County by county for Saturday

The move continues Coopwood’s status as the only member of the facilities and technology committee to serve since its establishment in 1997. The committee oversees Special Local Option Sales Tax programs and evaluates facility and capital needs.

Coopwood, who has been a Georgia lobbyist, is chairman of board development for the Cobb Schools Foundation and is founder of Foundation 2000 For Children. Ty Tagami

Smyrna’s Newcomb won’t run for re-election

Smyrna City Councilman Ron Newcomb will not run for re-election in November, becoming the third member of the seven-member city council not seeking re-election. Newcomb, 62, has been on the council 20 years. He said he is leaving primarily because of his increasing responsibilities as provost and executive vice president of Chattahoochee Technical College. Last month councilmen Charles Wood and Jimmy Smith said they would not run. Jeffry Scott

Free concert today in Mableton

Roxie Watson will perform today at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre as part of the South Cobb Arts Alliance’s Summer Candlelite Concert Series. Parking and general admission is free. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tables for four are available for $50. To reserve a table, call 770-819-3285. The Mable House is located at 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton. Info: www.mablehouse.org. Andria Simmons

Man arrested in attempted bank robbery

An 18-year-old Acworth man was arrested this week in connection with the attempted robbery of a BB&T bank in Kennesaw in January. Rodney Halimon Jr. was arrested Tuesday, according to Kennesaw Police. Halimon allegedly entered the bank at 2760 Cobb Parkway on Jan. 31, approached a teller and handed her a note saying that he had a gun and wanted money. He left without money and never brandished any weapons. Andria Simmons

Job search training in Marietta Aug. 23

Job seekers are invited to a free job search training session Aug. 23 in Marietta.

The seminar will include information on networking, resume writing and salary negotiations. Participants will be taught how to use a database to conduct job search research.

The seminar begins at 4 p.m. at the Central Library, 266 Roswell Street. Information: 770-528-2377, www.cobbcat.org Janel Davis

Small business training session Aug. 23

The Cobb Library System will host a small business training session Aug. 23 with a presentation from ReferenceUSA representatives about the data base of 14 million companies.

Discussion topics will include identifying new sales prospects and creating customized business and consumer marketing lists.

The session is free, open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at the Central Library, 266 Roswell Street in Marietta.

Information: 770-528-2377, www.cobbcat.org Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Group presses opposition to commercial flights

Opponents of commercial flights at Briscoe Field will press Gwinnett County commissioners to rule them out Tuesday.

Jim Regan of Citizens for a Better Gwinnett said the group will attend Tuesday’s commission meeting. He said they will ask commissioners to rule out commercial flights in light of recent studies that found significant hurdles to launching passenger service at the Lawrenceville airport.

Supporters say passenger flights could spark economic development. Opponents fear noise and declining property values. David Wickert

Officials: Arson caused fire at business

Gwinnett County investigators are trying to determine who started a fire that caused moderate damage to a Peruvian business in Norcross. A passerby called 911 shortly after midnight Friday to report smoke coming from a suite in a shopping center at 7050 Jimmy Carter Blvd. The courier service, Envios a la Familia Peruana, was closed at the time. Investigators have ruled the blaze an arson caused by an incendiary device that someone threw through a glass window. Anyone with information should call Gwinnett fire department at 678-518-4890. Andria Simmons

County hosts craft market today

Gwinnett County will host a craft market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Pinckneyville Park’s Medlock Pavilion, 4758 S. Old Peachtree Road, Norcross. Vendors will sell jewelry, pottery, paintings and other crafts. David Wickert

Charter school finishes purchase of campus

New Life Academy of Excellence, the first start-up public charter school in Gwinnett County, has completed the purchase of its Duluth campus facility. The school bought the 40,000-square-foot, one-level brick building located at 4725 River Green Parkway for a little more than $2 million. New Life Academy purchased the facility from Germania of America, Inc., with financing provided through Regions Bank. Joel Anderson

A-Town A-List to play Toast @Town Center

The A-Town A-List band, a metro variety band that performs pop music from the past 60 years, will headline Suwanee’s monthly Toast @ Town Center event on Thursday.

The band will perform on the Town Center stage while artists from the North Gwinnett Art Association and Harvest Farm gardeners will offer garden items for purchase. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Joel Anderson

Educator expo on Sunday in Buford

The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center in Buford will host an Educator Expo Sunday to feature its educational programs.

The free expo will be held from noon to 4 p.m. It will provide public, private, and homeschool educators with an opportunity to explore the center and gather information on field trips, exhibits and other offerings. Childrens’ activities also will be provided for students age 4-12. For information: www.gwinnettEHC.org. D. Aileen Dodd

NORTHSIDE

Sen. Isakson to speak at chamber breakfast

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., is slated to give the keynote address for the Eggs & Enterprise breakfast sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 23 at the Country Club of the South in Johns Creek. The meeting is open to members and non-members. Reservations: www.gnfcc.com or 770-993-8806, ext. 306. Isakson served 17 years in the General Assembly and two years as state Board of Education chairman before being elected to the U.S. House in 1999 and the U.S. Senate in 2004. Nancy Badertscher

Roswell sets election qualifying dates

Qualifying for City of Roswell municipal elections runs from Aug. 29-Sept. 2 for Council Posts 1, 2 and 3, as well as the municipal judge. Candidates can file between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., weekdays at City Hall, 38 Hill Street, Suite 115.

Qualifying fee for City Council is $540. The fee is $2,730 for municipal judge.

Information: www.roswellgov.com/municipalelections. Patrick Fox

Sandy Springs offers teen driving course

The Sandy Springs Police Department will host a Georgia Teens Ride With PRIDE (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error) class Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at ChatComm, 859 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Register by emailing Bunny Mitchell at sandyspringsteens@yahoo.comor Officer Shelly Weed at shelly.weed@sandyspringsga.org. Michelle Shaw

Work to close Kimball Bridge Road

Kimball Bridge Road over Big Creek in Alpharetta is closed this weekend as road crews work to complete paving to a new bridge that will open Monday morning. The road will be closed until to 5 a.m. Monday.

The city negotiated the closure with the Georgia DOT to avoid ongoing lane closures that would have backed up traffic for weeks, Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard said. Patrick Fox

Triathlon organizers need setup volunteers

IronKids organizers are seeking 300 volunteers beginning Sept. 8 to help set up for the IronKids Alpharetta Triathlon scheduled on Sept. 11 at Wills Park in Alpharetta. A briefing for all race participants will be held on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Alpharetta Community Center Event Lawn. Registration and packet pick-up will follow from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Sept. 11 from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Information: Register to volunteer at www.awesomealpharetta.com Kenneth Musisi

Milton Roundup looks for sponsors

The City of Milton is seeking sponsorships and vendors for this year’s Milton Roundup scheduled for Oct. 15 at Birmingham United Methodist Church. There are three levels of sponsorship ranging from $500-$1,500. For vendors, non-food related booth space is $100 for businesses and $25 for non-profits. Food vendors pay $150 for a tent and $250 for space to park a food trailer.

Deadline for sponsorship and vendor applications is Sept. 9.

Information: www.cityofmiltonga.us. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Church to commemorate Sept. 11

Peachtree Road United Methodist Church will commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 with a memorial to fallen soldiers and “A Service of Peace, Hope and Remembrance” on Sept. 11 at the church, 3180 Peachtree Road.

Events will begin at 4:15 p.m. and will include an interfaith service featuring “September Sun” by David Conte, performed by musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and PRUMC. Information: www.prumc.org Veronica Fields Johnson

Howell Park run to fight lung cancer today

The Atlanta Free to Breathe fun run and walk will be today from 7 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. It will be at John Howell Park and registration fee is $30. All proceeds help support the National Lung Cancer Partnerships with vital research, education and awareness programs. Information: http://www.freetobreathe.com. Sandra Marshall Murray

Event to benefit help for young men

Boys2Men Home and Sanctuary for Youth will host the Taking Back Our Future series-”Living Out My Potential” event today at The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, 7 Concourse Parkway, Atlanta at 4-6:30 p.m.

The event which includes a silent auction and entertainment.

It will support the organization’s efforts to bring hope to male youths ages 13-25.

Tickets may only be purchased online for $40 at www.boys2menforlife.org.

Information: jeanhudley@gmail.com or 404-550-2958. Kenneth Musisi

Grants offered to schools for gardens

National Wildlife Federation’s Southeast Regional Center is awarding $500 grants to Atlanta schools to create gardens on campus. The grants will provide money for gardens that attract pollinators such as birds, hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. All public schools are eligible to receive one of 35 grants to be awarded throughout the city. Information and applications: www.NWF.org/Southeast. Rich McKay

DEKALB

Man shot to death off Redan Road

DeKalb County police are investigating a fatal shooting late Thursday night in a neighborhood off Redan Road.

The shooting occurred before midnight inside a home in the 5400 block of Forest East Lane. The identity of the man killed was not immediately available. Channel 2 Action News reported that a woman was being questioned, but detectives have not said whether she was a witness or a suspect. Mike Morris

Decatur selects firm for wi-fi network

Decatur chose Brightlan LLC out of Dalton this week to maintain the city’s wi-fi network. Assistant City Manager Andrea Arnold said that Brightlan’s focus is improving speed, coverage area and bandwidth within the city. The city won’t pay Brightlan anything. Arnold said Decatur allows the Internet service provider to operate the network and charge fees to customers and, in turn, the city is entitled to 20 percent of gross revenues. She added the new service should be operating by early next year. Bill Banks for the AJC

Apartments for seniors under construction

The NorSouth Companies and the Housing Authority of DeKalb County have teamed up on a new apartment complex for senior citizens in north DeKalb. Crews have broken ground on Hearthside Brookleigh, a $15.7 million complex for residents age 62 and older. The 121 apartments are being built on the Johnson Ferry East public housing project near Ashford Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry roads. April Hunt

Doraville court offers amnesty period

Doraville’s Municipal Court has scheduled an amnesty period for people who have past-due, unpaid traffic tickets, local ordinance citations and active Failure to Appear Bench Warrants. Ticket and citation holders can visit Municipal Court, 3765 Park Ave., Doraville, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. during September and October. Those with active warrants can only report on Tuesdays at noon. If you have an active warrant and report at any other time, you will be taken to jail. Information: 770-455-1001. Michelle E. Shaw

Construction on Olive House to begin soon

Construction on the Oliver House, the second phase of Decatur’s massive renovation of the Allen Wilson Apartments, began earlier this month with underground pipe work. Above-ground building on the planned four-story structure is scheduled to commence in September. Located on Commerce Street facing the Decatur High football field, the Oliver House should be completed around Sept. 1 of next year. Bill Banks for the AJC

DeKalb Family Fun Day to be Aug. 27

DeKalb Family Fun Day – featuring activities, entertainment and back-to-school supplies – returns Sunday.

The event, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Bransby Outdoor YMCA in Lithonia, is expected to draw thousands of people from across the county. County Commissioner Lee May and Project ARM will collect donations of school supplies to hand out during the celebration. To become a vendor or sponsor: 404-553-5765 or dekalbfamilyfunday@gmail.com. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Service commemorates 1864 Nash Farm battle

The Nash Farm Battlefield will host a 10 a.m. memorial service today to observe the Aug 20, 1864, Civil War skirmish that occurred on the Henry County site where 412 Union and Confederate soldiers died or were injured. Keynote speaker David Evans, author of “Sherman’s Horsemen” will read the names of soldiers killed or injured that day; 286 Union and 136 Confederate flags will be on the field. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Nash Farm Battlefield, a volunteer group. Nash Farm is at 4361 Jonesboro Road in Hampton. Tammy Joyner

Not enough votes for bus contract

After putting off the vote amid concerns about the fairness of the bid process, Fulton commissioners split 3-3 on awarding a $3.3 million contract to MV Transportation Inc., to bus seniors and disabled residents to medical appointments and grocery stores, among other places. County Manager Zachary Williams said the contract would save about $100,000 per year, but Commissioner Liz Hausmann questioned whether it’s an essential service. Johnny Edwards

Common Cause blog hits ‘pay to play’

In a blog posted on the Common Cause Georgia website, Executive Director William Perry called Fulton Commissioner Tom Lowe a “schoolyard bully” for leading the charge against a pay-to-play reform. Lowe called the idea “stupid,” then the board rejected Vice Chair Emma Darnell’s proposal to ban contractors from bidding for county work if they have donated more than $500 to a commission candidate during the past year.

“We need citizens to let elected officials know that pay­ to play reform is not ‘stupid’,” Perry wrote, “but something that would work for Fulton County citizens, not the campaign coffers of Fulton County commissioners.” Johnny Edwards

Wife convicted in husband’s murder

A Fulton County jury has convicted a woman for the contract killing of her husband, 35-year-old William Eric Clark.

Constance Clark, 38, was sentenced to life in prison arranging the murder to try and cash in on $600,000 in life insurance policies, the Fulton District Attorney’s Office said. Jean Pierre Devaughn, who fired the fatal shots, was convicted in April for the killing and sentenced to life in prison. William Clark’s body was found Dec. 13, 2005, at a partially completed College Park subdivision, with multiple shots to his head and body. Bill Rankin

Triathlon to impact Peachtree City traffic

The Tri-PTC Adult Triathlon will affect traffic in Peachtree City this morning.

Cycling events will cause slight delays between 7 and 10 a.m. on Willowbend Road, Hip Pocket Road, Kelly Drive, McIntosh Trail, Robinson Road and Colonnade Drive.

Runners will be on the cart path from City Hall to the Peachtree City Boat Docks on Battery Way, and the path crossing Waterwood Bend. Drivers are asked to use caution near the athletes.

The Peachtree City Library will be closed until 1 p.m. because of triathlon traffic near Drake Field. Jill Howard Church for the AJC