

Roswell is encouraging bicycling enthusiasts and others to register for the Roswell Cycling Festival, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival features the Big Creek Mountain Bike Trails on Saturday and the Roswell Criterium on Canton Street, the Mayor’s Recreational Ride and the Kids’ Bicycle Safety Rodeo on Sunday.

Information: www.roswellcyclingfestival.com and www.bikeroswell.com. Joel Anderson

ATLANTA

Cops to crack down on graffiti

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner announced Wednesday that the department plans to tackle graffiti. In a letter, he placed most graffiti in the same quality-of-life category as illegal dumping. The city has formed a graffiti task force to try and eradicate the defacing of public and private property.

While police plan to arrest violators, he said the city is trying to locate suitable spots for graffiti artists to follow their muse with appropriate renderings. Questions: atlantacops@atlantaga.gov; Call 404-546-2605. Steve Visser

Police: Bomb threat downtown unfounded

Workers in a downtown officer tower were allowed back to work Wednesday after a search in response to a bomb threat turned up no explosives, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Some employees were ordered out of 2 Peachtree Street, after a bomb threat was made in the morning, said Capt. Jolyon Bundrige of the Atlanta Department of Fire Rescue. Ty Tagami

Junior League holds interactive book read

The Junior League of Atlanta will have an interactive reading of Eric Carle’s modern children’s classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” on Saturday at the Washington Park Branch library, 1116 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., SW, Atlanta. The “Journey Through Literacy” program starts at 2:30 p.m. and will include book-related crafts and activities. Information: 404-752-8760. Johnny Edwards

Black leadership event at Adams Park

A program Saturday will describe for teens and adults how they can become 21st-century black leaders. “Emerging into New Leadership” starts at 1 p.m. at the Adams Park Branch library, 2231 Campbellton Road, SW, Atlanta. Information: 404-752-8763. Johnny Edwards

Foreign policy critic to speak Monday

Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst and a U.S. foreign policy critic, will speak 7 p.m. Monday at the Atlanta Friends Meetinghouse, 701 West Howard Ave., Decatur about “How to Stop Endless War: Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Beyond.” Steve Visser

DEKALB

Court disbars Stone Mountain lawyer

The Georgia Supreme Court has disbarred Stone Mountain attorney John Lieb for taking legal fees and then abandoning his clients and not returning the money.

In a decision Tuesday, the court cited three instances where Lieb took fees but did not fully represent criminal defendants. This included a $20,000 fee accepted for a defendant charged in federal court, the court said, noting Lieb failed to appear at the sentencing hearing and then failed to show when a judge ordered him to a hearing to explain his absence. Bill Rankin

Avondale Estates lake to be restocked

After an extensive re-grading of its shoreline earlier this year, Avondale Estates’ central eight-acre lake is going to get more fish. City Manager Clai Brown said Aquascape Environmental analyzed length, type and population of sport fish, including bass, bream and sun fish. Fishing at the lake is open to Avondale Estates residents with a proper license and hasn’t been restocked in 15 years, said Brown. Aquascape, he said, will report its conclusions in two weeks. Bill Banks for the AJC

Memorial Drive businesses meet and eat

Memorial Drive-area business owners got to voice concerns and talk about forming a Memorial Drive business alliance/merchant’s association Tuesday over breakfast with DeKalb County officials. Michelle Shaw

Northlake shredding event Saturday

The Northlake Community Alliance, Inc., Resurgens Bank, Rep. Scott Holcomb, and Eagle Secure Shredding will host the 3rd Community Shred Day. Shredding 9 a.m. -- noon Saturday at Resurgens Bank, 2300 Henderson Mill Road.

The event is free, but donations are requested. There is a limit of five copier paper sized boxes or equivalent bags. Information: www.nlake.org or www.resurgensbank.com. Michelle Shaw

Volunteers wanted for Clarkston cleanup

Volunteers from Keep DeKalb Beautiful and the city of Clarkston are needed this weekend to clean up Clarkston’s Town Center.

Volunteers are asked to arrive at the Clarkston Women’s Club on Church Street at 9:30 a.m. Saturday . They will be given bags, gloves, pick-up sticks and other gear to get to work. Volunteers also can help install curb markers on storm drains, as a reminder not to dump waste into them.

The first 25 volunteers to show up also receive a free t-shirt.

Information: 404-296-6489. April Hunt

Veterans’ expo Friday in DeKalb

Veterans, military personnel and their families are invited to a veterans’ expo this week in DeKalb County.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson is hosting the event, which offers information about available services such as housing, health care and education. Help will also be available on-site for filling out Veterans Administration forms.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at DeKalb Technical College, 495 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston.

Registration is strongly encouraged: http://hankjohnson.house.gov/2011/03/rep-hank-johnson-to-hold-veterans-expo.shtml. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Court upholds conviction of car-show killing

The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the conviction for the murder of a man at a Clayton County car show.

Witnesses testified they saw a man walk up and shoot Idalecio Gallegas as he sat in his driver’s seat in a Publix parking lot where dozens attended an Aug. 5, 2007, car show. Carlos Alberto Martinez was later identified as the shooter by two men, the court said. On Tuesday, the high court unanimously upheld the murder conviction, rejecting Martinez’s claims the evidence was insufficient and his lawyer ineffective. Bill Rankin

Fayette police get drug raid money

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office’s Tactical Narcotics Team on Wednesday gave three Fayette County law enforcement agencies more than $58,000 in money seized in drug raids. The Tyrone, Fayetteville and Peachtree City police departments each received $19,351.65, investigator Brent Rowan said. The money, which was to have been presented at a news conference at the sheriff’s office Wednesday afternoon, will be used to buy equipment and other necessities for their individual departments. Tammy Joyner

McDonough hosts yoga sessions

McDonough officials are hosting “Yoga on the Lawn” during May as part of its annual Wellness Program for citizens. Free sessions led by local instructors will be held on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings throughout the month. Visit www.mcdonoughga.org for complete information. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Clayton schools resolve furlough conflict

Clayton County public school teachers will take a retroactive furlough day in order to resolve a conflict with graduation ceremonies in May. District employees have to take five furlough days under a budget-reduction plan approved recently. But one of those days -- May 24 -- conflicts with four graduation ceremonies. The furlough day will come instead from snow days taken in January. The furloughs mean district workers will give up a week’s pay by the end of June. The furloughs help shave an anticipated $49 million deficit over the next two years. Tammy Joyner

Dispose of old medicine safely

The Peachtree City Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency will host Operation Pill Drop on 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Shakerag Knoll on McIntosh Trail.

Any unwanted or expired prescription drugs can be dropped off for safe removal from potential circulation or abuse. However, such medical waste as needles, IV bags, inhalers or other equipment or personal care products will not be accepted. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Small business workshop this weekend

Speakers from a variety of Fayette-area agencies will discuss small business opportunities at the Entrepreneur Development Workshop on 9 a.m. -- 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center on Ga. 54. The event includes presentations about funding, startups, taxes and certifications for women, minorities and veterans.

Admission is free; visit www.fcnaacp.org for information. Jill Howard Church for the AJC