Library Asks Residents for Input on New Sites

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is seeking input from citizens on the location of five new libraries to be constructed as part of the library’s facility master plan.

A total eight total new libraries will be built. Of those, three will be located on existing or donated land parcels.

The Facility Master Plan, approved in the Nov. 4, 2008 general election, will significantly enhance Fulton County’s public libraries with 8 new libraries, 2 expanded libraries and 23 renovated libraries. Of the 8 new libraries, 5 have not yet been sited, and the library system requests input of site recommendations by July 30, 2009. Phase one of project will include the new and expanded libraries.

Site selection applies to the five of eight new library sites where a parcel of land has not yet been identified:

• Milton
• Alpharetta
• Stewart-Lakewood
• Southeast Atlanta
• Northwest Atlanta

Sites have been identified for three other libraries:

• Wolf Creek
• Palmetto/Chattahoochee Hill Country
• East Roswell

Residents may submit site recommendations by July 30 to the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System via the following ways:

- Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Website
- Email: librarycomments@fultoncountyga.gov
- Fax: 404-335-5291
- Via Mail: Branch Services, Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Offers Summer Fun

Join Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and “Get Creative” this summer to discover the fun, free ways to spend your summer reading. The 2009 Summer Reading Program is open to young people, preschool through young adults with programs, story hours, reading lists, prizes and more.

This program offers children and families numerous reasons to visit their library to learn, read and enjoy good times with friends and neighbors. This year the program began June 1, and ends on Aug. 1.

Throughout the summer, the system’s 33 libraries will provide a wide variety of books and reading materials at no cost; feature storytellers, arts and crafts, animals, movies and music that stimulate children’s creativity and help bring literature and language to life and promote the idea of reading for enjoyment. The program encourages summer reading and works to build a lifelong love of reading and books.

It’s easy and free to join the Summer Reading Program. Children and teens complete a simple form with their name and contact information, and hand the form in at any branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

After signing up, each person receives a reading log to keep track of books that are read during the summer. The library awards a certificate when readers complete ten books, and the reader’s name goes into a drawing for prizes like computers and iPods. Children up to age 12 will participate in the “Get Creative at Your Library” program and teens, ages 13-17, in “Express Yourself at Your Library.”

Find the full list of programs on www.afpls.org. All programs are free and open to the public.

Fulton County Residents Can Enjoy Art

On the first Saturday of every month, the High Museum of Art welcomes Fulton County residents to the Museum for free.

Fulton County residents who show proof of residency and students of schools, colleges and universities located inside Fulton County may view the current special exhibitions as well as the Permanent Collection.

This offer is available for walk-up ticket purchases only.

Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of Fulton County Arts Council.

Caffey Fouls Up in Payments; Hit With Arrest Warrant

An arrest warrant has been issued for former NBA player Jason Caffey, accusing him of failing to pay thousands of dollars in child support.

According to authorities, a judge in Alabama denied a bankruptcy case filed by Caffey last fall, allowing the former player to be sued for child support.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Wright issued the arrest warrant Tuesday over Caffey’s reported failure to obey a court order that he pay more than $200,000 in child support and legal fees to Lorunda Brown and her attorney. Caffey, who was listed as having an Atlanta residence, and Brown have a 6-year-old son together.

Caffey spent nine years in the NBA, seeing time with the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks.

Mother, Boyfriend Arrested in Death of Toddler

A pair of arrests have been made in the death of a 2-year-old boy in Fulton County.

According to authorities, the mother of the boy and her boyfriend, who allegedly killed the baby, were jailed after being arrested.

Authorities reported that Mario Cunningham and Gloria Singleton were residing in a room at the Travelodge near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport when the alleged crime took place. The little boy was taken to South Fulton Medical Center where he died.

Cunningham, 20, faces charges of felony murder, cruelty to children, and providing a false name, while the boy's mother, 23-year-old Singleton, is accused of child cruelty.

School Counselor Arrested for Interaction with Child

A Fulton County school employee found herself in trouble over the weekend as she was arrested for allegedly attacking a 10-year-old girl in a public bathroom at the AMF Woodstock Lanes.

According to police, Amy Syrinek-Ross, 32, a counselor at Woodland Charter Elementary School, allegedly grabbed the arm of a young girl in a bathroom during a birthday party.

Police reported that the child said she went in the bathroom to check on her hair and was approached by a woman who allegedly said how cute the girl was. After reportedly asking the girl if she needed help putting stick on tattoo and the girl said no, the accused allgedly grabbed the girl's arms and began to go through her pockets. Another woman in the bathroom reportedly intervened in the situation.

Syrinek-Ross, of Marietta, turned herself in to police this morning and was charged with simple battery before posting bail.