City has new location for safe online transactions

The Henry County Police Department and Stockbridge city officials have partnered to provide a Safe Zone location in front of the HCPD North Precinct at 4545 North Henry Blvd. in Stockbridge.

It is designed to allow people buying and selling items on Craigslist and other online outlets to meet in safety to complete transactions. County officials the location can also be used to conduct custody exchanges. A video camera surveillance system has been installed with a camera that records video around the clock and can be observed remotely without requiring an officer to be present. The project was funded by the Stockbridge City Council.

Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org.

Rabies alert issued after raccoon tests positive

Henry County Animal Care and Control issued a 45-day rabies alert for a half-mile area surrounding the 500 block of South Moor Circle in Stockbridge after a raccoon killed by dogs in the area tested positive for the rabies virus. The call came in March 9 and the remains of the raccoon were taken to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for testing.

During the alert, residents living within the area advised to make sure that all of their companion animals have a current rabies vaccination, and if not must do so as soon as possible. Additionally, residents should be vigilant of the behavior of surrounding wildlife acting in an unusual manner. Information: www.hcacc.org.

Transportation board has open seat

Fayette County’s Transportation Committee has an opening on its 11-member board for a citizen with technical expertise related to the committee’s purpose. The board meets at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Administrative Complex in Fayetteville. It formulates short- and long-term plans regarding transportation within the county, including identifying traffic problems and safety initiatives, assisting with funding solicitation, coordinating projects between municipalities and communicating with state agencies.

The new term would run through March 31, 2020. Applications, available from Tameca White at twhite@fayettecountyga.gov, must be submitted by April 28.

UPCOMING

Afternoon Storytime. 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Free. Fairburn Branch, 60 Valley View Drive, Fairburn. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes. 770-306-3138, afpls.org.

“Let’s Get Informed About Child Support.” 2-4 p.m. Thursday. Free. East Point Branch, 2757 Main St., East Point. Question-and-answer session included. 404-762-4842, afpls.org.

Paint Henry Blue Kick-off: Pinwheel Ceremony during April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. Merle Manders Conference Center, 111 Davis Road, Stockbridge. Two child abuse survivors will tell their stories. PaintHenryBlue@ gmail.com, facebook.com/PaintTheTownBlueHenry.

Only 35 tuition-paying students remain

Earlier this month City Schools Decatur set its Fiscal Year 2018 PK-12 tuition at $4,793. The district is still required by law to charge tuition to non-resident students based on a state-mandated formula.

But that number has been dwindling since the CSD stopped accepting new tuition-paying students in March 2013. All existing tuition-paying students at that time were grandfathered in and there are now only 35 remaining.

In 2013 CSD had 160 students paying $5,926 per year in tuition when new tuition was suspended by then-Superintendent Phyllis Edwards because of the system’s rapid growth. Her successor David Dude said he has no plans to reinstate it.

CSD’s K-12 enrollment reached an all-time high of 5,040 in October, an 8.1 percent increase over 2015-16. Enrollment has increased 7 to 12 percent each year since 09-10, which shakes out to an 87.6 percent increase over 200910’s enrollment of 2,687.