Fruit flies noted at lunch spot

A downtown lunch spot failed a recent health inspection, with officials noting “heavy fruit fly activity in the main kitchen.”

Sausalito West Coast Grill scored a 44/U following the Wednesday evaluation; 69 and below is considered failing. It’s prior score, from August, was a 98.

According to the report, there was a “failure to properly separate food in multiple refrigeration units.”

Owner Ernesto Araya disagrees with the score.

“The place is clean,” Araya said in an interview Thursday, adding that he’s been in the restaurant industry for more than four decades. The inspector asked Araya if he wanted to voluntarily close, but he did not because many of the violations were corrected on-site, he said.

That exchange is formally noted on the report: “The facility must voluntarily close. (The facility declined to close.)”

The restaurant, which remains open, must correct all violations by June 24, according to the report.

New item-DeKalb County

Walter Miller hopes something can be done about a pothole on Katie Kerr Drive. He said the pothole is in the right lane driving north toward East College Avenue.

“The pothole is in a curve in the road and drivers are swerving into the left (oncoming) lane to avoid it. This has created a dangerous situation. DeKalb County has been notified numerous times about this situation, but no action has been taken,” he added.

We sent the item to the county and will let you know when it’s fixed. Days on list: 6 Who’s looking into it: Communications Manager Andrew Cauthen, acauthen@dekalbcountyga.gov

New item-Atlanta

Donald Block is tired of waiting on a sinkhole to get fixed.

“On Jan. 28, I called and reported a small sinkhole in front of 2801 Ramsgate, N.W. in Atlanta. I was told that it would be repaired in 10 to 45 days. After 45 days, I called and was told there was a work order for April 12,” he wrote.

He said he called after April 12 and was told it was not a priority and no new date was set.

“In late May I called and reported that a young person, around eight to 12, had a bike hit the hole and fall. The response was to put a cone over the hole and nothing further,” he said.

We sent the item to the city and keep you updated. Days on list :6 Who’s looking into it: City of Atlanta Department of Public Works Commissioner William Johnson, 404-330-6240, wmjohnson@atlantaga.gov We want tips from across metro Atlanta. Call us at 404-526-2546 or send email to fixit@ajc.com

Update-I-285

In late May, we told you about a reader’s concern over truck traffic on Interstate 285.

“I drive on the west side of I-285 frequently from Cobb County to the Atlanta airport. Very often trucks occupy three out of four lanes and occasionally will be in all four lanes. If the trucks use more than the two right hand lanes, it really slows down the flow of traffic. Please ask the DOT to restrict and enforce trucks to the two right hand lanes,” said John Klas.

We got a response back from the DOT.

“Unfortunately, restrictions on lanes are not a GDOT function. They must be passed by the General Assembly and enforced by law enforcement.

I understand your frustration and apologize that this is not an area that GDOT can be of assistance,” wrote communications officer Natalie Dale. Days on list: 20 Who’s looking into it: DOT communications officer Natalie Dale, ndale@dot.ga.gov

Grants will assist court programs

Cobb County courts will receive $427,461 from grants, beginning July 1 through June 30, 2018.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council grant award of $229,936 will support the Veteran’s Treatment Court Program in the Cobb Superior Court and authorize the current part-time case manager position to become a full-time position.

Beginning in June 2014, this court is one of many accountability courts to help veterans address post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental health issues through counseling, job training and additional needed services with 18 months of assistance for each veteran.

Also, the council will give $54,427 to support the Cobb County Family Treatment Court and $69,684 for the Juvenile Drug Court - both in the Cobb Juvenile Court.

The Georgia Accountability Court Funding Committee will issue a $73,414 grant to the DUI Court in Cobb State Court to retain the position of a surveillance officer and supplement expenses for drug and alcohol treatment.