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SNELLVILLE – City officials are looking for residents' input on the Towne Center project.

A Town Hall Meeting will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. May 17 at Snellville United Methodist Church, 2428 Main St. East, to collect ideas from residents regarding what they hope the downtown area to look like in years to come.

"When I campaigned last summer, one of the things I heard over and over was about building the Towne Center," said Mayor Tom Witts. "I'd like to have all the people who would like to talk about it in one place so we can come up with ideas that will benefit everyone."

It has been nearly five years since the proposed project to transform the city's downtown area into a walkable community with residential and commercial buildings was unveiled and city officials said now is the time to finalize plans.

For more information on the Towne Center visit www.snellville.org, click on "Economic Development," then "Towne Center."

SNELLVILLE – Construction on the Oak Road sidewalk project will begin Monday.

Road crews will place a sidewalk from Scenic Highway to Mountain View Road.

Contractor Multiplex, LLC will begin survey work this week and engineering firm Clark Patterson Lee will oversee construction for the city.

Work will begin from both the Mountain View Road and Scenic Highway ends and proceed toward the middle of the 4,800-foot project.

Oak Road is scheduled to remain open throughout the 120-day project, but city officials are asking all motorists to be alert and drive slowly for their safety and the safety of the workers.

Due to topography of the new sidewalk area, many loads of dirt will be required and it is anticipated Oak Road will often be flagged and reduced to sections of one-lane roadway where the work is taking place.

Construction during rush hour times will be avoided if at all possible.

Please contact City Manager Butch Sanders at 770-985-3516 with any questions.

SNELLVILLE – Two business-minded high school students were awarded $1,000 each from the Snellville Commerce Club Tuesday.

Re'Nyqua Farrington from South Gwinnett High School and Amanda Yang from Brookwood High School were the scholarship winners.

Farrington is a scholar athlete who plays softball, an FBLA state winner, a Georgia Merit Scholar and an AP Scholar. She is a volunteer for the Special Olympics, her church and library. Farrington hopes to attend the University of Tampa.

Yang serves on the BHS Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, a board member of the BHS Executive Committee, the National Technical Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the Brookwood Leadership Team, the Art Club, the International Club, the Computer Club and FBLA. She has volunteered for Legos and Robotics Camp, Georgia Gwinnett College Super Saturday Series and the Alton C. Crews STEM Technology Camp. She is an AP Scholar and will attend the University of Georgia.

The Commerce Club also donated $250 to the Snellville Economic Development Department's Shark Tank initiative for student entrepreneurs.

The Snellville Commerce Club is the networking arm of Snellville Tourism and Trade.

For more information on STAT visit www.snellvilletourism.com.

SNELLVILLE – The city's Arts Commission will be hosting a fundraising event called, "The Art of Fashion," sponsored by Belks Department Store and catered by American Tavern Restaurant.

"The fashion show will offer fantastic food, music and an array of casual to career-wear fashions with special guest model appearances by the Mayor and Council," said Snellville Arts Commission Public Relations Officer Alisa Boykin.

The event take place at 3 p.m. May 15 in the City Hall Community Room, 2342 Oak Road.

Tickets are $10 with proceeds benefiting Snellville's local arts initiatives and "Give Hunger the Boot," a non-profit which collects food for the needy.

Tickets are available online at www.snellvillearts.com.

SNELLVILLE – More than 430 pounds of prescription medication was dropped off at Saturday's drug take back event, a record for the program.

The Snellville Police Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency National Take Back Initiative, collected approximately 432 pounds of unwanted, expired prescription medication from the Snellville community, ensuring that powerful pain medications and other prescriptions are properly disposed of. Disposing of this medication properly thwarts the opportunity of abuse and improper disposal.

"This is a record amount since the police department has participated in this event," said SPD Lt. Andre Sullivan. "The last event netted approximately 309 pounds of prescription medication on Sept. 26, 2015. I would like to thank the community for their continued support in this endeavor."

Students from the doctoral program of The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia Campus also assisted in this event.

Sullivan said another take back event is expected next fall.

The video of the April 25, 2016, Work Session and Council Meeting can be found on the 2016 Meeting Videos page.

View here.

View here.

SNELLVILLE – One by one, 25 South Gwinnett and Shiloh high school students came forward to get nametags at Monday night's council meeting.

The nametags not only had their name on it, but also a new title – Youth Commission Ambassador.

In front of friends and family, the students became the first ambassadors of the newly created Snellville Youth Commission. The group is designed "to prepare our young adults for a lifetime of public and community service (and) to instill a leadership mindset in young adults who will enhance and contribute to the growth of our Snellville community."

Councilwoman and SGHS teacher Cristy Lenski spearheaded the creation of the organization after inspiration from Mayor Tom Witts and said the group has been charged with "forging tomorrow's leaders today."

The ambassadors will learn the ins and outs of local government, be groomed as future community leaders and prepare for a lifetime of public and community service. They will also advise city leaders on issues affecting young people.

"In all your actions, you will be looked at as a part of the city," Witts told the ambassadors after they were sworn in. He told them they will be representatives of the city, the council, residents and the neighborhoods they live in.

The community will get a first-hand look at the ambassadors in action Saturday and Sunday at the city's premier event, Snellville Days, where they will be helping distribute city information.

SNELLVILLE – A Saturday ceremony will officially open the new Towne Green, followed by the annual Beach Blast and the first concert of the season.

City officials will gather for a ribbon-cutting and a city sign reveal at 2 p.m. on the new Towne Green in front of City Hall.

The Towne Green underwent a makeover in recent months. Improvements include a protective, knee-high wall that doubles as seating around the Green. In the center is a sundial that tells those who stand on it the time. There is also new foliage, signage, electrical outlets and a dog-friendly three-tiered water fountain.

"The Towne Green provides Snellville with a safe community gathering space that further promotes a walkable, engaging Towne Center," said Eric Van Otteren, city Economic Development director.

After the ribbon-cutting, stay for fun in the sun and 70 tons of sand on Oak Road for the Beach Blast.

There will be a water slide, inflatables, bungee jump, train rides, food and water runners to keep attendees busy all day. There will be games for kids with DJ Lee from 2 to 5 p.m. The Gold Standard Band will take the stage from 5 to 7 p.m.

Say "Hi" to STAT the CAT and celebrate his second birthday. Chopper of the Gwinnett Braves and some other mascot friends will also be there to celebrate.

There is a threat of inclement weather. Should it rain, check the city's Facebook page for updates.