Community News

ATLANTA

O’Neal stalking case pushed back again

The legal saga involving NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and the Atlanta woman accusing him of stalking him has been extended again.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Karen Woodson issued a continuance on Wednesday afternoon, pushing the date the case is supposed to be heard back to Oct. 16.

O’Neal, the Phoenix Suns’ 7-foot-1, 325-pound center, is accused of stalking Alexis Miller, a 23-year-old hip-hop artist whose stage name is Maryjane.

Miller charges that O’Neal threatened her via e-mail and made harassing calls and threatened to torpedo her career after she broke off a relationship with him in July.

Judge Richard Hicks initially issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting O’Neal from coming within 200 yards of Miller or her 19-month-old son in August. Woodson recently extended the order.

Concert to raise funds for Fire Station 7

West End community leaders have scheduled a concert Saturday to raise money to renovate Fire Station 7, although it was closed in July to help close a budget gap.

Councilwoman Cleta Winslow said she hopes the fund-raiser will show the community is financially committed to the station and will encourage Mayor Shirley Franklin to reopen it.

Fire department officials have said Fire Station 7, which opened in 1910 was the costliest in Atlanta. Franklin has been reluctant to reopen the station, citing the city’s shaky finances and the unsteady economy.

The concert is 7 p.m. at the Wren’s Nest, 1055 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. S.W. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 404-330-6047.

Also …

> Road closures: Two east-bound lanes on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway between Commodore Drive and Alta Place are scheduled to be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today to allow city crews to repair a sewer line.

CLAYTON COUNTY

School board works to improve image

The Clayton County school board has hired a public relations firm to help improve its image. The board voted unanimously Monday night to hire Georgia360 for six months.

The contract will not exceed $72,000, said Heath Garrett, a partner with Georgia360 and former chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga).

The firm recommends the school system adopt a $233,000 communications plan that includes a revamped Web site, polls and media training for school staff.

Superintendent John Thompson told the board he spoke with several firms and chose Georgia 360 because of price and services, instead of advertising and soliciting bids.

Superintendent gets partial OK on contract

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools said it has signed off on only a portion of the amended contract for Clayton County schools’ corrective superintendent John Thompson.

Among problems, SACS cited Thompson’s ability to violate board policy.

This week, Thompson gave the board an amended contract with those powers removed. School attorneys told the board that SACS approved that contract.

On Wednesday, Jennifer Oliver, SACS spokeswoman, said the accreditation agency reviewed only the portion of the contract that deals with Thompson’s powers and duties.

Some board members want to extend Thompson’s contract and others want to search for a permanent superintendent.

The board will vote Monday on the amended contract.

Also …

> Band uniforms: Students at three Clayton County high schools will get new band uniforms. The school board voted unanimously to outfit the Forest Park, Mount Zion and Jonesboro High School bands. The uniforms will cost about $56,000.

COBB COUNTY

Habitat plans housing blitz, seeks volunteers

Habitat for Humanity in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties has announced a four-year, 100-home building blitz

The newly christened NW Metro Atlanta Habitat For Humanity seeks $4 million to build the homes. Already, $1.5 million has been raised.

Habitat targets families earning between $22,000 and $55,000 for their homes which cost about $100,000, or the cost of land and materials.

Habitat seeks business, church and civic groups to participate in the Building Neighborhoods That Work program.

Call Bill Allen at 770-355-1483 for details or visit Neighborhoods@cobbhabitat.org.

Kidnapped stabbing victim back at home

The woman who was stabbed and kidnapped from a Kennesaw shopping center last month is recuperating at home.

Lisa Ambrose, 41, declined to talk to a reporter Wednesday. The suspect in the Sept. 17 attack, 39-year-old Anthony Robbins of Kennesaw, remains in a Florida jail on multiple charges. He also faces assault, kidnapping, hijacking charges in Cobb County.

As Ambrose attempted to get into her car outside her job at Household Financial on Barrett Parkway, Robbins is accused of stabbing and kidnapping her. Hours later, he dropped her off at a Florida hospital and was captured a short time later in Jackson County, Fla.

This is second time Robbins is accused of attacking Ambrose. On Sept. 9, he forced her into a corner in the kitchen of her Kennesaw home as he held his forearm to her neck and demanded money.

Career expo draws 1,400 job hunters

More than 1,400 job-seekers packed the Cobb County Civic Center on Wednesday for the annual Cobb/Marietta Career Expo.

CobbWorks Development Work Force Center, an event sponsor, provided job seekers the use of 13 computers on its mobile van to submit online applications and write resumes.

“We had several people that were in the process of getting a second interview,” said Alisa Jackson, center manager at CobbWorks. “It wasn’t that difficult to get employers out. Despite what’s going on with the economy, people are still looking to hire.” More than 60 employers were represented at the expo.

Cobb County, the Cobb/Cherokee Department of Labor and the city of Marietta were co-sponsors.

DEKALB COUNTY

Democrats plan rally, debate screening

DeKalb County Democrats have issued an open invitation to the public for a party rally at 7 tonight , followed by a wide-screen viewing of the vice-presidential debate between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and U.S. Sen. Joe Biden.

The rally and screening will be at Manuel Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.

Also …

> A really big yard: Stone Mountain will hold a citywide yard sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on the grassy hill adjacent to City Hall, 5323 Manor Drive. Space on the lawn can be reserved for $10, and space under the Baptist Pavilion is $20. Reservations can be made in advance at City Hall or on site the morning of the event. Information: 770-498-8984.

FULTON COUNTY

Outdoor fire ban ordered for Milton

Citing dry conditions and low water supplies, the Milton fire marshal has issued a citywide fire ban even as the state fire marshal lifted the state outdoor burning ban.

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including open campfires and fires built for the burning of debris, but allows liquid-fueled gas fire stoves, grills or lanterns, and cooking by restaurants and fairs and festivals.

The state prohibition is typically lifted in the fall, and cities and counties can impose their own bans depending on local conditions.

At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, only .75 inch has fallen in the past 30 days, and Lake Lanier’s water levels are 17 feet below full pool.

To report burning violations, call the non-emergency number to Alpharetta/Milton Dispatch at 678-297-6300. For additional information, call Henderson at 404-242-2500.

GWINNETT COUNTY

Cool temperatures herald burning season

Just as the weather is cooling off, backyards across Gwinnett are heating up. Open burning season began Wednesday in Gwinnett County and it extends through April 30. Outdoor burning is permitted for residents hoping to clear vegetation and yard debris from their property instead of waiting for it to be hauled away.

Gwinnett fire spokesman Capt. Thomas Rutledge urged residents to follow the rules for outdoor burning. Anyone planning to burn debris should also check with the county Fire Marshal’s office before beginning. Certain days could be designated as no-burn days due to weather and atmospheric conditions, Rutledge said. For more information, visit the Gwinnett County Fire Marshal’s Web site at www.gwinnettfiremarshal.com or call 678-518-6100.

EMS Tech prepares to expand headquarters

EMS Technologies is about to begin work on the expansion of its Norcross headquarters.

The 30,000-square-foot expansion will provide additional space for its Defense & Space Systems Division, which makes gear for the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 fighter and in May announced a $13 million contract to build a prototype antenna that will allow B-2 bomber crews to more rapidly send and receive battlefield information. The division also makes communications gear for commercial satellite systems, including XM satellite radio and equipment that allows passengers aboard JetBlue Airways flights to watch live television.

The division’s business has grown 35 percent since 2007, creating 127 new jobs, according to EMS President and CEO Paul Domorksi.

GREATER ATLANTA

Police: No licensed doctor at clinic

A Canton medical clinic was doing surgeries and filling prescriptions with one key element missing: a licensed doctor on staff, police said Wednesday.

Canton police said they arrested Miguel Velez, and his brother, Raul Velez, on charges related to the operation of Clinica de la Salud Hispana on Oakside Court in Canton.

Police said their undercover investigation showed the clinic was performing medical services, including medical procedures, without having a certified medical doctor on staff.

A search warrant was executed at the clinic and prescription drugs, including controlled substances, and evidence that patients were having their prescriptions filled on site was seized, the police said.

On Tuesday, they executed a search warrant at a home in Woodstock, belonging to Miguel Velez, one of the clinic’s owners and seized a substantial amount of money and some medications, according to a press release.

Velez, who has been identified as the person who performed surgical procedures on some of the clinic patients, has been charged with 11 counts of practicing medicine without a license, the police said.

His brother, Raul Velez, who was office manager of the clinic in Canton, has been charged with 22 counts of prescription documents signed in blank.

Firefighter killed in head-on collision

A veteran McDonough firefighter was killed early Wednesday morning when his car was hit head-on by a suspected drunk driver, Henry County police said.

Anthony Denoir Ragland, 25, of McDonough died at the scene of the 12:30 a.m. crash on Ga. 155 in Locust Grove, Capt. Jason Bolton said.

The other driver, Joseph Mark Butler, 29, of Griffin, was treated for non-life threatening injuries, Bolton said. Butler has been charged with driving under the influence, and more charges are pending, he said.

Bolton said Ragland was headed north on Ga. 155 near Garrison Lane when Butler’s car crossed the double yellow line and hit him head-on.

McDonough spokeswoman Casey Case said Wednesday that Ragland was warm, friendly and congenial with a smile that lit up a room. He’d worked with the McDonough department since May 2004 and graduated from Eagle’s Landing High School in Stockbridge, she said.

“This is just a sad day in the city of McDonough for everyone who knew Anthony Ragland,” Case said.

Case said Ragland leaves a fiancee and two daughters, ages 3 and 4.

Fayetteville principal gets national honor

A Fayetteville educator was among the 62 elementary and middle school principals from around the nation who have been named as 2008 National Distinguished Principals.

Jean Preston Miller of Fayetteville’s Cleveland Elementary School was Georgia’s lone recipient of the award, which is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the U.S. Department of Education.

The winners will be honored at a banquet in Washington on Oct. 17.

NAESP and the Department of Education began the program in 1984 to recognize public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities.

Contributing: Dan Chapman, Kay Powell, Derrick Mahone, Megan Mettucci, Kristina Torres, Ty Tagami, Donna Williams Lewis, David Bennett, Doug Nurse, Andria Simmons, Michael Pearson, Kathy Jefcoats