County by county news for Friday

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers program allows employers and local governments to use government tools to perform employment audits to curtail the use of fake documents and hiring illegal workers. The county already participates in ICE’s 287 (g) program that allows for immigration screening of jail inmates and possible deportations. Janel Davis

Fake police officers thwarted in break-in

Cobb County police say they are looking for three men who claimed to be police officers as they tried to break into a Marietta home early Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 5 a.m. at a residence on Chisholm Trail.

A male resident heard the perpetrators banging on the back door demanding to be let in because they were the police, investigators said. When the man refused, the men tried to force the door open. After the man gathered his family in another room and called 911, the suspects fled the area, police said. Angel K. Brooks

Motorcyclist dies in Mableton wreck

A Douglasville man died Wednesday morning after a motorcycle he was riding collided with an sport-utility vehicle in Mableton, Cobb County police said.

Vernon Patterson, 57, was riding his black 1979 Harley Davidson FLH eastbound in the left lane of Veterans Memorial Highway at 7:25 a.m. when a white 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada, heading east in the right lane, made a U-turn into the path of Patterson’s bike at Powell Drive, police said.

The motorcycle collided with the left front of the Oldsmobile, and the Patterson was thrown from the bike. Police identified the Oldsmobile’s driver as Amanda Garrett, 40, of Austell. David Ibata

Garden tour proceeds to replace trees

Proceeds from a garden tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, in Smyrna will be used to replace aging and storm-damaged oak trees at the city’s Brawner Park. The tour , sponsored by Keep Smyrna Beautiful, will include five residential gardens and the Smyrna community garden on North Cooper Lake Road. Tickets can be purchased for $15 the day of the tour at the Taylor-Brawner House, 3182 Atlanta Road. A tea house will also be open at the Brawner Park house. Information: www.smyrnacity.com. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Leadership class to hold fundraiser

The Cobb Chamber’s Leadership Cobb Class of 2012 will host a musical fundraiser at 7 p.m. today at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

Proceeds from the “Summer of Blue Skies Music Festival” will go to Blue Skies Ministries, providing Florida beach retreats to families dealing with childhood cancer.

Tickets are $35 and tables, seating six, are $120.

Information: blueskiesministries.org, summerofblueskies.com, mablehouse.org/amphitheatre-contact.html or the box office at 770-819-7765. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Man charged with making illegal liquor

A Gwinnett County man is free on bond after his arrest this week on charges of making illegal liquor.

Vosile Cosma, 63, of Lawrenceville was booked into the Gwinnett County jail Tuesday on charges of possession of untaxed whiskey, according to jail records.

Cosma’s neighbors called firefighters after noticing an unusual odor in the neighborhood.

Firefighters found a homemade distillery in Cosma’s back yard and called in agents of the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Joel Provano

Man accused of kidnapping 2 children

Gwinnett County police are searching for a man who allegedly kidnapped his former girlfriend’s children after a dispute with another man at her apartment.

On May 3, Ricky Knight, 33, went to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment near Lilburn, where Bryon Cotton, a family friend, was caring for the woman’s 7-year-old sons, police said.

Knight became angry at finding another man in the apartment and brandished a gun, police said. Knight forced the two boys into his car and left, police said. The children were returned unharmed by a friend of Knight several hours later.

Anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett County police at 770-513-5300 or CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS. Joel Provano

93 percent pass State Writing Test

Nearly one-fourth of all Gwinnett County fifth graders received the highest score possible on the 2012 State Writing Test, data released Wednesday shows. Statewide, 11 percent of students received the top rating, having “exceeded standards” on the test. More than 12,600 Gwinnett students took the test in March, and 93 percent passed, including 24 percent who exceeded standards and 69 percent who met standards. Nancy Badertscher

Hooters raising money for breast cancer

Hooters of Gwinnett will raise money for breast cancer research through a charity car wash noon to 3 p.m. today at 3550 Gwinnett Place Drive in Duluth. Over the past seven years, Hooters has donated more than $2 million to the V Foundation for Cancer Research for the Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Grant in honor of Ms. Dowd, Hooters’ 1995 Calendar Cover Girl and former manager of the Palm Harbor, Fla., Hooters, who lost her battle with the disease in 2007.

Information or to donate: www.hooteres.com.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

Lady Spartan track teams takes title

The Lady Spartan track team at Greater Atlanta Christian School won the state AA championship in Albany recently.

The victory came down to the final event, the 4×400 relay with the Lady Spartans winning the race and the championship.

The relay team included senior, Brittany Arnold; juniors, Maileka Slayton and Kayin Mujahid; freshman, Airica Palmer; and sophomore Tamara Bryant.

The team, coached by Brad Kinser, broke the state’s AA record and school record at 3:51:46 seconds. D. Aileen Dodd

NORTHSIDE

Commission to get report on tax collections

Fulton County Manager Zachary Williams will give commissioners a report next month on how much the county spends collecting Atlanta, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs property taxes. The request came from Commissioner Robb Pitts, who objects to Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand being paid personal fees by the three cities that make him the state’s highest-paid elected official, earning $347,000 last year. The board can’t stop the practice, but it can turn the collections costs over to state lawmakers, who’ve been trying to curtail the fees for years. Johnny Edwards

Cumming rejects water contract proposal

The Cumming City Council has rejected Forsyth County’s offer for a new water contract, a move that could leave some 47,000 county water customers without a set service fee.

The county’s 25-year contract with the city expires in two weeks. County commissioners have struggled for two months to put together a proposal they could agree on.

Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt has said that if the deadline passes with no contract, county customers could face dramatic increases in the cost of water. Patrick Fox

Junior deputy applications due today

Today is the deadline to apply for the Fulton County Marshal’s Department’s Junior Deputy Program.

There will be two week-long sessions in June and July, each with room for 12.

Fulton students ages 12 to 16 can apply. Information: 404-612-3972 or aprille.blair@fultoncountyga.gov. Johnny Edwards

Rep. Woodall to hold town hall meeting

U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Lawrenceville, will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Forsyth County. Woodall will talk about policy issues confronting Congress and will field questions during the 7-8 p.m. event at Brookwood Elementary School, 2980 Vaughan Drive, Cumming.

Woodall represents parts of south Forsyth County.

Mark Woolsey for the AJC

Fulton graduations begin tonight

Graduation season has begun for Fulton Schools seniors.

More than 5,000 will receive their diplomas through Sunday.

Graduations will be held tonight Friday at: Creekside High, 4:30 p.m., Georgia Dome; Johns Creek High, 7 p.m., North Point Church auditorium; Milton High, 8 p.m., stadium; North Springs High, 2:30 p.m., Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre; Northview High, 7:30 p.m., stadium; Roswell High, 7:30 p.m., stadium; Westlake High, 7 p.m., Georgia Dome. D. Aileen Dodd

Relay teams rally to fight cancer

About 1,300 fundraisers will hit the track tonight at Cherokee County’s River Ridge High School for this year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life. As of midweek, almost 70 teams had raised just over $200,000 for Cancer Society research and programs. Officials say the goal for this year’s event is $268,000.

Opening ceremonies are set for 6 p.m. with the relay concluding at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Information: 770-429-0089. Mark Woolsey for the AJC

ATLANTA

Garner steps up with lobbying group

Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, whose district includes downtown Atlanta, has been named to a leadership position in the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, a lobbying and policy-forming organization for county governments. Garner was appointed second vice chair of the Health and Human Services Policy Committee by ACCG President and Taylor County Commissioner Clinton Perry.

Johnny Edwards

Water splash pad to open on Saturday

Atlanta City Councilwoman Joyce M. Sheperd, the city’s public safety agencies and Atlanta BeltLine Inc. are inviting residents to the grand opening of a new water splash pad at Perkerson Park, 770 Deckner Avenue SW. The event will being at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and will include a neighborhood jazz concert from 3-6:30 p.m. Jeremiah McWilliams

Family court help workshop on Saturday

Fulton County Superior Court’s Family Division will hold its final “Family Law Community Day” on Saturday at the Latin American Association in Atlanta. It’s part of a series designed to help those planning to represent themselves in Family Court. The division wants to give pointers about paperwork requirements and court processes. Saturday’s session will be in English and Spanish. It lasts from 1 to 3 p.m. at 2750 Buford Highway. Information: www.fultoncourt.org. Johnny Edwards

Symphony unveils smartphone apps

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced the unveiling of a new smartphone app and mobile website. The app is compatible with both iPhone and Android devices. The apps and mobile site will allow for streamlined use of the Orchestra’s website while providing additional interactive content. Tickets can now be purchased from mobile devices. The apps are free and available for download through iTunes and Google Play, and can be accessed via mobile browser at http://m.aso.org. Kenneth Musisi

DEKALB

Decatur schools see enrollment increase

Decatur schools currently have 236 new students enrolled for 2012-13, already about 65 percent of their projected growth. The administration anticipates, for the second consecutive year, a 12 percent increase, or a total growth of 384 students for next year. It’s expected that kindergarten will add 360 students replacing this month’s graduating senior class of 160. “It’s amazing how things have changed,” said superintendent Phyllis Edwards. “When I came here [in 2003-04] the numbers were dwindling. I didn’t know back then if the school system was even going to be solvent.” Bill Banks for the AJC

County awarded grant to fight drugs

DeKalb County recently was awarded a grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to help its police department patrol high-crime drug areas.

The $327,000 can go toward overtime costs, supplies and equipment used by DeKalb Police in a multi-agency taskforce targeting high-intensity drug areas in the county. April Hunt

County signs new lease for police building

The DeKalb County Commission recently signed off on a 10-year lease for its police department in Stone Mountain Industrial Park.

The department will house personnel for its specialized units in the 16,400-square foot office.

The total cost for the lease will be about $808,000 and funded from confiscated funds. April Hunt

Avondale Estates considers weather siren

During a public hearing Wednesday, Avondale Estates City Manager Clai Brown announced the city is exploring options for installing one, and maybe two tornado sirens. Each would have six horns on a 55-foot pole that would cover a circumference of two miles. The approximate cost is $18,000 to $46,000. Brown said the city has taken bids from six companies, and a final proposal will be made within two months.

Potential locations are the lake area and city hall, and each siren (to be sounded only during a tornado warning) would be tested once a month. Bill Banks for the AJC

County to spend more on uniforms

DeKalb County, which spent $1.2 million on county-issued uniforms since 2009, recently agreed to spend up to $145,000 on uniforms from June through October.

The contract with E R Partridge has provided uniforms to workers in several departments, ranging from transportation to juvenile court to parks.

The county is extending its contract as it prepares to accept new bids for the service later this year. April Hunt

Public asked to weigh in on the arts

A community survey assessing the state of the arts in DeKalb County is now online.

The survey is designed for residents as well as artists and cultural organization to help determine economic development opportunities in cultural and artistic events and facilities.

The survey is online until July 1 at www.dekalbcountyga.gov or at all county library branches. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Commission takes aim at chaplain staff

Incensed that Fulton County is spending half a million dollars this year on a chaplain’s office, commissioners made it clear to County Manager Zachary Williams that they want that staff off the payroll. Nearly $208,000 is for salaries and benefits for two chaplains and an administrative worker. Commissioner Liz Hausmann has suggested using volunteer pastors for burials and invocations.

Vice Chair Emma Darnell asked the county attorney for a written opinion on how the board can undo the head chaplain’s hiring. Johnny Edwards

Tax appeals workshop to be Saturday

For Southside homeowners hit hard by plummeting property values, the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation will hold a tax appeals workshop Saturday in unincorporated south Fulton. The county mailed more than 331,000 assessment notices on Monday, telling property owners their fair market values and how much they can expect to pay in taxes.

“How To Appeal Your Property Tax” will last from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the South Fulton Service Center, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road. The workshop is free, with donations requested. Registration: 404-869-6066. Johnny Edwards

Locust Grove earns anti-bullying honor

Henry County’s Locust Grove High School will celebrate the school’s designation as a No Place for Hate® School on Monday. To earn the designation, the school formed a committee, signed a No Place For Hate® Resolutions of Respect and completed a series of projects to address bullying and promote respect. Representatives of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will attend the 6 p.m. ceremony and present the school with its official designation banner. This will be the third time in three years that the school has received this distinction. Nancy Badertscher

Junior Police Academy takes applications

The Fayetteville Police Department’s 10th annual Junior Police Academy is now accepting applications.

The academy will be held July 23-26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applicants must be entering grades 7-10.

Applications are at the Fayetteville Police Department, Fayette Middle School and Bennett’s Mill Middle School, and are due June 1. Call 770-461-4441. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Clayton hosts teen summit Saturday

In observance of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, the Clayton County Board of Health is hosting its second annual Clayton County Teen Summit on Saturday. The free 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event is part of the health department’s Clayton Can Soar to the Top (CCST) program. The summit will be at the Riverdale Centre, 7210 Church Street in Riverdale. Tammy Joyner

East Point outdoor movies to begin

East Point’s Friday Night Flicks Outdoor Movie Series starts today with a screening of “We Bought A Zoo.” The free showing starts at dusk. The film will be shown at the Downtown Commons at 2757 East Point Street. John Thompson for the AJC