County by county news for Friday

Police identified the dead man as Eric Dewayne Moon Jr., 23, of Marietta. The incident began shortly before 4 p.m. when two uniformed officers in a marked squad car tried to stop a silver 1999 Chevrolet Lumina on Terrell Mill Road near Marietta, according to Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce.

The investigation is continuing. David Ibata

‘Strick’ Strickland says thanks with free lunch

Community leader Winston “Strick” Strickland will thank his customers of more than 40 years, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,with a free lunch in front of his barber shop, grill and laundromat at 168 Hunt St., Marietta. The event is open to the public. Event organizer Clarence Pennie said though Strickland is suffering from Lou Gehrig’s Disease, he wants to give the thanks, not receive them. Strickland is known for his work in the community especially with black youth. His restaurant has long been a meeting place for government, business and community leaders. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

School bus routes to be posted Monday

Cobb County students can find bus routes for the 2011-12 school year starting Monday at www.cobbk12.org. The routes will also be posted at local schools. The first day of school in Aug. 15. Jaime Sarrio

Metal Task Force delays announcement

The North Metro Law Enforcement Metal Task Force rescheduled a news conference set for Thursday in Marietta out of respect for a veteran Clayton County deputy who was shot and killed during a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon. The apprehension Wednesday evening of the suspect in the killing engaged law enforcement from ten jurisdictions. The news conference is to announce 27 North Metro law enforcement agencies have formed a Copperhead Strike Force to combat and investigate metal thefts, and detail the group’s efforts. Jeffry Scott

Spivack to speak at Tea Party seminar

Conservative speaker Loren Spivack, the “Free Market Warrior,” will be the keynote speaker at a two-day economic literacy seminar July 25-26 in Marietta. The free seminar, presented by the Georgia Tea Party, will discuss socialism, capitalism, taxes, education, healthcare and trade. The seminar will be held at 799 Roswell St. in Marietta. Information: www.thegeorgiateaparty.org Janel Davis

Powder Springs hires public works chief

By a 3-1-1 vote, the Powder Springs City Council chose a new public works director this week. Councilman Al Thurman voted in opposition. Councilwoman Nancy Hudson abstained. A certified professional engineer and a Georgia Tech graduate, Gregory Ramsey is the assistant public works director for Sandy Springs.

Beginning Aug. 1, Ramsey will receive a salary of $85,000 -- $10,000 more than his predecessor, said City Manager Rick Eckert. Rodger Swaim retired on June 30. Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

GWINNETT

Parent group files federal suit against schools

A parent group has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Gwinnett County Schools. The Gwinnett Parent Coalition to Dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline (Gwinnett STOPP) has announced that it asked the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education to investigate a student performance contract the district signed with the state.

STOPP officials allege that Gwinnett’s Investing in Educational Excellence Partnership (IE2) contract sets performance goals based on race, disability and English language fluency and is discriminatory. D. Aileen Dodd

Beaudreau meets constituents Saturday

Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau will meet with constituents from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Fire Station 30, 1052 Ozora Road, Loganville.

Beaudreau represents commission District 3, which covers eastern Gwinnett from the U.S. 78 corridor north to I-85. David Wickert

Bear struck, killed along Sugarloaf Parkway

Motorists along Sugarloaf Parkway in Gwinnett County faced an unusual traffic jam early Thursday when a bear was struck and killed by a vehicle. The black bear was hit before 8 a.m. near Old Peachtree Road, in front of Sugarloaf Country Club. The eastbound lanes of Sugarloaf Parkway were briefly closed while authorities investigated the incident. Mike Morris

Culinary students win second place

A Meadowcreek High team of culinary arts students recently won second place at a national competition in California.

The students participated in a cooking challenge at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America 2011 National Leadership Conference. They are Tyler Rivera, Nick Patma and Vincent Tompkins.D. Aileen Dodd

Students win in music competition

Students from Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Parkview High won first place in a national music production competition.The students in the school’s Technology Students’ Association -- Alisha Bhimani, Eric Brown, Tina Chan, Ross Cunningham, Derick Fernandez, Asha Harris, Mizaan Pirani, Brian Rivas, Jordan Rosenthal, Tre Thomas, Tung-Hung Tsai and Meh-Ki White -- won in this year’s national TSA competition for their production of the school’s song, “We are TSA!”

Their advisor was teacher Terry Cotton. Ty Tagami

Suwanee: Vote for your favorite sculpture

Suwanee is encouraging residents and visitors to vote for their favorite art piece on the inaugural SculpTour.

Votes can be cast at www.suwanee.com/whatsnew.sculptour.php, QR codes on smart phones or paper ballots available in a box just outside City Hall on Charleston Market Street.

The sculpture with the most votes in March, when the exhibit comes to a close, will earn title of the “People’s Choice” and will be purchased by the Public Arts Commission to be added to the city’s permanent art collection. Joel Anderson

NORTHSIDE

Commission shoots down disclosure proposal

For the third time, Fulton Commissioner Emma Darnell couldn’t muster enough votes to make aspiring county contractors disclose campaign contributions. Darnell proposed that anyone seeking a contract for $1 million or more be required to list donations to commissioners or other Fulton elected officials, similar to rules already in effect for rezoning applicants and opponents. Her motion failed 2-4 on Wednesday, with Chairman John Eaves, Joan Garner, Tom Lowe and Robb Pitts dissenting and Liz Hausmann not voting. Johnny Edwards

Fulton schools ask for public comment

Fulton County Schools has posted the Consolidated LEA (Local Educational Agency) Implementation Plan for FY12 on the system website for public comments and review. The goal is to leverage resources across federal programs to ensure that all children have an opportunity to meet state academic achievement standards. In addition, this eliminates the need to submit multiple plans, thus making the application process more efficient. Questions or comments: Tawana Miller, Title I Department at millert@fultonschools.org or 404-669-8271 8217. Nancy Badertscher

Ice cream social at River Eves school

Ice cream and information will be doled out to River Eves Elementary’s rising kindergarten, new students and parents -- compliments of the school’s PTA. The ice cream social is Aug. 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the front pavilion, East Roswell Park. Students can meet their new classmates. For parents, it’s a chance to talk to PTA leaders, teachers and administrators, including Principal Neil Pinnock. Nancy Badertscher

State. Sen. Albers to hold town hall meetings

State Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, is continuing to host a series of town hall meetings this summer in the parks throughout North Fulton County.

The next meeting will be held at Alpharetta’s Wills Park from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday. The park is located at 1825 Old Milton Parkway. Andria Simmons

Sandy Springs police offer driving class

The Sandy Springs Police Department will host a Georgia Teens Ride With PRIDE, or Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error, class Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at ChatComm, 859 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. The two-hour course is designed to help parents and their teen drivers, ages 14-16, learn what they need to do during the 40 hours of supervised practice driving time required by Georgia law. Register by emailing Bunny Mitchell at sandyspringsteens@yahoo.com or Officer Shelly Weed at shelly.weed@sandyspringsga.org. Michelle E. Shaw

Home improvement fraud class next week

The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud will hold a workshop Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Roswell branch library, 115 Norcross St. The “SmartPower” workshop is free. The session will be led by contractor fraud experts and have plenty of time for questions. Information: 678 705-4455. Michelle E. Shaw

ATLANTA

Council honors 105-year-old woman

Georgia Ann Reed, who at 105 is one of Atlanta’s oldest residents, was honored this week by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta City Council.

Reed (no relation to Mayor Reed) was born in 1906 in rural Lafayette, Ala., where she picked cotton, worked as a midwife and drove a mule. After moving to Atlanta in the late 1950s, she had to adjust to life in the big city.

“In Alabama, we used to cook in large black cooking pots that caused a lot of smoke,” she said.

“The first time we tried to cook here, the Atlanta Police Department came and told us it was a safety hazard.” Ernie Suggs

Wesley students pass Chinese language test

All 25 students from Wesley International Academy in Atlanta who took a Chinese language test at Kennesaw State University in May have passed, the school said.

The students, in third through fifth grades, took the level one Youth Chinese Test at KSU’s Confucius Institute. Three of them passed with perfect scores.

The academy, an Atlanta charter school, teaches Mandarin to all 620 students in grades kindergarten through eight. Principal Henry Stephens said the students get daily language instruction for 35 to 45 minutes from five native speakers. Ty Tagami

Pet education day in Perkerson Park

Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce M. Sheperd and Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner will host pet education day Saturday in Perkerson Park, 770 Deckner Ave.

Starting at 10 a.m., residents can come get a routine checkup for their pets, which will include vaccinations and microchipping.

Staff from the Atlanta Humane Society, Fulton County Animal Control, and pet experts will be in attendance to answer questions on pet health, training, and other pet-based issues.

Information: 404-330-6053. Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

County reports 6,300 gallon sewage spill

Grease clogged a sewer main Tuesday morning on Pleasantdale Road in Doraville, resulting in a small sewer leak.

About 6,300 gallons of raw sewage dumped into the North Fork of Peachtree Creek before county crews could pressure wash the main to clear the back-up. DeKalb County plans a major overhaul of its water and sewer system to meet a federal consent decree to prevent such spills. April Hunt

Festival On Ponce to be Saturday

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 Saturday.

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. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The event, and parking is free. Information: www.festivalonponce.com. April Hunt

Kickoff party to create Team Decatur

A kickoff party to create Team Decatur for a corporate 5K this fall will be held in the city later this month.

The team is open to residents and others who want to participate in the KP Corporate Run/Walk in September under the city’s banner.

The kickoff party will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Decatur Square and features a fitness expo, drawings for prizes and information on registering for the run/walk. Former Olympian Jeff Galloway also will be at the party. Information: www.decaturga.com/teamdecatur. April Hunt

Back to School Bash for deaf students

Georgia Hands and Voices and the Georgia PEACH Cochlear Implant Association will host the fourth Back to School Bash from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston. The event will feature educational sessions for adults and activities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Admission is free for members of the host groups, and $5 for non-member individuals, $10 for families. RSVP to info@gahandsandvoices.org. Information: www.gahandsandvoices.org. Jaime Sarrio

Big-band music dance on Tuesday

The chance to dance and sway to big-band music is being offered the last Tuesday of every month at Northlake Mall in Tucker. The Atlanta-New York Connection provides the music at the free event held in the mall’s food court. The next dance will be from 6-8 p.m. July 26 at the mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road. More information: 770-938-3564. April Hunt

Meeting to focus on Wesley Chapel area

DeKalb County will host a public meeting early next month to get community input for developing the Wesley Chapel area in south central DeKalb.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center on Rainbow Drive near Decatur.

The focus of the meeting is the county’s Livable Centers Initiative to help.

More information: Jessica Guinn at 404-684-7031 or Sidney Douse at 404-371-2178. April Hunt

SOUTHSIDE

Peachtree City sewer projects to impact traffic

Two sewer projects in Peachtree City will cause temporary closures or delays in the coming weeks. Water and Sewerage Authority crews will be on Kings Ridge Drive in Wynnmeade this week doing inspections and preconstruction work that will require some traffic lane closures and service disruptions in the area the first week of August. Sewer line cleaning and video inspections will be done along the western side of Lake Peachtree to Kedron Drive along Riley Parkway and Flat Creek Drive in Fairfield, and on Wisdom Road. Completion is due by late August. Jill Howard Church

Man, 23, gets life in deadly shooting

A fist fight that escalated into a deadly shooting has resulted in the murder conviction of 23-year-old Joshua Clark, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said.

Clark was recently sentenced to life in prison for the Jan. 24, 2009, killing of 30-year-old Jermaine McNeil outside an East Point apartment building. The two men were engaged in a fist fight when Clark pulled out a gun and fatally shot McNeil in the head, the DA’s office said. Bill Rankin

Outdoor concert in Stockbridge Saturday

The next “Sounds of Summer” outdoor concert in Stockbridge is Saturday on the lawn adjacent to City Hall. The lawn opens at 6 p.m. and Hands of Hope Clinic will host a concession tent. The Henley Varner Band, a smooth jazz group, will begin playing at 7 p.m. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Fayette County schools set orientation

Fayette County’s public schools have set their back-to-school orientation sessions for Aug. 3-5. Students can get schedules, pay fees and obtain necessary information before classes resume Aug. 8.

All elementary schools will hold orientation on Aug. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. Some of the schools will have additional sessions for pre-k and/or kindergarten students. Schedules for middle and high schools vary by school and grade level. For a complete schedule for all schools, see www.fcboe.org. Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Point south student wins trip to Istanbul

A Pointe South Middle School student and her principal recently returned from a 10-day, all-expense paid trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

The trip was Vanessa Garcia’s prize for placing first in regional art and essay contest sponsored by the Istanbul Center, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and Georgia Department of Education. The contest was open to middle and high school students in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Principal Dean Lillard traveled with Garcia. Tammy Joyner

Henry removes height restrictions

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved at its July 19 meeting an amendment to the Unified Land Development Code that will allow unlimited height for new buildings constructed in the county.

Previously the code had a 50-foot height limit for neighborhood commercial, general commercial and highway commercial construction. Monroe Roark for the AJC