County by county news for Friday

The vote was 4-3 with Annette Lewis, Van Pearlberg and Philip Goldstein voting no.

Booting became an issue this year after the city received complaints about high fees to have boots removed at a parking lot on Atlanta Street near the Marietta Square. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Cobb EMC pays $13.5 million toward plant

Cobb EMC has paid $13.5 million in initial development costs as one of the main contributors in a conglomerate proposing two coal-fired plants. Cobb EMC, along with five other electric co-ops make up POWER4 Georgians, which plans to build a plant in Sandersville and another one in Ben Hill County. The plants are each expected to cost $2.1 billion.

Cobb EMC’s board will discuss the proposed Plant Washington in Sandersville during its January meeting, said EMC spokesman Sam Kelly. Janel Davis

Smyrna asks for used cooking oil

Smyrna is asking residents and restaurants to donate used cooking oil to a city biodiesel plant opening in January. Citizens can now leave used oil curbside on recycling days in sealed plastic containers such as milk jugs or at the Smyrna Recycling Center, 645 Smyrna Hill Drive. The goal is to have a majority of city vehicles running on biodiesel fuel to reduce fossil fuel consumption and save on fuel costs. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Cobb seeks nominations for community awards

Cobb County Commissioners and the Community Relations Council are seeking nominations for individuals, teams or organizations eligible for the 2012 Creating Community Awards. Nominations are due Jan. 12. The awards ceremony is set for March 15.

Information: www.ccrc.cobbcountyga.gov

Janel Davis

Kennesaw to get community garden

Kennesaw residents will have a place to plant veggies and learn how to grow them at the city’s Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road. The 16-acre public garden will set aside a “gather n’ grow” area next year where families can plant a garden. A $150 fee will include 10 educational classes on vegetable gardening which will start in April. Sign up starts Jan. 3. Information: 770-919-0248 or info@smithgilbertgardens.com Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Festival of Trees goes through Jan. 5

The Cobb Galleria’s second annual Festival of Trees is ongoing through Jan. 5.

The Galleria aims to raise $20,000 through the fundraising event. Visitors are asked to vote by donating to their favorite tree. The money raised will be distributed to 30 local charities. Last year’s event raised $14,000.

The festival also includes free hot chocolate and cookies at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria, 2815 Akers Mill Road S.E. in Atlanta. Janel Davis

GWINNETT

Hit-and-run driver sought in pedestrian death

The Gwinnett County Police Department is searching for a driver who fled the scene of an accident Thursday after striking and killing a pedestrian. A vehicle headed north on Buford Drive near Satellite Boulevard in unincorporated Buford around 2 a.m. struck Edward T. Harley, 61, and he died on scene.

The vehicle kept going and was last seen turning right on South Lee Street. Investigators say the culprit’s vehicle has a shattered side window and plastic missing from a headlight cover.

Anyone with information should contact Gwinnett police at 678-442-5653. Andria Simmons

Contract approved to help wildlife habitat

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a contract to improve water quality and wildlife habitat of Camp Creek in Lilburn.

Commissioners awarded a $793,203 contract to Georgia Development Partners. The firm will relocate and restore 800 linear feet of creek at Lilburn City Park and convert the existing stream channel into a bioretention storm water treatment area. The improvements are in accordance with Gwinnett’s watershed protection plan. David Wickert

Pets can pose with Santa on Saturday

Subaru of Gwinnett is hosting “Photos With Santa” on Saturday to benefit the Georgia Society for Cruelty of Animals.

Santa Claus will be in the Subaru showroom at 2920 Satellite Boulevard in Duluth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for photos with your family, friends and pets. For a $10 donation, visitors will receive a printed photo and a CD with all photos taken to share with loved ones. The photographs will be taken by Claire Elise Photography.

Info: Jane Stewart at 678-765-2726, or email stewart426@bellsouth.net. Andria Simmons

Suwanee set to chip Christmas trees

Suwanee will be collecting live Christmas trees as part of its “Bring One for the Chipper” recycling program from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31.

Residents should bring the trees to Sims Lake Park at 4600 Suwanee Dam Road.

Volunteers will assist residents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 7.

Adults and teenager who would like to volunteer Jan. 7 should contact Tammy Hiler at thiler@suwanee.com or 770-945-8996. Joel Anderson

Bank branches sponsor Toys for Tots drive

The Bank of North Georgia is sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive through today. Each branch is supporting a local charity and customers and local residents can participate by bringing new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls to the bank branches located in Buford, Norcross and Suwanee. Information: www.bankofnorthgeorgia.com. Veronica Fields Johnson

Holiday cards will help out library

Gwinnett County Public Library patrons can support the library by buying $2 holiday cards.

The library is offering several card designs for kids and adults. Proceeds from the cards support the library. Information: www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154. David Wickert

NORTHSIDE

Sandy Springs official did not owe ethics fines

Sandy Springs Councilman Gabriel Sterling appears to have been correct when he told the AJC he never owed the state $500 in ethics fines, much less $2,750 before the Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission reduced million of dollars in fines statewide. Sterling said the state fined him for not submitting quarterly reports, but because he ran in a special election this year, he only had to turn in two. The ethics website now lists him as owing only $125 for filing a financial disclosure two days late, which Sterling said he has paid. Johnny Edwards

Dunwoody police arrest three in burglary

A citizen who reported a suspicious vehicle on Tuesday helped Dunwoody Police nab a trio of alleged burglars who were pilfering a home on E. Kings Point Circle.

Officers stopped a silver 2006 Audi A4 with a license plate number matching the information given by the witness.

Investigators later determined the driver, Corey Freeman, 17, of Decatur, was waiting on two men who were burglarizing a nearby home, Dunwoody Police said.

Freeman and the other men, Dondre McDade, 17, of Conley, and Emmanuel Lett, 17, of Lithonia, were jailed on burglary charges. Andria Simmons

Johns Creek inventory bad streetlights

Johns Creek is conducting a streetlight outage inventory, and it wants residents to report any of the city’s more than 4,500 streetlights that may be on the blink.

The city will alert the power companies of malfunctioning or burnt out streetlights so the utility company can repair them.

“We’re paying the utility companies for this electricity anyway, whether the lights are working or not,” said Public Works Director Tom Black.

Information: Kevin Dye, 678-512-3200; kevin.dye@johnscreekga.gov. Patrick Fox

New episode of ‘Forsyth in Focus’ ready

A new episode of “Forsyth in Focus” has been produced, featuring the recent groundbreaking for new Fire Station 4, the new Sexton Hall Enrichment Center and the groundbreaking ceremonies for four new green space passive use parks.

“Forsyth in Focus” airs on TV Forsyth, Comcast channel 23, each day at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. and Fridays at 8 p.m.

The program can also be viewed online from the TV Forsyth section of the county website. Patrick Fox

Habitat dedicates four new homes

Habitat for Humanity -- North Central Georgia dedicated four new homes recently at the Villages of Park Creek neighborhood in Woodstock on the Cherokee- Fulton County line. More than 125 volunteers, sponsors, staff, board members, and family members attended the ceremony.

Russ Hayes, Habitat North Central Georgia CEO, thanked sponsors and volunteers.

He said that the dedication will help revitalize an abandoned, partially built-out subdivision that fell victim to the real estate recession. Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Court dismisses suit filed by informant in shooting

The federal appeals court in Atlanta has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against the city of Atlanta and a number of police officers by an informant who said police asked him to participate in a cover up of the 2006 shooting of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston.

Alexis White’s suit accused police of falsely imprisoning him and violating his civil rights. But the court ruled White failed to prove a conspiracy between the corrupt officers who participated in the illegal raid of Johnston’s Neal Street home and the officer who later detained and interviewed him. Bill Rankin

Court hearing on homeless postponed

A hearing scheduled for today has been postponed until Feb. 3 to determine whether the Metro Task Force for the Homeless should be removed from the 100,000-square-foot shelter at Peachtree and Pine streets. Shortly after a trust purchased mortgages on the property last year, the trust foreclosed on the shelter. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall has said he wants to know the state of the facility, the services provided, the number of residents and what would happen to them if they were displaced. Bill Rankin

20/20 to feature Atlanta Medical Center

Atlanta Medical Center’s unique birthing options for women will be highlighted tonight on the 20/20 television program. The Diane Sawyer Special will feature reports from around the globe on the challenges and solutions faced by moms related to premature pregnancies and deaths, Atlanta Medical Center announced. The program, which airs at 10 p.m., will feature the traditional, midwife and water birth options available at the Atlanta hospital. Carrie Teegardin

Fitness center collects for Toys for Tots

Urban Active, a fitness center, at 3535 Peachtree Road N.E. in Atlanta, is conducting its Fourth Annual Holiday Toy Drive to benefit Toys for Tots through Monday. Information: 404-389-1143.

DEKALB

County OKs next phase of park renovations

DeKalb County Commissioners recently agreed to begin a second phase of renovations to the Briarwood Park and Recreation Center in the central part of the county.

The county began a $67,000 overhaul of the center, which serves residents near the Buford Highway corridor, in 2008 using park bond funds.

The second phase, at $75,000, will be paid with federal grants and will continue upgrades to sports field, tennis courts and building at the 18-acre site. April Hunt

Failed development to become park

A failed development in southwestern DeKalb County will soon be a centerpiece park for the Bouldercrest-Moreland area.

DeKalb County Commissioners recently accepted the donation of the 63.5 acres on West Side Place. The county will spend up to $30,000 of 2001 park bond funds to perform due diligence on the land, which has not been developed and abuts the South River.

Pittsford Development LLC, a New York-based firm, donated the land after buying it last year for $166,000, according to county records. April Hunt

Decatur High offers grief counseling

On Wednesday Decatur High offered three sources for grief counseling to families affected by this fall’s unprecedented tragedy.

In October, Decatur High graduate (2010) DuJon Parker was shot and killed, then last Thursday in separate incidents longtime friends Madison Lewis (2010 grad) and Ellen Nettles (2011) died in a car wreck and drowning respectively.

Decatur High recommends families call Decatur First United Methodist (Dr. Katy Hinman, Associate Pastor), Decatur Presbyterian (Dr. Todd Speed, Senior Pastor) and First Baptist of Decatur (Kurt Varney, Pastor for Youth). Bill Banks for the AJC

Learn to shop with nutrition in mind

Looking to learn more about healthy eating?

Decatur’s Active Living Department has partnered with Kroger to offer free Supermarket Tours.

Led by Georgia State University nutrition graduate students, the tours are conducted at the downtown Decatur Kroger, 720 Commerce Drive. Tours offer tips on label reading; healthy meal planning, and more.

Tours are offered the second Saturday of each month, starting at 10 a.m. Jan. 14.

Registration is required. For information: 678-553-6541. Laurie Hoffman

Alternative school wins Hawks’ makeover

The Atlanta Hawks have selected DeKalb Alternative School as the winner of the Atlanta Hawks Reading Zone makeover.

The school was selected due to its reading program that encourages students to read a minimum of 25 books each year.

The Reading Zone will provide a space at the school for students to learn while experiencing the joy of reading. The unveiling ceremony was Thursday.

The makeover was sponsored by Philips Arena as part of the Hawks Read to Achieve program. Kenneth Musisi

SOUTHSIDE

Union City officer shoots, fatally wounds man

A man was fatally wounded by a Union City police officer Wednesday night, Channel 2 Action News reported. Family members said Ariston Waiters, 19, was killed following an apparent chase, Channel 2 reports. The GBI is investigating at the request of the Union City Police Department, GBI spokesman John Bankhead told the AJC. Police said they responded to a call of a fight in progress on Hickory Lane and encountered a crowd of people. Waiters was shot during a fight with the officer, the report said. Some witnesses disputed that account. Angel K. Brooks and Marcus K. Garner

Speedway Charities awards $117,615

The Atlanta chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities held its annual Jingle Mingle awards ceremony Dec. 6 and awarded $117,615 to 24 different organizations throughout Georgia. Speedway Children’s Charities mission is to care for children in educational, financial, social and medial need in order to help them lead productive lives. The Atlanta chapter has distributed over $3.3 million to its charities since 1994. Monroe Roark for the AJC

School finishes first in competition

The step team from Dutchtown Elementary School finished in first place at the elementary level in a competition Dec. 10 at Kendrick Middle School in Clayton County. The event featured cheer, dance, and step teams from all over Georgia. Dutchtown’s step team is directed by fifth-grade teachers Stephanie Hodges and Nicole Edgecombe. Monroe Roark for the AJC

A Friend’s House finalist in $100,000 chase

A Friend’s House, a Henry County charity that provides a home for abused, neglected and abandoned children, is one of five finalists nationwide in the IKEA Life Improvement Sabbatical Project with a chance to win a $100,000 prize. In order to win, the charity’s video must receive the most votes. To participate in voting, visit http://www.thelifeimprovementproject.com/Finalists.aspx. One vote, per email, per day is allowed until Dec. 23. Veronica Fields Johnson

Winter fishing season to begin in Henry

The Henry County Water and Sewerage Authority has announced that the winter fishing season for local reservoir use permit holders is set to begin Dec. 16-18 and extend to every other weekend in January and February. The Gardner and Tussahaw Reservoirs are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the select weekends from 7 a.m. until dusk. Other open weekends are Jan. 6-8 and 20-22 as well as Feb. 3-5 and 17-19. Visit www.hcwsa.com for permit information. Monroe Roark for the AJC

Henry commissioners to meet today

The Henry County Board of Commissioners have announced a special called meeting today f at 8:30 a.m. at the County Administration Building. Posted agenda items include a discussion regarding fiber-optic implementation and opening discussions on the 2013 budget.

This meeting will not be televised online or via the county’s cable access channel. Monroe Roark for the AJC