Pond-clearing goes awry; city apologizes

Johns Creek wants residents to know it’s sorry about the fish.

A dredging operation left the water in the Newtown Park retention pond murky with suspended particulates, the city said. The particles were expected to eventually settle out, but they never did, and the water stayed cloudy. So, last week, the pond was treated with alum, commonly used in waters containing wildlife to eliminate cloudiness.

The alum appeared to work. However, the city said on its website, “it appears that numerous fish died over the weekend.”

Once conditions stabilize, the city will look into revitalizing the pond’s wildlife, officials said.

Information: bit.ly/2mEiiXe approved Greenprints’ request to keep Market Street closed following the farmer’s market until 10 p.m., to close the Noonday Creek Trail while a race is in progress and to be issued a temporary alcohol license allowing beer and wine sales.

Information: trailfest.org/

New elections headquarters approved

Forsyth County’s Voter Registrations and Elections department officials will be getting a new, combined and more efficient home.

County commissioners recently awarded a $3.15 million contract to CBI General Contractors of Cumming to build a 20,000 squarefoot building near the county tax commissioner’s office on Tribble Gap Road. Elections Administrator Barbara Luth says it will bring together two currently separate offices, one in the county administration building on East Main, the other a warehouse and overflow facility on Piney Grove Road several miles away. Luth said the new facilities will cut out the need for back-and-forth between the two and lead to more efficient election planning and execution. 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 11. $14, including children. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. This resident dance company of the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department is made up of hand-selected dancers ages 7 to 18. Tickets: 770-641-3987, RoswellGov.com/ distribute.

Writing Workshop: “The Art of Nonfiction” with Melissa Fay Greene. 10 a.m. to noon March 14. Free. Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St., Room 220, Roswell. Greene is the author of the Roswell Reads selection “The Underdogs: Children, Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love” about several families whose lives are impacted dramatically by highly-trained service dogs. Register: eventbrite.com, search word “Roswell Reads” or email RoswellReads@gmail.com. RoswellReads.com.

Tossed Out Treasures: Sandy Springs Society. Preview party: 6-9 p.m. March 16. $30 to $35, including dinner and a silent auction. Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17-18. City Center Crossing Shopping Center (former Marshalls location), 6337 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. This upscale re-sale market sells such gently-used, high-end items as home décor, jewelry, silver, crystal, sports equipment, art, furniture and clothing. All proceeds will benefit the society’s philanthropic grants program, benefiting more than 25 nonprofit organizations. Tickets: SandySpringsSociety.org.

Expansion plans for five group homes denied

A request by Sober Men Living to expand the number of residents in five group homes was denied recently by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.

Serving men age 18 to 25 who are recovering from addictions, the nonprofit sought to increase the residents to eight in each the homes located in the Pinetree neighborhood near Kennesaw State University.

Nearly 40 community members attended the meeting to voice their opposition to the expansion because of concerns about having five group homes in a small neighborhood of about 30 homes.

UPCOMING

“Long Hair, Don’t Care”: Remember When Club (Evening Edition). 6 p.m. Thursday. $5. Tumlin Community Room, first floor, Marietta Museum of History, 1 Depot St., Marietta. Discussion will recall the September 1971 expulsion of around 40 “long-haired” students from Marietta High and Marietta Junior High Schools for violation of the school system’s dress code. 770-794-5710, MariettaHistory.org.

Sensory-Friendly Concert: Georgia Symphony Orchestra with Autism Speaks. 2 p.m. Saturday. $10. Marietta Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts with guest artist John Irrera, this concert is designed for persons with autism and their families. GeorgiaSymphony.org.

South Cobb initiatives: Austell Community Taskforce. 7 p.m. Monday. Free. South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Riverside Parkway, Austell. Speakers will be Capt. Scott Hamilton of Cobb Police Precinct 2 and Michael Murphy. 770765-6119, AustellTaskforce.org.