Fulton Co. Board names new Director of Registration & Elections

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 6:03pm

Fulton Co. Board names new Director of Registration & Elections

ATLANTA -- The Fulton County Board of Commissioners named Richard Barron as the new Director of Registration & Elections at their meeting on Wednesday.

Barron, an official for Fulton County reported, comes from Williamson County, Texas, where is served as Elections Administrator. There, he supervised 30 election cycles. Since 1999, Barron has put in work in several areas of the public and private sector with services related to elections.

Barron attended the University of Oregon, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by a Master of Arts degree at Antioch University.

"I am confident that Mr. Barron will serve the citizens of Fulton County with integrity and professionalism," Mary Carole Cooney, Chair of the Fulton County Board of Registration & Elections said.

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2 men shot in attempted robbery on Auburn Avenue

Submitted by Gary Franklin, 11Alive Assignment Editor

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 8:10am

ATLANTA -- Police say two men were shot when three gunmen attempted to rob a group of men standing on a corner of Auburn Avenue Wednesday night.

Atlanta Police Capt. Tim Peek said when the gunmen made their demands, the group of men ran away. The gunmen fired shots at the fleeing men, striking one in the elbow. A second man, not among the group of intended robbery victims, was struck in the back. Peek said that man was on Auburn Avenue to attend to a business.

Both victims are in stable condition at Grady Hospital.

Capt. Peek said police are looking for three men in their early to mid-20s. Officers were seeking witnesses and intend to check the
surveillance cameras in the area that may have recorded video of the incident.

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Fulton County seeks public comment

Submitted by FeleciaChurch on Wednesday, May 15th, 4:30 pm

Fulton County Housing and Human Services Department wants public comment on the draft proposed FY2013 Substantial Amendments. The amendments are part of the 2010 – 2014 Consolidated Plan and Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 Annual Action Plan. HUD requires each jurisdiction to conduct a citizen participation process regarding Substantial Amendments in accordance with the jurisdiction’s citizen participation plan.

The Substantial Amendments cover the funding of projects such as Public Services, Housing Rehabilitation, Emergency Shelter, Public Facilities and Infrastructures. Additionally, the plan covers Slum and Blight, Economic Development, Program Administration, and Acquisition and Rehabilitation of foreclosed/Abandoned/Blighted properties.

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2012 turnout strong for Fulton Co. Arts & Culture

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 12:00pm

2012 turnout strong for Fulton Co. Arts & Culture

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- The Fulton County Department of Arts & Culture announced on Tuesday that South Fulton Arts Facilities are attracting a good number of visitors.

In 2012, as reported by Jolene Butts Freeman of the Fulton Co. Government, South Fulton Arts Centers held over 550 activities and had a total turnout of around 38,000 people. Those activities included classes, summer camps, Art at Work, exhibits, festivals, lectures, screenings, workshops and productions.

Over 18,000 visited the Southwest Arts Center Performance Theater & Gallery in 2012. A portion of that number came from attendance of "Mountaintop" - a presentation by Tony Award Winner Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company. The play averaged 222 people per show.

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Carter Center museum director retiring

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 8:38am

ATLANTA -- Jay Hakes, director of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, will retire at the end of July.

The Carter Center announced Tuesday that Hakes will step down after 13 years at the helm.

"Jay has been a wonderful director," President Carter said in a statement. "Rosalynn and I appreciate all that he has done for the library and will miss working with him and his wife Anita."

Under Hakes' direction, the Carter Presidential Museum underwent a $10 million redesign and expanded its educational programs. Hakes also helped digitize all the documents that crossed Carter's desk during his presidency; those documents will eventually be placed on the Internet.

"I have enjoyed my long friendship with President and Mrs. Carter, as well as the opportunity to be the director of the Carter Library," Hakes said. "I now look forward to being able to focus more of my time on the vital issues of energy that face this nation."

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Fulton County water customers warned of collection scam

Submitted by Don Buckindail, Manager of Digital Content

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 6:52pm

FULTON COUNTY, GA. -- Fulton County's Water & Sewer billing office is warning customers of a potential scam.

Some customers have reported being contacted by individuals pretending to be calling on behalf of Fulton County Water & Sewer billing.

The callers have requested customers' credit card numbers, claiming that they need immediate payment in order to avoid service disconnection.

Fulton County's Water & Sewer billing does not accept any form of payment by telephone. In addition, Fulton County does not contact customers in the evening.

Any customer who has questions about their account may contact the billing office at 404-612-6830 or log on to waterbilling.fultoncountyga.gov.

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School is (almost!) out in Atlanta

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 9:03am

ATLANTA -- The last day of school is fast approaching in metro Atlanta, with some districts dismissing as early as this week.

For Atlanta Public Schools, the last day is Wednesday, May 22 for schools that follow traditional calendars, and Friday, May 31 for year-round schools.

Other last days of school in the Atlanta area include:

Thursday, May 16
Barrow County

Friday, May 17
Clarke County

Wednesday, May 22
Cherokee County
Gwinnett County

Thursday, May 23
Cobb County
Clayton County
Decatur City
DeKalb County
Fulton County
Rockdale County

Friday, May 24
Bartow County
Buford City
Carroll County
Coweta County
Fayette County
Floyd County
Forsyth County
Griffin-Spalding County
Marietta City
Newton County
Paulding County