All Gwinnett County Stories

Because they are so common, Georgians often don’t realize the hazards thunderstorms can bring. However, all thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail, and flooding. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Nearly 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe, meaning they have winds of 58mph or higher, hail at least three-quarters of an inch, and may produce a tornado.

On January 30, 2012, a raccoon found at 1074 Bailing Road tested positive for rabies at the state laboratory.

On January 5, 2012, a cow found at 2971 Harbins Road tested positive for rabies at the state laboratory.

If you or your child has been bit or scratched by any stray animals or if you know of anyone handling this animal please call the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770.339.3200 ext. 5576.

Businesses in Gwinnett County will soon receive occupation tax certificate renewal forms in the mail, but before certificates can be renewed, applicants must comply with new state requirements that went into effect on Jan. 1. During the 2011 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act (House Bill 87), placing new requirements on local governments and businesses to ensure they comply with federal and state immigration laws.

Effective January 2012, a rate increase will be implemented and will remain in effect until December 2012.

Electric portable heaters (UL tested) are needed to help keep Gwinnett seniors warm this winter. This is the third year that Gwinnett County Senior Services (GCSS), in partnership with its local nonprofit, Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services (Friends), and the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services are working together to provide heating assistance to senior citizens through Project AWARE (Added Warmth Assistance for Residences of our Elderly).

The candidate qualifying period for the City of Peachtree Corners will take place on Monday, November 28 and Tuesday, November 29 from 9:00am to 4:30pm and Wednesday, November 30 9:00am to noon. The positions include a mayor and six council members.

Gwinnett County will spend just over a half million dollars on road improvements in the Dacula Elementary School area after commissioners approved two separate projects in October. One project will realign Old Peachtree Road at its intersection with Dacula Road, improving visibility and traffic flow. The other will add curb, gutter, and sidewalks for a half mile on Fence Road near the school.

On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners took several actions related to the potential privatization of Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville. First, the Board created a citizen review committee to assist in the potential privatization process. Each commissioner has two appointments and one appointment will be made by the Gwinnett County Airport Authority.

The State Road and Tollway Authority opened the I-85 Express Lanes on October 1.

New facilities are coming to the County's largest park, Harbins Park east of Grayson. The park will have a multi-purpose (football/soccer/lacrosse) field with bleachers, a concession/restroom building, and a lighted walking track. There will also be a rental pavilion, a playground, a dog park, a three-acre lake and a 1.5-mile paved trail through the lowlands adjacent to Cedar Creek.

Gwinnett commissioners voted unanimously on Monday, August 8 to lower the County's millage rate from the 2010 rate of 13.25 mills to 13.02 mills for 2011. The board also authorized the 2011 property tax billings.

Gwinnett County transportation will begin installing more traffic cameras and fiber-optic cables to monitor arterial and corridor traffic flow and allow real-time, remote control adjustments from the Gwinnett Traffic Control Center.

Gwinnett County agencies need your help! Back-to-school time is just around the corner, and many of Gwinnett's agencies are gearing up for another academic year in Gwinnett. They are collecting the following school supplies for families who cannot afford them.

Gwinnett County will soon refinance debt from 2003 to take advantage of today's lower interest rates. All three bond-rating agencies gave the $166 million bond refunding their top-tier, AAA credit ratings. The move could save the County, and the respective water and sewer customers, as much as $7.5 million when it refinances the bonds in late June in a negotiated sale.

Save time on the phone and money on stamps and gas. Gwinnett County water and sewer customers can view and pay their monthly water bills, enroll in automatic payment, and sign up for e-mail notification of bills to opt-out of receiving paper bills, all from the convenience of home.

The Board of Commissioners recognized  the Department of Water Resources on April 19 for receiving the  Atlanta Regional Commission's 2010 CREATE Community Local Government Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability for its gas to energy system, known as the P.O.W.E.R. (Processing Organic Waste for Energy Recovery) program. The system is located at the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center in Buford.