County by county news for Friday

Cobb students score well on ACT test

Cobb County students outperformed peers at the state and national level on the 2011 ACT test.

Students in county schools scored an average of 22.4 while students in the Marietta schools scored 21.5, according to each school system. The average in Georgia was 20.6 while the national average was 21.1. The highest possible score is 36.

In 2005, 1,823 seniors in the county took the ACT compared to 3,249 in 2011. In Marietta, 173 seniors took the test, up from 155 last year. Ty Tagami

Acworth police warn of dangerous prank

The Acworth Police Department wants to alert its citizens to a dangerous prank usually carried out by kids. Some people are finding plastic bottles in their mailboxes and yards, and picking them up to realize it contains a cocktail of makeshift explosives. Within about 30 seconds of moving the bottle, the boiling hot contents can explode with enough force to blow off fingers or cause blindness. If you see such a device, call 911 immediately. Andria Simmons

Auditions Saturday for Six Flags gig

Six Flags Over Georgia is holding the final auditions for Fright Fest entertainers on Saturday at 275 Riverside Parkway SW in Austell. Candidates must be 16 years of age or older and complete an application online prior to attending the auditions. Registration for the auditions will be held from 9-10 a.m. Information: www.sixflagsjobs.com Kenneth Musisi

Small Business Growth series begins Wednesday

A 10-week series on Small Business Growth begins Wednesday in Austell.

With continental breakfast served at Dogwood Country Club, 4207 Flint Hill Road in Austell, the stand-alone sessions will last from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on alternating Wednesdays through Feb. 22.

To register, contact Nancy Arnold at 770-943-1400 or email her at Nancy.Arnold@Firstcitizensonline.com. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Students to get healthier snack choices

Students at Lockheed and Park Street Elementary Schools in Marietta will get healthier food choices at snack breaks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave one-year grants for $66,993 that will help the two Marietta City schools to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income children. Cindy Culver, director of school nutrition, said the program will teach children there are alternatives to snacks with high fat, sugar or salt. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

GWINNETT

New athletics director ready to start at GGC

Georgia Gwinnett College officials scheduled a Tuesday news conference to formally introduce Darin Wilson as the new athletics director. The Lawrenceville college opened in 2006 and Wilson’s job is to build an intercollegiate athletics program. The college already has intramural fields and hopes to break ground on an athletics building this fall. President Daniel Kaufman has said the athletic program won’t include football but could include tennis, baseball or soccer. Laura Diamond

Residents can click and view where money goes

Gwinnett residents can see how the county spends their property taxes with a new interactive web tool. As part of a redesigned county website, Gwinnett has created a “where your property taxes go” calculator that shows – down to the penny – an estimate of how much of each property owner’s tax bill is spent on public safety, public works, transportation, recreation and other services. To use the calculator, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com and click the “your money” button. David Wickert

Library honored for its digital efforts

The Gwinnett County Public Library has been honored for its efforts to bring digital media to the community.

The library recently received a Digital Pioneer Award at the OverDrive Digipalooza 2011 conference in Cleveland, Ohio. The award honors excellence in delivering digital media.

The Gwinnett library has a growing collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, music and video. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org. David Wickert

Concert series to benefit children

Local residents can enjoy free concerts by the Oswald Brothers Band this month and at the same time donate to a good cause. In lieu of admission, fans of the Norcross band are being asked to donate school supplies to underprivileged children in metro Atlanta.

The band recently launched a 20-city tour that includes concert stops in Norcross, Roswell, Alpharetta, Newnan and Sugar Hill.

For dates, times and locations, log onto http://www.oswaldbrothersband.com. Gracie Bonds Staples

Sadie’s Place sale benefits animal rescue

Sadie’s Place, the Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s thrift shop, will have its semi-annual sidewalk sale on Aug. 27. Sadie’s is located beside the organization’s adoption center at 1175 Buford Highway in Suwanee. Proceeds go to support the Georgia SPCA’s pet rescue mission. Info: www.GeorgiaSPCA.org. Andria Simmons

SPCA offers low-cost vaccinations

The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering low-cost vaccinations for cats and dogs from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at its adoption center at 1175 Buford Hwy. in Suwanee. Vaccinations are $10 each. Info: www.GeorgiaSPCA.org. Andria Simmons

NORTHSIDE

Deaths of jailed man’s chickens a mystery

The sudden death of about 50 domestic fowls on the Andrew Wordes property in Roswell last month remains a mystery.

A toxicology report requested by Mayor Jere Wood was not able to determine a cause of death, Wood said Thursday.

“They said, normally, healthy chickens don’t die,” said Wood, who had two turkeys among the casualties.

Wordes, now serving a jail sentence for probation violation, said he thinks someone poisoned about one-third of the chickens and turkeys. Friends have relocated Wordes’ animals. Patrick Fox

Work to close Kimball Bridge Road

Kimball Bridge Road over Big Creek in Alpharetta will be closed this weekend as road crews work to complete paving to a new bridge that will open Monday morning. The road will be closed from 9 p.m. today 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

Cherokee puts Sunday alcohol sales on ballot

The Cherokee County Commission voted 5-0 to put a public referendum for Sunday alcohol sales on the November ballot, when there is already a vote scheduled on a education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Jeffry Scott

Cherokee presses to whittle budget

Cherokee County continues to whittle expenditures. The commission on Tuesday approved about $80,000 in budget cuts in its Senior Center Fund, Animal Shelter Fund, and DUI Court Fund. County manager Jerry Cooper said the county had less money in reserve than it had estimated. The commission last month voted to increase the millage rate on 2011 taxes to make up for a revenue shortfall. Jeffry Scott

Milton police arrest suspect in burglaries

Milton police have arrested a Crooked Creek subdivision resident in connection with a string of burglaries in the neighborhood. William Jarrod Ewing, 20, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of criminal attempt to commit burglary. He was released from the Fulton jail Thursday on $20,000 bail.

From April 7 to June 11, there were six reported burglaries or burglary attempts in Crooked Creek involving a suspect entering through back windows and doors at night. Ewing is known to roam the area at night, and physical evidence links him to at least one burglary. Andria Simmons

Roswell, Alpharetta rec departments honored

The Georgia Recreation and Park Association has recognized Roswell and Alpharetta as having the best recreation and parks departments in the state. Both agencies were cited for providing quality programs and facilities to their citizens during the organization’s annual meeting this week. Roswell was named among cities with populations greater than 80,000. Alpharetta won in the 30,001-80,000 category. While both cities have been honored with the award previously, this marks the first time both cities won in the same year. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

APS contracts for guard services

The Atlanta school board has hired Thorpe Building Services, Inc. to provide uniformed guard services. The estimated annual cost of this contract is $1.3 million. The board approved the action at a business meeting Aug. 8. Information: www.atlanta.k12.ga.us Jaime Sarrio

Zoo offers residents free admission

Zoo Atlanta is offering free admission to residents and government employees of Fulton County and the City of Atlanta Saturday and Sunday. The offer is valid for two adults and up to four children per family. Guests must provide a form of identification such as a Georgia driver’s license, voter registration, utility bill or employee I.D. The zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. both days. Information: 404-624-9453, www.zooatlanta.org. Melissa Ruggieri

Arts and crafts show in Piedmont Park

More than 100 painters, photographers, sculptors, glass blowers, jewelers and other craft makers will show their work on Saturday and Sunday at the first Piedmont Park Summer Arts & Crafts Festival. The free event, put on by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, will include artist demonstrations, live acoustic music, a street market and a children’s play area.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at 1071 Piedmont Ave., in Midtown. Information: 404-845-0793. Johnny Edwards

Ashview Heights community cleanup

TEF Waste Services, a company started by four Morehouse College students, is sponsoring a neighborhood cleanup in the Ashview Heights Community from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The event will start at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, located at 1040 Fair St. in Atlanta. Volunteers and donations are welcome. Information: Henry Mason of TEF Waste Services at 773-344-1833. Veronica Fields Johnson

DEKALB

Man gets life sentence for killing stepfather

A member of a street gang has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting his stepfather in the head after he had fallen asleep.

Jamal Barber, who was 17 at the time of the killing, pleaded guilty to the 2007 murder of 51-year-old Clark Pilcher of Stone Mountain. After killing Pilcher, Barber wrapped a black bandana, a symbol used by the Gangster Disciples gang, around his stepfather’s head. “This was a senseless and brutal murder,” DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said. Bill Rankin

Decatur rec center to close for renovation

Renovation of the 53-year-old Decatur Recreation Center will commence next month, preceded by asbestos abatement services which should begin in a week. Once started, the renovation should take 12 to 15 months and will include a new gym, an elevated running track, a climbing wall, individual restrooms and showers, catering kitchen and a computer lab for after-school programs. Bill Banks for the AJC

Clogged main cause sewage spill in Decatur

Grease and debris clogged a sewer main Monday night on Emory Drive in Decatur, creating a small spill. About 766 gallons of raw sewage escaped from the manhole cover and into Peavine Creek before DeKalb County crews were able to clear the blockage. April Hunt

Browns Mill rec center closed for renovation

The Browns Mill Recreation Center is DeKalb County has been temporarily shut down, to allow for a renovation of the complex. The Lithonia complex is expected to re-open in December. Those who use the facility can use the two other Lithonia rec centers, the Lucious Sanders center or Redan center, while the Browns Mill complex is closed. Information: 404-371-6273. April Hunt

Fundraiser for Sept. 11 memorial Aug. 25

DeKalb County firefighters and other volunteers creating a Sept. 11 monument will hold a fundraiser later this month to help cover the $20,000 cost.

The 2,200-square foot monument features a sculpted eagle wing coming out of the ground with a beam from the World Trade Center set in front of it. It is slated to be unveiled on Sept. 11 in front of DeKalb police and fire headquarters.

Arizona’s at Stonecrest, a steakhouse near Stonecrest Mall, will hold a fundraiser from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 25.

For information or to make a donation: dekalb911memorial@gmail.com or www.dekalb911memorial.wordpress.com.April Hunt

Decatur wants flood hazard to be green space

Decatur is pursuing a hazard mitigation grant in hopes of creating green space out of a Westchester Drive property that habitually floods during heavy rains. The property, on which there’s a family-occupied home, has had at least four floods resulting in severe damages over the last 10 years, most significantly a 2004 flood when damages came to $89,000. Estimated cost for purchasing and tearing down the house, then turning the property into green space is $403,000, about 75 percent of which would be paid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency if the grant’s approved. Bill Banks for the AJC

SOUTHSIDE

MARTA board member, Darnell trade barbs

When Commissioner Emma Darnell publicly harangued MARTA officials again for raising fares, board member Adam Orkin wasn’t taking it. After the agency’s quarterly briefing Wednesday, Darnell said the board should have thought of workers struggling to make ends meet before hiking prices. Orkin retorted that he wasn’t appointed to be chastised by her, and the increases were the only way to keep MARTA in business. Darnell said she appreciates the board’s service, but while they’re producing spreadsheets, people can’t afford rides to their jobs. Johnny Edwards

Peachtree City among ‘Best Places to Live’

Peachtree City has been placed among CNN/Money magazine’s Top 100 “Best Places to Live” for 2011. It is the only Georgia small town on the list. This is the fourth time Peachtree City has made the biennial list, placing at number 91 this year. It was ranked eighth in 2005 and 2009 and 64th in 2007. Evaluations were based on the quality of schools, economic strength, weather, safety, available activities and other family-friendly factors. The full list is at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayetteville’s Market Day returns Saturday

Downtown Fayetteville’s Market Day for August will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the county administrative complex. More than 50 vendors will sell homemade and home-grown goods, including produce and crafts. Two more Market Days are scheduled for September and October. For information, visit www.fayetteville-ga.gov or call 770-719-4173. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Henry offers day camp during fall break

The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a day camp Sept. 12-16 during the week of fall break for Henry County schools. The cost is $100 per child. Camp hours are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. for ages 6-12 at five locations throughout the county. Registration is weekdays from Aug. 22-Sept. 9 at the HCPRD office of any of the county’s recreation centers. Call 770-288-7311 for information. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Holmes to hold town hall meeting

Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes will host a town hall meeting Saturday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. at the Fairview Recreation Center. The focus will be on education with an update on the Henry County School System. Guest speakers will include school system superintendent Dr. Ethan Hildreth and some Board of Education representatives. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry teachers complete training

Math and science teachers from Henry County recently completed a two-year program funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The Science and Mathematics Institute of Lead Educators (S.M.I.L.E.) was a collaborative effort involving the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. Participating teachers received intense professional development in elementary math, elementary science, middle school math and high school math/CTAE. Nancy Badertscher