COBB
Powder Springs hires finance director
The Powder Springs City Council voted to approve Diana Belanger as the city’s new finance director, the fifth since 2007. She will be paid a $72,000 annual salary instead of the $85,000 yearly salary paid to her two predecessors. The last day for Amy Davis was Sept. 11, leaving to be the Chatham County finance director in Savannah. City Manager Brad Hulsey said Belanger has been an accountant III with Cobb County government and has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business from Kennesaw State University with plans to pursue her CPA.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Schools head to hold public forum
Marietta City Schools Superintendent Emily Lembeck will talk at a forum at 7 p.m. Thursday Oct. 10 at Marietta High School’s Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Ave.. The forum is part of a series of open meetings during the school year about the district’s plans and progress. Coffee Talk is free and open to the public. Information: www.marietta-city.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Powder Springs race route changed
The Powder Springs City Council approved a change Wednesday for the race as a part of the city’s 175th birthday celebration. Instead of using downtown, runners and walkers will depart at 8 and 8:30 a.m. Saturday from First Baptist Church of Powder Springs, 4330 North Ave. to Pineview Drive between North Avenue and Dillard Street, then along the Silver Comet Trail to Carter Road and back to the church.
Proceeds support Brighton Their World ministry, providing baby formula to Ethiopian orphans. Cost: $25. Information: brightontheirworld.org, fbcps.org/index.php/ministries/recreation-ministry/springville-sprint or 770-943-9333. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Tree keepers to tour Ivy Grove neighborhood
The Marietta Tree Keepers will host a sip ‘n stroll tour at 5:30 p.m. today at Ivy Grove, 473 Cherokee St. Aborists, foresters and landscape architects will talk about preserving trees in older neighborhoods.
The event is free and open to the public. Parking is along Freyer Drive. Information: www.mariettaga.gov/committees/treekeepers. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta schools recognized for nutrition
Sawyer Road, Dunleith, Lockheed, Park Street and Hickory Hills elementary schools had high student participation in breakfast and lunch School Nutrition Program. Marietta Sixth Grade Academ and Marietta Middle had high participation in breakfast School Nutrition Program during the 2011 – 2012 school year. The Georgia Department of Education awarded each school a a certificate of accomplishment. Staff
Marietta to hold citizens academy
Marietta will give a behind the scenes look at local government at a five-week citizens’ government academy 6-8 p.m. Nov. 4 at City Hall, 205 Lawrence St.
Members must be 18 or older. Registration deadline is Oct. 25. Information: 770-794-5507 or www.mariettaga.gov.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
GWINNETT
Norcross Station Café closing, lease outbid
The landmark Norcross Station Café’ has lost a bid to renew their lease for the historic 100-year old train depot located at the center of town. As required by Georgia law, Norcross opened the lease up for sealed bid at the end of December. Two sealed bids were submitted with Norcross Station Café’ owner Ken Weatherford’s bid coming in at $3,000/month ($1,000/month less than the current lease). The second, and winning bid of $7,553/month was made by Luis Fernandez, the owner of Mojito’s, a Cuban restaurant currently just across the street.
Information: www.norcrossga.net. Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Cops: Serial robbers targeted Asian women
Darnell Rice, 39, and Felix Pierson, 40, a robbery duo that police said targeted Asian women in three counties in two states are now behind bars and facing charges in Florida, Gwinnett and possibly Cobb County.
The suspects often targeted Asian women employed at restaurants and conducted surveillance to find victims, according to police.
One victim was beaten when she resisted, but was not seriously injured, according to police.
The suspects are expected to be extradited to Gwinnett. Investigators believe it is possible that there are additional victims who have not reported the crimes to police.
Anyone who may have been a victim is asked to contact Gwinnett police at 770-513-5000.Alexis Stevens
$1M Powerball jackpot win unclaimed
Stephen Bright, 49, of Lawrenceville, won $1 million from the instant, scratch-off game Georgia Lottery 20th Anniversary Extravaganza on Sept. 10. Bright bought his ticket at the Quick Mart on Highway 20 in Lawrenceville.
Meanwhile, no one has stepped forward to claim a $1 million Powerball ticket after Wednesday’s drawing.
The Powerball ticket was bought at PJ’s Food Mart on Bells Ferry Road. Robert Lee
Kudzu Art Zone to host charity exhibit
Kudzu Art Zone will partner with Perimeter Church’s Global Outreach Ministry in a fundraising event to bring hope, food, shelter and health services to the village of Karansi, Tanzania.
The Karansi Project will feature artwork inspired by daily life in the African village. All proceeds and any donations will benefit Karansi widows and orphans. Kudzu Art Zone is looking for local artists to submit their artwork 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26.
Additional details about the exhibition as well as requirements for entry available at www.kudzuartzone.org.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Food trucks in Duluth Fridays through Oct. 25
The City of Duluth will sponsor Food Truck/Block Party Fridays on Main Street through Oct. 25. Festivities are from 6 to 9 p.m. each Friday and will feature entertainment, a line up of food trucks and other activities.
Information: www.duluthga.net/foodtruckfridays Veronica Fields Johnson
NORTHSIDE
Cherokee Head Start endangered by shutdown
Three Cherokee County preschools will shut down after classes Friday, unless the federal government shutdown ends or some other federal action restores funding. The Head Start Programs at the Ralph Bunche Center, Little River Pre-K and Oak Grove Pre-K use teachers and support staff paid with federal money, said Cherokee Head Start Principal Donna Adams.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Parent appointed to state education post
A Cherokee County parent has been named to State School Superintendent John Barge’s 2013-2014 Parent Advisory Council. Deana Bearden of Canton will be part of a 36-member body meeting with Barge three times annually to talk about education, particularly increasing parent and family engagement. This is her second year with the board.Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Forsyth jail, courthouse construction on Web
Forsyth County residents can monitor construction of the new courthouse and jail in downtown Cumming via time-lapse videos of the construction at forsythco.com.
Videos will be updated weekly. Completion of the $100 million project is set for December 2014. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Free math tutoring available at library
Children in grades K-8 can receive free math tutoring 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays at the Ocee Library Branch, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek. Tutors will provide math instruction and students should bring an assignment or topic with which they are struggling.
Information: 770-362-8897.
Veronica Fields Johnson
Forsyth sets electronic recycling event
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will hold an electronics recycling event 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Cumming Fairgrounds parking lot 3 off Castleberry Road. Laptops, CD players, cellphones and microwaves are among the items that will be accepted with a minimum donation of $5 per carload.
Information: forsythco.com. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Alpharetta library hosts exhibit by local artists
The Alpharetta Library Branch will host the Alpha Arts Guild Art Exhibit at the library, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta, through the end of the year.
The display features artwork in a variety of styles and mediums.
Information: 770-740-2425
Veronica Fields Johnson
Cherokee schools plan leader bus tour Oct. 29
The Cherokee County School District plans its first-ever bus tour for business and community leaders Oct. 29.
Get On Board with CCSD Schools! is set to give 40 leaders an inside look at three high-performing schools, showcasing the district’s educational record and inviting the community to increase involvement with the schools, including establishing more partnerships.
Mark Woolsey for the AJC
ATLANTA
City names new 911 director
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner has named Angela Barrett as the city’s new 911 communications director. Barrett, who previously served as the director of Fulton County 911 from 2008 to 2013, began her new position this week.
Atlanta’s 911 center answered 1.1 million calls last year and is expected to exceed that figure this year. Katie Leslie
Life of Madame C.J. Walker celebrated
The Ivy Community Foundation Inc. and Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will present and Americolor production based on the life and legacy of Madam C. J. Walker at 7 p.m. Oct. 26, at the Ivy Community Center, 3850 Stone Road.Tickets are $50. Proceeds will benefit homeless children of the Gate City Day Nursery Association.
The black-tie event will kick off with a reception at 6 p.m. Information: 404-349-9682 or email at dhcross6@att.net.
Gracie Bond Staples
Big Boi’s wife files for divorce
The wife of hip hop star Big Boi filed for divorce on Wednesday. Antwon A. Patton, half of the Grammy Award-winning duo OutKast, married Sherlita M. Patton in February 2002. The divorce complaint, filed in Fulton County Superior Court, claims that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.
They have two children — ages 18 and 12 — and Sherlita Patton is asking for sole custody of the younger child and corresponding child support.Marcus K. Garner
School gets a library makeover
Gideons Elementary School in central Atlanta unveiled a newly renovated library and parent center recently.
The library includes 2,000 new books, furniture, shelves and aquarium and iPads, while the parent center has a conference room and computers.
The library makeover, one of 25 across the country, was sponsored by Target Corp. and The Heart of America Foundation. Mark Niesse
DEKALB
Marathon to delay traffic in Brookhaven
Drivers should expect delays in Brookhaven on Sunday for the Allstate 13.1 marathon kicking off at 7 a.m. at Town Brookhaven and is slated to end by 11 a.m.
Johnson Ferry Road will be closed between Ashford Dunwoody and Peachtree Roads 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday.
Police will also be intermittently closing roads along the route, which includes Peachtree Road, Lanier Drive, Windsor Parkway, Mabry Road, East Brookhaven Drive, Johnson Ferry Road, Ashford Dunwoody Road. Staff
Decatur named top ten ‘Great Neighborhood’
The American Planning Association had designated Decatur’s downtown as one of its “10 Great Neighborhoods” for 2013, citing sustainability, transportation alternatives, mixed-use development and “measures to protect neighborhood character, such as building height limits so as to not compromise the downtown skyline.” Bill Banks for the AJC
Senior home seeking donations
Mountain View Personal Care Home is seeking donations for a linen shower that will take place 2 p.m. Oct. 12 at 3675 Kensington Road. The facility is home to 32 seniors and needs new twin sheet sets, pillow cases, blankets and throws, mattress pads, comforters, along with bath towels and wash cloths. Items can be delivered at the shower or 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tours and food will be offered at the shower, along with descriptions of volunteer opportunities.
Mail tax deductible gift cards or donations to Mountain View Personal Care Home, Box 85, Avondale Estates, Ga., 30002. Staff
Pit bulls can be spayed or neutered for free
A new program at DeKalb County Animal Services will provide free spay and neuter procedures as well as vaccinations to pit bulls and pit bull mixes owned by DeKalb County residents. The Free Pit Fix program, funded by a private grant, aims to combat pit bull overpopulation and reduce the number of pit bulls euthanized.
Information: www.dekalbanimalservices.com or DeKalb County Animal Services, 845 Camp Road. Mea Watkins
“Work readiness” workshops continue
Interviewing techniques, resume writing and other skills to help people land work will be the focus of DeKalb Workforce Development sessions weekdays at the workforce offices, 774 Jordan Lane.
More than 2,000 residents have attended the sessions so far this year. They are free and open to the public.
Information: www.dekalbworkforce.org.
April Hunt
DeKalb to host event for waste disposal
Household hazardous waste can be disposed safely 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 19 at the central transfer station, 3720 Leroy Scott Dr.
Examples of the waste to be accepted are aerosols, cleaners, paint, flammables, fluorescent lights, batteries, mercury and photo and swimming pool chemicals. Items not accepted include biohazards, medical and agricultural waste, pharmaceuticals and nonhazardous waste. April Hunt
SOUTHSIDE
Fayetteville man convicted for robberies
A Fayetteville man was convicted on Tuesday for two armed robberies that took place in April 2011.
Fayette County Superior Court Judge Christopher Edwards sentenced Anthony Craig Dobson, 46, to two 20-year consecutive terms for holding up Jan’s Florist and a Rite Aid store. Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Tri City Venture to be discussed Oct. 9
Lake City, Morrow and Forest Park have formed a joint venture to develop an Opportunity Zone to offer tax credits to local employers who hire new workers. The Tri City Venture has been in the works for more than a year as city managers in the three cities worked in conjunction with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. It’s the first step in developing an alliance among the three cities which share common borders and demographics. Officials and administrative staff in the three cities will hear a UGA presentation that is open to the public 4 p.m. Wednesday at Morrow Center, 1180 Southlake Circle in the Southlake Mall complex.
Tammy Joyner
Candidates forum set
The Parks at Durham Lakes Homeowners Association will present a Meet the Candidates Fairburn City Council forum 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Southside Theater Guild, 20 W. Campbellton St., Fairburn.
The event includes questions from the public. Information: 404-275-4739. Laurie Hoffman
School honors Breast Cancer Awareness
Dutchtown Middle School in Hampton kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday with a “Pink Out.” There was widespread participation among teachers and students, and pink worn throughout the Henry County school. Other activities are planned later in the month, including a “walk for the cause” and the sale of “pink sweets.” Nancy Badertscher
Stockbridge health fair offers free screenings
The City of Stockbridge is hosting a free Community Health Fair from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturday in the ballroom of the Merle Manders Conference Center, 111 Davis Road in Stockbridge.
The public is invited to attend and receive free health screenings and health information. More than two dozen businesses and individuals have signed on as sponsors for the event.
Information: www.cityofstockbridge.com or contact Bishop Irvine Bryer at 678-583-9894. Monroe Roark for the AJC
College Park library to offer GED classes
The College Park Library Branch will offer GED Testing at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday as well as Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at the library, 3647 Main St., College Park. The GED consists of five tests.
Each test is $32 and the entire battery is $160. Each participant must bring a valid state ID and money order when registering. Information: 404-762-4060. Veronica Fields Johnson
