COMMUNITY BRIEFS

GWINNETT COUNTY

Gym manager accused in thefts

The manager of an LA Fitness gym in Buford has been charged with allegedly breaking into members’ lockers to steal valuables.

Police believe Mark Medrano, 35, of Lawrenceville also may have used a machine found at his home to clone stolen credit cards and commit identity fraud.

Medrano was arrested Friday after an off-duty Gwinnett County officer working out at the club caught him rifling through lockers at the gym at 3420 Buford Drive, police said. A search of Medrano and his gym bag uncovered a laptop and a wedding ring believed to have been poached from unsuspecting gym members, said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli.

The victims, who were at the gym, identified the stolen property as theirs, Schiralli said. Police said Medrano also was carrying bolt cutters in his gym bag.

—- Andria Simmons

FULTON COUNTY

Roswell Scout earns rare ranking

A Roswell teen is making Boy Scout history. David Cano of Boy Scout Troop 1776 has earned all 121 Scout merit badges and all 20 Eagle Palms. He’s one of only three Scouts in the country to ever achieve such status, said Scoutmaster Tom Morin.

David, 17, was honored Tuesday with a Georgia House resolution. The Georgia Senate did likewise on Monday. A junior at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, David develops Web sites and participates in the Model United Nations, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. He is the son of Rodrigo and Rosa Cano.

—- Dan Chapman

ATLANTA

Trash pickup spurs workers’ rehiring

Atlanta Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista said Tuesday that the department is planning to rehire 12 workers laid off last year because they’re missing some pickups of trash, yard trimmings and recyclables.

The department’s solid waste division collection rate has declined in recent months from about 200 missed pickups a week to 3,000 missed pickups a week, officials said. The city has an estimated 100,000 customers.

Because recycling and yard trimming pickup has been reduced to once every other week, some residents have complained it can be a month before their items are picked up if city crews miss their street.

—- Eric Stirgus

VENT OF THE DAY

I listened to all the car insurance companies saying I could save money with their company. I’ve switched so many times that now I’m being paid $300.