County by county for Saturday

Alex Backry, who ran against Bacon in 2007 and lost, said this week he plans to make another run for mayor, a post that has been held by Bacon since 1985, making him one of the most durable mayors in metro Atlanta. In Forsyth County Henry Ford Gravitt has been mayor of Cumming since 1970. Jeffry Scott

Lee raises $50,660 for re-election

Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee raised $50,660 for his re-election campaign in the six months ending June 30, according to campaign disclosure forms. Lee’s balance on hand is $50,534. Lee’s contributions include familiar names, including chamber leaders Rob Garcia and David Connell, Croy Engineering executives, Cobb EMC spokesman Sam Kelly and former WellStar CEO Greg Simone.

Lee anticipates spending between $100,000 and $200,000 on the 2012 campaign. Former Cobb Commission Chairman Bill Byrne is also running for the seat and begins fundraising in September. Janel Davis

School board to vote on millage rate

The Cobb school board will meet July 26 at the district’s headquarters, 514 Glover Street in Marietta, to vote on the millage rate. The board is not expected to increase the rate, even though the 2011-12 budget is built on a higher millage. That’s because the board agreed to use excess sales-tax dollars to lower tax rate back to its current level. Info: www.cobbk12.org Jaime Sarrio

Tennis championships in Marietta commence

The Georgia Games adult open tennis championships will continue this weekend in Marietta. Fans can watch Georgia players volley as the field thins to the final matches Sunday morning. Play started Friday evening and continues at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Harrison Tennis Center, 2653 Shallowford Rd. Information: tennislink.usta.com. Ty Tagami

Apply now for SPSU’s RC pilot camp

Applications are being accepted for students who want to attend RC pilot camp at Southern Polytechnic State University, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Aug. 1-3. The camp, offered through the Division of Engineering, is open to students of age 15-18. The goal is teach students how to build, fly, operate and maintain RC aircraft models. Fee is $125 per student. Information: Adeel Khalid, aerocamp@spsu.edu. Jaime Sarrio

Kids’ fishing rodeo today in Powder Springs

A free fishing rodeo will be held for ages 3 through 16 in Powder Springs today .

This Cobb Parks annual event will last from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lost Mountain Park, 4845 Dallas Highway.

Four age divisions will include 3-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-16.

Trophies will be awarded to the first- through third-place finishers in each division and for the “Overall Big Fish.”

Information: John Purcell, 770-528-8825 or john.purcell@cobbcounty.org. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Sentence for killing wife remains life in prison

Phillip Dunn was sentenced to life in prison for murder — again — Friday. On June 16, Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Warren Warren sentenced Dunn, 29, of Braselton, to life in prison for aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree child cruelty and murder for stabbing to death his estranged wife on Valentine’s Day 2010. On Friday, the judge said he didn’t know when he sentenced Dunn that he was already serving a 20-year sentence for attacking his wife in Barrow County two weeks before her slaying. But after discussing the case with prosecutors and Dunn’s attorney, Warren kept the original sentence in place. Andria Simmons

Loganville offers amnesty to clear cases

In an effort to potentially clear the backlog of 800 old cases, the city of Loganville is offering an amnesty program for unpaid citations including contempt of court fees and failure to appear warrants. The amnesty period will run throughout August. The city currently has $230,000 in unpaid fines on its books. To take advantage of the program people should visit between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday the Municipal Court at 605 Tom Brewer Road. To check eligibility, call: 770-466-8087. Andria Simmons

Suwanee gets piece of World Trade Center

About a month shy of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Suwanee has received a 1,638-pound steel piece of the former World Trade Center to display as public art. The piece was delivered Thursday and will be unveiled during a ceremony at a later date. Joel Anderson

Duluth may create city manager post

Duluth is poised to amend the city charter to create the position of city manager and eliminate the position of city administrator. City officials will conduct a public hearing Aug. 8 to get feedback on the amendments that cover the change. The hearing starts at 7 p.m. at Duluth City Hall at 3167 Main Street. The amendments will be proposed that day and considered for adoption on Sept. 12. Joel Anderson

Senior services need help with transportation

Gwinnett Senior Services needs transportation providers for its new transportation voucher program called Get In Gear. The program helps seniors and disabled persons attend medical appointments and other destinations at a reduced cost. Info: 678-377-3019, getingear@gwinnettcounty.com or www.gwinnettseniorservices.com. Andria Simmons

Agencies help kids get ready for school

Gwinnett outreach agencies are collecting back-to-school supplies for needy families. Needed items are book bags, pens, pencils, rulers, scissors, paper, composition books, markers, highlighters, three-ring binders, glue sticks, lunch boxes, calculators, erasers and crayons. Agencies collecting are North Gwinnett Co-operative Ministry, Gwinnett Department of Family and Children Services, Trinity Life Church, Lilburn Co-operative Ministry, Centerville Community Center and Day of Hope Foundation.

Info: www.gwinnettcoalition.org. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

North Fulton resident can weigh in on budget

Residents of north Fulton have a chance next week to voice their opinion on the county’s 2012 budget at what are being billed as “citizen $ense” sessions. One meeting is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at North Springs Charter High School, 7447 Roswell Road, Atlanta.

The second is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, 11605 Haynes Bridge Road, Alpharetta. To RSVP for any session, email citizensense@fultoncountyga.gov.

Nancy Badertscher

Cherokee takes up budget on Tuesday

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session 5:30 p.m., Tuesday at Canton City Hall, to finish its proposed budget for 2012, which it will take before the public at 6 p.m. The commission has proposed to raise the millage rate from 8.29 to 9.569 to cover a $5 million shortfall in the General Fund and $434,000 shortfall in the Fire District Fund. The shortfall is a result of real estate values in the county declining $1.4 billion in the last three years. Jeffry Scott

Home Depot worker arrested in assault

An argument over a cell phone between two Home Depot co-workers in Holly Springs, Ga., has landed one of them in jail, police said.

Police responded to an assault in progress at the Home Depot on 4520 Old Highway 5, around 8 a.m. Friday. When officers arrived they were told that Christopher Lee Chappel pulled a knife on a juvenile co-worker when the juvenile confronted Chappel about having his cell phone. Chappel was arrested at the scene. Fran Jeffries

Event helps gets kids ready for school

More than 3,000 low income children will receive school supplies for the upcoming school year.

Today the sixth annual Give a Kid a Chance back-to-school drive will provide school supplies, health screenings, hair cuts and clothing to Cherokee County students.

The event is free, includes lunch and will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will be at First Baptist Church of Canton and Cherokee Recreation Center.

Information: 770-241-8890 Elise Hitchcock

Tax office in Canton to open Saturdays

The Canton tax commissioners office will open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon starting today. People with conflicting work schedules requested the additional hours.

The weekday hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tax commissioners office is located at 2780 Marietta Hwy., Canton. Elise Hitchcock

Film focuses on domestic violence help

Lefont Theater and Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence are collaborating to increase domestic violence awareness by screening the documentary “Crime After Crime” at Lefont Theater in Sandy Springs. The movie will be shown at 7 p.m. July 30. The event proceeds go to support domestic violence programs. Info: http://gcadv.eventbrite.com. Andria Simmons

ALTANTA

Jewelry store must forfeit $1.87 million

Chaplin’s, an Atlanta jewelry store, must forfeit inventory worth an estimated $1.87 million for its role in a money laundering scheme, the federal appeals court in Atlanta has ruled.

The court rejected Chaplin’s arguments that the order to forfeit its inventory was excessive punishment. Chaplin’s and a store employee were convicted in 2007 for selling $22,000 in jewelry to an undercover agent posing as a drug dealer and then failing to report the cash transaction to the IRS. Chaplin’s also was fined $100,000 and ordered to return the $22,000. Bill Rankin

Wilkins to speak at asthma forum

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host an Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative Forum at 8 a.m. today at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

The two-hour forum, free to the public, is part of the organizations biennial Leadership Seminar that began Wednesday. Former NBA star Dominique Wilkins, who suffers from asthma and Congressman John Lewis who co-sponsored the Asthma Management Plans in School Act will be among the featured guests. Gracie Bond Staples

Medical Center reaches patients with new app

Atlanta Medical Center launched a new mobile application Wednesday to help increase access to health information, including emergency room wait times and a first aid guide. The app is available to consumers as a free download for iPhone, iPad and iTouch, as well as Android and BlackBerry products. To download, search “Atlanta Medical Center” in the iTunes App Store, Android Market or BlackBerry App World. Misty Williams

Man sentenced to life for several rapes

An Atlanta man has been sentenced to life in prison for multiple attacks and sexual assaults against women, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said. Lavelle McNutt, 53, pleaded guilty this week to 16 counts, including rape, burglary and false imprisonment. Bill Rankin

DEKALB

DeKalb schools hires new spokesman

Rodney Jenkins was named the new spokesman for DeKalb County Schools. Jenkins was previously communications director for the Georgia Department of Administrative Services. The district has been without an in-house spokesperson, instead relying public relations firm Cohn and Wolfe for day-to-day media needs. The appointment is designed to improve communication with employees, students and taxpayers, as required for district accreditation. Cohn and Wolfe will continue to work with the district on complex communication issues. April Hunt

Festival on Ponce to be in Druid Hills

The first Festival On Ponce, an outdoor arts and crafts festival in the chain of parks on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Druid Hills, will be held later this month.

Organizers expect about 100 vendors to set up in the linear park that runs along Ponce and was designed by Frederick Olmsted. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 23 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 24. The event and parking is free.

More information: www.festivalonponce.com. April Hunt

New recreation center set to open

The DeKalb County parks department will host a grand opening for a new recreation center in the central part of the county next week.

The Exchange Park Rec Center, at 2771 Columbia Dr. near Decatur, will have its opening at 5:30 p.m. on July 25. The public is invited to the event to learn about the center’s offerings and other services from the recreation and parks department. April Hunt

‘Cuffed’ event raises $1,200 for athletes

The Dunwoody Police Department raised more than $1,200 during its “Cuffed for a Cause” event July 9. The money will benefit the Special Olympics Georgia and the 23,000 athletes who will compete this year. Michelle E. Shaw

Teens sell lemonade to fight cancer

Two teens committed to helping find a cure for cancer will have a lemonade stand today from noon until 3 p.m. at the Orchard Park Kroger, 2090 Dunwoody Club Dr., Dunwoody. Amanda Budd, 15, and her 13-year-old cousin Amy Wald, want to raise money and donate it to finding a cure for all childhood cancers, according to a news release. The cousins’ effort is in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a national effort named after a Pennsylvania girl who died in 2004. The foundation is a registered non-profit and has contributed to more than 150 research projects across the country. Michelle E. Shaw

Clarkston event to promote market

Two community groups in Clarkston will host a food-centered event next weekend in Clarkston, in a bid to generate interest in a future farmers market in the city.

The Growing Clarkston event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 23 at Clarkston Community Center.

The community center and Refugee Family Services’ Global Grower Network are sponsoring the event, which also features sign-ups for farming-related workshops in the area. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Clayton puts health info on social network

Starting this month, Clayton County residents will have easier access to public health information, including local restaurant scores, with the launch of the county Board of Health’s Facebook and Twitter pages. The sites will give residents critical information in real time, such as evacuation routes, sheltering and public assistance in the event of a flood, tornado or other disaster. To visit the Facebook page, go to

and type in “Clayton County Board of Health” into the search engine. For Twitter, visit

Misty Williams

Henry shuffles commission meeting

The Henry County Board of Commissioners has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for Monday, but will conduct two special called meetings Tuesday in addition to its regular meeting. The board will convene at 4:30 p.m. for a “discussion regarding an economic incentives policy.” A 6 p.m. meeting is expected to address the county’s agreement with a management company regarding a McDonough golf course owned by the county. The regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Go to www.henrycounty-ga.org to view the meetings online. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Health summit for teens Wednesday

Fulton County’s Health and Wellness Department will hold a summit Wednesday to educate teens about alcohol, tobacco and drug use consequences; violence and bullying; obesity, nutrition and exercise; relationships and dating violence; and teen suicide.

The summit, whose theme is “Your Health is Your Wealth,” runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, in downtown Atlanta. The event is open to all metro Atlanta youth ages 10-19. Reservations: 404-893-0773. Johnny Edwards

Staff appreciation day a Darnell center

Users of the Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility will hold a staff appreciation event on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to workers who look out for seniors’ health, welfare and social and educational needs.

The function will be from 2 to 4 p.m. in the facility’s multipurpose room.

The center is at 677 Fairburn Road, N.W., Atlanta. Johnny Edwards

East Point to consider change in charter

The East Point City council will consider a change in its charter that would allow the mayor to veto individual items on a consent agenda. Mayor Earnestine Pittman has voiced her displeasure in the past for having to veto the entire consent agenda, instead of issuing a veto for an individual item. John Thompson for the AJC

East Point fire pumpers go green

East Point officials dedicated two fire pumpers Thursday that continue the city’s mission to go greener. The $734,000 pumpers are equipped with Green Star Idle Reduction Technology, which preserves energy and protects the environment. The Green Star system uses electronic controls to shutdown the chassis engine on the scene when the fire pump is not engaged in emergency operations. John Thompson for the AJC